Shure
Shure PGA81
Small-diaphragm cardioid electret condenser (end-address) for instruments, flat response; PG Alta series
Power Phantom, 11 to 52 V DC.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −48.5 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 11%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 37%
- Max SPL
- 129.5 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 40 – 18k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 5% 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 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 10% 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
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 6.
"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 user guide, p. 6.
"Polar Pattern", 1000 Hz only; 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, outer ring 0 dB. Distance and room not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −48.5 dBV/Pa (3.8 mV/Pa)1 kHz, open circuit voltage. "-48.5 dBV/Pa (3.8 mV)". | p. 6 |
| Max SPL | 129.5 dB SPL1 kHz at 1% THD, 1 kΩ load, typical. Not on the spec sheet. | |
| Output impedance | 600 ohm"Output Impedance ... 600 Ω" (the guide repeats the sensitivity's "at 1 kHz, open circuit voltage" under it). | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 18 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom, 11 to 52 V DC"11 to 52 V DC phantom power (2.0 mA)"; the spec sheet says "48 VDC phantom power (2.0 mA)"; p. 3: it performs best on 48 V. | |
| Current draw | 2 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male". | |
| Weight | 186 g"186 g (0.4 lbs)"; the spec sheet: "186 g (6.6 oz.)". | |
| Dimensions | 27.8 × 131.1 mmOverall dimensions: "131.1 mm (5.2 in.)" long, "27.80 mm (1.09 in.)" across the grille, 24.6 mm (0.9 in.) at the connector end (head diameter × length). | p. 7 |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 | p. 6 |
| PlacementShure | Acoustic guitar 15-30 cm; drums 1-2 m; amplifiers 2-15 cm; strings or horns 30 cm to 2 m; full band 1-3 m; auxiliary percussion 15-30 cm | p. 4 |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Finish | Cast zinc housing, black metallic finish and grille"Cast Zinc" housing from the guide, p. 6; finish from the spec sheet's features. | p. 1 |
| Supplied accessories | A25D microphone clip; stand adapter; zipper pouchAvailable SKUs: PGA81-LC "Microphone, clip, stand adapter, and pouch (Less cable)". | |
| Models | PGA81-LC: without cable; PGA81-XLR: with a 4.6 m (15 ft) XLR-to-XLR cable | |
| Optional accessories | 31A1856 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter; C25J 7.6 m (25 ft) XLR-to-XLR cable; A3WS black foam windscreen | |
Documents
- PG Alta Series PGA81 Wired Microphone, User Guide27A24482 Rev. 2
- PGA81 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.