Shure KSM141 SDC Review / Test

[@Rosko333]

Excellent box throw--clean delivery, no rebounding. Only complaint is Bandrew not taking flight from the chair.

[@Podcastage]

My coach told me I couldn't be so reckless. If I want a long career I need to be slightly more conservative to avoid injury.

[@meepmorprobotcaptain]

SOUND SPEEDS, and Bandrew is eating the mic again. Best. Crossover. Ever.

[@Podcastage]

I never listen or learn.

[@VidMashUp]

There is a video with Allen literally eating (not actually swallowing) a blue yeti and then wiping all the lint off his tongue. I asked if he got it from Bandrew and he said something to the effect of, if you buy a used mic, it's definitely not from Bandrew.

[@qwuzzy]

Jokes aside, I love the 4 feet away test because it helps me hear what the mic may sound like with other people in the room.

[@Podcastage]

I tried to explain that to Sound Speeds before he tortured me.

[@VidMashUp]

@@Podcastage He's going to torture you no matter what. It only takes one day of hitting the zip fizz and you're toast.

[@bhgemini]

Best mic cameo ever

[@Podcastage]

Of course the best mic cameo consists of me being yelled at. 💀

[@_Looft]

Now he just needs to get in booth junky’s booth

[@Gearjunkie35JasonBallou]

Instant click. And I'm not even looking at this mic.. but You Sir are a king among tonechasers and Audio Miscreants...Love what you have been doing for years. Always an instant click. Thanks for being you and staying you.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks so much for the incredibly kind words Gear Junkie. I'm happy to know you're enjoying them. 👏

[@PhatNutz]

"no one ever uses these 4 feet away!" - love it! 😃

[@Podcastage]

He's bullying me!!!!

[@VidMashUp]

@@Podcastage Just say "daddy" like only you can and it will all go away.

[@b.g.1254]

Truly a pleasure and a relief to find your videos. Articulate, consistent and thorough. I badly want to see the brain activity scan on the day someone asks you a simple question and you dissect all the possible meanings, biases, misunderstandings, possible lack of background knowledge and/or compensation for dialect differences. I walk away feeling that I do NOT need to redo any of this testing myself and can accept the sounds I heard as basis for comparison and final decisions on purchase. And that was even before you provided your own opinion. Glorious, thank you.

[@PaulIsbell]

I came for the comparison to the Shure SM81. Thank you!

[@baconofwar6619]

I'm glad you reviewed this! My college radio station that I'm an engineer at has a pair of these mics and we mainly use it for drum overheads and we generally agree they sound great! I tried using them in a XY pair for acoustic guitar in a live session we broadcasted this previous Sunday but they weren't working for some reason so I ended up just using the back of a R-121 instead lol

[@Podcastage]

That's so awesome they are used in the station! What a setup y'all have if you're rocking 141 and Royers too! Dang!

[@Rosko333]

Looks like Soundspeeds figured out where Bandrew lives.

[@Podcastage]

May god have mercy on my soul.

[@scrubs650]

My favorite mic for acoustic guitar - just so natural sounding.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on it. It sounds great.

[@gabrielobrien21]

One of mine also!

[@mikeandgerri]

I've owned these mics for about 5 years now. They are the only mics I will use for overhead recording of drums!

[@somewhatboxes]

that was a legitimate jump scare for me lol

[@joesquadcoptervideos2067]

I came here to say this word for word

[@Podcastage]

The thing that's funny is it was a Jump Scare for me. I was reviewing the audio from this last week and forgot about it, and I got so freaked out thinking someone was right behind me.

[@joesquadcoptervideos2067]

@@Podcastage that is so funny

[@somewhatboxes]

@@Podcastage the gift that keeps on giving!

[@danmagoo]

The guest appearance was hilarious! Especially your underplayed reaction.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks Dan! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I didn't know how else to react to be yelled at by Allen.

[@v_shkafu]

Glad to see Allen. Nice collab :D

[@Podcastage]

It's always a good day when you piss off Allen so much that he appears out of nowhere in order to berate you.

