Can the SM81 be used for vocals?

For choir and groups yes, as a handheld for a soloist no. For a handheld take the Shure KSM9, BETA 58A or SM58. The SM81 is an instrument and ensemble mic on a stand.

Is one SM81 enough as an overhead?

On a small stage or in a mono setup one mic centred above the kit is enough. For a stereo image and a bigger kit take two. Put the number of overheads you want in the order.

Can the SM81 be used for vocals?

For choir and groups yes, as a handheld for a soloist no. For a handheld take the Shure KSM9, BETA 58A or SM58. The SM81 is an instrument and ensemble mic on a stand.

Is one SM81 enough as an overhead?

On a small stage or in a mono setup one mic centred above the kit is enough. For a stereo image and a bigger kit take two. Put the number of overheads you want in the order.

Microphones

Shure SM81

Name: Shure SM81
Brand: Shure
Price: 10 EUR
Availability: InStock

MIC

Instrument Microphone, cardioid, 20-20,000 Hz

Price per 24 h rental

10 €/ 24 h

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

Ask for a quote

The Shure SM81 is a small-diaphragm cardioid condenser that has been a stage and studio standard for decades on acoustic guitar, hi-hat, drum overheads, piano and choir. The body has a switchable low-cut and pad, so it works in front of a quiet instrument as well as a loud cymbal set. It is rented for concerts, festivals, church concerts and recording, usually as a pair. Requires phantom power.

The Sennheiser e914 is its direct counterpart from the other maker, and the choice often follows the rest of the kit: SM81 in a Shure drum set, e914 in a Sennheiser one. The Sennheiser MKH8040 is the more neutral and more expensive studio option, and the Shure BETA181 the shorter side-address mic for tight spots. For overheads a pair of SM81s goes with a BETA 52A or Nexadyne 2 on kick and Nexadyne 6 on toms. Yamaha DM3 console, K&M 260 stand.

What to consider when renting

It needs 48 V phantom power. Mount it in the supplied clip on a stand; for overheads you need a tall boom stand like the K&M 260 and a long enough cable. On acoustic guitar aim the capsule between the neck and the sound hole from a hand's width away. Use the pad on loud sources and the low-cut against rumble and footsteps. As a condenser it is sensitive to moisture, so avoid rain outdoors. Fine for an experienced musician.

Best for

Drum overheads and hi-hat
Acoustic guitar and mandolin
Choir, chamber ensemble and church concerts
Piano and percussion

Frequently asked questions

Usually rented together with

K&M 260

2 € / 24 h

STAND

Microphone stand, long, round base

Shure BETA 52A

5 € / 24 h

MIC

Kick Drum Microphone, supercardioid, 20-10,000 Hz

Shure Nexadyne 6

6 € / 24 h

MIC

Supercardioid Dynamic Tom/Snare Microphone 50 Hz–16 kHz

Yamaha DM3

50 € / 24 h

MIXER

16-input Digital Mixing Console, Local I/O: 16 in, 8 out (w/o RIO rack), DANTE

Part of these kits

Live band kit for up to 200 people

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Concert kit for up to 500 people (line array)

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Guides that help you choose

Band sound equipment: what a five-piece band needs

An input list for a five-piece band: drums, bass, two guitars, keys and three vocals. Microphones, stands, monitors, channel count and the mixer that fits.

Read the guide