Shure
Shure PG81
Small-diaphragm cardioid electret condenser (end-address) for acoustic instruments, flat response; battery or phantom powered; Performance Gear series
Power Phantom 11 to 52 V DC, or one 1.5 V AA alkaline battery.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −48 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 12%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 37%
- Self-noise
- 20 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 23%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 23%
- Max SPL
- 131 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 24%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 22%
- Rated range
- 40 – 18k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 7% 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 19% 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 15% 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 7; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
"Frequency Response", marked "60 cm (2 ft.)"; 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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
"Polar Pattern Measured at 1000 Hz"; 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, outer ring 0 dB. Distance and room not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −48 dBV/Pa (4 mV/Pa)1000 Hz. "-48 dBV/Pa, (4.0 mV), 1 Pascal = 94 dB SPL". | p. 1 |
| Self-noise | 20 dB(A)equivalent SPL, typical, A-weighted. "Self-Noise (Equivalent SPL) 20 dB typical, A-weighted". | |
| Max SPL | 131 dB SPL2000 ohm load, phantom power; also 127 dB SPL, 2000 ohm load, battery. "2000 ohm load: 131 dB (phantom), 127 dB (battery)". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 68 dBat 94 dB SPL (IEC 651). "68 dB (IEC 651)* at 94 dB SPL". | |
| Dynamic range | 111 dBmax SPL into 2 kΩ to A-weighted noise, phantom; also 107 dB, battery | |
| Output impedance | 600 ohmat 1000 Hz | |
| Rated load impedance | 800 ohmrecommended minimum. "Recommended Input Load Impedance 800 ohms minimum". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 18 kHzThe guide (p. 14) prints "40–18,000Hz" too. | |
| Powering | phantom 11 to 52 V DC, or one 1.5 V AA alkaline battery"Phantom Power Supply Voltage: 11 to 52 Vdc"; "Battery Power Recommended: 1.5 V alkaline AA size (NEDA 15A) Life: up to 10,000 hour". | |
| Current draw | 2 mAmaximum, at 52 V DC. "Current Drain: 2.0 mA max at 52 Vdc". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleNot stated by the manufacturer: Not named as such: the polarity refers to pins 2 and 3 "of microphone output connector", and the PG81-XLR comes with an XLR-to-XLR cable. | |
| Weight | 250 gnet, less battery. "Net: 250 g (8.8 oz) less battery"; packaged 880 g. | |
| Finish | Steel and brass construction with black painted finish"Case". | |
| Supplied accessories | microphone clip; 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter; storage bagPG81-LC "Includes a Microphone Clip, 5/8“ to 3/8“ Thread Adapter, and a Storage Bag"; the overview calls them "swivel adapter, carrying pouch". | |
| Models | PG81-XLR: with a 4.57 m (15 ft) XLR to XLR cable; PG81-LC: without cable | |
| Switch | Built-in on/off switch | |
| Output clipping level1 kHz, 1% THD, 2000 ohm load | "13 dBV (0.22 V)" (phantom; 0.22 V is -13 dBV); -17 dBV (0.14 V) (battery) | |
| Electromagnetic hum sensitivity | -7 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 millioersted field (60 Hz) | |
| Phantom protection | Maximum external voltage on pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin 1: +52 V DC; reverse polarity protected to 100 V DC | |
| Battery life | Up to 10,000 hours (1.5 V AA alkaline) | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 of microphone output connector | |
| Shock mount | Internal shock mount for reduced handling noise | |
| Environmental conditions | -29 to 57 °C, relative humidity 0 to 95% | |
| From the user guide | ||
| PlacementShure | Acoustic guitar 20 cm from the sound hole (more bass), 9 cm from the sound hole (bass heavy), 9-15 cm from the bridge (warm, mellow), 15 cm above the side over the bridge (natural); hi-hat 15 cm aimed down; overhead 30 cm above the drummer's head; piano 2.5-15 cm over the open top | p. 7 |
Documents
- Performance Gear Microphone Guide27A3228 Rev. 1
- PG81 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone, Product Specifications
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.