Shure
Shure KSM27
Side-address cardioid condenser (externally biased 1-inch diaphragm), transformerless, with pad and low-frequency filter
Power Phantom 48 V DC ±4 V (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- 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
- 137 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 50%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 46%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 36% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 34% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 47% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-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 10; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 8.
Figure 4, "Typical frequency response", line labelled "60 cm"; 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 user guide, p. 8.
Figure 5, "Typical polar patterns": two plots (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, rings every 5 dB from -20 to +5 dB (centre -25 dB). Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 1-inch externally biased, 2.5 µm, 24-carat gold-layered Mylar diaphragm | p. 3 |
| Sensitivity | −37 dBV/Patypical, 1 kHz | p. 7 |
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted, IEC 651 | |
| Max SPL | 137 dB SPL1 kHz, 2500 ohm load; also 132 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load; also 152 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, attenuator on; also 147 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, attenuator on. "137 (152) dB" for 2500 ohm and "132 (147) dB" for 1000 ohm, in brackets with the attenuator on. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted | |
| Dynamic range | 123 dB2500 ohm load; also 118 dB, 1000 ohm load | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmEIA rated; 140 ohm actual. "EIA Rated at 150 Ω (140 Ω actual)". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended minimum. "Shure recommends a load impedance of at least 1000 Ω." | p. 6 |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | p. 7 |
| Powering | phantom 48 V DC ±4 V (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596)Page 4: works "with slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity with supplies as low as 11 Vdc". | |
| Current draw | 5.4 mAtypical, at 48 V | |
| Low cut | flat, 6 dB/octave below 115 Hz, 18 dB/octave below 80 Hz"flat; -6 db/octave below 115 Hz; -18 dB/octave below 80 Hz"; Figure 2 on page 5 draws both settings. | |
| Pad | −15 dB"0 or 15 dB attenuation". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleImplied: "a cable terminated with XLR connectors at each end"; positive pins 2 and 3. | p. 4 |
| Weight | 642 g | p. 7 |
| Dimensions | 53 × 156.2 mm"53.0 mm (2.08 in.) maximum body diameter, 156.2 mm (6.15 in.) long": diameter, length. Figure 6 also gives 150.1 mm across the shock mount and 50.8 mm. | |
| Supplied accessories | A27SM ShureLock rubber-isolated shock mount; A27VB velveteen pouch | p. 9 |
| Output clipping level | 7 dBV into 2500 ohm, 1 dBV into 1000 ohm (20 Hz-20 kHz, THD < 1%) | p. 7 |
| Common mode rejection | ≥50 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| High-level operation | With the pad on and a load of 2500 ohm or more: up to 152 dB SPL and +15 dBV output | p. 6 |
| Electronics | Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier; subsonic filter below 17 Hz; internal shock mount; three-layer mesh grille as pop filter | p. 3 |
| Optional accessories | A32M ShureLock swivel adapter; A32SC aluminium case; A32WS windscreen; PS-6 Popper Stopper; A32ZB padded bag | p. 9 |
| ApplicationsShure | Voice; close-miking acoustic instruments (piano, guitar, violins, drums, percussion); electric guitar amps; brass and woodwind; double bass and kick drum; drum overheads; orchestras, choirs, wind ensembles; room ambience | p. 4 |
Documents
- KSM27 Cardioid Condenser Microphone, user guide27D3138 Rev. 6
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.