ShureSM4 Studio Recording Microphone, XLR Home Studio Condenser Mic Optimized for Soft Vocals to Loud Instruments with Mix-Ready Audio - All-Metal Construction (SM4-K)

Wow! Just, wow! I used to use an Audio Technica AT2020 for recording at home through my interface, but I purchased a Positive Grid Spark Live for use as an at home and out-and-about amp (4 inputs for various instruments, including a mic input). I bought a Sennheiser E935 dynamic mic as a sort of all-purpose mic, and it performed admirably. Really is a brilliant dynamic, which I would HIGHLY recommend. But - something was missing from my home recordings. A near silent room, so no real issues with background noise. Untreated room, but it's small and I thought I'd see what a good condenser would sound like, that had a nice cardioid pattern and noise rejection.Now, only issue is the Spark Live does not include phantom power, but a little battery powered Xvive P1 phantom power pack took care of that. Anyway, I have a song I'm currently working on and thought I'd re-record a small section (guitar and vocals) to hear what I was missing out on with a condenser mic - A LOT, as it turns out.I fully realise that condensers are much more sensitive than dynamics and pick up a lot more detail, however, the Sennheiser E935 is a cracking mic and I had no real complaints with what I was getting out of it. Superb live mic and, in my honest opinion, better than the Shure SM58 in terms of clarity, detail and off-axis sound rejection. In other words, the perfect vocal mic....... Or so I thought. Plugged in the Shure SM4 and immediately I remembered what I loved about condenser mics! The sparkle, the full dynamic range of the acoustic guitar, the lush, smoooooth, controlled vocals AND, in the case of the SM4, superb off-axis noise rejection and reduced proximity effect.I am by no means even close to an expert in microphone technology, but what Shure have accomplished here is nothing short of remarkable! The sound for vocals and guitars is so, so nice - airy, bright, detailed (not sharp and trebly) but also very controlled across the frequencies. Very clean, very clear and very controlled. The off-axis noise rejection and proximity effect reduction are unexplainable to me (dual-diaphragm design, maybe?).Anyway, to sum up. It's the perfect microphone for a home studio, at least for my preferences and taste. Well done Shure! Oh and also, well done Sennheiser! The E935 from Sennheiser still has a place in certain scenarios, and is a sublime microphone, but for studio recording or vocals and most instruments I play, the SM4 is now my go to!

A very professional brilliant bit of kit! My son records and makes his own music, just what he wanted. The service was also brilliant , especially having to provide the delivery person a password! Saves getting into the wrong hands. Excellent workMany thanks

There is nothing to dislike about this microphone. Good sound quality. Plosive free recordings. Good value for money. Good build. Awesome. If you’re looking for your next studio microphone, this is the one.

Been using Shure mics for years. Never let me down. Even if your kit is 'average' get a good mic. You won't regret it.

10/10 microphone plug in and play

Cannot speak highly enough of this Mic. I use it for recording music on youtube, but you could use it for voiceovers and more.It really works well for everything.

Excellent 👌