Will phantom power damage the KSM313?

According to the manufacturer the KSM313 tolerates phantom power, but good practice is to switch it off on a ribbon channel and to plug cables in with phantom off. That removes any risk.

Which side should I use?

The sides sound different: the front is brighter and suits instruments, the back is warmer and suits voice. Try both; there is no wrong choice, only preference.

Will phantom power damage the KSM313?

According to the manufacturer the KSM313 tolerates phantom power, but good practice is to switch it off on a ribbon channel and to plug cables in with phantom off. That removes any risk.

Which side should I use?

The sides sound different: the front is brighter and suits instruments, the back is warmer and suits voice. Try both; there is no wrong choice, only preference.

Microphones

Shure KSM313/NE

Name: Shure KSM313/NE
Brand: Shure
Price: 20 EUR
Availability: InStock

MIC

Dual-Voice Ribbon Microphone 30-15,000 Hz

Price per 24 h rental

20 €/ 24 h

Prices are per 24 hours of rental. Longer rentals, delivery and setup are quoted on request.

Ask for a quote

The Shure KSM313/NE is a ribbon microphone with a figure-eight pattern and two differently voiced sides: the front is brighter and meant for instruments, the back warmer and meant for voice. Ribbon mics give a soft, natural top end that is valued on guitar amps, brass, strings and vocal recordings. It is rented for studio days, acoustic music recording and concerts where a guitar cab or trumpet needs a rounder sound than a dynamic mic delivers.

In front of a guitar amp the usual pairing is the KSM313 with a Shure SM57, where the ribbon gives body and the SM57 bite. Next to condensers such as the AKG C414 XLII and Sennheiser MKH8040, a ribbon is darker and more forgiving of harsh sources. Unlike most older ribbon mics, the KSM313's ribbon material is durable and stands up to live work. For recording use a Sound Devices MixPre6 MKII; at a concert a Yamaha DM3 channel.

What to consider when renting

The mic does not need phantom power; switch it off on that channel to be safe. Mount it in the supplied holder on a stand such as the K&M 260 and choose which side faces the source: front for instruments, back for voice. A figure-eight also hears from behind, so place the mic with a quiet area at its back. Keep a ribbon away from strong air blasts and kick drum ports. XLR cable. An experienced technician is recommended.