Mic Archive

Shure

Shure KSM137

Small-diaphragm condenser (electret), cardioid, with three-position pad and low-frequency filter

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

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−37 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
14 dB(A)
Max SPL
134 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1. Titled "Frequency Response"; relative dB. 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 spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1. Titled "Polar Pattern"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom. Approximate some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 2.5k Hz, 6.4k Hz.

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All specs

From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
Capsule2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered Mylar diaphragmp. 1
Sensitivity−37 dBV/Pa, 1 kHz, open circuit
Self-noise14 dB(A), typical; A-weighted (IEC 651)
Max SPL134 dB SPL, 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1000 ohm load; also 139 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load; also 145 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load; also 159 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, -25 dB pad; also 170 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load, -25 dB pad. The guide (p. 6) also gives the -15 dB pad: 149, 154 and 160 dB for 1000, 2500 and 5000 ohm.
Dynamic range120 dB, 1 kHz, 1000 ohm load; also 125 dB, 2500 ohm; also 131 dB, 5000 ohm
Output impedance150 ohm
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz
Pad−15 dB; also −25 dB. "Three-position switchable pad (0 dB, 15 dB, and 25 dB)".
Weight100 g, net
Supplied accessoriesA100C case; A100WS windscreen; A27M stereo adapter; A57F stand adapter
Output clipping level3 / 9 / 15 dBV into 1000 / 2500 / 5000 ohm (20 Hz-20 kHz, 1% THD)
Common mode rejection>50 dB, 10 Hz to 100 kHz
ElectronicsClass A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier; subsonic filter below 17 Hz
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Signal-to-noise ratio80 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weightedp. 6
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended minimump. 4
Poweringphantom 48 V ± 4 V; works down to 11 V with less headroom. Down to 11 V: p. 4.p. 6
Current draw4.65 mA, typical, at 48 V. The spec sheet gives 4.7 mA.
Low cutflat, 6 dB/oct below 115 Hz, 18 dB/oct below 80 Hz
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "Use a cable with XLR connectors at each end".p. 4
Dimensions20 × 122 mm. Diameter × length.p. 6

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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