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Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
Did you know AMS is the only music distributor with four distribution centers? And that means we can offer super-fast shipping on all your music products. Whether you don’t want the spark of inspiration to fade or you really need that replacement speaker before the next show, we have you covered anywhere in the U.S. And even better, it’s FREE!
You shouldn’t have to pay extra for a little peace of mind. When you purchase from AMS, you’ll get a free 12-month extended warranty to cover your purchase — and that’s in addition to any manufacturer’s warranties! Thousands of items in our catalog feature the “Gold Lock Extended Warranty,” so you can feel confident in your purchase.
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0% Interest
Payment Plan
Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
Your instrument has a voice. The Shure SM81 Condenser Microphone is built to capture every last piece of it. A longtime studio and live sound staple, the SM81 has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way — by sounding incredibly good on just about everything. From delicate fingerpicked acoustic guitar to shimmering cymbals and bright piano overtones, this cardioid condenser microphone delivers a flat, accurate frequency response that doesn't editorialize. It just listens, and it listens extremely well.
Accuracy That Doesn't Miss a Beat
The SM81 isn't interested in flattering your instrument — it's interested in faithfully reproducing it. With a razor-flat 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, what goes in sounds exactly like what comes out. For acoustic instrumentalists and recording engineers who've spent years chasing "the real sound," this microphone is the end of that particular quest.
20 Hz–20 kHz Flat Frequency Response: A ruler-flat response curve means the SM81 captures every nuance of your performance without adding unwanted warmth, brightness, or anything it wasn't invited to bring.
Low Noise, High Output Clipping Level: Exceptional signal-to-noise ratio gives you clean, studio-grade audio even in quieter recording environments, while the high output clipping level handles loud transients without breaking a sweat.
Low Distortion Across a Wide Range of Load Impedances: No matter what you connect it to, the SM81 maintains low distortion, keeping your signal clean and honest from instrument to interface.
Take Control at the Source
The SM81 doesn't just capture sound — it gives you the tools to shape how you capture it. Built-in switchable controls let you dial in the mic's response to match your recording environment without reaching for an outboard EQ. Whether you're dealing with a boomy room or a loud stage, the SM81 lets you adapt on the fly, right at the source.
Selectable Low-Frequency Rolloff: Choose between flat, 6 dB/octave, or 18 dB/octave rolloff settings to tame room rumble, HVAC noise, or low-end buildup before it ever hits your signal chain.
0 dB / 10 dB Lockable Attenuator Switch: A built-in pad handles high-SPL sources without distortion, and the lock feature makes sure nobody bumps it mid-take (we've all been there).
Cardioid Polar Pattern, Uniform with Frequency: The SM81's cardioid pattern stays consistent across its entire frequency range, providing maximum off-axis rejection and keeping unwanted room noise where it belongs — out of your recording.
Built Like Steel
A great-sounding microphone that falls apart after three sessions isn't much of an investment. The SM81 is built from rugged steel construction that handles the rigors of studio life, live stages, and everything in between. It's equally at home on a concert grand piano or hanging overhead a drum kit — and it'll remain unfazed doing both.
Rugged Steel Construction: The SM81's durable build handles temperature swings, humidity changes, and the occasional studio accident without missing a beat. It's a mic that tours and doesn't complain about it.
Low RF Susceptibility: Radio frequency interference is the silent killer of otherwise clean recordings. The SM81 resists RF interference, keeping your signal free of unwanted electronic noise even in RF-heavy environments.
Phantom Power Compatible (12–48 Vdc): Operates on standard phantom power from your console, preamp, or external supply — no batteries, no surprises, no excuses.
A Condenser Microphone That Does Its Job and Then Some
The Shure SM81 Instrument Condenser Microphone has spent decades becoming the go-to choice for recording engineers, live sound professionals, and serious musicians — and it's not hard to see why. It captures acoustic instruments with a level of transparency and detail that simply makes recordings sound better. If your instrument deserves to be heard exactly as it is, the SM81 is the microphone that shows up and gets it done.
Shure SM81 Features:
Industry-standard condenser microphone for acoustic instruments, including guitar, piano, and cymbals
20 Hz to 20 kHz flat frequency response for accurate, transparent sound reproduction
Cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency, for maximum off-axis rejection
Selectable low-frequency rolloff: flat, 6 dB/octave, or 18 dB/octave
0 dB / 10 dB lockable attenuator switch for high-SPL applications
Low noise and high output clipping level for clean, studio-grade performance
Low distortion across a wide range of load impedances
Low RF susceptibility for interference-free recordings
Phantom power operation (DIN 45 596, 12–48 Vdc)
Rugged steel construction for long-term durability
Field-usable across a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions
Includes swivel adapter, attenuator-switch lock, foam windscreen, and carrying case
Warranty: 2 Years on Wired Microphones; 1 Year on Wireless Systems & Components; 1 Year on Personal Monitors & Components: 1 Year on Circuitry Products.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 78 dB (IEC 651)* at 94 dB SPL (*S/N ratio is difference between microphone output at 94 dB SPL and microphone self-noise A-weighted.)
Overvoltage and Reverse Polarity Protection:
Max. external voltage applied to pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin 1: + 52 Vdc
Reverse polarity protection: 200 mA max (diode-clamped)
Polarity: Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3.
The SM81 is best known as a go-to condenser microphone for acoustic instruments — particularly acoustic guitar, piano, and cymbals. It's widely used in studio recording, live sound reinforcement, and broadcasting applications where accurate, transparent audio reproduction matters most.
Yes, the SM81 requires phantom power to operate and is compatible with standard phantom power voltages ranging from 12 to 48 Vdc. Most modern audio interfaces, mixing consoles, and preamps provide this, so compatibility is rarely an issue.
The SM81 stands out for its exceptionally flat frequency response and low noise floor, making it more accurate and transparent than many similarly priced condensers. It's a professional-grade microphone that consistently outperforms its price bracket.
Yes, the SM81's built-in 10 dB attenuator allows it to handle high-SPL sources without distortion. This makes it versatile enough for everything from soft fingerpicking to louder live instrument applications.
Absolutely. The SM81 is widely regarded as one of the best condenser microphones for acoustic guitar, thanks to its flat response and ability to accurately capture the full tonal range of the instrument. It's a popular choice among both professional engineers and serious home studio recordists.
