Detail 01
20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
Full-range and flat, so what you hear in the room is close to what lands on the track.
Product detailSKU #1274034494307
ShureSM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Cardioid condenser built for acoustic instruments, cymbals and drum overheads. Flat-response workhorse for studio and live engineers who want accuracy over color.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Acoustic guitar and piano miking where detail matters
- Drum overheads and hi-hat on stage or in the room
- Choir, strings and acoustic ensembles needing a neutral capture
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a flattering, colored vocal mic
- Setups without phantom power on the preamp
- Buyers who need a cable and stand in the box
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
146 dB max SPL
Survives cymbals, snare and loud acoustic sources without the capsule distorting.
Detail 03
Cardioid pattern
Rejects sound from behind, which keeps stage bleed and room reflections down in live use.
Detail 04
Onboard switches
Let you engage a low-frequency roll-off and pad to fight rumble or handle very loud sources.
Detail 05
Phantom power required
Your mixer or interface must supply 48 V; it won't pass audio on a passive input.
Detail 06
7.56 inch pencil body, 2 inch diameter
Slim enough to fit under a hi-hat or between piano strings where a large-diaphragm mic won't.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Includes a case and clip; no XLR cable and no stand
- 02Confirm your interface or console has 48 V phantom power
- 03Flat response is unforgiving — poor room acoustics will show up in the recording
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do I need phantom power for the SM81?
Yes. It's a condenser and requires 48 V phantom from your mixer, preamp or audio interface. Without it, you'll get no output.
02Does it come with a cable and stand?
No. A carrying case and a mic clip are included, but you supply the XLR cable and the stand.
03Can I use it for vocals?
You can, and it will be accurate rather than flattering. It's designed for acoustic instruments, cymbals and overheads; it adds no vocal-friendly color.
04Will it handle loud drums?
Yes. Max SPL is 146 dB, which covers close-miked cymbals and snare, and the onboard pad gives extra headroom on the hottest sources.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Max SPL
- 146dB
- Capsule
- Condenser
- Polar Pattern
- Cardioid
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz–20kHz
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Switches
- Yes
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Gray
- Type
- Mounted
3 detailsConnections & power
- Phantom Power Required
- Yes
- Analog or Digital
- Analog
- Connectivity
- XLR
3 detailsSize & weight
- Length
- 7.56 inch
- Weight
- 1.37
- Diameter
- 2 inch
4 detailsIn the box
- Case or Gig Bag
- ✓ Included
- Stand
- ✕ Not included
- Cable
- ✕ Not included
- Clip
- ✓ Included
