Shure
Shure VP88
Single-point stereo condenser in a Mid-Side (M-S) layout: a forward cardioid and a sideways figure-8, with a built-in switchable stereo matrix (three widths) or direct M-S outputs
Power Phantom 9 to 52 V DC (IEC 61938), or one 6 V cylindrical battery.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −66 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 0%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 1%
- Self-noise
- 24 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 11%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 10%
- Max SPL
- 129 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 17%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 15%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 0% 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 6% 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 9% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 10.
"Typical Frequency Response of Middle Cartridge" (MS mode); relative dB. Distance, angle, 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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 4.
"Typical Middle Cartridge Polar Pattern" (MS mode); two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the top, 5 dB per ring. Distance and room not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −66 dBV/Pa (0.5 mV/Pa)1 kHz, open circuit voltage, MS mode (Mid output). "-66 dB (0.5 mV)", 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL; the 2005 guide adds "(0 dB=1 V/Pa)" and "Side level 1.6 dB higher than Mid level". This does not fit the other figures: a -12 dBV clipping level at the 129 dB maximum SPL implies about -47 dBV/Pa (-66 dB would be right re 1 V per microbar). | p. 8 |
| Self-noise | 24 dB(A)typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted (Mid, Side, Left and Right outputs). "24 dB A-weighted, 28 dB typical"; the 2005 guide: "24 dB typical, A-weighted; 28 dB typical, weighted per DIN 45405". | |
| Max SPL | 129 dB SPL800 ohm load; also 119 dB SPL, 150 ohm load | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 70 dBat 94 dB SPL, A-weighted (IEC 651). The 2005 guide (p. 5) adds "(IEC 651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 105 dBmaximum SPL to A-weighted noise | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmEIA rated; 100 ohm actual. "EIA rated at 150 Ω (100 Ω actual)". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 9 to 52 V DC (IEC 61938), or one 6 V cylindrical battery | p. 9 |
| Current draw | 2.6 mAphantom, total (1.3 mA per output); 2.4 mA on the battery | |
| Low cut | flat, 12 dB/oct below 80 Hz; 80 Hz; 12 dB/octave"12 dB per octave cut below 80 Hz". The upper switch combines it with the power setting: two roll-off positions, one for phantom and one for battery power (2005 guide, Figure 2). | p. 5 |
| Switches | output mode: MS, stereo L, stereo M, stereo H"The lower control sets the VP88 to either MS Mode, or one of three Stereo modes. (L, M, or H)." | p. 6 |
| Finish | Brass and nickel-plated aluminium with stainless steel grille, satin black vinyl enamel | p. 9 |
| Supplied accessories | 80A463 battery; 95B2313 zipper bag; 49A91 foam windscreen; 90G4046 swivel stand adapter; 95A2300 0.76 m (30 in) Y-splitter cableFurnished accessories. | p. 12 |
| Side levelstereo modes | Relative to the Mid: L -6.0 dB, M -1.9 dB, H +1.6 dB | p. 6 |
| MS mode | Side on-axis sensitivity (90° from the front) 1.6 dB above the Mid's on-axis sensitivity; the two are equal at 45° | |
| Clipping level1 kHz | 800 Ω load, 1% THD: Mid -12 dBV (0.25 V), Side -10 dBV (0.30 V); 150 Ω load: Mid -25 dBV (0.06 V), Side -19 dBV (0.11 V) | p. 8 |
| Polarity | Positive pressure applied from any direction to the Mid cartridge or from the left to the Side cartridge in the MS mode, or applied from the front in the Stereo mode, produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 (Mid/Left) and pin 4 relative to pin 5 (Side/Right) | p. 9 |
| Battery | 6 V cylindrical (e.g. PX28, 4LR44); typically 70 hours (silver oxide or lithium) or 40 hours (alkaline); LED flashes while at least five hours remain; no drain on phantom power | p. 4 |
| Overvoltage protection | Maximum external voltage applied to pins 2 to 5 with respect to pin 1: ±75 V DC | p. 9 |
| Operating temperature | -18 to 57 °C (0 to 135 °F) | |
| Shock mount | Internal shock mount; integrated pop screen | p. 3 |
| From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Rated load impedance | 800 ohmrecommended minimum; usable down to 150 ohm with reduced clipping level | p. 5 |
| Connector | XLR-5 male (Mid/Left on pins 2-3, Side/Right on pins 4-5)Cables: the supplied Y-splitter has "5-pin female XLR connector on microphone end and two 3-pin male XLR connectors on equipment ends"; pins on p. 2. | |
| Weight | 417 gnet, without battery and cable. "417 grams (14.7 oz) less battery and cable"; the 2022 guide gives 417 g. | |
| Dimensions | 39.7 × 290 mm"Length: 11-7/16 in.; 290mm. Front Diameter: 1-9/16 in. 39.7mm; Diameter at Cable connection: 1-1/16 in.; 27mm" (front diameter × length). | |
| Self noise, DIN 45405 | 28 dB typical | |
| Hum pickup | -4 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 millioersted field (60 Hz) | |
| Optional accessories | A88SM external shock mount (with a camera shoe foot); C110 7.6 m (25 ft) XLR-5 extension cable; S15A telescoping tripod floor stand; 65B1218B control knob | p. 1 |
Documents
- VP88 Stereo Condenser Microphone, user guideversion 2.2, 2022-J
- Model VP88 User Guide27C3043 Rev. 7
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.