Podcastage | Shure SM81 Mic Review / Test (vs. KM184, MK012, M5, sE8, U87 Ai) @Podcastage | Uploaded 1 year ago | Updated 2 hours ago
HQ Audio Of Review: podcastage.com/rev/sm81
Today I review another industry standard small diaphragm condenser microphone, the Shure SM81. This microphone offers a crazy flat frequency response that sounds natural and realistic. It offers a tolerable self noise for an SDC at 16dBa and has 2 very usable high pass filters and a -10dB pad. The pad does have pops and crackles when engaging, the HPF dial/switch is a bit hard to maneuver, and it has a low sensitivity for a condenser. However, if you're looking for a neutral SDC studio workhorse, this thing seems like it would fit the bill well.
Buy the Shure SM81(Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/sm81
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/sm81
Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.
00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:19 - Setup
00:34 - What’s in the Box
01:06 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:38 - Specifications
02:12 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:31 - Plosive Test
02:47 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:07 - Background Noise Test
03:26 - Untreated Room Test
03:42 - Overhead Boom & Under Boom
04:27 - Shock Rejection Test
04:46 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:58 - Windscreen Tone Test
05:25 - Pad Test
05:50 - High Pass Filter Test
06:26 - Intro to Comparison
06:55 - Rode M5 Comparison
07:20 - Sennheiser E614 Comparison
07:47 - sE Electronics sE8 Comparison
08:22 - Oktava MK012 Comparison
08:49 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison
09:23 - Neumann KM184 Comparison
10:01 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:38 - Music Test
12:07 - Pros & Cons
13:38 - Overall Thoughts
17:16 - Recommendation
18:38 - Outro
#StudioMic #SDC #MicReview
Become a Patreon: patreon.com/podcastage
Become a Member: youtube.com/channel/UCvOU-zTlankT-JjN3ZzvuKA/join
Check Out This Stuff TOO:
Website: podcastage.com
Giveaways: podcastage.com/giveaways
Discord: podcastage.com/discord
Merch: podcastage.com/store
Company Relationship Disclosure: podcastage.com/disclosure
Personal: bandrewscott.com
My YouTube Setup: podcastage.com/studio
My Favorite XLR Mics: podcastage.com/rev/favxlr
My Favorite USB Mics: podcastage.com/rev/favusb
HQ Audio Of Review: podcastage.com/rev/sm81
Today I review another industry standard small diaphragm condenser microphone, the Shure SM81. This microphone offers a crazy flat frequency response that sounds natural and realistic. It offers a tolerable self noise for an SDC at 16dBa and has 2 very usable high pass filters and a -10dB pad. The pad does have pops and crackles when engaging, the HPF dial/switch is a bit hard to maneuver, and it has a low sensitivity for a condenser. However, if you're looking for a neutral SDC studio workhorse, this thing seems like it would fit the bill well.
Buy the Shure SM81(Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/sm81
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/sm81
Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.
00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:19 - Setup
00:34 - What’s in the Box
01:06 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:38 - Specifications
02:12 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:31 - Plosive Test
02:47 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:07 - Background Noise Test
03:26 - Untreated Room Test
03:42 - Overhead Boom & Under Boom
04:27 - Shock Rejection Test
04:46 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:58 - Windscreen Tone Test
05:25 - Pad Test
05:50 - High Pass Filter Test
06:26 - Intro to Comparison
06:55 - Rode M5 Comparison
07:20 - Sennheiser E614 Comparison
07:47 - sE Electronics sE8 Comparison
08:22 - Oktava MK012 Comparison
08:49 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison
09:23 - Neumann KM184 Comparison
10:01 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:38 - Music Test
12:07 - Pros & Cons
13:38 - Overall Thoughts
17:16 - Recommendation
18:38 - Outro
#StudioMic #SDC #MicReview
Become a Patreon: patreon.com/podcastage
Become a Member: youtube.com/channel/UCvOU-zTlankT-JjN3ZzvuKA/join
Check Out This Stuff TOO:
Website: podcastage.com
Giveaways: podcastage.com/giveaways
Discord: podcastage.com/discord
Merch: podcastage.com/store
Company Relationship Disclosure: podcastage.com/disclosure
Personal: bandrewscott.com
My YouTube Setup: podcastage.com/studio
My Favorite XLR Mics: podcastage.com/rev/favxlr
My Favorite USB Mics: podcastage.com/rev/favusb
