Shure
Shure KSM9
Handheld dual-diaphragm condenser vocal mic, switchable cardioid or supercardioid, transformerless
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 11-52 V DC (IEC-61938).
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −51 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 6%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 30%
- Self-noise
- 22 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 16%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 15%
- Max SPL
- 152 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 96%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 94%
- Rated range
- 50 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2006
vs 14 handheld condensers
More output than 8% of 14 handheld condensers.
Each stripe is one handheld condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 12 handheld condensers
Quieter than 27% of 12 handheld condensers.
Each stripe is one handheld condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 14 handheld condensers
Takes louder sound than 100% of 14 handheld condensers.
Each stripe is one handheld 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
1 of 3; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 5.
Graph without a title, marked with the cardioid icon; 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. 5. Approximate
Polar plots marked with the cardioid icon; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, outer ring 0 dB.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 1k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | dual 3/4-inch gold-layered, low-mass Mylar diaphragms | p. 3 |
| Sensitivity | −51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV/Pa)open circuit, 1 kHz, typical. "–51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV)". | p. 6 |
| Self-noise | 22 dB(A)equivalent SPL, A-weighted, typical. "22 dB SPL-A". | |
| Max SPL | 152 dB SPL1 kHz, 1% THD, 2500 or 1000 ohm load. 152 dB for both loads. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 72 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted | |
| Dynamic range | 130 dB1 kHz, 2500 or 1000 ohm load | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmThe 2010 sheet says "150 ohms (actual)". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended minimum. "Shure recommends a minimum input load impedance of 1000 Ohms." | p. 4 |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 20 kHz | p. 6 |
| Powering | phantom 11-52 V DC (IEC-61938)All specifications measured at 48 V. | |
| Current draw | 5.2 mAmaximum. The 2010 sheet says "5.2 mA typical at 48 Vdc" (and "48 Vdc phantom, 5.6 mA" under dynamic range). | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 300 gnet | |
| Dimensions | 49 × 191 mmDrawing: 49 mm (1.918 in.) maximum diameter, 191 mm (7.5 in.) long: diameter, length. | |
| Supplied accessories | AK9C carrying case; A25E microphone clip | p. 5 |
| Clipping level | 6.7 dBV into 2500 ohm, 6 dBV into 1000 ohm (20 Hz-20 kHz, 1% THD) | p. 6 |
| Common mode rejection | ≥60 dB | |
| Electronics | Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier; subsonic filter below 17 Hz; suspension shock mount; three-layer mesh grille as pop filter | p. 3 |
| Models | KSM9 in charcoal grey (KSM9/CG) or champagne (KSM9/SL); the KSM9HS has hypercardioid and subcardioid patterns | |
| Pattern switch | Cardioid: greatest rejection at 180°. Supercardioid: greatest rejection at 120°, coverage angle 115° | p. 4 |
| Optional accessories | A85WS foam windscreen | p. 5 |
| Replacement parts | Grille RPM260 (champagne) or RPM262 (charcoal); cartridge RPM160; switch board RPM462; preamp board RPM460 | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2006 | |
Documents
- KSM9 user guide27C3192 Rev. 2
- KSM9 Multi-Pattern Dual Diaphragm Handheld Condenser Vocal Microphone, Product Specifications
- Shure KSM9 | RecordingHacks.com
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.