Shure KSM32 Review
Condenser Mic
- For Voice, Instruments, Drums & Cabs
- Cardioid Pattern Lessens Room Noise
- Switchable -15 dB Pad Hinders Distortion
- Low-Cut Filter at 80 or 115 Hz
- Shockmount Inhibits Vibration Noise
- Large-Diaphragm True Condenser Capsule
- Neutral Tone, Quiet Class-A Circuitry
- Integral Pop Protection & Shock-Mounting
- XLR Output for Hookup to Mic Preamp
- Operates on 48V Phantom Power
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 32 Reviews
Worth every star
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Son V. on Reverb
I bought this mic while trying to hold onto a tinge of skepticism because of all the great reviews I read (which is also the reason why I ultimately bought this mic! Yes, quite the bind I put myself in). The first day I got it, I used it for male backup vocals - definitely adequate AND I didn't even bother using a pop filter! Shame but hey, I just turned my head a little bit for the B's and P's - it worked great! I liked the tone, the "air" and how it sat in the mix. The next day I put it on a Martin acoustic. I tried it first on the 12th-14th frets - nah ( I was going for a tone). I put it on the body beneath the bridge - just didn't do it so I put it back in the case and went for my trusty modded tube mic. That did the trick. So it didn't quite pan out for that duty. No worries - I was searching for a certain vibe and I'm sure I'll come back to it for future acoustic stuff, just not for that one - no fault of the mic at all. The following night, I put it up for a female vocal track. She has a syrupy voice that's both smooth but can get gruffy. Well, lo and behold, the first freakin' note she sang perked both of us right up. I added some plate reverb and we were off to the races with this sweet song. Boy, did this mic deliver in spades. She's sang throught 10k mics in the best studios in town and this mic came out above that. We were blown away - I mean, blown away. I don't get blown awayand try not to get blown away. Well...I was. I also used this for tambourine and shakers - LOVED it! The airiness is perfect. It really picks up the room well so in a nice sounding room, this mic shined. I'm very, very glad that I bought this mic. It will become an indispensable part of my recordings and I look forward to many decades of working with it. It's part of my family now. The sleeper that's a keeper - mark my words. If you find a used one, get it! Don't think about it, just press the BUY button and jump up and down when it arrives. Or sport a new one and be just as psyched. IMO, this is a contemporary classic mic. ... More
Had it forever, still love it every time I use it.
Shure KSM32/SL Project-Studio Vocal Solution
Reviewed by Johannes on B&H Photo Video
I've used this microphone for close to 20 years now, and decided to write a review, because I feel it needs more love and attention on this site. I actually bought mine in Europe all that time ago, and paid almost twice of what it costs today at B&H. Still I have no regrets. Over the years, I have used it mostly for vocals and acoustic guitar. I am a singer-songwriter with a project studio, so the astronomical prices of big boy mics are out of my reach, but I have accumulated some really nice equipment over the years. Not sure that a 5000$ condenser would be a quantum leap, but it's possible. That said, in the 500-1200$ range, I have used nothing that rivals this one. It has great, crisp clarity on vocals and a solid, firm bottom end. I have noticed that the intelligibility of lyrics is very good with this mic. It never seems to be harsh or shrill sounding, yet there is always a reservoir of extra high end available through EQ. I'm usually using the low-cut filter to manage any rumble and floor resonance. In conjunction with a nice pencil mic (I'm using the affordable Octava 012), it's great for guitar. It's solidly built and comes with a sturdy shock mount, as well as the simpler mic clip for quick setup or tight corners. Today, I'd get the black one; other than that, I wouldn't change a thing. ... More
KSM32SL A master piece
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by William Anthony on Guitar Center
This mic is the real deal. I'd heard good things about this mic but didn't pay much attention until I was given 2 KSM32SL's as a substitution on a cross rental for a live pop orchestra. I used the pair as drum overheads. A PM5D was on the front end. The original plan was to use 414's. It was a blessing that I didn't get the 414's. The KSM32's are pure love. They present a wonderful, naturally balanced reproduction of the cymbals, toms, and snare top. The tone of this mic has a very well balanced warmth due to the absence of any type of hype. When driven harder, the 32's stay in the pocket and refuse to yield any tone that isn't pleasing to the ear. I set the KSM32's about 2 feet above the cymbals to meet aesthetic requirements. This distance seemed to give a nice amount of breath with a natural balance of air. The stereo image was really well represented and even between the 2 overheads. Truly a master piece. I can't wait for the next chance to use these as overheads or to try a KSM32 on other sound sources. I have complete faith that this mic would do well on anything. ... More
Wonderful Drum Overhead Mic
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Ha Ha Studios on Guitar Center
The Shure KSM32/SL is a great overall condenser microphone, extremely sturdy with nice, flat response and none of the high-frequency sibilance often heard on similarly priced mics. Two of these babies over the drum kit keep the toms, snare and hat "up front" with cymbals clear and concise, even when the player is a inexperienced "basher".
Absolute Studio Workhorse!
