Mic Shootout: Shure SM27 vs CAD E100s

Shure SM27: geni.us/ToW11F (Amazon)
CAD e100S: geni.us/elS0 (Amazon)
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[@TalonSei]

I am not even really into audio recording that heavily, but I still end up watching and appreciating your videos. Keep it up brotha!

[@danielborges.]

Me too. And learnig a lot.

[@KENNETHCARNIE]

Woah, didn't think I'd find you here Talon Sei! Small world. Lol. Been following for a while and approciate your vids as well!

[@Podcastage]

Congrats on the 30k subs! Very much deserved. Keep making awesome videos.

[@zezesilver]

Mike and you hit 30 and 60k respectively within the same week. Maybe celebrate together doing a collab vid??

[@RDYC]

I've had great results with the KSM 27 into a transformer preamp. Really rich sound for voiceover.

[@Airic]

the original Shure KSM27 has been my main mic for the past decade...love this mic. And the newer model (SM27) has less mic noise so it's even better these days...i highly recommend this mic.

[@ZioGiGi]

Hey Mike can you compare the SM27 to the Rode NT1 would love to hear the difference between those mics.

[@curt300s]

Bought an SM27 based on this review. Love it.

[@melvinadonayaguilarcastro4309]

you recommend it to me ?

[@curt300s]

@@melvinadonayaguilarcastro4309 i don't know your needs: professionally, personally, etc. But the mic works great w/ my voice and my situation. Best to ya.

[@purpleheart69420]

for voice over and vocals you think they sound sibilant?

[@RegisBladeStudios]

I have an sm27 and really like , it picks up EVERYTHING , i love recording with the ambience of a leaf blower during the daytime lol

[@OliverJHughes]

"...home studio for setup". LOL. Love the sound of that SM27, so much richer!!

[@NKWTI]

I personally like the SM27 better than the SM32, etc., it just seems so much smoother. The other higher priced ones in that Shure body design series sound exactly the same but with added brightness that I don't really feel is necessary and sometimes can be a little intrusive. The 27 is the sweetspot for my taste and the smoothest. It doesn't sound like it needs any EQ to tame or boost anything, but if you did EQ, it sounds like it'd be a dream and take it really well.

[@Laura_DiNunno]

This was probably the first time I actually heard a clear distinction between the two mics. And I love the proximity effect. Nice sound. Nice mic.

[@alinik4737]

I bought a Shure sm27 and love how it sounds. Very crisp and smooth.

[@LoafBear]

what audio card and preamp u use? thank you!

[@kirbymurdstone4925]

I'll throw in some technical information (like usual) the pad on condenser microphones is between the capsule and the mic's internal electronics. with loud sounds the capsule can produce enough voltage to clip the internal electronics. If this happens there is nothing you can do with your DAW or mixer to fix this, it has to be a pad between the capsule and the electronics. the reason they don't have the pad in all the time is that it gives you less signal to noise, but if your signal is really hot, this isn't a problem. I loved the SM-27 especially really close. Another thing to keep in mind is the SM-27 is very durable. Shure's standards for rough handling are very rigorous, so if your traveling this could be a great choice.

[@WhatYes2255]

From another fulltime voice actor, thanks for this. I, too, use and love the e100s and have tried a number of different mikes thru the years. That SM27 sounds awfully good for a $300 mike and anyone choosing it probably would be quite happy with it. You'd better make sure your recording environment is pristine when using the e100s! Nice, straightforward review and down-to-earth explanations. Nicely done. Now............ back to recording..............

[@maksymilianredecki526]

What a surprise. The SM27 is surprisingly good. Thank you!

[@boutdoors8234]

Hi Mike. I am so glad I found your channel. Great content! You have inspired me to get up off my ass and do something creative. I edited a video and did a voice over for our family business. I am HOOKED. People at work were floored when the finally figured it was me. Ha ha Bought a Rode NT1 and a Focusrite 2i2. Using Reaper and having fun. So hooked I just bought this sm27 using your link to show my appreciation. Man, not to sound weird but your voice sounds snuggly on that mic lol. Keep up the great work. Already working on my next project

[@johnkotches8320]

This video is worth the watch for the clear explanations of the various polar patterns alone. That this is a mic review is almost secondary. Not to minimize your effort ...

