shure ksm8

[Nate Najar]

have you guys seen this yet? It's a dual diaphragm dynamic intended to give reduced proximity effect and cleaner off axis response.... I've been waiting for a modern microphone manufacturer to come up with something like this. You know how much I love my re15's but they aren't the best with many modern mic preamps....

Shure is marketing it as a vocal microphone, but I can see many uses, live and in the studio, for this mic if it sounds good....

N

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 2/1/2016 9:24 PM, Nate Najar wrote:
> have you guys seen this yet? It's a dual diaphragm dynamic intended
> to give reduced proximity effect and cleaner off axis response....
> I've been waiting for a modern microphone manufacturer to come up
> with something like this. You know how much I love my re15's but
> they aren't the best with many modern mic preamps....

I talked into one at the NAMM show. It sounds pretty good on voice, but
I don't think you'd love it for the same reason you love the RE-15. The
RE-15 has pretty smooth frequency response in addition to having reduced
proximity effect. The KSM8 is more appropriate as an announcer's mic, or
for the mysterious "voiceover" (over what?) that so many people are
doing these days.

It's not really what any microphone designer would call "dual
diaphragm." There's a normal diaphragm with a voice coil, and the second
"diaphragm" is really a plastic baffle in the path from the rear vent.
That's how the RE-15/20/etc work, just that E-V doesn't call it a
diaphragm.

I'll bet Ty will be getting one for a review and he'll give it a good
workout.

--
For a good time, visit http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[Nate Najar]

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 8:14:30 AM UTC-5, Mike Rivers wrote:
> On 2/1/2016 9:24 PM, Nate Najar wrote:
> > have you guys seen this yet? It's a dual diaphragm dynamic intended
> > to give reduced proximity effect and cleaner off axis response....
> > I've been waiting for a modern microphone manufacturer to come up
> > with something like this. You know how much I love my re15's but
> > they aren't the best with many modern mic preamps....
>
> I talked into one at the NAMM show. It sounds pretty good on voice, but
> I don't think you'd love it for the same reason you love the RE-15. The
> RE-15 has pretty smooth frequency response in addition to having reduced
> proximity effect. The KSM8 is more appropriate as an announcer's mic, or
> for the mysterious "voiceover" (over what?) that so many people are
> doing these days.
>
> It's not really what any microphone designer would call "dual
> diaphragm." There's a normal diaphragm with a voice coil, and the second
> "diaphragm" is really a plastic baffle in the path from the rear vent.
> That's how the RE-15/20/etc work, just that E-V doesn't call it a
> diaphragm.
>
> I'll bet Ty will be getting one for a review and he'll give it a good
> workout.
>
> --
> For a good time, visit http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

thanks Mike, I knew it sounded too good to be true!

[Scott Dorsey]

Nate Najar > wrote:
>
>thanks Mike, I knew it sounded too good to be true!

I wouldn't call that "too good to be true," I'd just call that "a Variable-D
system under a different name." Nothing wrong with that, and it's good to
see someone else making a Variable-D design. The EV patents have been up for
decades, it's a wonder it didn't happen sooner.

They are just using vents up near the element rather than distributed venting
way down the side, so I'm guessing there is a hidden labyrinth behind those
vents to provide some acoustical delay (rather than the long straight tube E
V used). Probably a good thing since the long vents on the EV are too easy
to block up with a hand.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Phil Allison[_4_]]

Nate Najar wrote:

>
>
> thanks Mike, I knew it sounded too good to be true!
>

** The KSM8 is a genuine dual-diaphragm dynamic mic, based on Shure's KSM42 condenser mic that uses the same idea.

There are two moving diaphragms, one of which is electrically connected to the output and the other acts to attenuate low frequencies entering via the rear ports of the capsule. This results in reduced proximity effect and response to plosives.

http://shure.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4023/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDU0NjM1ODE5L3NpZC84dU9iWWdJbQ==

The KSM8 capsule also borrows from the SM58, with detail changes to the top cap design removing the famous 5kHz boost. A neodymium magnet replaces the heavier ( Alnico?) steel one.

Looks like there is no transformer inside, so the active diaphragm is wound with very fine wire to give 300ohms impedance as with the notorious Beta58 - not to be confused with the Beta58A that has one.

BTW: Users report that a Neutrik XLR plug will not lock into the mic unless the rubber O-ring is removed.

Bit of a stuff up there.



.... Phil

[mcp6453[_2_]]

On 2/4/2016 9:12 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
>
> ** The KSM8 is a genuine dual-diaphragm dynamic mic, based on Shure's KSM42 condenser mic that uses the same idea.
>
> There are two moving diaphragms, one of which is electrically connected to the output and the other acts to attenuate low frequencies entering via the rear ports of the capsule. This results in reduced proximity effect and response to plosives.
>
> http://shure.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4023/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDU0NjM1ODE5L3NpZC84dU9iWWdJbQ==
>
> The KSM8 capsule also borrows from the SM58, with detail changes to the top cap design removing the famous 5kHz boost. A neodymium magnet replaces the heavier ( Alnico?) steel one.
>
> Looks like there is no transformer inside, so the active diaphragm is wound with very fine wire to give 300ohms impedance as with the notorious Beta58 - not to be confused with the Beta58A that has one.
>
> BTW: Users report that a Neutrik XLR plug will not lock into the mic unless the rubber O-ring is removed.
>
> Bit of a stuff up there.

$500 street for that booger. It must be good.