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.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn points on eligible purchases with AMS Rewards and turn them into savings on future orders, no credit card required. You can apply points at checkout once they’re available.
Eligible to earn $21.95 for this purchase
OR
8 Payments of $54.88
6 Payments of $73.17 No Credit Check
Compare
Compare! Here are all the serial numbers of this model we have in stock. Compare them all and select your favorite!
Opt in for Notifications on this product for the price drops, stock changes and promotions
The Shure SM81 Instrument Condenser Microphone is perfect for acoustic guitarists and Instrumentalists. The SM81 lets you reproduce your instrument with the highest fidelity.
The razor flat 20 to 20K frequency response of this low impedance, unidirectional, cardioid condenser mic is faithful to every nuance of your expression. Built-in 10Db attenuator. Requires phantom power from board or external source.
The Shure SM81 is a high-quality, unidirectional condenser microphone designed for studio recording, broadcasting, and sound reinforcement. Its wide frequency response, low noise characteristics, and low RF susceptibility have made it a standard for applications involving acoustic instruments, especially guitar, piano, and cymbals.
The SM81 is ruggedly constructed. It operates on phantom power and performs over a wide range of temperatures and humidity conditions. It is furnished with a swivel adapter, attenuator-switch lock, foam windscreen, and case for carrying and storage. Other accessories are available.
Shure SM81Features
A standard for acoustic instruments, including guitar and cymbals
20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
Flat response curve for accurate reproduction of sound sources
Low noise and high output clipping level
Low distortion over a wide range of load impedances
Cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency and symmetric about axis, providing maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sounds
Low RF susceptibility
Selectable low-frequency response: flat, 6 or 18 dB/octave rolloff
0 dB/10 dB lockable attenuator switch
Phantom powering (DIN 45 596 voltages of 12 to 48 Vdc)
Rugged steel construction for durability
Field-usable over wide range of temperature and humidity conditions
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.
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.
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 esp...
Published date
02/05/24
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Ben01930 🇺🇸
Verified Buyer
SM81 - Good? Great?
I bought this mic based on it's review history, and recommendations from more experieced users. I had never heard it in person. In all transparency, this is the first (and only) small diaphragm condenser mic I've owned in my modest home studio, so i can not compare it to others for you. However, wha...
Published date
10/19/23
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Lorenzo 🇺🇸
Verified Buyer
A Workhorse Classic
This mic can be used on almost anything. Fairly neutral, but lacks "presence" compared to higher-end mics like Neumann KM184s. The newer Shure KSM137/141 have probably a bit more depth and definitely more top end detail. But where this excels - percussion, overheads, certain styles of piano playing....
Published date
12/05/22
Was this review helpful?
0
0
J.G. 🇺🇸
Verified Buyer
Great One !
Best for acoustic guitar but can serve many tasks. High frequency string instruments really shine and works also great as an overhead. I like using it with any large condenser for a complete acoustic guitar sound. I have tried many pencil mics and this one always wins.
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. View our Privacy Policy.
Privacy Preference Center
Privacy Preference Center
Your Privacy
Your Privacy
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.
More information
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for our website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to your requests for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging into your account, or filling in forms. You can manually set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but it will prevent parts of our site from working as expected. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Performance Cookies
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us identify which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around our site. All the information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to monitor its performance.
Functional Cookies
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Sale of Personal Data
Sale of Personal Data
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information to third parties. These cookies collect information for analytics and to personalize your experience with targeted ads. You may exercise your right to opt out of the sale of personal information by using this toggle switch. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. Additionally, you may contact our legal department for further clarification about your rights as a California consumer by using this Exercise My Rights link.
If you have enabled privacy controls on your browser (such as a plugin), we have to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Therefore we would not be able to track your activity through the web. This may affect our ability to personalize ads according to your preferences.
Targeting Cookies
Targeting cookies collect information for analytics and to personalize your experience with targeted ads. These cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests to show you relevant ads on other sites. They do not store specific personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device.
You may exercise your right to opt out of the sale of personal information by using the toggle switch in this menu. If you opt out of targeting cookies, we will not offer you personalized ads or share your personal information with any third parties. If you have enabled privacy controls on your browser (e.g., Global Privacy Control), we will automatically opt you out of targeted advertising and the ads you see will not be personalized.