Shure SM81-LC

I thought long and hard about purchasing this expensive mic. It is recommended by many for recording acoustic guitar. I did purchase a cheaper LDC but didn't like the sound. As soon as I started to record with the SM81 it was a bit like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes. Just perfect. I haven't tried it for vocals but I have paired it with a SM58 for some experimental live guitar/vocal recordings at home and they certainly compliment each other.

This Mic here is the absolute king especially when it comes to recording acoustic guitars you can’t go wrong with this one . Through the years I have used different mics and to be honest with you some of them was OK but this one right here I see nothing else that can be better than this might as especially when it comes to recording acoustic instruments acoustic guitars or anything acoustic it is absolutely Hands-down the best .

This mic can be used on almost anything. Fairly neutral, but lacks "presence" compared to higher-end mics like Neumann KMs. The newer Shure KSM/ have probably a bit more depth and definitely more top end detail. But where this excels - percussion, overheads, certain styles of piano playing....it does well. I haven't tried it, but you could probably used them as snare mics, and they'll probably sound pretty good on Viola, which sounds better when the highs aren't over-hyped (which a lot of microphones will do by default these days). And it's built like a tank. You could use these as batons if you needed a weapon. There are much better microphones out there now, but these are still a classic-sounding microphone that always performs, if you know how to set them up well to get the best sound.

Wow! After plus years, this SDC is still a “must have” for every musician, engineer, producer and wanna be. This mic shines on EVERYTHING from percussions, cymbals, strings, and acoustic guitar. Put it at the th fret on your acoustic and go to heaven, or pair it as an overhead on your drums, and u will still make it to heaven, albeit after the guitar player. Forget reading.......just go get the mic, and buy it from AMS. I have been shopping with them for years and have not been disappointed.

I know this mic has been around forever. But, for drum overheads...I still love the response I get and I haven't found anything better. Ive always got really good compliments on my drum sound and the good news is...they have come down in price over the years and are very affordable. In Nashville, you will see mostly Sure mics on drums.