Shure
Shure KSM109
End-address cardioid condenser (permanently biased), transformerless, with a -15 dB pad; for instruments
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596); works down to 11 V with less headroom.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −41 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 29%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 50%
- Self-noise
- 19 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 29%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 28%
- Max SPL
- 139 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 58%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 53%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2002
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 15% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 27% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 59% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 12; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 7.
Figure 2, "Typical frequency response"; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the user guide, p. 7. Approximate
Figure 3, "Typical polar patterns": two plots (250 to 1000 Hz, 2400 to 10 000 Hz), 0° at the bottom, rings every 5 dB from -20 to +5 dB (centre -25 dB). Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered, low-mass Mylar diaphragmFeatures. The diaphragm size isn't given. | p. 3 |
| Sensitivity | −41 dBV/Patypical, 1 kHz. "-41 dBV/Pa" (1 Pa = 94 dB SPL). | p. 6 |
| Self-noise | 19 dB(A)typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted (IEC 651) | |
| Max SPL | 139 dB SPL20 Hz to 20 kHz, THD < 1%, 1000 ohm load; also 144 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load; also 150 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load; also 154 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 159 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 165 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load, -15 dB pad. "THD of the microphone preamplifier when applied input signal is equivalent to the cartridge output at specified SPL". Printed "150 (165) dB" etc., the figure in brackets with the attenuator on. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 75 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. "S/N ratio is the difference between 94 dB SPL and equivalent SPL of self-noise A-weighted". | |
| Dynamic range | 122 dB1000 ohm load; also 128 dB, 2500 ohm load; also 133 dB, 5000 ohm load; also 125 dB, 1000 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 130 dB, 2500 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 136 dB, 5000 ohm load, -15 dB pad | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmactual | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended minimum; 2500 ohm and more gives more headroom. "Shure recommends a load impedance of at least 1000 Ω". | p. 5 |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | p. 6 |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596); works down to 11 V with less headroomPage 5: "can operate on voltages as low as 11 Vdc, but headroom and sensitivity will be decreased slightly". | |
| Current draw | 5.2 mAtypical, at 48 V | |
| Pad | −15 dB"0 dB or 15 dB attenuation"; page 5: it reduces the level "without altering frequency response"; use -15 dB at about 0.75 m from a snare drum or guitar cabinet. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Use a cable with XLR connectors at each end"; gold-plated connectors (p. 3). | p. 5 |
| Weight | 195 g"195 grams (6.9 oz.)". | p. 6 |
| Dimensions | 24 × 162 mmDiameter × length: "24 mm (0.95 in.) diameter, 162 mm (6.37 in.) long" (Figure 4 on page 7 prints 6.375 in). | |
| Supplied accessories | A109ZB vinyl pouch; A3WS windscreen; A25D microphone clip"Furnished Accessories". | p. 8 |
| Electronics | Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier | p. 3 |
| Output clipping level | 15 dBV into 5000 ohm, 9 dBV into 2500 ohm, 3 dBV into 1000 ohm (THD < 1%) | p. 6 |
| Common mode rejection | ≥ 50 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 | |
| Optional accessories | A55M and A55HM ShockStopper shock mounts; PS-6 Popper Stopper windscreen | p. 8 |
| ApplicationsShure | Close miking of piano, guitar, violins, drums and percussion; drum overheads; guitar amplifiers; brass and woodwind; orchestras, choirs and wind ensembles | p. 4 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2002 | |
Documents
- KSM109 Cardioid Condenser Microphone, user guide27C3142 Rev. 3
- Shure KSM109 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.