Showing 1 to 8 of 8 Reviews
Reviewed by Taylor714bce on Guitar Center
I'm a singer/songwriter/guitarist and have been singing professionally for about 10 years. In that time I've come to appreciate quality equipment. This microphone is just that...Quality (note the capital Q). I?ve used Blue, Neumann, Audio Technica, Groove Tube, Earthworks, Manley, Rode, and many other quality mics in the studio and I found myself experiencing the absolute joy I experienced when I first used a nearly $8,000 Manley in a Nashville studio...only I was standing on a stage. For the first time in a live environment I could convey my music in the way I intended it to be conveyed. Wow! What a great moment for my artistry! My normal gigging mic is a Crown 311 headset; and I get endless complements on its sound quality. Unfortunately, headsets being what headsets are, there's not much opportunity to "work the mic" on the more intimate songs (nothing against the Crown). Previously I used a very nice sounding Shure Beta 58. No more. After just one show with the KSM9 I knew that I'd found MY mic. The KSM9 makes a fine complement to, and, dare I say, even surpasses the Crown 311. It has clarity that is, in a word, crystalline. Its sensitivity is remarkable, giving the singer the ability to express every emotion, every breath, every subtlety, with unreal truth to the sound source. What you put in comes out. There?s no hiding with this mic. Everything is revealed (even your sins). To make good even better, sibilance is controlled beautifully. After the first show I played with this mic I asked the soundman that I?ve been working with over the last year what EQ settings he ended up using. His response?dead flat?all night long! There was NO coloration and he said he?d never heard my voice sound that clear. With the option to switch from Cardioid to Supercardioid on the spot it makes this a versatile player for all environments. I bought it based on a recommendation having never heard it?normally not my method of operation. However, now that I?ve used it I understand why the sales person was so confident I would like it. It?s just THAT good! Build quality is beautiful. In-hand feel inspires confidence that this is a quality instrument, not just another ho-hum voice amplifier. If you?re back and forth on this mic my recommendation is that you just take the plunge and buy it. I feel comfortable saying that you will NEVER regret it! ... More
Reviewed by Les on Guitar Center
I'm an amateur guitar player/singer but sound is very important to me. From hi end two channel audio, to Home theater, to listening to live music, it all must sound good or it ruins the experience for me. So far I only play for my own enjoyment and also for a bible study group every few weeks or so but the equipment that I use is really first rate, including this microphone. I was previously using a Beta 87C and while it was OK, it cannot compare to this one. The sound quality, transient response, the textures that come across from the KSM9 are all superb. The build quality looks to be outstanding also and I've had no issues. The included case is also great. The other two microphones that were in the same category were also considered, but the Neumann KMS 104/105 didn't have the switchable polar patterns and the Sennheiser E965 got enough mixed reviews that I shied away from it. I might acquire one of these sometime in the future though and it probably will be the Neumann since I know a little bit more about what I like now. I use my KSM9 in conjunction with a Vocalist Live 5 vocal processor and the sound is simply fantastic! 60's duet type material sounds alive and worship songs sound great solo or with full harmonies kicked in. There really is less proximity effect with this mic, which is something I had an issue with on the Beta 87C. It seems that I like the way the cardioid pattern responds versus the super cardioid but that switch allows me to choose which one at a moments notice. I would highly recommend this microphone for those that demand the best sound. The list of pro's that use this model for a live show is impressive. you can check out the artists that use the KSM9 on the Shure website and if you like what they sound like in concert, then you'll like how it sounds for you. ... More
Reviewed by Clark Souter on Guitar Center
Clarity and fullness! I just do not have to work as hard to sing with this. Wonderful. Best live vocal mic I have used. Use it with some Mogami quad cable and just a near unmatched clear vocal sound.
Reviewed by Robert T. on Reverb
I used this microphone with some friends for a casual musical retreat weekend. It was amazing how we could go about our business in the same room while the person recording was only getting signal from right in front of the mic. I have not yet experimented with the supercardioid pattern, which I imagine would help for recording more space around the singer. Voices, beatboxing, and my trombone have all sounded swell on this. EQ is more subtle, as previous mics I've used had more obvious problem bands.
Reviewed by Chris D. on Reverb
I found an incredible deal on one of these and couldn’t pass it up. I had used the wireless capsule version at church for a few years, but had been using a 58 when gigging out. Immediate difference when using this. There are a lot of technical reasons it’s an excellent live microphone, but simply put, it feels like a blanket is lifted off and you don’t have to “work” excessively as a vocalist.
Reviewed by Karen T. on Reverb
I'm a professional working jazz vocalist and have gone through the ringer with microphones. The Shure KSM9 is the best microphone I've ever used and is the first one that makes me forget I'm singing through a microphone. It finally feels like I can use my voice with out worrying if it will sound okay through the mic. If you are looking to spend money on a high-quality microphone, this is the one you want.
Reviewed by Joe B. on Reverb
Bought this for a talent that had it in her rider. We were recording an "intimate" performance as a promo for a first album. She had to have this mic, but when I went to record her in Vegas, she suddenly forgot she didn't sing and worse, she didn't know the lyrics to her own song. that was day one. On day two she "took ill" and cancelled the shoot. So I hung out in the hotel.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I owned Shure Beta 58, 58A and 87A and the KSM9 is fantastic and one of the best handheld micr ophone in the market. I highly recommend.