Shure
Shure KSM141
Small-diaphragm end-address condenser with a mechanical cardioid/omni switch (rotating ring), pad and low-frequency filter
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V DC.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −37 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 51%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 66%
- Self-noise
- 14 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 59%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 60%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 49% 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 71% 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 27% 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 14; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 1.
"Frequency Response", omni graph; relative dB. 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 spec sheet, p. 1. Approximate
"Polar Pattern", omni; two plots (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring from +5 dB (outer) to -20 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 500 Hz, 1k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered Mylar diaphragm | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −37 dBV/Patypical, 1 kHz | |
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted, IEC 651 | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL1 kHz, 1000 ohm load; also 139 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load; also 145 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load (user guide); also 149 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, -15 dB pad (user guide); also 159 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, -25 dB pad; also 164 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, -25 dB pad; also 170 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load, -25 dB pad (user guide). The sheet gives 5000 ohm as "134 dB (159 dB, -25 Pad)", the same as 1000 ohm; the user guide (p. 7) gives "145 (160, 170) dB" for 5000 ohm, "139 (154, 164) dB" for 2500 ohm and "134 (149, 159) dB" for 1000 ohm (no pad, -15 dB, -25 dB). The sheet's 5000 ohm row looks like a misprint. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dB94 dB SPL minus self-noise | |
| Dynamic range | 120 dB1000 ohm load; also 125 dB, 2500 ohm load; also 131 dB, 5000 ohm load | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmactual | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V DCUser guide (p. 5, 7): "48 Vdc ± 4 Vdc (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596)"; works down to 11 V with slightly less headroom and sensitivity. | |
| Current draw | 4.7 mAalso 4.65 mA, typical at 48 V (user guide p. 7) | |
| Low cut | flat, 6 dB/oct below 115 Hz, 18 dB/oct below 80 Hz"Low Frequency Response: flat; -6 dB/octave below 115 Hz; -18 dB/octave below 80 Hz". Graphed on their own in the user guide, Figure 2 (p. 6). | |
| Pad | −15 dBalso −25 dB, second position. "Attenuator: 0, −15, −25 dB". | |
| Weight | 156 gnet | |
| Supplied accessories | A100G case; A100WS windscreen; A57F stand adapter; A27M stereo microphone adapter (stereo pair)Furnished accessories. KSM141/SL: stand adapter, windscreen and carrying case; KSM141/SL STEREO: two of each, the A27M bar and a case. The 2007 user guide lists the A141C case (A141SPC for the pair). | |
| Output clipping level | 15 dBV into 5000 ohm, 9 dBV into 2500 ohm, 3 dBV into 1000 ohm | |
| Common mode rejection | >50 dB, 50 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the front diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 | |
| Electronics | Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier; subsonic filter below 17 Hz | |
| From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended minimum. "Shure recommends a load impedance of at least 1000 Ω." | p. 5 |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleNot stated by the manufacturer: "Use a cable with XLR connectors at each end"; pins 2 and 3 named under polarity. | |
| Dimensions | 20 × 145 mm"20 mm (0.8 in.) diameter, 145 mm (5.75 in.) long" (diameter × length); Figure 7 (p. 9) is marked 146 mm. | p. 7 |
| Pad useShure | -15 dB for loud sources about 0.75 m away (kick, snare, guitar cabinet); -25 dB at 10 cm or less | p. 6 |
| Optional accessories | A53M Shock Stopper shock mount, PS-6 Popper Stopper | p. 10 |
Documents
- KSM141 Dual-pattern End-Address Condenser Microphone, Product Specifications
- KSM141 Dual Polar Pattern Condenser Microphone, User Guide27C3156 Rev. 4
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.