Shure SM81

I like recording acoustic Instruments.

I wanted to buy a pair of quality smal diaphragm cardioid condenser mic what has linear frequency response, and really wide transparency, so what can transmit well also below 100 Hz, and really brings high frequencies (also 15khz-20khz) without annoying colouring. So what can give a neutral and full picture of an instrument in a not distant
mic position where a cardioid characteristic is enough.
And I like its sound.

I listened to a huge amount of records, I read tons of tech spec, user rewiews etc.
Finally I found this Mics: Schoeps mk-4, Neumann km-84,
Shure Sm-81. The Schoeps was the best for me. The Km-84 was the Second, Shure was the third.
I needed more money for the Schoeps. The Neumann firma doesn't produce the Km 84 anymore. I bought the SM 81 stereo pair.
And I'm really satisfied! I have already recorded steel string acoustic guitars, drum overhead, percussion and saxophone. All of the records were really successful!!! This mic brings excellent clarity for the price.
Important: I have high quality audio interface ( RME FF 800)
And: This mic doesn't have high output. (5,6 mV!) If you have a silent sound source, for example a small bodied nylon string guitar, you need an appropriate quality audio interface for good result. (It's actually an elementary thing.)
And! Don't forget: this is a mic with cardioid characteristic!
Cardioids has proximity effect (increased lowend) at nearfield recording situations! If your instrument quiet silent maybe you have to put the mic so close to get a transparent sound, but in this case you may have strong proximity if your instrument has significant lowend. And It can be
annoying, in case of any audio interface!
A silent nylon string guitar can be difficult also because of
the boomy sound of the sound hole.


So if you want to record acoustic instruments with cardioid, you like the neutral character, you have a good audio chain, and your instrument not a silent one with significant lowend, and you don't need the absolute high end and you don't want to sell your car for a pair of sdc, i can recommend this mic!