Shure KSM8 N

With some doubt and suspense I decided to pull the trigger on luxurious Shure KSM8 N, but I guess it is justified now, after + two years of use. Microphones can be "individual taste" thing, that's for one person, could sound a bit bitter for another. I am not good singer, more leaning towards rock, this mic is kind a indulge thing for my voice, but it is rewarding and boosting then you jump from basic dynamic mics to something more special. Vocals sound more smooth rounded, with added brilliance, but if you have quirky voice it adds on that up too obviously. It can be forgiving thanks to the proximity effect. There is wide range of a "sweet spot" you can play around with, hence it's easier to handle and predict how you want to handle your vocals. You may loose some gritt compared to lower tier mics, but you add brilliance on top of that. Not sure if this mic is diverse for all vocals (for the rock or grittier singer I would suggest simpler option), but after awhile you almost adjust to the mic peculiarites. Didn't try record guitar with this one but I guess SM57 would be better option for that.

It's a beautiful rugged mic and top shelf quality. the sound is amazing. while I was testing it in the studio and rehearsing by myself in the studio with my headphones on, the sound was really good, almost a bit compressed like I had to do nothing but plug and go, no eq whatsoever. I'm pretty sure I could use this mic to record studio quality vocals. however things took a hard left when I took it to the rehearsal room - feedback at every turn and had to really lower the volume. And when I took it to the stage same thing happened. Too much feedback, too much bleed from other instruments either with the whole band playing or just me. Had to go back to the beta 58 to manage the gig and get the sound guy off my back (both in small and big venues). Had to sell it as it became of no use to me because of this. Just bought the OM7 that I'm pretty sure its sound won't be as perfect and detailed as this one but that I hope will be a step up from the beta58

Спустя 3 года использования китайского микрофона для вокального исполнения на разного рода мероприятиях, было решено заменить микрофон.
Динамический или Конденсаторный?
Динамический, т.к. пользователь очень неуклюжий.

От микрофона в первую очередь требовалась нейтральность при передаче сигнала. После просмотров множества обзоров на самые разные микрофоны, остановили выбор на данной модели. Не прогадали.

Особенности:
- Микрофон нейтрализует Сибилянты и Взрывные буквы. Для кого-то это хорошо, для кого-то плохо.

Плюсы:
- Нейтральное звучание.
- Практически нулевой эффект близости. (Т.е. при приближении микрофона ваш голос не становится бубнящим).
- Универсальность. (Микрофон подошел как мужским, так и женским исполнителям с самыми разными певческими голосами и вокальными техниками)
- Высокий уровень детализации звука.
- Микрофон работает одинаково хорошо при удалении и приближении источника звука (в нашем случае вокалиста).
- Звук от перебирания микрофона из руки в руку не слышен.
- Прекрасное качество сборки.

Минусы: Явных минусов спустя полтора месяца использования выявлено не было.
- Поверхность микрофона легко царапается.

Рекомендации:
Если вы профессиональный вокалист и желаете, чтобы ваш голос передавался с минимальными искажениями, то этот микрофон однозначно для Вас.
Если же вы пока на более ранних стадиях развития ваших вокальных навыков, то стоит посмотреть на модели подешевле. Например, Shure 58 серии, отличные продукты в соотношении цена-качество (ИМХО).

Looking for a mic for a female singer in a band I do FOH for, I landed on the KSM8. I tried lots of condensers: kms104/105, DPA, ksm9, beta87, but none of them fit and I always went back to a good old sm58 to get what I needed. Problems were often to do with too much crosstalknfrom stage, and difficulty to reproduce both low and high registers.

Then this one came out, we demo'd it, and boom, instant match. We've been touring with the black version and now bought the chrome which is beautiful, the finish is just astounding.

It has the same focus as a sm58 but better detail, takes eq very well, and has the best off-axis response of all the mics I've tried. I get far less shrill cymbal bleed and can really push the vocal up without worries.

When the SE V7 came out, we compared it to that one. Also a good mic especially for the price. Very close in sound! The KSM8 took the edge over it in the low end (a bit more punch) and needs a lot less gain (the m7 needed loads, which makes it's performance more dependant of a good preamp). Also the KSM8 feels heavier and sturdier, the m7 seemed like a feather in comparison.

Quality has a price, and this is a premium product, a great design with unique features.