Shure
Shure SM27
Large-diaphragm (1 inch) side-address cardioid condenser, externally biased, with a 15 dB pad and a three-position low-frequency filter
Power Phantom, 48 V DC.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −37 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 51%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 66%
- Self-noise
- 9.5 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 86%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 86%
- Max SPL
- 138 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 53%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 49%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2010
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 36% 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 68% 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 52% 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
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 15.
"Typical Frequency Response", marked "60 cm"; relative dB. Room and smoothing not stated; low-frequency filter flat (the other positions are not graphed).
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. 15.
"Typical Polar Patterns"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring. Distance and room not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 1 inch, externally biased, 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered Mylar diaphragm | p. 3 |
| Sensitivity | −37 dBV/Pa1 kHz, open circuit voltage | p. 4 |
| Self-noise | 9.5 dB(A)typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted | |
| Max SPL | 138 dB SPL1 kHz at 1% THD, 2500 ohm load, pad off; also 133 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, pad off; also 152 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, pad on; also 147 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, pad on. "1000 Ω load: 133 dB (147 dB, Pad on); 2500 Ω load: 138 dB (152 dB, Pad on)". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 84.5 dBreferenced at 94 dB SPL at 1 kHz, A-weighted | |
| Dynamic range | 128 dB1 kHz, 2500 ohm load; also 123 dB, 1000 ohm load | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated; 140 ohm actual. "150 Ω (140 Ω actual)". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V DC"48 Vdc phantom, 5.4 mA"; page 3: it works down to 11 V DC with slightly less headroom and sensitivity. | |
| Current draw | 5.4 mA | |
| Low cut | flat, 6 dB/oct below 115 Hz, 18 dB/oct below 80 Hz"Low Frequency Response: flat; -6 dB/octave below 115 Hz; -18 dB/octave below 80 Hz". Page 3 calls them a 6 dB/octave rolloff at 115 Hz and an 18 dB/octave cutoff at 80 Hz. Not graphed. | |
| Pad | −15 dB"Attenuator: -15 dB". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male". | |
| Weight | 642 gnet | |
| Dimensions | 53 × 156.2 mmDimension drawing: "156,2 mm (6.15 in.)" long, "53,0 mm (2.09 in.)" across (diameter × length). | p. 15 |
| Supplied accessories | A32M ShureLock swivel adapter; A32ZB padded zippered carrying bagFurnished accessories. The 2014 SM range sheet (p. 3) says "Includes stand adapter and zippered pouch". | p. 4 |
| Common mode rejection | > 50 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Clipping level | 1000 Ω load: 1 dBV; 2500 Ω load: 7 dBV (20 Hz to 20 kHz at 1% THD) | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 | |
| Preamplifier | Class A, discrete, transformerless | p. 3 |
| Subsonic filter | Removes rumble from mechanical vibration below 17 Hz | |
| Grille | Three separate mesh layers acting as an integral pop filter | |
| Shock mount | Internal shock mount | |
| Recommended load | At least 1000 Ω; higher load impedance gives more max SPL, clipping level and dynamic range | |
| Optional accessories | A27SM ShureLock rubber isolated shock mount; A32SC aluminium carrying case; A32WS windscreen; PS-6 Popper Stopper; RPM642 rubber rings for the shock mount | p. 4 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2010 | |
Documents
- SM Wired Microphonesspec sheet for the SM range; SM27 on page 3
- SM27 Cardioid Condenser Microphone, User Guide27A12628 Rev. 1
- Shure SM27 | 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.