Shure
Shure SM98
Miniature cardioid electret condenser instrument mic with a separate battery or phantom preamp (flat or low-cut)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Two 9 V alkaline batteries in the preamp (about 300 hours), or phantom 11-52 V DC (works down to 9 V).
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −60 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 34 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 2%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 2%
- Max SPL
- 155 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 97%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 95%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 0% 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 99% 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. 1.
Figure 1, "Typical frequency response"; 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. 2. Approximate
Figure 2, "Typical polar pattern": two plots (100 Hz to 1 kHz, 5 to 15 kHz), 0° at the bottom, rings every 5 dB from -20 dB to the outer ring (0 dB; centre -25 dB). Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1.5 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −60 dBV/Paopen circuit, 1 kHz, at the preamp output. Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted: "Open Circuit Voltage ... -80.0 dB (0.10 mV)", "0 dB = 1V/µbar"; 1 µbar = 0.1 Pa, so -60 dBV/Pa (1.0 mV/Pa). | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 34 dB(A)output noise, equivalent SPL, A-weighted. Also "37 dB SPL, weighted per DIN 45 405". | |
| Max SPL | 155 dB SPL1 kHz, 800 ohm load; also 145 dB SPL, 150 ohm load | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 64 dBre 94 dB SPL. As printed; 94 dB minus the 34 dB(A) noise would be 60 dB (the later SM98A guide says 60 dB). | |
| Dynamic range | 121 dB | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated; 90 ohm actual. "Rated at 150 ohms (90 ohms actual)". | |
| Rated load impedance | 800 ohmrecommended minimum. "May be used with loads as low as 150 ohms with reduced clipping level". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz | p. 1 |
| Powering | two 9 V alkaline batteries in the preamp (about 300 hours), or phantom 11-52 V DC (works down to 9 V)The batteries take over automatically if phantom power fails. | p. 2 |
| Current draw | 1.8 mAphantom | |
| Low cut | flat, 12 dB/octave below 80 Hz; 80 Hz; 12 dB/octave; switch on the preamp"Flat/Lo Cut Switch: In Lo Cut position, 12 dB/octave rolloff below 80 Hz (see Figure 1)". | |
| Connector | Switchcraft Tini Q.G. 3-pin on the mic; XLR-3 male output on the preampParts list: P1 Switchcraft TB3M, P2 Switchcraft D3M. | p. 4 |
| Weight | 12 gmicrophone, without cable; preamp 435 g without batteries | p. 2 |
| Dimensions | 11.9 × 31.8 mmFigure 3: microphone 11.9 mm (15/32 in.) diameter, 31.8 mm (1-1/4 in.) long; preamp 60.8 x 112 x 34.9 mm. | |
| Supplied accessories | windscreen; swivel adapter; 4.6 m cable (Tini Q.G. both ends); preamplifier"Furnished Accessories: Windscreen, Swivel Adapter"; the cable and preamp are "supplied with the microphone" (p. 1). | |
| Preamp output clipping level | 0 dBV (1.0 V) into 800 ohm, -13 dBV (0.22 V) into 150 ohm (1 kHz, <0.1% THD) | |
| Hum pickup | -5 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 mOe field (60 Hz) | |
| Output noiseDIN 45 405 | 37 dB SPL | |
| Preamp switches | Battery on/off (with a green LED that flashes if at least 8 hours remain); Flat/Lo Cut | |
| Case | Microphone: matte black enamelled brass, stainless steel inner grille. Preamp: matte black die-casting | |
| Cable | 4.6 m two-conductor shielded; up to 15 m more can be added between mic and preamp "with no loss in response or output" | p. 3 |
| Environment | Operating -18 to 57 °C; storage -29 to 74 °C; 0-95% relative humidity | p. 2 |
| Optional accessories | A98MK drum mounting kit; A98-G18 18-inch gooseneck; A98HA hanging adapter; A98PF pop filter and locking collar | p. 3 |
| UsesShure | All acoustic instruments including drum kits and percussion, brass, reed, wind, string and keyboard instruments; amplified guitars and keyboards | p. 1 |
Documents
- Model SM98 Unidirectional Condenser Microphone, user guide27A2173
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.