Shure Americas | SM81 Instrument Microphone | Industry-standard, Touring, Vocal, Instrument

SM Microphones

Industry-standard professional microphones for daily touring, club and studio performances.

Downloads: User Guide (English); Brochure; Specification Sheet (English)

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Cardioid Polar Pattern: Picks up the most sound in front of the microphone and some from the sides. Less susceptible to feedback in high volume environments.
Flat Frequency Response: Wide, uniform response. Consistent sensitivity through frequency range.

SM81Instrument Microphone

Shure

Condenser: Lightweight, sensitive diaphragm. Precisely and smoothly captures sound nuances. Powered by battery or phantom power supply.

Recommended Uses: Live Choirs; Studio Instrument; Orchestra/Strings; Woodwinds; Acoustic Guitar; Acoustic Bass; Acoustic Bass; Piano/Organ; Cymbals; Percussion

The Shure SM81 is a high-quality, unidirectional condenser microphone designed for studio recording, broadcasting, and sound reinforcement. Its wide frequency response, low noise characteristics, and low RF susceptibility have made it a standard for applications involving acoustic instruments, especially guitar, piano, and cymbals.

SM81-LC - With windscreen, no cable. Phantom power required.

The SM81 is ruggedly constructed. It operates on phantom power and performs over a wide range of temperatures and humidity conditions. It is furnished with a swivel adapter, attenuator-switch lock, foam windscreen, and case for carrying and storage. Other accessories are available.

0 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
Flat response curve for accurate reproduction of sound sources
Low noise and high output clipping level
Low distortion over a wide range of load impedances

Cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency and symmetric about axis, providing maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sounds
Low RF susceptibility
Selectable low-frequency response: flat, 6 or 18 dB/octave rolloff
0 dB/10 dB lockable attenuator switch
Phantom powering (DIN 45 596 voltages of 12 to 48 Vdc)
Rugged steel construction for durability
Field-usable over wide range of temperature and humidity conditions

Type: Condenser (electret bias)
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz; View Larger
Polar Pattern: Cardioid (unidirectional) response-uniform with frequency, symmetrical about axis
Output Impedance: Rated at 150 ohms (85 ohms actual); Recommended minimum load impedance: 800 ohms (May be used with loads as low as 150 ohms with reduced clipping level)
Output Configuration and Connector: Balanced, transformer-coupled output; male XLR connector
Sensitivity (at 1,000 Hz): Open Circuit Voltage: -45 dBV/Pascal (5.6 mV; (1 Pascal = 94 dB SPL)
Clipping Level (at 1,000 Hz): 800 ohm Load: -4 dBV (0.63 V); 150 ohm Load: -15 dBV (0.18 V)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.5% (131 dB SPL at 250 Hz into 800 ohm load)
Maximum SPL (at 1,000 Hz): 800 ohm load: 136 dB (attenuator at 0) 146 dB (attenuator at -10); 150 ohm load: 128 dB (attenuator at 0) 138 dB (attenuator at -10)
Hum Pickup: -3 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 mOe field (60 Hz)
Self-Noise (equivalent sound pressure levels; measured with true rms voltmeter): 16 dB typical, A-weighted; 19 dB typical, weighted per DIN 45 405

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 78 dB (IEC 651)* at 94 dB SPL; *S/N ratio is difference between 94 dB SPL and product's equivalent self noise (SPL A-weighted).
Overvoltage and Reverse Polarity Protection: Max. external voltage applied to pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin 1: +52 Vdc; Reverse polarity protection: 200 mA max. (diode-clamped)
Polarity: Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3
Cartridge Capacitance: 54 pF
Low Frequency Response Switch Positions: Flat; -6 dB/octave below 100 Hz; -18 dB/octave below 80 Hz
Attenuator Switch Positions (Lockable): 0 or -10 dB
Power: Supply Voltage: 11 to 52 Vdc, positive, pins 2 and 3; Current Drain: 1.2 mA max.
Environmental Conditions: Temperature:; Storage: -29 degrees to 74 degrees C (-20 degrees to 165 degrees F); Operating: -6.7 degrees to 49 degrees C (20 degrees to 120 degrees F); Humidity:; Storage 0 to 95% relative humidity at room temperature (72 degrees to 80 degrees F, 22 degrees to 27 degrees C)
Case: Steel construction with vinyl metallic paint finish and stainless steel screens
Dimensions: See User Guide
Weight: Net: 230 grams (8 oz); Packaged: 740 grams (1 lb 10 oz)

	Name	Availability
	A57F Microphone Clip Works with Beta 181, KSM137, KSM141, SM63, SM63L, SM63LB, SM81, VP64A, VP64AL, MX412, MX418, MX412S, MX418S, MX412SE, and the MX418SE microphones and standard microphone stands.	Where To Buy
	A81G (Discontinued) Grille and Windscreen (Discontinued) Allows the SM81 to be used as a handheld vocal microphone indoors and outdoors.	Where To Buy
	R104 Cartridge for SM81 Cartridge and Grille Assembly for SM81 Microphone	Where To Buy
	A81WS Large Foam Microphone Windscreen Reduces unwanted breath and wind noise. For use with the Shure end address microphones such as the Shure SM81, and SM57. Available in gray.	Where To Buy