Shure
Shure KSM44A
Large dual-diaphragm condenser, multi-pattern (cardioid, omni, figure-8), transformerless, with pad and low-frequency filter
Power Phantom 11-52 V DC (IEC-61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 3
- Sensitivity
- −31 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 89%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 92%
- Self-noise
- 4 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 98%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 98%
- Max SPL
- 131 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 24%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 22%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2010
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 89% 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 95% 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 29% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.
"Frequency Responses", omni; 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 spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.
"Polar Patterns", omni; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | dual 1-inch, 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered diaphragms | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −31 dBV/Pacardioid; open circuit, 1 kHz, typical; also −37 dBV/Pa, omni; also −36 dBV/Pa, figure-8 | |
| Self-noise | 4 dB(A)cardioid; equivalent SPL, A-weighted, typical; also 6 dB(A), omni; also 7.5 dB(A), figure-8 | |
| Max SPL | 131 dB SPLcardioid; 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1000 ohm load; also 134 dB SPL, cardioid, 2500 ohm load; also 147 dB SPL, cardioid, 1000 ohm load, pad on; also 150 dB SPL, cardioid, 2500 ohm load, pad on; also 137 dB SPL, omni, 1000 ohm; also 136 dB SPL, figure-8, 1000 ohm. Omni with pad: 149 / 152 dB (1000 / 2500 ohm); figure-8 with pad: 148 / 151 dB; 2500 ohm without pad: omni 140, figure-8 139. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 90 dBcardioid; also 88 dB, omni; also 86.5 dB, figure-8. Printed "90 db" for cardioid. | |
| Dynamic range | 127 dBcardioid; 1 kHz, 1000 ohm load; also 130 dB, cardioid, 2500 ohm; also 131 dB, omni, 1000 ohm; also 128 dB, figure-8, 1000 ohm. 2500 ohm: omni 134, figure-8 131 dB. | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 11-52 V DC (IEC-61938) | |
| Current draw | 5.8 mAmaximum | |
| Low cut | flat, 6 dB/oct below 115 Hz, 18 dB/oct below 80 Hz"Flat, –6 dB/octave below 115 Hz, or –18 dB/octave below 80 H[z]". Not graphed. | |
| Pad | −15 dB | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 492 gnet | |
| Supplied accessories | A44AM ShureLock stand mount; A44ASM ShureLock elastic shock mount; RK383 shock mount elastic cord; A44ASC aluminium carrying case; A44AVB velveteen pouch | p. 2 |
| Preamplifier distortion | <0.001% (1 kHz, 94 dB SPL) | p. 1 |
| Output clipping level | 6 dBV into 1000 ohm, 9 dBV into 2500 ohm (20 Hz-20 kHz, 1% THD) | |
| Common mode rejection | >50 dB, 10 Hz to 100 kHz | |
| Electronics | Prethos preamplifier: Class A, discrete, transformerless; subsonic filter below 17 Hz; three-stage pop grille | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2010 | |
Documents
- KSM44A Multi-Pattern Large Dual-Diaphragm Side-Address Condenser Microphone, Product Specifications
- Shure KSM44A | 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.