Detail 01
20mm capsule, 4.8 inches long
Pencil format. Fits tight in drum overhead positions and on clamp mounts where a large-diaphragm mic won't.
Product detailSKU #1279061079405
ShureKSM137/SL STEREO Cardioid Condenser (Stereo Pair) Champagne
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A matched pair of small-diaphragm cardioid condensers for stereo acoustic, overheads and room work. For engineers who need accurate, quiet capture rather than character.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Stereo acoustic guitar, piano or choir in a treated room
- Drum overheads where cymbal detail matters more than color
- Orchestral and live classical recording with an X/Y or spaced pair
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a flattering, colored vocal mic
- Recording without a phantom-powered interface or preamp
- Untreated rooms — accuracy means the room gets captured too
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Cardioid only, no pattern switch
Rejects from behind. Fixed pattern, so no omni option for room ambience or flat low-end pickup.
Detail 03
14dB self-noise
Low enough that the mic disappears on quiet sources — fingerpicking, brushes, distant room mics.
Detail 04
Low-cut switch: flat or -6dB/octave below 115Hz
Gentle slope. Tames proximity buildup and stage rumble without gutting body from a guitar.
Detail 05
Pad brings max SPL up to roughly 160-170dB
Nothing acoustic will overload it. Safe on snare, close cymbals and loud brass.
Detail 06
-37dBV/Pa sensitivity
Moderately hot output. Most interface preamps will drive it fine without a gain booster.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Requires 48V phantom power on both channels, about 4.65mA each
- 02Confirm what mounting hardware ships with the pair before ordering a stereo bar
- 03Two mics means two preamps and two cables — budget for both
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is this a true matched pair?
It ships as a factory stereo pair of KSM137 cardioid condensers, intended for stereo use rather than as two separately bought mics.
02Can I switch these to omni?
No. The KSM137 is fixed cardioid. The KSM141 is the version that adds a switchable omni pattern.
03Will these handle a loud drum kit?
Yes. With the pad engaged the handling limit is far beyond anything a kit produces, and self-noise stays low when the pad is off for quieter passages.
04Do I need a preamp, or is my interface enough?
Any interface with 48V phantom power on two inputs works. Output is reasonably hot, so no inline gain booster is needed for normal sources.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
2 detailsSound
- Sensitivity Typical At 1000hz 1 Pa 94db SPL
- -37dBV/Pa
- Frequency Response
- 20 to 20,000Hz
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Low Frequency Response Switch
- Flat; -6 db/octave below 115Hz
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Tan
- Color Finish
- Yellow
2 detailsConnections & power
- Output Impedance
- 150 ? (actual)
- Phantom Power
- 48 Vdc ± 4 Vdc (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596), positive pins 2 and 3
3 detailsSize & weight
- Dimensions and Weight
- 20mm (0.8 inch) diameter, 122mm (4.8 inch) long
- Weight
- 20
- Self Noise Typical Equivalent SPL A Weighted Iec 651
- 14dB
12 detailsOther
- Cartridge Type
- Permanently biased condenser
- Common Mode Rejection
- ?50dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 80dB
- 5000 Load Attenuator On
- 145 (160, 170)dB
- 2500 Load Attenuator On
- 139 (154, 164)dB
- 5000 Load
- 131dB
- 1000 Load
- 120dB
- 1000 Load Attenuator On
- 134 (149, 159)dB
- Current Drain
- 4.65mA typical at 48 Vdc
- Polarity
- Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on output pin 2 relative to pin 3
- Directional Polar Pattern
- Cardioid
- 2500 Load
- 125dB