[@v_shkafu]

​@@Podcastage Achievement unlocked: summon Allen.

[@redjrjames]

Holy crap is that ALLEN FROM SOUND SPEEDS?? 3:02 I was looking away for a min and heard his voice. I snapped right back.. 😅

[@Podcastage]

Haha. Yes sir that is he.

[@7171jay]

Excellent review as always. The 141 holds up quite well against the much more expensive Beyer 930 and Neumann 184 for a bunch less money. I was surprised at how nice the Rode M5 did in this comparison considering it's very low price.

[@Podcastage]

The M5 is definitely no slouch. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these mics and thanks for watching.

[@artysanmobile]

The Beyer and Neumann are much more linear microphones, and like their Schoeps cousin, are way more durable. I’ve seen all of them hit the floor (don’t ask) and the only failure I’ve seen so far was the KSM141, interestingly. When money allows, the crazy expensive brands really earn their keep. Linearity translates directly to feedback rejection and ease of placement, and the sound difference is not subtle once you’ve tried many applications.

[@meistudiony]

I was going to buy a couple of these a while back. And you totally can use the mic more than 4' for room or overheads... jus sayin... I think i still prefer the SM81, but these sound really good, and i think you nailed it, they're slightly brighter and the bottom is "different". Great video as always. Thanks for doobaleedooing, my day is complete!

[@Podcastage]

I'll dooblydoo until the cows come home. Thanks so much Pags for watching and for the continued support, but more importantly thanks for making such incredible videos.

[@S.T.G.]

First class content as always. One suggestion though, you could attempt to keep the capsule of the mic at a constant distance from your mouth when demonstrating the polar pattern/off axis coloration (which would facilitate both a constant level of the incident sound and the same amount of reverberant sound reaching the mic).

[@Podcastage]

Good suggestion. Thanks. I'll try to be better about it.

[@cyberdefenseddi]

Loved the cameo 😎 nice review of the mic too.

[@Podcastage]

It was a scary cameo but well worth it. Thanks for watching!

[@jesusflores2121]

Loved the dude popping up out of nowhere. Honestly, I agree 100% with Andrew on this one. Where would we be without Podcastage?

[@Podcastage]

I think everyone would be fine without me. But I'm happy to be here making the videos.

[@coffeehigh420]

I must say that the doobly-doo within that mic is truly mind blowing !! 😮

[@Podcastage]

I don't know what the doobly-doo within the mic is.

[@RHS_video_club]

every time I think I want a pair of these, I watch your review and hear the Neumann 184s and have to rethink everything

[@HolarMusic]

It honestly scared me how calmly you reacted to the sticker

[@Podcastage]

I need to keep you on your toes.

[@techmed-rainer]

Well done, Bandrew. Thank you so much for constantly providing high-quality content! I really liked the sound of the Sure KSM 141 in all aspects. Beside the plosives, it seems to ve flawless. Personally, for spoken word I preferred the Neumann (thank you for your "Hello Neumann!" jingle) and in a different way, maybe even the Beyerdynamic. But this is just personal taste and preference.

[@Podcastage]

Rainer - Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it. I agree, I too prefer the Neumann (hello Neumann) on my voice for spoken word. It smooths out the top end and is just a bit easier to listen to. They are two quite different sounds though and as you say, it is a personal taste and preference thing. Many people like the more detailed and articulate and crisp top end that this would provide. Thank you again.

[@jalind1]

I like the 18db/octave for close micing on your voice. The 6dB/octave isn't enough to offset the proximity effect.

[@EU_DHD]

I honestly think the SM81 is the most flattering mic for your voice. I can't understand why you don't use it all the time.

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

The sm81 is one of those mics that just has the right mids. I imagine it’d be killer on pretty much any voice. Does great on electric guitar too!

[@Podcastage]

I don't use any mic all the time because I have to test other mics in order to review.

