Shure introduced their new KSM8 Dualdyne Vocal Microphone with great fanfare (and a lengthy press conference) this past January at the annual Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Why the long press conference? There was a lot to talk about. The Shure KSM8 is probably the most technologically advanced hand-held dynamic microphone that Shure (or any other manufacturer) has ever made. At the very least it is the first ever dual-diaphragm (one active, one passive) dynamic hand held mic.
Behind the windscreen, two diaphragms virtually eliminate proximity effect. In a regular dynamic microphone bass frequencies increase as the user moves closer to the mic. The KSM cartridge pretty much eliminates this phenomenon, which is big plus for any sound engineer at a mixing board who is fighting to maintain consistent tone on singer with poor (or varying) microphone technique. If the user's vocal tone actually stays constant whether they are 12 inches from the mic or ¼ inch and only the volume changes --- as we were told in the press conference, then Shure has truly invented a new microphone category and technology. We've yet to receive a review unit from Shure, but the specs Shure has posted on their site look very impressive.
Along with virtually no proximity effect, the KSM8 also features the purest, most consistent cardioid pick-up pattern that Shure has ever developed. Couple that with the microphones inverted airflow system and you get exceptional off axis rejection. Shure also claims the mic has a natural tonal reproduction from low frequencies to high which is obviously a sought after feature in any microphone.
But wait, there are still more groundbreaking and patented features to be had here. Shure's Pumping Pneumatic Shock Mount features tuned cavities, specific resistances and precisely machined components that are designed to dramatically reduce handling noise.
The microphone's Neodymium magnet is set in an injection mold of aerospace SoftMag material maximizing the magnetic field in the cartridge for the highest possible output level. There is also a Diaphragm Stabilization System (patent pending) that protects the active diaphragm from over enthusiastic singers and worship leaders or just dropping the microphone. Lastly the cartridge is dressed in a nearly waterproof hardened carbon steel grill that resists wind and annoying plosive sounds from energetic, “P-popping” orators.
Shure says research and development engineers took ten years to create the KSM8. That is a whole lot of time, a whole lot of money and a whole lot of patents built into this new microphone. If this mic sounds as good in a real-world environment as Shure claims, or as it did in a speech-only demonstration at the NAMM press conference, it's going to be a game-changer.
Questions remain though. I would first like to use the KSM8 with an enthusiastic preacher. You know the ones that nearly swallow the microphone when making a point during a sermon. I would love to be able mix that type of a pastor without having to constantly ride the fader or tweak the EQ.
According to the specs, the KSM8 would be perfect for the person who reads the weekly bulletin at my home church. Our reader has a nice-sounding voice but never gets close enough to the microphone to be heard properly with natural tone quality. Apparently the new Shure mic would remedy this problem.
So far I have only been addressing some speaking issues that could be improved by the KSM8, but what about the singers? Our worship leader also has an issue with swallowing his microphone. Again the KSM8 and its lack of proximity effect should be perfect for him. Certainly the background singers voices could all be on the same harmonious plane with this microphone. Having constant and consistent tonal reproduction would be a blessing for the audio engineer, not to mention the mic's strong off axis rejection would help separate the singing voices from drums or any other on-stage noise source (guitar amps, monitors etc).
The same qualities would be great with the choir. I use condenser microphones for my choirs but Shure claims the KSM8 has signal clarity typical of condenser mics along with the reliability of dynamic microphone feedback control. Every engineer working in the worship world wants to be able to control where the choir fits in the mix. By the time I get my choir where I want it I am typically on the verge of feedback. If the KSM8 could eliminate this challenge it would be definitely a microphone I would want in my arsenal.
Shure is asking $499 for their KSM8 mic. If it performs in the real world as Shure claims, that is a very reasonable price for such an innovative new microphone. Is it a game changer? We'll wait until we receive our review unit before making such a strong statement.
