JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Recording Studio and Gear Forum Shure KSM 141

Anyone have any experience with this mic? It seems to be going head to head with the Nueman KM 184. The Shure lists for $770.00 and the Nueman for $749.00.
Street price for the Shure, $399.00 and the Nueman, $549.00

Interestingly, I just read a review of it in Tape-Op magazine. They liked it for everything but kick drum (even vocals - over an Octava 219).

If you're on a budget, the KSM 137 has the same mic components except is cardioid-only.

Tapeop's description was that it was very smooth with an UN-hyped top end. They thought it was great complement for the too commonly brittle digital world.

I can't say I've used it myself, and I've only used the KM84 (not the newer 184). The clarity and ability to make things three-dimensional of the Neumann mic is pretty hard to beat, but Shure has not had a dog in the whole KSM series. Many of the KSM series are becoming standard fare in nice studio's mic lockers.

If you like the AKG451 or SM81 sound, you probably won't like the 141 sound. A lot may depend also on what type of preamp you're using with it.

One small point: I finally broke down and got myself a Neumann mic so that I could tell CLIENTS I had a Neumann TLM103, but I'm sure I could have found a lower-priced mic that worked just about as well. If "client appeal" is of any concern, then having a Neumann is something you may want to consider, also.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but maybe someone else has used both and can reply.


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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com

Hey thanks Larry!

I've got a KSM 44 that I love! I was wondering if the small diaphram KSM's were of the same quality. Don't really care to much about "name" dropping as far as the Nueman goes, but there is a reason they have the "reputation", they're great Mics. I like the idea of having the option of omni or cardioid, more colors to paint with!

Have you used either the AT 4030-31? (cardioid/omni)

I'm interested in capturing all the high end I can get and then cutting to taste with eq. Probably my old ears not hearing anything over 15K anymore!

Thanks, rob

If you like the AKG451 or SM81 sound, you probably won't like the 141 sound. A lot may depend also on what type of preamp you're using with it.

Can you qauntify the differences?

Rob

Well, the SM81 has a couple of small peaks: one at 4.5K and one at 9K which give it a fairly bright sound. If you like a "crispier" sound, this is a good mic.

The 451 is very smooth up to about 6K, then rises until about 15K giving it a very "airy" sound. It's a very good drum overhead mic, but can bring out a little too much string noise in acoustic guitars for my taste.

The KM184 is probably more similar to the 451 in frequency response in that it has a rising peak starting about 6K up to about 9k, but it's a milder peak, giving it a slightly "airy" quality.

The KSM144 has a frequency response very similar to the 184 (slight rise 6-9K). It has more features (omni/cardioid & 2 position rolloff) than the 184.

Of the mics above, I think the SM81 would be the brightest. The 451 the "airiest", and the other two in a dead heat with personal preference probably being the biggest factor.

Another contender in the small diaghram crowd is a lesser-known Audio Technica 4041, which I use myself. Very reasonable (about $275), so I bought a pair and use them a lot on acoustic guitar, percussion, and even some background vocals. It's another smooth but "airy" mic with a little rise around 9-12K.

Of course, opinions may vary....


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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com

I have used the A/T 4033 a bit. I think it's an amazing mic for the price: very rich AND present for vocals.

I'm not familiar with the 4031 series, but the 3031 is a newer, less expensive version of the 4041. You know my opinion on the 4041 - I love 'em for the money. Smooth and warm (for a small diaghram).

The 3031 isn't quite as smooth as the 4041 from the frequency plot on their web site, but would probably have a similar "warmer" sound because it has a slight dip around 7-8k, then back up at 10k.

It just seems that lately with all the digital recording going on, manufacturers are getting away from "bright and present" and going toward's warmer-sounding tools.



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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com

Thanks again Larry
It's funny, over the years I've used theAKG 451, SM81, KLM84 or been in the room when they're being used, but it's difficult to differintiate thier strengths and weaknesses from memory. Tried going to the local GC to listen side by side-that was a joke, between the 4 guitar players playing Smoke On The Water, Stairway To Heaven, blues scales and some "Creed" song, all at the same time and the guy over the paging system PRO AUDIO, LINE 4! Not to mention the drum department and Keys! Impossible to discern sublties.

I like what you said about the depth of the Nueman, I have a TLM170 that I feel the same way about. Think I'll go that way.

Rob