- For Live Sound, Broadcast & Recording
- Excellent Off-Axis Rejection
- Flat Response between 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Multiple Roll-Off Filters on Low End
- Handles High SPL
- Rugged Design
- Low Susceptibility to RFI
- Lockable -10 dB Pad Switch
- Rugged Construction
- Includes Mic Clip, Case & Windscreen
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 3,398 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Shure SM81. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Shure SM81. For example, 94% of 167 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Shure SM81 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 44 Reviews
Great Microphone
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by duder744 on Guitar Center
I have this microphone and use it frequently on Acoustic Guitars and cymbals, usually in stereo with an AKG C414B. Alone, the microphone records my acoustic guitar brilliantly, and it also serves as a great overhead drum mic, and it's great for cymbals (recording or live sound). It would probably sound good on vocals, but I've never used it for that.
Throw away all other drum mics
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Jim on Guitar Center
Just got 2 81s to use as drum overheads in the studio....if you have 2 of these and a kick mick (I have an AKG D112) you are set. The 81s give you a true acoustic drum sound and even more importantly when EQing them on an analog board, you can easily separate cymbals, toms and snare to give your mix an outstanding sound. You may never close mic again.
What you hear is what you get!
Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Giuliano de Landa on B&H Photo Video
I'm a musician, producer and audio designer, recording professionally for over 5 years. The SM-81 has been the small diaphragm condenser of choice in many studios since it was released. I own a pair of them and have used them primarily as drum overhead mics, and for stereo mic'ing acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments. The SM-81 is one of the most accurate mic's I've used (what you hear is what you get). They are also very well made... like long, silver, cylindrical jewels. The -10db pad and low end roll off switches are easy to get to, but not easy to accidentally switch on or off. They are also one of the quietest (low self-noise) mics. Many jazz artists love them because of their accuracy. They also work quite well for recording choirs and pipe organs. ... More
Great Mic For An Acoustic Guitar
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Sydney W. on Reverb
I am an amateur musician who plays acoustic guitars. I play for my own enjoyment. I don't play gigs. I don't do busking. I don't record one-hit wonders. I occasionally record my ditties and songs I've learned. I don't want to spend much money for microphones, but I want to record my song as faithfully as possible. So I have bought several inexpensive but decent microphones over the years as a compromise. That was a mistake. I realized that when I first recorded using a Shure SM81. There is a significant improvement in the quality of the sound recorded by the $350 Shure SM81 versus a $150 microphone. Simply put, the SM81 is "true to life" whereas my other cheaper microphones are not. The only microphone in my collection that comes close to the SM81 is the Audio-Technica AT2035 (a large diaphragm condenser mic). So, my suggestions is don't buy cheap microphones. Save your money to buy a "professional" microphone like the Shure SM81. ... More
great in double
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Aaron on Guitar Center
I've been recording for about two years now...mainly large big band jazz band live gigs. I've been using these mics as stereo pairs in front of the horn section roughly 20feet in front of the section and about 8 feet up centered. I was astonished when i went to master the sound, expecting huge amounts of clipping from the trumpets and completely hidden trombones, and found that i had to do nothing to get the correct balance. Best investment in mics i've made!!!
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Outstanding
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by TomD on Guitar Center
I own a number of pairs of high quality condenser mics. The Shure SM 81 is extremely neutral in its sound. It is quiet, has extremely fast transient response and reproduces acoustic guitar, drum cymbals, and violins more naturally than any other mic I've tried.
BEST OVERHEAD DRUM RECORDING AND LIVE SOUND MICROPHONES BY FAR
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Ed Pigan on Guitar Center
I have used 2 SM81's in the studio and when I play live for about 6 years now. As others have said, these Mic's pick up the Toms very well, but in my opinion, excel on the cymbals. They pick up every cymbal ping and handle the wash as well. These Mic's also pick up my HI-Hat (open and closed) very well. I believe in keeping things simple, I use an AKG D 112 for my Bass Drum and a SHURE SM57 for the Snare in combination with these 2 SM81 Condensers running through a Peavey Mixer (so I can control Mix, Panning, Tone and Volume right at the set) and the sound is consistent, very clear and powerful. I highly recommend these Microphones. ... More
Fantastic and Versatile
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Sheridan on Guitar Center
This microphone has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Our church owns 4 and has used them for everything from miking the piano (which we don't do anymore) to miking women's ensemble to children's choir. We've been amazed how one mic can project 8 women. These mics work well with the stereo mic clip too.
