Shure
Shure PGA27
Large-diaphragm side-address cardioid electret condenser (PG Alta series) with a -15 dB pad and a low-cut switch
Power Phantom 48 V DC (IEC-61938).
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −35 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 64%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 75%
- Max SPL
- 130 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 55% 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 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 24% 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
1 of 2; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 1.
"Frequency Response", "0.6 m (2 ft.) from sound source"; relative dB. Room and smoothing not stated. Solid line.
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.
"Polar Pattern", 1,000 Hz only; 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | large diaphragm"Large diaphragm cartridge". Diaphragm size not stated. | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −35 dBV/Pa (17.8 mV/Pa)1 kHz, open circuit voltage. "-35 dBV/Pa (17.8 mV)". | |
| Output impedance | 115 ohm"Output Impedance 115 Ω". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Pad | −15 dB"-15dB switchable attenuator". The guide: "Switch: 15 dB Pad, High Pass Filter" (page 7). | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male". | |
| Weight | 453 g"453 g (16 oz.)". | |
| Finish | black metallic"black metallic finish and grille". | |
| Supplied accessories | shock mount; stand adapter; pouchAvailable SKU "PGA27-LC: Microphone, shock mount, stand adapter and pouch". | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 | |
| Operating temperature | –29 to 74 °C (–20 to 165 °F) | |
| Operating humidity | 0 to 95% relative | |
| From the user guide | ||
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPL1 kHz, 1% THD, 1 kohm load, pad off; also 145 dB SPL, pad on. "130 dB SPL Pad Off ( 145 dB SPL Pad On)"; the brochure gives the same (page 6). Not on the spec sheet. | p. 7 |
| Powering | phantom 48 V DC (IEC-61938)"performs best with a 48 V DC supply (IEC-61938), but it can operate with lower voltages". Page 7: "48 V DC phantom power (3.9 mA)". | p. 5 |
| Current draw | 3.9 mA | p. 7 |
| Low cut | flat, low cut"Low-Frequency Response Switch": "Flat response (bypass)" and "Low frequency cutoff"; frequency and slope not stated. | p. 6 |
| Housing | Cast zinc | p. 7 |
| Accessories | A27SM ShureLock rubber isolated shock mount; PS-6 Popper Stopper pop filter; A32WS black foam windscreen; 31A1856 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter; C25J 7.6 m (25 ft) XLR cable; 95A15045 stand adapter | p. 8 |
| Rear pickupShure | Not a strict cardioid: a very narrow rear pickup area about 20 dB below the front | |
| PlacementShure | Voice 2-8 cm with a pop filter; acoustic guitar 15-30 cm; amps 2-15 cm; drums 1-2 m; strings or horns 30 cm - 2 m | p. 3 |
Documents
- PGA27 Large Diaphragm Side-Address Condenser Microphone, Product Specifications
- PGA27 Large Diaphragm Side-Address Cardioid Condenser Microphone, user guideversion 3.2, 2025-H
- PG Alta microphones brochureAL26956
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.