Shure KSM141 Microphone Review / Test

Today i review the Shure KSM141, a small diaphragm condenser which offers a controlled low end, a neutral mid section, and a slightly bright treble region. This mic offers two very useful polar patterns and useful high pass filters as well as a max SPL of 164dB.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~2:30
Boosted in Post: +2dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid / Omni
Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: -37dBV
Self Noise: 14dB
Max SPL: 139dB (159dB with -25dB pad)
Impedance: 150 Ohms
High Pass Filter: 6dB/octave at 115hz; -18dB/octave at 80hz
Phantom power: +48V

Buy the Shure KSM141 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/ksm141
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ksm141
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3tG6CLF
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/shure_ksm_141_sl.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:30 - What’s in the Box
00:52 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:27 - Specifications
01:40 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:33 - Plosive Test
02:54 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:22 - Background Noise Test 
03:38 - Untreated Room Test
04:03 - Underboom & Overhead Booming Test
04:48 - Shock Rejection Test
05:04 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:19 - High Pass Filter Test
05:59 - Pad Test
06:19 - Windscreen Tone Test
06:54 - Intro to Comparison
07:22 - Behringer C2 Comparison
07:51 - Rode M5 Comparison
08:22 - sE Electronics sE8 Comparison
08:57 - Shure SM81 Comparison
09:38 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison
10:08 - Neumann KM184 Comparison
10:44 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:24 - Music Test
12:59 - Pros & Cons
14:16 - Overall Thoughts
15:23 - Recommendation
16:13 - Outro

Bandrew Scott

Bandrew Scott is the founder and host of the youtube channel Podcastage, where he posts reviews of audio gear, and shares tips and tricks to improve the audio of your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Live Stream.

He also founded the Geeks Rising podcast network, which is home to amazing education, wellness, and pop culture podcasts such as Tourette’s Podcast, Sunshine & Powercuts, and On The Subject.

Bandrew also runs his own show titled the Bandrew Says Podcast. On this show he analyzes the latest news to determine how it affects the content creation ecosystem, and shares that to help creates remain aware of how the platform they use is changing.