[@VidMashUp]

Oh wow. The shopping dooblie doo is working for me for the first time ever. One day after watching the podcast after you talked about it! BTW, your condenser handholding technique is superb.

[@Podcastage]

Glad to hear it's finally rolling out.

[@Name-oe9ez]

There's another sdc made by thomann called the SC 140. It costs around $44 and has pretty low self noise.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for the heads up on the Thomann mic, I appreciate it very much.

[@Name-oe9ez]

​@@PodcastageOf course! It's a mic I've had my eyes on as I've been looking for a good quality mic for my setup. Love the content Mr. Bandrew!

[@SoundSpeeds]

For that... I'm going to Trick-or-Treat at your house!!!

[@Podcastage]

Please god no!!!!

[@Outist]

3:00 who are they? Please bring them to KZbin; they sound amazing, and I loved their personality. Also, the video was fantastic. Thank you for sharing it with us sir.

[@SoundSpeeds]

That was me...

[@ThatLazyyGuy]

SOUNDSPEEDS

[@Podcastage]

That is SOUND SPEEEEEEDS! Check out his channel, it's awesome.

[@internalmethods]

Another awesome (and hilarious) review. Who the hell was random dude in the background? Oh btw, your Music Test sections are getting WAAAYYYY better💥🤘

[@Podcastage]

Thank you so much for watching and thank you for those incredibly kind words.

[@frankcoffey]

The SM81 is my favorite but the SE8 is my second choice. These would both be good to close mic acoustic instruments. For that huge room sound in a well treated room the AKG C451b is fantastic. Great in stereo pairs for realism but then again that's not always what you want.

[@coffeehigh420]

agreed.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these. I haven't tried the C451b before so I'm not sure how those perform, but I'm curious to try them out.

[@mustafaunsoy]

Interestingly, I made the same comment before reading yours :)

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

Wow, it’s Alan! What a wonderful Easter Egg, Bandrew. Thanks for the great information mate…and thanks for the entertainment.

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

Small diaphragm condensor mics pick up low frequencies very well and they deal with transients better. About the only advantage of large diaphragm condensor mics is lower self noise.

[@gabrielobrien21]

100% accurate

[@Podcastage]

A few years ago I really started to fall in love with SDCs.

[@DapperDanLovesYou]

The SM81 has a very boxy, almost “naturally compressed low mids” sound to it. In comparison, the KSM141 felt very neutral and natural. For voice, it's a bit sibilant for my taste, but I think it's a solid mic at a reasonable price!

[@Podcastage]

I think that's a fair assessment. Thanks for sharing.

[@adonistaxi2681]

This mic is great with your voice. Thank you for the music test 🎸

[@Podcastage]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.

[@miggz5636]

I have a pair of 141's. I love it on snare drums. Haven't tried it on drum overheads, or as room mics. Definitely going to give it a shot now.

[@Podcastage]

I look forward to hearing how that experiment goes.

[@RedBeardedRabbit]

0:41 😂 these little edits bring me so much joy,

[@Podcastage]

Haha. I'm glad someone else finds joy in the little things. Happy to add a little bit of silliness to your day. have a great one.

[@uncle-english]

Tell Allen that we love him

[@Podcastage]

I just let him know.

[@justincarrasco3680]

Now I understand that the thumbnail said "awesome" not because the mic sounds good, but because the video features SOUNDSPEEDS.

[@Podcastage]

Exactly!

[@chradon.]

Thank you for these reviews and good work

[@Podcastage]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@Boojakascha]

Now that you have spent more time with the ATH-M50x, do you still like the ATH-M30 better? I noticed you wore the former for a few weeks now :)

[@Podcastage]

Did I say that I like M30 better than the M50? I don't think I ever said that. I have been wearing the M50x because the Rode NTH100s I had broke. I just got a replacement set but haven't gotten around to opening them.

