Brand new is the Shure SM4 Home Recording Microphone, a large-diaphragm condenser microphone aimed specifically at those desiring a high quality yet affordable microphone for home use. This simple microphone has no switches or buttons, and is designed to be easy to use. It aims to achieve professional-quality recordings regardless of setup, environment, or experience level. Like all condenser microphones, it does require 48-volt Phantom Power from your microphone preamp.
Promising great results for at-home and studio recording of both vocals and instruments, it has a dual-diaphragm capsule, internal pop filter, and a new RF shielding system, designed to minimize electronic interference that may be present in a home recording environment. Shure has taken care to design the SM4 to reject RF noise from wireless devices including smartphones, laptops, and Wi-Fi routers.
Sonically the SM4 displays a nice balance of low and high frequencies. It has the pronounced treble clarity that users expect from Condenser microphones, and sounds much more bright, open and hi-fidelity compared to well-known Dynamic microphones. Proximity effect, the amount of bass frequencies that increase greatly when close to the mic, has great differences by just small movements closer or further from the mic, so you can really sculpt the amount of low-end depending on how close you place the SM4 to your sound source. The Cardioid pickup pattern provides rejection of unwanted sound from the sides and rear of the SM4 is good, which in a home recording scenario will be very important.
The SM4 has a nice hot output and can take a lot of level—also important as the SM4 does not have a built-in pad. Shure makes a variety of affordable in-line pads and Hi-Pass filters that can be purchased separately should you find that you need one.
The SM4 is available in two different kits. The SM4-K includes an SM4, standard mic stand mount and carrying bag. The SM4-K-Kit includes the microphone, a shock mount, a magnetic external pop filter and a zippered case large enough to carry everything. The shock mount is nicely machined yet lightweight, and the SM4 screws into it very securely. The pop filter attaches to the shock mount, so it is further acoustically decoupled from the SM4. It all looks very nicely made, elegant and professional. The Shure SM4 is a versatile, good sounding and affordable microphone for home use, and a great utility microphone for professional recording studios.
SM4-K includes SM4 Microphone, swivel-mount mic clamp, and zippered carrying bag. $199
SM4-K-KIT includes SM4 Microphone, shock mount, detachable magnetic pop filter and zippered carrying case. $269