[@frankjaegr8604]

Super perspective on the applications of these different kinds of microphones for voice over. Dead on, and gives me greater perspective on how it can work for music (that’s what I so happen to do) as I’m starting to hear the microphones I already have. Voice over is such a great way to test out microphones and their initial sound - most people stick them on amps that I don’t have but I like using my voice because I’ll always be familiar with that

[@DMKahn]

Both of these mics sound really coloured in the mid range. The SM27 is the better choice for sure. Edit, I totally realized I had a pun that I missed … for shure

[@matthew.datcher]

I'm enjoying the sound of the SM27. Then again, I've always been a fan of the Shure sound. I wish I could hear the SM27 up against the AKG Perception 400 Ior variant thereof).

[@theatomicfriendsshow]

What do you think of the Shure Beta 27, particularly for vocals and voiceover? It is marketed as a do-it-all instrument mic but I hear some use it for vocals and even podcasting due to the super-cardioid pattern.

[@ThePantsrevolution]

Awesome! You've hit 30K subscribers! Congratulations, Mike - I joined at 26K about a month or 2 ago. Keep up the great work!

[@sonicjackalopeproductions3342]

Ya know, I have to say that this is a damn good way to give a review for the non-technically inclined! So many mic reviews are done by idiots who don't understand the basics of technology and often give flat out wrong descriptions of features and functions. The definition of the features as they apply to voice over users who are more casual when it comes to audio production. Excellent work!

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

Your voice really comes to life with the e100s

[@alantaylor6595]

For a while, Shure offered the SM27 in a USB version. I have one and it's a great mic. I eventually moved up to a TLM 103 but I don't know why Shure ever discontinued the SM27USB.

[@pandagamers1968]

Alan Taylor I think you mean the pg27 and pg42, they were definitely great mics I have no clue why they discontinued the, , best usb mics on the market and I had experience with them both so I do know they were the best, but eh usually that's how it happens with mics that are to good for the price they ALWAYS get discontinued

[@GunsOfAnthem]

Wow, impressed by the SM27, specially for that price! Feel like this might be e new contender for my next studio upgrade.

[@GunsOfAnthem]

Yeah I don't know, they are very similar mics but I can't seem to find much that points toward the KSM32 being particularly superior. I feel like they sound pretty alike as well. Any reason you think it's a superior mic?

[@RidexOrxPie]

Two Mics enter, one mic leaves! Two Mics enter! One Mic Leaves!

[@sonicjackalopeproductions3342]

It is funny that I only see SM27's being rated for voice overs, when these mics shine as insturment mics and live session multitracking. They are "too flat" for a lot of people, but flat, predictable sound is what you want to mic'ing a piano, a guitar or even as some area overheads

[@ACS402010]

I love how Mike thanked Mike for sending him his mic. Lol

[@zakktothefuture]

i love that you upload the outtakes basically.

[@crowonawirehome]

Great vid. I’ll be getting the sm27. Seems the sound I need for music recording.

[@DynamixWarePro]

I thought the SM27 sounds like it has a presence boost in the upper mid range to my ear using Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones, which looking at the frequency response chart for it, it does, and I like the bass when you got close to it. I do prefer the sound of the e100s and for your voice, the e100s sounds smoother on your voice, but I like the SM27, not as much as the e100s on your voice, except up close as I prefer the sound of the SM27.

[@stanleynowak9325]

I actually prefer the Shure.

[@KENNETHCARNIE]

You know your gift sir. You could read instruction manuals and I'd pay attention. And now I want this mic.

[@thomaschurch3379]

Great review ! Thanks . I am looking for a recording mic for my alto / tenor sax and flute . I like the low end on the SM27 .

[@citrixman]

I enjoy your channel.. thank for sharing all the knowledge

[@agambhasin]

I honestly liked the 27 more in this review! Thanks Mike!

[@PaulBaur]

Pleasantly surprised. Thanks Mike & Mike!