[@Boojakascha]

@@Podcastage Technically you didn't say this 100 %, but in your past video i6qsaEoEYlw at 2:50 (Audio-Technica BPHS1 review) you mention that they (BPHS1 & M30) sound very alike (seem to use the same driver and even housing) and that you prefer it (BPHS1) over the M50. I was just curious as I own both, the BPHS1 & and ATH-M50 and because I like both a lot :D

[@ostrol1590]

Picardy Third! Man i rate your channel more and more, love it

[@Podcastage]

Thanks so much Ostrol, I appreciate you watching!

[@unh0lyav3ng3r8]

also, your thumbnails are much better recently, all uniform and eye catching.. gg

[@Podcastage]

Thanks, I really appreciate that. I've been trying a few different things.

[@artysanmobile]

This is one of Shure’s very best microphones, inheritor of the SM81’s position in their range with a big improvement sonically. It has that nearly flat response I love in any microphone and the omni pattern is a major plus to me in live use. I have seen more service issues than with its single pattern KSM137 which is cardioid only so if omni doesn’t float your boat, the 137 is a perfect choice with a much better price.

[@Podcastage]

That's a great suggestion on just going with the 137 if you don't need Omni.

[@mustafaunsoy]

My humble opinion, SM81 sound better in this comparison.

[@maxhammer4067]

The goat 🐐 back with another mic

[@Podcastage]

Shure is one of the GOATS for sure. As I try more of their mics the more I'm impressed.

[@maxhammer4067]

@@Podcastage Lol your the goat 🐐 back with another mic 🎤 🤣 yea shure is good too 🤣

[@JoseOnTheAir]

The sticker lives to see another day?

[@Podcastage]

For now...

[@dikao.9900]

The KSM141 is a good Mic, but I like the MC930 and the KM184 better. But I am missing realy good sdc in your Comparison. You should test Schoeps MK4/MK41, MicrotechGefell M300/M310; MBHO KA500+MBP603 (supercardoid). The KA500 is my personal favorite for acoustic guitar.

[@2121cv]

I like better KM184 and MC930 to. KSM141 is cardiod and omni, for a good mic it's great.

[@loudandclearmedia]

Lovely sounding mic. It's interesting that it's bright yet not spitty. The sibilance region sounds really soft. Especially at that price, I'd think pretty hard about what, if anything, I'm getting by paying 2x more for the Beyer or Neumann.

[@Podcastage]

A lot of people definitely will be considering which mic is best and what you're getting for those higher prices.

[@nobodyhaslogin]

Box throw was so good you have alerted SoundSpeeds. Be careful throwing boxes next time XD

[@Podcastage]

So that is how he located me...I was wondering how he learned of my location and of my use of mics 4 feet away.

[@jttech44]

I was startled. Well done. This sounds quite nice, would likely help fix up a dark guitar sound that'd probably be kinda lost with ye olde sm57

[@Podcastage]

Yeah on acoustic it sounds great with a bit of a more controlled low end and articulate top end.

[@thijmen2424]

this mic pairs so well with your voice

[@Podcastage]

I agree completely. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

[@williamcitan]

Great video. Thank you! Really helpful. This will make my decision so much easier.

[@General_Puffball]

The ghost of a-ha's "Scoundrel Days" haunts your opening guitar riff.

[@Podcastage]

I've never heard that song or album, but I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

[@SuperZDogg...]

Love the beginning! You should review the Universal Audio SP-1! I have a pair and they are super great! Built very well and are so pretty.

[@SuperZDogg...]

Just watched a little more, didn’t see SoundSpeeds coming…

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for the suggestion on that. I'll definitely consider those.

[@MarkLumsley]

Half-way through the episode and I was still laughing at your intro. Such a fun bus! xD

[@Podcastage]

I'm glad you enjoyed that Mark. Thanks for watching. The fun bus never stops a running.

[@mustafaunsoy]

Sm81 was my favorite on your voice. SE8 was also better than KSM 141. Could you share your opinion between SM81 and KSM141, which one would you choose?

[@coffeehigh420]

PODCASTAGE, why did you start drinking a while back ? are you over it and sober now ?

