Shure Microphones for mandolin ?

[BluegrassPhilfromFrance]

Has anybody ever use a SM81 Shure microphone on stage for the mandolin and/or Octave mandolin ? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Spruce]

It's an OK small diaphram condenser for mandolin/octave mandolin, but to these ears it's a tad bright...

A KSM32 would be my Shure choice...

[mandofiddle]

Strangely enough, my guitar player buddy is at Guitar Center right now picking up 2 Shure sm81's. We'll be using them Saturday for a gig. I'll let you know what we think on Monday. The only other small diaphrams I've used are AKG 535's. I've heard great things about the Shure's. We also have an upright player who will either be using a Rode condenser or his pickup. We wanted to get him an Audio Technica ATM35, but they didn't have one in stock. We'll most likely be ordering one for him. Some band changes going on for me right now. Fiddle and bass player quit last week, so the guitarist and I are working in a new bass player, and going the more "acoustic" sounding route with mics. No more pickups! Yay! Only where necessary (Loud bars). But we're trying to promote ourselves to a more acoustic type venue than just a bar. Possibly acoustic societies, house gigs, and the festival circuit next summer.

[dasspunk]

I'll second Spruce... they are a little bright but don't sound bad. FWIW, I also have a pair of ATM31as that are very similar to SM81s (and cheaper).

[mandofiddle]

Hmm. I'm interested to try it, as I've read a lot of great reviews. Am hoping its not too bright for my ears http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandroid]

FWIW, I Had a SM 57 in my hand, recently , connector board inside , where wires from end case connect and the capsule is held down with a nut; says 'made in mexico' wonder if it's 'offshored' just components or is Shure,just another, importing only warehouse.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
A small local acoustic set, they used 2,57's and a large diaphragm condenser in the middle; all at a fair distance of a foot or so away vocals guitar and 2 mandos sounded fine. [stage on former church, small theater not lout er, loud, bar] http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Flowerpot]

I use an SM81 for stage. It's very accurate, and I've never thought of it as being bright. It has a very flat treble response, and seems to be pretty immune to monitor feedback. The only drawbacks to me are that it's not a super rugged piece, and you need phantom power. I built a battery-powered phantom box just in case, and I've had to use it on many occasions when going into an unknown situation. It does really well for general room pickup as well, if you want to have a pair on hand for general live recording. But you can't throw them around like people do with SM57's and such.

[Chip Booth]

I have a lot of mics and have occasionally used my SM81s for mando. #They sound pretty good, but are not my favourite so far. #A small Neuman (451? can't remember the model off the top of my head) has been my favourite small diaphragm so far, but danged expensive and delicate, etc. I use a pickup as well as a mic and generally blend the mic in for a better acoustic sound as opposed to relying soley on the mic. #For this I find myself constantly coming back to a good ol' SM57 (with windscreen for those outdoor gigs). #Seems to have the right kind of midrange for my instrument.

Don't worry, Mandofiddle, I bet you like them, and regardless they are a great investment for live use or recording and I am sure you will make good use of them. #

As a little note about Shure, I don't know if they import everything or not, but they gave me great service. #I bought a pair of very old SM81s used some years ago, and loaned them to a sound company that needed some more condensors for a show. #There was a huge storm and the mics were left out on the rain. #When they gave them back to me I opened the mic case and poured water out of the mics http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #Needless to say they were completely shot. #I sent them to Shure to see if anything could be done and they replaced them with brand new consecutive serial numbered mics for about $40.00, which I made the sound company pay http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Made me a big fan of their products.

[Pete Martin]

I love the Shure KSM137 for a mando stage mic and record most often with the Shure KSM44. Both work very well.

[steve V. johnson]

SM 81s used to be used for a lot of stuff, live, but they seem to have fallen out of favor. I don't care for them in the studio, and use them mainly on hi-hat or when I need drastic separation, but they are good utility mics and should be robust and honest onstage. As noted, they have a reputation for brightness, but I think that is not entirely deserved. They do provide good isolation.

I use an AT 35x Pro for our fiddler and it is great. I've not tried one on a double bass, but that's an interesting idea. AKG 535s are a tremendous value for live work, they sound real good on a lot of instruments and they are tough (and as I recall, inexpensive).

Which Rode on the bass? Interesting...

I've been using an old CAD E-100 onstage for guitar, bouzouki, OM and mandolin, and I get lots of compliments. It wasn't a well-thought-out choice, I just grabbed it one day and it seems to be real good. We carry a "stage plot" that explains our mics, for the AT and the CAD both need phantom power, and we rarely have a problem with sound guys or PA systems. I do carry a phantom box just in case, tho. <G> It's easy to get away with the medium diaphragm CAD condensor because we are only a trio. (Bodhran, fiddle, zouk+)

The more I see and hear the Shure KSM series, and read their specs and reviews, both the large- and small-diaphragm models
are really attractive. I have a growing desire for a KSM 32...

stv

[Luthier Vandross]

I use SM81s live. Yes, I like them for mandolin. For OH on drums, may as well use a hammer.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

...but we won't be mixing any drums.. heh.

The newest model isn't bright like before, half-way between my beloved 451s, and the series_1 81.

M

[mandofiddle]

Just used the sm81s for mando and guitar at a gig Saturday night. They sound AWESOME. Didn't sound bright to me at all. Multiple people commented on them and how they made the amplified sound of the mando and guitar sound exactly like the mando and guitar only louder. They didn't color the sound at all. I have begun to call the microphones "my precious". VERY nice mics. I'd recommend them, and buy them again in a heartbeat if I had the decision to make again.