Model Model SM81 Microphone

Specification Sheet
MODEL SM81
UNIDIRECTIONAL CONDENSER MICROPHONE

OVERVIEW
The Shure Model SM81 is a high-quality, unidirectional con- The SM81 is ruggedly constructed. It operates on phantom
denser microphone designed for studio recording, broadcasting, power and performs over a wide range of temperatures and hu-
and sound reinforcement. Its wide frequency response, low midity conditions. It is furnished with a swivel adapter, attenua-
noise characteristics, and low RF susceptibility have made it a tor-switch lock, foam windscreen, and case for carrying and stor-
standard for applications involving acoustic instruments, espe- age. Other accessories are available.
cially guitar, piano, and cymbals.
FEATURES
S 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response S Low RF susceptibility
S Flat response curve for accurate reproduction of sound S Selectable low-frequency response: flat, 6 or 18 dB/octave
sources rolloff
S Low noise and high output clipping level S 0 dB/10 dB lockable attenuator switch
S Low distortion over a wide range of load impedances S Phantom powering (DIN 45 596 voltages of 12 to 48 Vdc)

S Cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency and symme- S Rugged steel construction for durability
tric about axis, providing maximum rejection and minimum S Field-usable over wide range of temperature and humidity
coloration of off-axis sounds conditions
SPECIFICATIONS
Type Polar Pattern
Condenser (electret bias) Cardioid (unidirectional) response—uniform with frequen-
Frequency Response cy, symmetrical about axis (see Figure NO TAG)
180o 180o
20 to 20,000 Hz

Ñ
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Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ
150o 150o 150o 150o

Ñ ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
120o 120o 120o 120o

Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ
+10

Ñ ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
90o 90o 90o 90o
dB

0 –20 dB –20 dB

Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ Ñ
–15 dB –15 dB
1 METER
60o –10 dB 60o 60o 60o

Ñ ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
–10 –10 dB
–5 dB –5 dB
30o 30o 30o 30o
2 3 4 5 6 789 2 3 4 5 6 789 0 0
1 kHz 2 kHz
20 50 100 1000 10000 20000 500 kHz
Hz 5 kHz
100 Hz 10 kHz

TYPICAL FREQUENCY RESPONSE TYPICAL POLAR PATTERNS

 MODEL SM81 CONDENSER MICROPHONE Specification Sheet
Output Impedance Reverse polarity protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 mA max.
Rated at 150 ohms (85 Ω actual) (diode-clamped)
Recommended minimum load impedance: 800 Ω (May be Polarity
used with loads as low as 150 Ω with reduced clipping
level) Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage
on pin 2 relative to pin 3
Output Configuration and Connector
Cartridge Capacitance
Balanced, transformer-coupled output; male XLR connec-
tor 54 pF
Sensitivity (at 1,000 Hz) Low Frequency Response Switch Positions
Open Circuit Voltage . . . . . . . –45 dBV/Pascal (5.6 mV) Flat; –6 dB/octave below 100 Hz; –18 dB/octave below 80
(1 Pascal = 94 dB SPL) Hz
Clipping Level (at 1,000 Hz) Attenuator Switch Positions (Lockable)
800 Ω Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –4 dBV (0.63 V) 0 or –10 dB
150 Ω Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –15 dBV (0.18 V) Power
Total Harmonic Distortion Supply Voltage . . 11 to 52 Vdc, positive, pins 2 and 3
Less than 0.5% (131 dB SPL at 250 Hz into 800 Ω load) Current Drain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 mA max.
Maximum SPL (at 1,000 Hz) Environmental Conditions
800 Ω load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 dB (attenuator at 0) Temperature:
146 dB (attenuator at –10)
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . – 29_ to 74_ C
150 Ω load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 dB (attenuator at 0)
(–20_ to 165_ F)
138 dB (attenuator at –10)
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . – 6.7_ to 49_ C
Hum Pickup (20_ to 120_ F)
–3 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 mOe field (60 Hz) Humidity:
Self-Noise (equivalent sound pressure levels; measured with Storage . . . . . . . . 0–95% relative humidity at room
true rms voltmeter) temperature (72_to 80_ F, 22_ to 27_ C)
16 dB typical, A-weighted Case
19 dB typical, weighted per DIN 45 405 Steel construction with vinyl metallic paint finish and stain-
Signal-to-Noise Ratio less steel screens
78 dB (IEC 651)* at 94 dB SPL Dimensions
*S/N ratio is difference between microphone output at 94 dB SPL
and microphone self-noise A-weighted. See Figure NO TAG
Overvoltage and Reverse Polarity Protection Weight
Max. external voltage applied to pins 2 and 3 with Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 grams (8 oz)
respect to pin 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 52 Vdc Packaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740 grams (1 lb 10 oz)

FURNISHED ACCESSORIES
Swivel Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A57F Carrying/Storage Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65A1797
10 dB Attenuator Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34A830 Windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49A111

REPLACEMENT PARTS
Cartridge and Grille Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R104

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Pop-Filter Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A81G Stereo Microphone Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A27M
Heavy-Duty Windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A81WS Cable (7.6m [25ft]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C25F
Tripod Microphone Stand (4.3 m [14 ft]) . . . . . . . . . . . . S15A Phantom Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS1A