Mic Archive
Shure KSM42
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Shure

Shure KSM42

Large dual-diaphragm side-address condenser vocal mic (front diaphragm active, rear passive), cardioid only, with a ShureLock shock mount and magnetic pop filter

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−37 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
8.5 dB(A)
Max SPL
139 dB SPL
Impedance
147 Ω
Rated range
60 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide, p. 5. "Typical Frequency Response"; relative dB. Room and smoothing not stated; the distances are from the legend, the source is not named (page 3 calls the same curves "Vocalist at 2 feet" and "Vocalist at 6 inches").

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. 5. "Typical Polar Patterns"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2.5 to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, outer ring +5 dB.

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All specs

From the user guide
Capsulelarge dual diaphragm: active front 1-inch, 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold Mylar diaphragm; passive back diaphragm. Features.p. 1
Sensitivity−37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV/Pa), open circuit voltage, at 1 kHz, typical. "–37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV)".p. 4
Self-noise8.5 dB(A), equivalent SPL, A-weighted, typical. "8.5 dB SPL-A".
Max SPL139 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% THD, 2500 ohm or 1000 ohm load. "139 dB 2500 Ω load, 139 dB 1000 Ω load"; THD "of microphone preamplifier when applied input signal level is equivalent to cartridge output at specified SPL".
Signal-to-noise ratio86 dB, ref. 94 dB SPL
Dynamic range131 dB, at 1 kHz, 2500 ohm or 1000 ohm load
Output impedance147 ohm, output impedance
Rated frequency range60 Hz to 20 kHz
Poweringphantom 11-52 V DC (IEC-61938). "11–52 V DC phantom power (IEC-61938), 6 mA"; specs measured at 48 V, "slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity" at lower voltages.
Current draw6 mA
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male, balanced".
Weight494 g, net. "494 g; with shock mount and pop filter: 820 g".
Dimensions185.4 × 55.9 mm. Dimension drawing (p. 5): height 185.4 mm (7.3 in.), width 55.9 mm (2.2 in.). In the shock mount with the pop filter: 220.7 mm high, 133.3 mm wide.p. 5
Supplied accessoriesA42PF Popper Stopper magnetic pop filter; A42SM ShureLock shock mount; AK42C carrying case; A42VB velveteen pouch; A42OR replacement O-rings for the shock mount (4). "Furnished Accessories". The 2010 sheet lists an aluminium carrying case, A42SC.p. 6
Clipping level8.0 dBV into 2500 ohm, 6.5 dBV into 1000 ohm (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1% THD)p. 4
Common mode rejection≥60 dB, 10 Hz to 100 kHz
PolarityPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3
Pop filteringIntegrated three-stage mesh grille, plus the magnetic pop filter that attaches to the shock-mount ringp. 2
HousingZinc die-cast housing, hardened low-carbon steel grillep. 1
Internal shock mountInternal shock mount against handling and stand noise
Intended use (Shure)Mainly solo and backing vocals, voice-over and speech; also choirs and room ambience, piano, guitar, strings, brass and woodwinds
Optional accessoriesA32WS black foam windscreen; A32ZB padded zippered bag; A32M mount/swivel adapterp. 6
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
ElectronicsPrethos Advanced Preamplifier Technology; gold-plated internal and external connectorsp. 1

Documents

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

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