[@mattmrozinski7820]

i love the SM27. Poor Man's KSM44A, sacrificing the switchable polar patterns at 1/3rd the price.

[@keesv8000]

Mike! (no pun intended...) I enjoy the authenticity and sincerity of your presentations. I'd watch your vids even if you were comparing shoe laces. I want to mention that you didn't say anything about price of these mics. There's a whopping $200 difference between the SM27 and your beloved E100S. Do you really love your baby so much more that you're hesitant to recommend another brand? Just curious.

[@mikewilliams9739]

That one is my fault. I specifically asked if he could run the SM27 against the E100s when I sent it out.

[@Podcastforthewin]

Hey booth junkie. I’ve been using the cad gxl 2400. And I found it’s become my number one over the shure sm7b lately.

[@zezesilver]

Johnhitbox The GXL microphones by CAD are a sort of hidden gems. They're affordable and sound great.

[@johnjackson8902]

Z Alves The GXL 2200 can be kind of harsh from what I've seen. I've only heard the GXL 2400 USB version so I have no frame of reference for the GXL 2400 USB sound.

[@MT-sf4sk]

Another AWESOME mic shoot-out! Thanks but let me ask you... Will you PLEASE make a video explaining what the cardioid pattern is? :D Seriously though I really appreciate that you explain it on all the mic reviews. It makes it so I have something similar to use when I make cross-comparisons between your videos.

[@Mikkel111]

Matthew Thompson I don’t understand why an explanation is necessary... It’s the pickup-pattern/sensitive area of the mic. It’s simply a shape around the mic where you should be inside of, when you speak, else it will sound weird and muffled. Imagine the microphone being your phone. Now imagine it standing on it’s “bottom” with the screen facing you. If you move off axis, the display will appear dimmer and the colors will likely look weirder the further out you go. So just like microphones, you’ve got to speak/look directly into the front of the mic/capsule for the best experience.

[@Evangelistbrandonroberts]

Both are good but the sure is better. What preamp are you using

[@arthurw8054]

Get video as always, thanks. Every time you compare the E100S to a less expensive mic, I want to like the cheaper one better because of the cost difference, but the E100S always wins. The SM27 doesn't sound bad, and its proximity effect is very good, but it seems to have more reflections or something in the higher frequencies, whereas the E100S just sounds more unassumingly straightforward & natural...

[@peterschmidt9942]

Mike, any chance you could maybe do a shoot out of some common lapel or lavaliere microphones?

[@DeepZeea]

To me it's not really a surprise that the sm27 sounds good. I'm more curious if the "cheap version" of it, the PGA-27 would stand a chance in a comparison

[@kerasovmds]

I love the shure PGA27, it's my main microphone besides the SM27. Why? It's perfect for my rough voice, emphasizing the upper middle. It has the same proximity effect, but it's a little brighter and grainy, which suits me. I use pga27 for my dictor voice, and SM27 - mainly for vocals.

[@DeepZeea]

​@@kerasovmds I ended up buying the pga27 about half a year after posting my previous comment. You are absolutely right but for my voice this upper mid emphasis never really seemed to work. Always had a very tinny character. Thanks though for the reply :)

[@kerasovmds]

@@DeepZeea You're welcome! Greetings from Rostov-on-Don!

[@berryme59]

if you have a vocal quality to James Earl Jones is the CAD E100 a good fit for voice overs?

[@zezesilver]

I always associate Shure with dynamic microphones. In fact, I think this is the first time I hear how a Shure condenser sounds. Not bad at all. Thanks, two Mike's!

[@zezesilver]

Andrew M. Sheppard I'm finding the shape of Shure condensers a bit appalling...

[@zezesilver]

PS I'm a superficial man

[@johnjackson8902]

The KSM27 which is a slightly older/lower end version of the SM27 is available used for $100-150 or so and it's supposed to sound about the same as this but with a higher self noise and a higher dynamic range.

[@Mikkel111]

The CAD E100s sounds really muffled... Kinda like a dynamic mic.

[@gabrielchavarria22]

Mikkel Nielsen Sounds similar to the SM7B.