[@Podcastage]

I haven't had a drink since 2015.

[@Podcastage]

Where did you get the idea that I started drinking a while back?

[@Podcastage]

@@coffeehigh420 Well you are completely incorrect, but think what you like. Have a good day.

[@coffeehigh420]

can you please forgive me? I'm sorry for saying these things.@@Podcastage

[@jeremyg2245]

Great video bandrew! If you're looking to continue your SDC journey, I think the Austrian Audio CC8 would be worth checking out next!

[@Podcastage]

I have a handful more SDCs to check before I start buying more, but that's the second suggestion for the CC8.

[@Apache-Bro]

Oh... We have a guest

[@Podcastage]

I would classify him more as an intruder than a guest.

[@father_jordan]

SOUND SPEEDS!

[@Podcastage]

Be careful! Don't say his name 2 more times or he might appear.

[@joshfoss7407]

sounded almost identical to the Se8 to me. Perhaps a touch more bass on the shure.

[@thizzyglider555]

I actually think the sm-81 sounds best on your voice followed by the Neumann km-184

[@Podcastage]

The SM81 sounds really great.

[@alirezakhalili4792]

Thanks alot for doing such a great job of reviewing many gears, that would help alot to people like me to chose the best gears. But i dont have any experience in mics and im going to make a youtube channel, i want a mic and im pretty confused. Whats you're suggestion between rode nt usb, rode nt1 kit, and sennheiser profile? I kind of like these 3. Thank you so much

[@Podcastage]

Between the Rode NT1 Kit and Sennheiser profile, I'd go NT1 kit. I like the sound of it much better. That's my take.

[@alirezakhalili4792]

@@Podcastage Thank alot for your time and kindness to respond.

[@theNitefly]

"no one ever uses these 4 ft away" drummers: ...

[@Podcastage]

Haha. Yeah drummers and classical engineers or anyone setting up a room mic does! I was too stunned to argue against him in the moment.

[@JoeCastellon]

I hope you would review the Behringer B-5. I have it and I love it but I’d love to hear your thoughts on it 👌🏻

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely be considering that. I've been working through the mics I have before I buy more.

[@nikolasnavarro4161]

Not an SDC, but I'd love to see a review on the AT-4047

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for the suggestion on that. I'll definitely consider it.

[@j_wah3084]

Best Podcastage video ever🤣

[@Podcastage]

That’s incredibly kind of you to say.

[@Kragatar]

Great sounding mic.

[@Podcastage]

Agreed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kragatar.

[@gabrielobrien21]

Nice, you did it! One of my faves

[@Podcastage]

Yessir. I had it on my list to pick up and I waited for a crazy sale on Shure's site and picked it up along with a few others (including their ribbon). Thanks for the suggestion last time we talked.

[@gabrielobrien21]

@@Podcastage oh man did I miss a sale! I'd have bought some things!

[@gabrielobrien21]

@@Podcastage don’t forget to pick up a used KSM27 sometime. It’s a single capsule from a KSM44, US-made too. Way better than they should be.

[@kevinedwards2658]

I’d be really interested to hear your opinion of the Austrian audio cc8 compared to KSM141

[@Podcastage]

I don't have the CC8 so I don't have any thoughts on that mic. Sorry about that. I'll definitely consider it though.

[@danwebb6766]

Nice SoundSpeeds cameo :)

[@Podcastage]

It was purely his idea to berate me for my tests. I deserved it. HA !

[@mattcowens]

Thanks Allen. Thallen.

[@Podcastage]

Don't encourage him!

[@Wreckfinata]

You should make a video about the Sterling ST151 compared to others within the same price like the Temu fake U87, AT2020USB, Blue Snowball and stuff within that range. Heck throw in a NT1 in the comparison for the heck of it too lol. It would be a cool video. I think the ST151 is one of the best mics for $70 to be honest but I just upgraded to and NT1 4th gen and its in a different bracket for sure🔥

[@Podcastage]

I think I might actually have the ST151 and was considering getting around to reviewing it. Thanks for the suggestion .

