Mic Archive
Shure SM94
Photo: Shure, from its user guide (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Shure

Shure SM94

Small-diaphragm cardioid electret condenser (end-address) for instruments, flat response, phantom or AA battery powered

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−49 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
22 dB(A)
Max SPL
141 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
40 – 16k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 10. "Frequency Response"; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated (the user guides call it "typical").

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, p. 10. "Polar Pattern"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, outer ring 0 dB. Distance and room not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
Sensitivity−49 dBV/Pa (3.5 mV/Pa), 1 kHz, open circuit voltage, phantom power; also −50 dBV/Pa, battery. "Open circuit voltage: –49 dBV/Pa (3.5 mV) (phantom) –50 dBV/Pa (3.2 mV) (battery)".p. 10
Self-noise22 dB(A), typical, equivalent SPL, A-weighted, true rms. "Output Noise ... 22 dB typical, A-weighted".
Max SPL141 dB SPL, 800 ohm load, phantom power; also 123 dB SPL, 800 ohm load, battery. "800 Ω Load: 141 dB (phantom), 123 dB (battery)". The 2024 guide gives the same figures at "1 kHz at 1% THD".
Signal-to-noise ratio72 dB, IEC 651, at 94 dB SPL. "72 dB (IEC 651)* at 94 dB SPL".
Dynamic range119 dB, phantom power; maximum SPL to A-weighted noise, 2000 ohm load; also 101 dB, battery
Output impedance150 ohm, rated; 200 ohm actual. "Rated at 150 Ω; 200 Ω actual".
Rated frequency range40 Hz to 16 kHz
Poweringphantom, 11 to 52 V DC, or one 1.5 V AA battery
Current draw1.2 mA, max., at 52 V DC. "1.0 to 1.2 mA max. at 52 Vdc".
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "XLR professional audio 3-Pin".
Weight250 g, without battery. "250 g less battery".
FinishSteel and brass construction with grey finish and stainless steel mesh grille
Output noise, DIN 45 50525 dB typical, weighted per DIN 45 505
Output clipping level800 Ω load: –14 dBV (0.63 V) (phantom), 1% THD; –23 dBV (0.71 V) (battery), 3% THD
Total harmonic distortion< 0.25% (130 dB SPL at 250 Hz into 800 Ω load)
Hum pickup–3 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 millioersted field (60 Hz)
Overvoltage protectionMaximum external voltage applied to pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin 1: +52 V DC; reverse polarity protected to 75 V DC
PolarityPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3
Shock mountShock-mounted cartridge (internal shock mount)
From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy)
Rated load impedance800 ohm, recommended minimump. 2
Dimensions27.7 × 190.5 mm. Dimension drawing (Figure 3): "190.5 mm (7-1/2 in.)" long, "27.7 mm (1-3/32 in.)" across the grille, 24.1 mm (15/16 in.) at the connector end (head diameter × length).
Cartridge capacitance24 pF
Battery1.5 V alkaline, AA size (NEDA 15A); life up to 5,000 hours; no drain while phantom powered
OutputTransformer-coupled balanced output
From the user guide
Supplied accessoriesA25D microphone clip; 95A2313 carrying/storage bag. Furnished accessories (p. 6). The range sheet says "Includes stand adapter and zippered pouch".p. 6
Operating temperature–6.7 to 49 °C (20 to 120 °F)p. 4
VariantSM94-LC: supplied without a cablep. 3
Optional accessoriesA15AS in-line switchable attenuator; A55M Shock Stopper isolation mount; A3WS black foam windscreen; C25J 7.6 m (25 ft) XLR cablep. 6

Documents

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

Product page on shure.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

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

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