[@timmark4190]

The chew comment made me buy this microphone and it sounds awesome over Microsoft Teams calls

[@stephenpatrick1692]

I have the CAD e100S. When should I use the high pass filter? When I have it on, my highs come through much better. Also, what headphones should I buy for voice over? I'm currently using Audio-Technica's ATH-M50's. Thanks Mike!

[@RollingStonesPhoto]

In my headphones, I think you sound better on the SM27. May be different on studio monitors.

[@eclexian]

I’m thinking I hear a little less ‘crackle’ in the upper midrange of the e100s, but I would think for most VO applications (maybe not long-form narration, where there may be less of a ‘supporting’ underlying soundtrack) the SM27 is probably fine.

[@LoafBear]

Hello! What preamp or audio interface do you recommend using the sm27? now i use m-audio dmp3 preamp and built-in pc card - the sound is terrible. You need to twist the gain very much.

[@rdatomica2230]

Actually really enjoy the sound of both microphones but for me, i'm slightly leaning towards the shure. I do have request though, maybe a $70 vs a $700 microphone? that could be interesting, just see how much a huge difference cost can do for audio quality.

[@befingered]

The E100 might be slightly cheaper, being internally Chinese-but I'd go with the SM27, or the even better medium-capsule (3/4") SM32.

[@TheZeroSbr]

Internally Chinese? What are you talking about? The E100s is engineered and built in the USA.

[@mikewilliams9739]

Lovin' it Mike! Thinking on that Sm27, it does sound a little bass heavy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing (especially if I A-B in my head vs my Rode NTR)

[@PaperAndNails]

how the hell do you use the rubber bands to connect the stand and the mic? I'm using the Cad E100m. Also how do I get rid of buzzing when I connect it to my frequency box?

[@caiocesararts7136]

looking foward for a comparison between the TLM 103 vs TLM 102

[@MikeBroderick33]

Caio Cesar Arts Andrew at Podcastage just did that review today.

[@craiglee7993]

Would the DBX comp work well with the sm27? I dig the video's brother.

[@azarlane9553]

Is this the KSM27 or Shure Beta 27? Two different mics. Please clarify.

[@gangstalicious2007]

I honestly like the SHURE 27 better than the KSM 32

[@mahinmiah9404]

At4040 vs lct440 pure vs Shure ksm27... Which is the best sounding mic??

[@electronicbox6990]

Yep, i also think that SHURE is a lot more open and rich sound, while CAD is as was described from other muffled.By the way i intentionaly use crappy inear phones, because at the end of the day our commercials or voice reals will be heard not on NEUMANN monitors right>, but on bad laptop or home tv

[@bsoundbeatz]

What is your complete mic chain, please???

[@shaunlama6772]

Can u tell me if u recommend CAD e100 se. I know CAD e 100s is good but what about e100se version. How much is it worth to pay for it? Thanks

[@COPiX]

Would you be able to test the Rode NT1 against the Shure SM27?

[@rjdaigle7276]

SOMEONE SEND MIKE SOME 416 KNOCKOFFS FOR SOME SHOTGUN SHOOTOUTS!!! Mic Man Mike, YOU are THE Mic Man...Mike

[@gvgv3515]

I test drove this mic in guitar center and direct compared to the sm58. Dynamic vs condenser aside, the same volume setting assured.....the sm58 sounded like it was muted. I was lips to the screen and barely heard my voice. The sm7 was SO sensitive, I stood a foot away,and still sounded like I was an inch away!!! So my question is.. Is the SM7 better suited for studio use or will I be able to use it for live venues (I am a solo keyboardist, essentially a 1 man band). My fear would be picking up crowd/ room noise. I currently use an SM 58 and feel like I need to sing more forcefully to get the output. I dont want to compensate with increasing the volume. Any help/ would be appreciated.