[@Wreckfinata]

@@Podcastage definitely should! No problem 🙏🏼

[@mouk3y]

Seeing Sound Speeds Show himSelf Sure waS Surprising! 🤪

[@Podcastage]

Surprising, and horrifying.

[@DaysBeforeICame]

Can you please release these tracks sometimes somewhere?

[@mlayton]

My favorite SDCs! I have a pair and the only SDC I'd prefer is the ELA M 260, but those are way out of my budget

[@Podcastage]

Oh dang that's quite the endorsement there. Now I'm curious about the 260s.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke! Intruder alert ⚠️ on Podcastage 😱

[@Podcastage]

Thank you so much Rainer. I'm going to use this to get an intruder alert alarm installed in my home. You're the best!

[@MrNicknayme]

Great review. Great Music.

[@Podcastage]

I really appreciate that.

[@tjzuppe]

The older people trick or treating are the same driving by during every review with their loud cars. I’m sure of it.

[@Podcastage]

I bet you're exactly right! Absolute monsters!

[@kennethbailey7105]

Now debating on buying a Warm Audio WA-8000 Tube Condenser Mic with my own money and just sending it to Bandrew to make a review video of it😳

[@Podcastage]

My lack of tube mics is not because I don't have them. It's because I haven't spent the time. Having more in the stack wouldn't make me review them sooner.

[@fasemusicx]

Hello Neumann

[@Podcastage]

Hello Jerry.

[@chrisw5742]

"and now I am speaking with the mic submerged in the bathtub" ......... dam bro good job. :-P

[@Podcastage]

Luckily SoundSpeeds was more lenient than that. Thanks for watching.

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

I often wonder how you record in the untreated room, presumably away from your rack of equipment? It isn't keeping me awake at night, though.

[@Podcastage]

I use a Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen.

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

@@Podcastage 👍

[@av3ng3r-49]

Oh, a sticker! It must be fantastic!

[@Podcastage]

They've been missing for a long time.

[@Jean-Baptiste-k3l]

Your friend scared me 😮 🧐

[@Podcastage]

He scared me while I was editing as well because I forgot about it.

[@hectorestrada5751]

Good videos do you have a video on djr microphone or a microphone for an Acordion. Thanks in advance

[@Podcastage]

I do not have videos on mics for those application, I'm sorry.

[@hectorestrada5751]

@@Podcastage thanks

[@RafaelUnplugged]

12:20 great guitar performance

[@ZachariahConnor]

SOUND SPEEDS

[@Podcastage]

Don't say his name too many times or he'll appear.

[@torugonza]

El km 184 te pone en primer plano como ningún otro

[@Podcastage]

I agree. The KM184 is something special, it's still one of my favorite SDCs.

[@hayvanhucresi]

if you were a one-person rock band i'd be a fan of yours

[@Podcastage]

You're too kind. Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words.

[@OlexanderZnaharenkoUA]

I have pressed a like. I'll watch later. Hope, box didn't destructed)) 😊

[@Podcastage]

Thanks Olexander!

[@Microphones_Matter]

Lovely Microphone.Shure Mics Rule

[@Podcastage]

I agree. Shure continues to impress me.

[@foursite]

Oktava 012 review pls

[@Podcastage]

Thank you very much for the suggestion .

[@baldmandoom]

Souuund Speeds!

[@Podcastage]

Oh no. People have said his name too much in the comments. He's going to appear now!

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

Sounds good on acoustic guitar and voice. A little too shrill on electric guitar (at least rythmn). Sounded good on the lead.

[@Podcastage]

Yeah it's a great sounding mic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

[@jekmate]

music test is my life

[@Podcastage]

You're too kind!

[@scot_smith]

It's a Shure fire winner!

[@Podcastage]

Agreed completely. Thanks for watching Scot.

[@mtmccornack]

I need to get some of those so-called "Dollarie doo's"