Acoustic Guitar, Overheads, Ambience .... 
by Christopher Paglia from Byfield, MA, October 2008
Music Background:  Musician, Live & Recorded Sound

These have come to be one of my favorite mics for acoustic guitar. One at the sound hole and one on the "sweetspot" of the finger board. I find them to be transparent, which is also why some people don't like them - they don't have a lot of their own character - which leaves the character up to what you are recording! That a good thing when you need it! Also great as overheads, apparently there used to be an omni capsule you could buy for these, but now it's not easy to obtain. I think I would give it higher marks if I could get an omni cap.

  A Must Have Mic 
by phagood from Nashville, TN USA, September 2008
Music Background:  Live Sound, Recording Engineer, Music Business Student

Whether you are in the studio or touring live, this mic is a must have. I always keep a few around because they are so versatile. Great on almost everything. Choir, overhead, acoustic guitar, strings, woodwinds. They are expensive but well worth having a couple.

  A Swiss Army Mic... 
by M. Hensley from Washington University, June 2008
Music Background:  T.D. in performance venue

We have four SM81's, having just bought two new ones. I've found them great when paired on a Steinway and of course perfect for overhead drums. Tonight, I have all four out on stage working under a variety of high energy Indian drums but just last week we used one with wonderful results on a delicate Flamenco guitar performance; just a truly excellent mic. In my opinion, if you are putting together a mic inventory, make sure to include some SM81's. You will quickly learn to rely on their versatility and great sound.

  What a snare mic! 
by Bob Nicholson from Chicago, April 2008
Music Background:  Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Drummer

I purchased my first SM81 in the mid 80's and I'm about to purchase my 3rd. I was never quite happy with my snare sound and I had an arsenal of drum mics to choose from. A fellow engineer at the studio suggested trying the SM81 on the snare drum. It's not quite as indestructible as an SM57 so you need to pay attention to placement (top mic). The SM81 is awesome, very transparent and the low cut position comes in handy with the snare. Its polar pattern is also very nice for the snare position. You cant go wrong with this mic because you can use elsewhere with great success.

  Vocal Bass microphone 
by Paul Kemper bass for The Crownsmen Quartet from Parkersburg, West Virginia, March 2008
Music Background:  Sang bass in Gospel Quartet's for 26 years, now with The Crownsmen Quartet

Over the years singing in Southern Gospel Quartet's I have used all kinds of Mic's.
To get that rich full low bass in a studio is very easy, but on stage doing a live concert, we all strive to have that same studio quality sound.
After useing The Shure SM81 it gave me the very clean and full bottem double low C note
That why The Crownsmen put there trust in Shure Microphones the other members use Shure Beta 87A.
All of our road equiptment was purchased at Sweetwater Sound,Thru Dan Vanamerongen.

  Pretty Good 
by Zach Dumais from Sabattus, ME, September 2006

I am impressed with this microphone as a whole, but there are certain things that could make it better. Mainly, I have found the mic to have very low sensativity. There are a few other issues that took a little bit of time for me to overcome, but again I am happy with this purchase.

  Solid, reliable, honest & great value 
by Dean Drake from Bellingham, WA, July 2006
Music Background:  Semi-pro musician/recording engineer

I bought two of these mics and while I have to say I have heard livelier mics, I am impressed with what I got for my money. They are rock solid and massive (would you expect anything less from Shure?). I use them extensively for overheads and acoustic guitar - usually in XY configuration.

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