Comments on: Shure KSM9 Condenser Microphone Review

By: Lightnin Cox

Lightnin Cox — Fri, 19 May 2023 23:46:10 +0000

Spring, 2023
I’ve been singing and playing guitar for over 50 years. I retired a couple years ago. I didn’t quit playing music, I just quit throwing speakers around at 3:00 in the morning. I’m still pretty busy in the studio. I used an SM58 most of my career and switched to a KSM9 about 10 years a ago. The KSM9 was an incredible upgrade!
When I started singing and playing guitar there were not near as many genres. There are so many now I really don’t know what to call the music I write and play. Maybe some Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass, mixed with a little C.S.N.Y. Or something along those lines. I think I sound much better using a mic than I do naturally, because I’ve learned how to master the use of the proximity effect, and also raising and lowering the strength of my vocal by backing off or with the KSM9 just going off axis slightly. I love this microphone more than any I’ve ever used for live use, and I think I’ve used most of them at one time or another. It has one caveat or drawback, if I can agree with another gentleman that I read a review from. It’s expensive! However, if you’re a professional, or your music means more to you than just about anything else, it’s a very small price to pay for excellence. I think it’s much harder to buy a second one for your studio use. lol
I recently started singing with a vocalist in my live studio who has a much weaker, softer, but very beautiful voice and I’ve been letting them use mine. So I need another as we sing together frequently and I’ve just noticed that Amazon has the KSM9 for less money than I’ve ever seen it! It’s the charcoal grey model, and I guess there’s no time like now!
The only thing I can think to add is that, as old as I am, this is the first review I’ve ever written! Honest. Much love to you all! Lightnin

By: Julio López

Julio López — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 21:05:05 +0000

If you could choose for worship music between Shure KSM9, Neumann KMS 105 or Sennheiser E965, what do you prefer?

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 15:51:48 +0000

KSM8 is a dynamic with a darker tone. Many singers love its ribbon-like feel, and although it may turn out beneficial for screaming or growling with a metal band, in your case, for a clean vocal you may need a brighter mic, so that it can cut through a dense mix more easily, such as KSM9, which also offers supercardioid mode for improved rejection, as long as you fix it on a stand and don’t move around much. Cardioid is more natural but may need a louder vocal to combat feedback.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 10:40:19 +0000

Hi Peter
As lead vocalist of prog metal band im in doubt between the dynamic KSM8 and the KSM9..

What would you recommend? I’ve heard sales reps say that the KSM8 is better than a lot of condensors out there so presumably I’m buying quality with the 8 but still lean towards the 9 since I want to get most out of my live sound.. How ever since my genre is pretty heavy what is your experiance with the feedback rejection on louder stages with the KSM9 VS the quality of the KSM8.. Will the difference in sound quality (depending on EQ + sound guy ofc) by noticable between the 8 and 9?

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 01:19:35 +0000

That’s a tough one. But guess you are looking more into a dynamic type of mic. SM7b is unique though, so don’t expect you can get the exact same performance from another handheld. From those a reviewed, Heil PR35 would be the closest match in how it sounds while also being studio worthy. Keep in mind, Heil mic is more sensitive, which is both a pro and a con. Depending on your style, it may require some minor adjustments to your pronunciation, but in the end it is still more forgiving than a condenser.

By: corey

corey — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 21:04:58 +0000

Great site. Between the KsM9 and the E935 which would be better for handheld studio rap/vocals? I own a SM7b and want a mic with similar quality for when I feel like holding the mic and being free.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:07:05 +0000

KSM9 is a top line mic and I assure you it’s pretty tough – the capsule is well protected, and if dropped, the internal suspension can easily handle the shock. The electronic circuit is maybe complex but it doesn’t utilize any vulnerable components (such as triodes, crystal oscillators, etc.) and all parts are high grade. It may likely suffer from cosmetic defects, such as grille deformation and less likely scratches. The grilles are of course replaceable… Yet, considering the price of the unit, you’d still want to treat it with all due respect and I hope this is a no-brainer. The event in which it gets out of order is quite unlikely, however, with a good amount of acceleration, anything can be achieved.

By: Damon

Damon — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 07:54:57 +0000

Great write up. How vulnerable are these mics to dropping on the stage? How careful do you have to be in handling? Are some types more durable than other similar in the live performance category?