Shure KSM137/SL Cardioid Studio Condenser Microphone (Champagne), Foam Windscreen and Carrying Case

Product Overview

The Shure KSM137/SL is a small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone built for critical instrument recording and live sound capture. Its end-address design, low self-noise, and fast transient response make it a precise tool for acoustic instruments, drum overheads, and ensemble miking. This cardioid instrument condenser microphone suits commercial recording studios, broadcast facilities, and houses of worship that need accurate, repeatable sound.

Product Description

The KSM137/SL uses an ultra-thin 2.5-micron, 24-karat gold-layered Mylar diaphragm paired with a Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier to deliver transparent capture with no crossover distortion. A three-position attenuation switch (0 dB, 15 dB, 25 dB) lets the microphone handle extremely high sound pressure levels from drums, horns, and loud amplifiers, while a three-position low-frequency filter counteracts proximity effect and rejects stand and HVAC rumble. The highly consistent cardioid polar pattern provides strong off-axis rejection for clean isolation in multi-mic setups. For AV system designers specifying microphones for a broadcast studio, auditorium, or house of worship, the KSM137 offers studio accuracy with the durability to handle live sound reinforcement. It ships with a carrying case, foam windscreen, and stand adapter for immediate deployment.

Key Features

• Cardioid Polar Pattern — A highly consistent cardioid pickup pattern isolates the source and rejects off-axis sound for clean results in multi-microphone instrument setups.
• Gold-Layered Mylar Diaphragm — The 2.5-micron, 24-karat gold-layered low-mass diaphragm delivers superior transient response on percussion, strings, and acoustic instruments.
• Class A Transformerless Preamplifier — The discrete, transformerless circuit provides transparent capture with no crossover distortion and minimal harmonic and intermodulation distortion.
• Three-Position Attenuation Switch — Selectable 0 dB, 15 dB, and 25 dB pad settings let the microphone handle extremely high SPLs from loud sources without overloading.
• Three-Position Low-Frequency Filter — A flat, 80 Hz, or 115 Hz filter setting counteracts proximity effect and removes low-frequency rumble.
• Subsonic Filter — An onboard subsonic filter eliminates rumble below 17 Hz caused by mechanical vibration.
• Low Self-Noise — At 14 dB SPL-A, the microphone supports quiet, detailed recordings where the noise floor matters.

Typical Applications

• Broadcast studio
• House of worship
• Auditorium
• Multi-purpose room

Technical Specifications

Competitor Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the KSM137 require phantom power? Yes. It performs best with 48 V DC phantom power and operates on supplies from 11 to 52 V DC, drawing up to 4.7 mA. Use a balanced XLR-to-XLR cable to a mixer or interface that supplies phantom power.

How do I integrate the KSM137 into a stereo pair? The microphone is sold individually or as a matched stereo pair. For coincident or spaced stereo techniques on one stand, use the optional Shure A27M stereo microphone adapter, which is included with the KSM137/SL STEREO package.

Can it handle loud sources in a live or worship setting? Yes. The three-position attenuation switch (0/15/25 dB) lets it capture drums, horns, and loud guitar cabinets at extremely high SPLs without overloading the preamplifier.

What mounting and isolation options are available? The microphone ships with the A57F stand adapter for 5/8-inch stands. For installations sensitive to mechanical vibration, the optional A53M isolation mount reduces transmitted rumble.

What warranty and support are available? Shure microphones are backed by Shure's manufacturer warranty and tech support. Contact our team through creationnetworks.net for procurement, integration guidance, and post-sale support.