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Joshua on Guitar Center
Quickly as a Semi-Pro over the past 21 years I've been fortunate enough to have worked in some really nice studios with great mics i.e. Neumann, AKG, Sterling, Avantone, many of the commonly used mics that you always hear about, and of course SHURE. I'm not knocking any of the others, but the 32SL is a real workhorse around the studio. I primarily produce and record worship music these days with acoustic guitar and multiples of vocals on almost every track. This mic works equally well in response for both applications. I find that it gives you exactly what you put into it without over coloring the source. The frequency response switch serves its purpose very effectively with acoustic guitar recordings and it also does very well in capturing choir type vocal recordings. You WON"T go wrong with this mic and Shure service and support is bar-none the best I've worked with. If your a hobbyist wanting great sound or a semi-pro looking to widen your sonic horizons this mic is well worth the buy. CW/ Louisiana. SHURE KSM32SL, Avalon V5S preamp, Logic Pro X!!!!!! ... More
Ads
Speeda Sound
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by steve-0 on Guitar Center
Great Sounding Microphone on stage or off. I use it on guitar amps on stage for the crisp top end and clear bottom end. With the variable high-pass filter switch on it helps with picking up just the one guitar amp and not all the ambiant noise. All around a great mic.
Outstanding Mic for Instruments
Shure KSM32/SL Project-Studio Vocal Solution
Reviewed by Gustave on B&H Photo Video
This mic differs from most unidirectional mics in having an extended low frequency response. This makes it ideal for piano, orchestral and pipe organ recording. I used a pair of these mics in a DIN stereo recording pattern (mics placed about 8 inches apart and angled 90 degrees) to record the tracker action pipe organ in our church with outstanding results.
Loved it from the day I got it.
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Jesse sou P. on Reverb
I`ve been using the KSM series from the time the first KSM 27sl came out. I was floored by the pristine sound that came out of the ksm 27. I knew I wanted to upgrade to the ksm 32 and eventually the ksm 44. I recently had an issue with my current ksm 32. So I bough another one off of Reverb.com. And hopefully it lasts as long as possible. The reason I bought this mic again, was because of the many praises I`ve got for the recording done at my studio with this mic. And I only wanted the best, so I re-bought the microphone that I loved dearly. The Shure KSM 32. ... More
Clear Quality
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by M.U.S.I.C. on Guitar Center
I use this mic at my house for almost anything, drums, vocals, piano and it has been nothing but fantastic. I would put it up against mics that are twice the money! You truly will be impressed with the quality no matter what your use. Definitely a great choice
GREAT QUALITY!
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by d-on-the-easle on Guitar Center
I have used this on many occasions in an Audio Production lab with ProTools LE. Mostly recorded short stories and radio commercials. My professor suggested this mic. In fact he uses it himself. Best quality in vocals I have heard!
One (or 2?) for the arsenal
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Andres C. on Reverb
Room mics; drum kit overheads; stereo piano, acoustic, brass, and woodwind instruments; vocals; hell, try it on a guitar or bass cab! The ksm32 is one of Shure's best mics. If you're looking for a vocal-only mic, consider the ksm42 (the ksm 44 can be a bit bright). The 32's sound is transparent without being 'sterile' and stands up against mics of the same category that are 2x as expensive. Buy 2 of these and consider yourself prepared for a variety of recording scenarios.
You Need Two Of These!
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Brian K. on Reverb
I love the KSM32 mic (I have two). I use them to mic speaker cabs, on vocals, and as drum overheads. Like the entire Shure line, these things are rugged, boast an excellent frequency response (20-20k) and a good SPL rating . I can attenuate the overall signal or roll off the low frequencies with a couple of toggles on the side of the mic, making it a breeze to get a serviceable sound. If I lost or damaged these, I'd go right out and buy a couple more.
Great Mic
Shure KSM32/SL Project-Studio Vocal Solution
Reviewed by Baytown 16 on B&H Photo Video
I run a municipal TV station and do most of the V/O work. Bang for the buck this is a great mic. i use it in conjunction with the Shure XLR to USB adapter straight into Adobe Audition.
Input equals output
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Chris C. on Reverb
Very clear natural sounding, this is my second shure ksm 32 for some reason I sold one 3 years ago. After going back and listening to my older recordings in which I used three types of condensers on different songs I realized this had the best over all tone and have bought it again.
KSM32/SL Studio Condenser Microphone
Shure KSM32/SL Project-Studio Vocal Solution
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great microphone in good price. I usually use it for the trumpet, and it has a warm sound which is unusual for the condenser microphones in this price range. It also allow me to record little details such as articulations and dainamics.
Great mic for voiceover
Shure KSM32/SL Project-Studio Vocal Solution
Reviewed by Alan on B&H Photo Video
I'm a full time audiobook narrator. I have tried several mics, including a Neumann TLM 103, a TLM 102, a Sennheiser MK4, a Sennheiser 416 and a Shure SM7B. For my voice, the KSM32 beats them all. It's very warm sounding and very versatile. It's an excellent buy.
Great mic
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Connor B. on Reverb
perfect for a home studio with two mics. this and a 57 are all you need to capture most sounds. I bought this mostly to record my trumpet and flugelhorn, but it work amazingly on bass clarinet, upright bass, speaker cabinets, voice, and probably more that myself or my roommates do not play.
No the case I was expecting...
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Jersy V on Guitar Center
I bought this for the cool case (otherwise I could get the mic by itself). The case is a bag... Not worth it...
The Shure KSM32 is great for voice over.
Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Bob on Guitar Center
I do voice over work. I needed a high quality, affordable mic 🎤 the KSM 32 from Shure is just the ticket for me
Great sound, rugged enough for live use
Shure KSM32 / SL Medium Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Glenn G. on Reverb
Very clear and natural sound. It is rugged enough for live use. I've even used it at gigs on a loud guitar speaker cabinet.
