Niles, Ill.-based Shure introduced the KSM11 Wireless Vocal Microphone Capsule. This device is the company’s new state-of-the-art premium condenser microphone transducer technology. According to Shure, the KSM11 comes with an elegant combination of low and mid-range clarity and essential high-end detail. Thus, some of the industry’s biggest names have adopted it, says the company.
Need for KSM11
As live sound production has evolved over the decades, vocals increasingly rely on meticulous signal processing to cut through the mix. Shure thus developed the KSM11 to provide the most natural, transparent and clear sound without necessitating the use of additional processing for various performances. The KSM11 ensures the vocals are captured in high clarity. This is regardless of whether an audience is listening live at a concert or streaming the show at home.
Will Nicholson, FOH, Dua Lipa, expands on the importance of vocal mics. He explains, “….we want the mic to produce the artist in a true form. You want to be able to hear the vocal that people have come to expect.” According to Nicholson, the KSM11 was achieving that better than most other products. Praising Shure, he adds, “If I was to try to sum up the KSM11 with one word, it would be ‘honest.’”
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The KSM11 offers the full lows and clear mids typically found in dynamic microphones. It also features the high-end detail by condenser microphones to deliver transparent and stunning vocal reproduction. The KSM11 comes with exceptional off-axis rejection, outstanding capsule shock isolation and plosive protection. Thus, it presents an artifact-free artist performance for audio engineers on which to build their mix. This means they can spend less time applying processing and focus instead on elevating the entire performance.
Praise for the KSM11
“When I compared it to the other very popular mic, I was surprised that the (KSM)11 had much better high-end to it. It was much smoother, much more natural. I’d say put it in your lineup, because it is going to be a great-sounding mic.” remarks Paul Hager, FOH, Miley Cyrus.
Paul Wichmann, FOH, Tyler, the Creator, also highlights a notorious problem with hip-hop. According to him, rappers and MCs always cup the mic. To address this, Wichmann talked to Shure. He recalls, “…‘Boy, it’d be really nice if you had a mic that could do this.’ So, they sent me a capsule of the KSM11… And I was like ‘nailed it, you got it.’ It is consistent whether or not your artist cups the mic. I can just trust it. I can trust that capsule to get the job done.”
The new model is now available in black and brushed nickel finishes for use on Shure wireless handheld transmitters. It also benefits from a lighter, streamlined design. The KSM11 transducer comes with specifically developed microphone technology for wireless. Here, it has a three-fourth inch gold diaphragm and premium electronics for industry-leading dynamic range. The KSM11 presents artists’ vocals with great clarity and virtually zero handling noise. This is due to its advanced suspended isolation system, says Shure.
“I love it because it makes my performance effortless… compared to other capsules it (the KSM11) is far superior.”
Benny Dayal, Artist
“Through our strong relationships with customers and engineers, we learned exactly what artists need in a top-tier condenser vocal microphone. No detail was overlooked. That’s why the KSM11 is so exceptional,” shares John Born, associate director, global product management, at Shure. Bom adds that the KSM11 delivers pure vocals especially in combination with the digital wireless. As a result, it frees the engineer “to build the mix around the most important channel on their desk — the artist.”
