Best vocal microphone for singers? | Shure KSM8 Review

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Shure developed a whole new technology for the KSM8 microphone, but did it make a big enough difference to warrant four times the price compared to a Shure SM58?

In this video, we put the Shure KSM8 mic to the test to see if it's worth it or if you should just stick with the tried and true SM58.

--- Chapters ---
0:00 Intro
0:31 KSM8 Explanation
1:27 Free Cheat Sheet
1:58 Male Vocal Examples
3:13 Noise Rejection
3:43 Final Thoughts
4:34 Female Vocal Examples
5:00 Outro

[mcleod]

Hold up can we just give props to the vocals!!! Legend thanks gents

[arthurleblanc]

The KSM8 is a forgiving mic with less proximity effect up close, less prone to feedback, good off axis rejection(super-cardioid pattern), works well on instruments, sounds great for recording, the windscreen doesn't dent, requires almost no EQ correction. This is the mic that The Pope uses most often for speaking & singing (His second choice seems to be the SM86 condenser mic @$200). If you like the SM58 @$100 for $50 more the BETA58 sounds better than the SM58.

[billreppas]

Big difference. You get what you pay. I have sm58A...I sing mostly classic rock. Never failed at me...but i think ksm8 has way more natural sound without any blooming... Beautiful. Thanks man. Great video.

[jameslind]

Iconic sound from the SM58. More natural neutral sound with the KSM8.

[davidscott]

I have used a ksm8 on tour for 3 years... Some of the comments on here I'm baffled by. Clearly made by people with little to know experience with this mic.
The Proximity effect is less pronounced but the lower mids and bottom end are way too rich in comparison to many other dynamics. So to say it needs no eq is insane
Deep scoops out of 200-250hz are required in small venues.
Yes it doesn't have the upper mid bite that can be problematic on a 58 however it does need tamed in the lower end.

It's off axis rejection is good but unlike some comments on here .. it is a cardiod pick up pattern and isn't immune to feedback with engineers who push the monitor volumes.

Now the ksm9 is a beautiful mic that is almost perfect for most.. but it misses that dynamic bite that suits voices with more of an edge.

I actually think the best live mic sure makes is the new ksm11 ( I have recently switched to this the last 6 month.) It seems to give you all the magic of the ksm9 ( beautiful response, sweet spot and air )
Yet a mid range solidity that gives a dynamic that versatile sound to suit all genres, pop, rock, classical.

I'd say if someone is looking at a ksm8 you have to compare it to the ksm9 and the ksm11 albeit they are dual capsule condensers.

As far as dynamic mics on a budget go.(sub £200) The sm58 is approaching 60 years old. And is the most overrated microphone used by engineers. ( Who clearly don't sing and use it as a crutch as they know how to get a sound out of it.)
Sennhieser, akg, EV, audix and many more have far better mics out there that not only are sonically better... But more importantly they feel and respond far better to sing through.

Sorry rant over 😂😂

I just love microphones and my opinion simply comes from a first hand and long experience with them.

[markjohnson]

I find it's best to match the mic to the singer rather than try and make a judgement that is universal. Best to have a few mics to choose from and match the singer to the mic. It's not as pretty when all the mics don't match, but it makes a big difference to the sound. The 58 is okay to use as a comparison because it's so familiar, but it's really not in the same category of mics - would be interested to hear it side by side with an MD435 or an M80, which are other dynamic mics in this price range. Thanks for the video - always good to hear different mics.

[geespar]

The KSM8 captures and solidly projects every detail in every ‘frequency’, the 58 sounds hollow in comparison

[samallen]

Not sure whether the price is worth it or not, but it sounds like the KSM8 would naturally cut through a mix a bit better than the SM58- at least with no EQ. The SM58 seems just a little boomy, which is kind of nice when singing a cappella, but tends to get muddy when in a full mix.

[danber]

I think the Beta 58 sound best out of the Shure line. I have used this new mic in live performance applications and it does not have near the feedback rejection in the monitors as the Beta does. If singers are having a $300.00 singing issue, educate them on how to stay up on the mic when they talk/sing. Most issues can be fixed with EQ and compression.

[DanLugoMusic]

My ears prefer the classic SM58. I wanted to like the other one more! Just couldn't get there.

[staceyrollins]

Strangely I like the 58. Your voice is beautiful btw :). The other one sounded a little muffled

[careaganwilliams]

I love my KSM8! There are days I like the SM58 more for live.

[andyrenorocks]

I think the SM58 sounds warmer, has more bass on vocals.

[bensonhon]

After this demo I’m convinced the issue isn’t my mic, but the living sound source of the mic.

[Glorybound]

KSM8 sounds really smooth. From a price standpoint, though, it's hard for me to say it's worth $400.

[lseger]

Sennheiser 835 and 935 is the choice for our church and my outside band. Much more affordable too.

[datadd]

Wow, am I really the first one to comment? That NEVER happens I have to be honest here. I'm not really hearing a $300 improvement of the KSM8 over the SM58. For the money, I think the SM58 is pretty tough to beat. Heck, I'm still working on my worship team to ditch the headset mics. 😂 Any tips? Thanks for the videos guys, appreciate all you do. Keep em' comin'!

[GordEvans]

Our church is using SM58s that were purchased about 1995, making them coming up on 30 years old. I imagine we paid around $100 for them even back then. So, their cost to the church has been about $3 or $4 per year (amortized). They're still working just fine after replacing the cables after about 20 years. I wonder what the lifespan will be for the KSM8s. The KSM deals well with the p/t/k plosives, and I understand about quiet voices cutting through the mix better with the KSM. So, perhaps a mix of the two mics might be in order in some teams with quieter voices in the mix. But at the current $300 price spread, and the incredible durability of the SM58s, it's a real tough budget decision justifying the upgrade.

[fidrewe]

It's clear that a Shure microphone in this price class outperforms the SM58. Those microphones are not competing. A more telling comparison would be with the Beta 58A.

[tony-bety]

What’s are your thoughts on the Ksm9? Great vid as always !