Shure Expands SM Microphone Lineup

Shure SM microphones have proved their worth through decades of rigorous use and abuse on stage and in the studio. Now Shure is expanding the line to give performers and engineers more tools to choose from with the introduction of the SM27 and SM137.

The SM27 is a large-diaphragm, side-address cardioid condenser microphone designed to pick up the nuances of vocals and instruments with clarity. This microphone has a 1-inch ultra-thin Mylar diaphragm for superior transient response, exceptional low-frequency reproduction, and a low self-noise (just 9.5 dB SPL) to reveal fine detail when recording or during live performance. The SM27 offers lower self-noise and improved dynamic-range specifications over the KSM27 model that it replaces.

The SM137 is a cardioid probe microphone for instrument recording applications. It uses an ultra-thin diaphragm for smooth high end and tight, controlled low end. Its 15-dB attenuator enables it to handle sound-pressure levels as high as 154 dB SPL, for consistent reproduction of delicate acoustic as well as high-volume amplified instruments. The SM137 replaces the KSM109 model.

“Shure SM wired microphones have been the standard by which microphone performance has been judged for more than 40 years,” says Terri Hartman, Shure’s director of global brand communications. “The SM27 and SM137 provide new SM microphone options for live performance and recording and build on the heritage of SM microphones as critical tools for audio professionals.”

For convenient digital recording directly to a computer, Shure now offers the classic SM57 and SM58 microphones packaged with the new X2U XLR-USB signal adapter. The X2U features a built-in headphone jack with zero-latency monitoring for real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation. A monitor mix control makes it easy to balance microphone and playback audio.

“The new bundles of the SM57 and SM58 with the new X2U signal adapter make either of these legendary workhorse mics a versatile solution for podcasting and other digital recording projects,” adds Hartman. “Whether an artist wants to record in a bedroom or basement, or even on a tour bus, the X2U lets them connect a Shure microphone to a computer wherever they are.”

The SM27 is priced at $299 retail, the SM137 at $179, and the SM57-X2U and SM58-X2U at $199.