Great for small scale school plays
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Dave on Guitar Center
Great for high school plays, etc. Placed several of these @ 3 feet from the small platform stage. They were @ 24 inches off the ground and aimed upwards towards the kids. I had no idea if this approach was going to work. Much to my surprise, everything worked out great. I ISO recorded the three mics and mixed later. 'Used Adobe De-Reverb to reduce some of the echo from the hard walls at the back of the stage. As the kids moved across the stage, I would simply pick them up with whichever mic was nearby. I'm sure there were much better approaches to this problem, but considering the quick time frame, I'm pleased with the results. ... More
Perfect for acoustic instruments
Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Wyatt Counterman on Guitar Center
This mic is great!! Not disappointed at all. You get a nice quality condenser mic without sacrificing price. It records almost any acoustic instrument well. I've used it on piano, drum overheads, marimba, ukulele, and all sorts of other instruments and it works great. I highly recommend it for any home studio
Perfect
Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Steven on B&H Photo Video
I was looking for an SM-81 to record acoustic guitars anyway - it was recommended to me by a friend who teaches recording engineering - and I thought the bundle was too good to pass up. It did not disappoint. The SM-81 is clearly legendary for a reason. I've now made multiple recordings with it, with several different guitars, and the tracks sit perfectly in the mix with no additional EQ and no fuss. Today I tracked a vocal with it and was stunned by how well it captured my voice. Very very impressed with this mic and I'm not sorry I sprung for the extras. ... More
Happy Drummer
Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Happy Drummer on B&H Photo Video
Purchased two SM81-LC - Cardioid Condenser Mic by Shure to use for drum overheads. The bomb! These mics do not color the sound. What you hear when you play is what you will hear out of the mixer. Fantastic mics. I don't have any other instrument condensers to compare them to, and I will never need to. It couldn't get any better than this. I'm using recorderman setup with two additional mics on bass drum and bottom of snare. This is perfect for recording drums. Sounds fantastic on conga too!
Excellent Mic
Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Mic
Reviewed by bpascal on B&H Photo Video
I bought a pair of these to mic my C7 and classical guitar. Although I am still experimenting with various placements, all placements that I have tried have produced excellent results. Seems to be flat and accurate.
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Bob K. on Reverb
I absolutely love these Shure SM81's. They are excellent for anything you really care about. Superb for guitar, drums, bass, violin, you name it. If you need a quality every-time sound don't hesitate to grab the 81. A big secrete with the small diaphragm 81 is they are also outstanding for vocal. With a pop filter they rival the most expensive names in mics for clarity, bass delivery and presence. No cruddy mud to deal with, just clarity straight out of the gate
great hi hat mic
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Brian C. on Reverb
We compared this against a KM184 and a KSM-141, and the SM-81 wins, no question. It is free of annoying harshness, and has a reasonably flat response with only gentle peaks. We're doing vocal songs with drums in the background, we don't want the hi-hat to cut through with harshness or even brightness, and the SM-81 works perfectly that way. It's become our go-to hi hat mic. It's very clean, very pleasing to the ear. Well worth the price, in my opinion.
Fantastic Mic!
Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Michelle the Trumpeter on B&H Photo Video
After doing much research I settled on buying 2 of these. I had done some previous recording with 2 SM57's, but the SM81's have a flatter sound. I have only used these to record trumpet, but they sound is great and handles the loud sound and quick response very well. I also bought a Fathead Cascade to put right at my bell, and I personally like that sound better when I'm running only one mic. The 81's are going to sound great in the hall though. I do wish that they made one box for two mics.
Shure SM81 Condenser microphone
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Nathan C. on Reverb
I picked up a pair of these to record acoustic guitar. Nice high end shimmer. Very clear in the mix. You can play around with the positioning until you get the sound you are looking for. I finally got rid of the booming bass tone when finger picking. These mics have made the biggest improvement to my recording. Like!
Shure SM81 / Perfect for acoustic guitar+!
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Wayne M. on Reverb
Wow the Shure SM81 sounds fantastic on my acoustic guitar! Right out the gate the sound is excellent just by using this mic! The SM81 is a professional sounding mic. It sounds rich, full with lots of clarity and detail. Better than I hoped for! Inspiring!
Very natural sounding
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Paul H. on Reverb
This is my second purchase of the SM81. I simply haven’t found a better bang for the buck than this mic. If you value a durable natural uncolored but sensitive condenser mic you should consider this one. I use it to mic speakers, vocals and acoustic fingerstyle guitar and am never disappointed.
Shure SM81 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Bill B. on Reverb
Solid construction, great balance on a Stand, First rate recordings of instruments, Reliable, and confidence when live or studio recording. Beautiful neutral Frequency Response that allows me to know where i am starting from in my DAW Mixing.
