Shure Motive MV51+
The MV51 features and USB Micro-B port for connecting with the computer or mobile device and a 1/8-inch headphone jack for real-time monitoring and playback of recorded files.
In the past, musicians and producers looking for portable recording solutions often had to settle for a lower quality solution to achieve the mobility they needed for creativity on the go. While field recorders could often achieve highly accurate sound quality, they simply couldn’t compete with the sensitivity of dedicated studio microphones. With the introduction of the Shure Motiv MV51 Digital Large-Diaphragm Condenser Mic, Shure is aiming to provide the best of both worlds in a single device.
Big Sound To Go
The Shure MV51 is designed to provide studio quality wherever inspiration strikes. At the heart of the devices rests a large 25mm microphone element for capturing the precise details and subtle nuances necessary for music and spoken word. It also provides it’s own pre-amplification drawing power via USB.
The MV51 features and USB Micro-B port for connecting with the computer or mobile device and a 1/8-inch headphone jack for real-time monitoring and playback of recorded files. It records in 24-bit, 48 kHz depth with a full 20-20,000 Hz response range, and the front of the mic features a touch panel for instant DSP mode selection, muting of the headphones or mic, and quick gain level adjustments.
Serious podcasters would have a bulletproof solution for creating professional-quality recordings on the go using just a few of these mics, headphones and desktop mic stands.
The MV51 is extremely rugged, featuring an all-metal construction and a kickstand on the back tipped with a rubber foot for propping up on a tabletop. The foot can be easily unscrewed, allowing the mic to be attached directly to any standard mic stand.
The free ShurePlus Motiv Mobile Recording app for iOS unlocks far more granular control of the recording quality, with user-definable stereo width pickup angle and patterns, compression, limiting, high pass filter and equalization. While the app can also adjust the DSP presents, this functionality is far more easily accessed through the touch panel on the front of the device.
In Action
The MV51 does not feel a first generation product; a whole lot of thought and intentionality has gone into the build quality. The ability to make quick adjustments right on the mic itself is the kind of thing that keeps the artist in the creative flow, rather than having to jump onto their phone or laptop for every little tweak. The DSP presets are more than just cosmetic; they really can make a significant impact in capturing the specific nuances of spoken word, singing or instrumental music.
The sound quality of the MV51 itself is very good, especially considering its price point. Like any large-diaphragm condenser mic, proximity counts when recording a source. While we can’t tell for sure, the microphone also seems to have some kind of plosive filter built in.
In out tests the Shure MV51 performed most strongly when recording speaking, singing and acoustic instruments. It would be completely unfair to compare it to mics costing 20 times as much, but the overall quality isn’t something that would hinder most musicians and sound engineers needing quality and portability simultaneously.
From a design point, the MV51 just looks cool. The aesthetics of a microphone doesn’t usually affect its performance, but when you’re using it with collaborators or clients it’s always good to have something that visually indicates seriousness of intent.
With its metallic construction, it feels rock solid and has some of the heft you’d imagine to go with it. Users should probably be more concerned for the safety of other items traveling in the case with this mic than with safety the mic itself. With that said, it’s perfectly sized for traveling in the accessories compartment of a guitar case or in a laptop bag.
Podcasting Powerhouse
After spending some hands-on time putting the MV51 through it’s paces it became abundantly clear that a great alternate use case for the mic would be podcasting on the go. After picking up a couple of these mics, along with two sets of headphones and desktop mic stands, serious podcasters would have a bulletproof solution for creating professional-quality recordings on the go.
Ministries looking to get into the growing world of podcasting, or to improve the easy of their podcasting outreach without sacrificing quality, should seriously explore the possibilities of utilizing the Shure MV51.
In Conclusion
The Shure MV51 Digital Large-Diaphragm Condenser mic currently lists for $199. It feels important to stat that upfront, because this kind of quality and functionality seems like an absolute steal at that price.
If your tech or media teams are looking for the quality of a studio condenser mic with all of the power of a portable field recorder, with a ton of professional functionality thrown in as well, you’re going to have a hard time finding a better solution than the Shure MV51.
