Mic Archive
Shure KSM109
Photo: Shure, from its user guide, p. 3.

Shure

Shure KSM109

End-address cardioid condenser (permanently biased), transformerless, with a -15 dB pad; for instruments

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−41 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
19 dB(A)
Max SPL
139 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide, p. 7. Figure 2, "Typical frequency response"; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the user guide, p. 7. Figure 3, "Typical polar patterns": two plots (250 to 1000 Hz, 2400 to 10 000 Hz), 0° at the bottom, rings every 5 dB from -20 to +5 dB (centre -25 dB). Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

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All specs

From the user guide
Capsule2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered, low-mass Mylar diaphragm. Features. The diaphragm size isn't given.p. 3
Sensitivity−41 dBV/Pa, typical, 1 kHz. "-41 dBV/Pa" (1 Pa = 94 dB SPL).p. 6
Self-noise19 dB(A), typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted (IEC 651)
Max SPL139 dB SPL, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, THD < 1%, 1000 ohm load; also 144 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load; also 150 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load; also 154 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 159 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 165 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load, -15 dB pad. "THD of the microphone preamplifier when applied input signal is equivalent to the cartridge output at specified SPL". Printed "150 (165) dB" etc., the figure in brackets with the attenuator on.
Signal-to-noise ratio75 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. "S/N ratio is the difference between 94 dB SPL and equivalent SPL of self-noise A-weighted".
Dynamic range122 dB, 1000 ohm load; also 128 dB, 2500 ohm load; also 133 dB, 5000 ohm load; also 125 dB, 1000 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 130 dB, 2500 ohm load, -15 dB pad; also 136 dB, 5000 ohm load, -15 dB pad
Output impedance150 ohm, actual
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended minimum; 2500 ohm and more gives more headroom. "Shure recommends a load impedance of at least 1000 Ω".p. 5
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHzp. 6
Poweringphantom 48 V ± 4 V (IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596); works down to 11 V with less headroom. Page 5: "can operate on voltages as low as 11 Vdc, but headroom and sensitivity will be decreased slightly".
Current draw5.2 mA, typical, at 48 V
Pad−15 dB. "0 dB or 15 dB attenuation"; page 5: it reduces the level "without altering frequency response"; use -15 dB at about 0.75 m from a snare drum or guitar cabinet.
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "Use a cable with XLR connectors at each end"; gold-plated connectors (p. 3).p. 5
Weight195 g. "195 grams (6.9 oz.)".p. 6
Dimensions24 × 162 mm. Diameter × length: "24 mm (0.95 in.) diameter, 162 mm (6.37 in.) long" (Figure 4 on page 7 prints 6.375 in).
Supplied accessoriesA109ZB vinyl pouch; A3WS windscreen; A25D microphone clip. "Furnished Accessories".p. 8
ElectronicsClass A, discrete, transformerless preamplifierp. 3
Output clipping level15 dBV into 5000 ohm, 9 dBV into 2500 ohm, 3 dBV into 1000 ohm (THD < 1%)p. 6
Common mode rejection≥ 50 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
PolarityPositive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3
Optional accessoriesA55M and A55HM ShockStopper shock mounts; PS-6 Popper Stopper windscreenp. 8
Applications (Shure)Close miking of piano, guitar, violins, drums and percussion; drum overheads; guitar amplifiers; brass and woodwind; orchestras, choirs and wind ensemblesp. 4

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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