[@TheChrisDecember]

Thanks for the video. I hope to use either an SM27 or SM7B with Audient ID14 but as a noob I'm confused! Would you please help me understand which is best for voiceover and ASMR (keyboard build)? And is Cloudlifter recommended for both? Thank you. ☺️

[@Tim_ArtistName_Tallent]

Id14 can power Sm7b no need for a cloudlifter. Def not to be used with the SM27. Podcasts and broadcast / gaming and streaming Sm7b is better. Spoken word and singing people tend to a condensor mic because it’s more detailed. That would be the SM27. Just Make sure you room has good acoustic treatment. Don’t get me wrong, Sm7b is also excellent for singing but I don’t typically see it used for voiceover work . Sm7b is a dynamic mic and does extremely well in untreated room . Hope this helps

[@TheChrisDecember]

@@Tim_ArtistName_Tallent thank you. It helps! ☺️

[@Tim_ArtistName_Tallent]

@@TheChrisDecember you’re welcome!

[@petereglitis689]

MIKE PLEASE SM27 VS THE NEUMANN 103.....................and when will you get your mits on the neumann 107 ??? cheers man have a great weekend !

[@mikewilliams9739]

That could be a fun one if you have a TLM103 on hand Mike. Feel free to hold onto my SM27 a bit longer in that case =)

[@gvgv3515]

Sorry my last post autocorrected it should be the SM27 NOT SM7. Otherwise the post is accurate and awaiting reply.

[@curt300s]

great comparison. well done!

[@holladaycubed]

How in the world do you talk that close to the mics with no windscreen or pop filter and rarely get plosives?

[@MOESKEENZ]

do u think theres any other mic better than cad e100 s, im tempted on buying it but its been out for years, does that matter. oh yea and im using it for voiceover

[@luisamedina1]

Do you have by any chance a comparison between AT4040 & SHURE SM 27?

[@WintysNerdWorld]

Is the sm27 good for recording voice and guitar at the same time?

[@timmark4190]

Tried with the piano and it does pick up the thumping sound. So any other unwanted sound will be picked up. But I love this microphone

[@juanchavez8724]

What audio interface/pre amp was used?

[@hyprz]

Can you compare the SM27 to the PGA27?

[@Chrs2020]

Can you do a sm27 vs the razer siren x?

[@janetpetersvoiceover6431]

Thanks Mike!!

[@roberthickman4092]

You tried any ribbon mics?

[@danielborges.]

I would like to see those.

[@jimidgaffigan8731]

I feel like the CAD would be great for a bass cab

[@SalSounds]

What are your thoughts on the sm27 vs the ksm32 the frequency profiles seem pretty similar

[@elahuigmail]

I own the KSM 27 and I wished I had purchased the KSM 32. It's more flexible. However both are excellent.

[@timmark4190]

El Ahui what do you mean by more flexible

[@cartzd]

Can you post on Montage King MMA

[@ИзиПизи-щ4д]

Shure SM27 top?

[@KarlGutowski]

I do not like the E100s. It has higher low end distortion and sounds nasal next to the SM27.

[@hoebentoet]

Next video opening "greating earthlings"?? 😂

[@thebigbadwolf472]

Does anyone know how the sm27 sounds on rap or hip hop vocals

[@johnjackson8902]

Specs on the SM 27 recordinghacks.com/microphones/Shure/SM27 it does have a bass boost and then a mid boost, a large dip, and then a high boost.

[@thecliqueshallsetyoufree8745]

cad smoother , Shure hard and edgy may work for broadcast stuff.

[@chickencoopowner]

cad e100s ftw

[@carljenkins7354]

To my ears the Shure sounds more transparent.

[@TheZeroSbr]

Well, the CAD definitely has the more neutral/flat frequency response...

[@TimothyMathews]

You're such a CAD. ;-P

[@CrisCozy]

SM 27

[@dakataca]

Prefiero el CAD.

[@paulwstokes]

2 mics 1 booth

[@kebandrews7076]

Buy both. Problem solved...

[@nicolocutor]

What is your income per month??

[@kebandrews7076]

20000

[@TerraMagnus]

The mic is lifeless. The zing is all you.

[@israelc0605]

Can’t believe people love proximity effect. It’s nasty to the ears.

[@kebandrews7076]

You seem like you'd be high maintenance. OCD wise...