Shure RPM89S – Short Shotgun Microphone Capsule for VP89, No Preamp

Product Overview

The Shure RPM89S is the short shotgun microphone capsule assembly for the VP89 modular shotgun microphone system, sold without the preamp. Providing the widest acceptance angle of the three VP89 capsule options while still delivering superior off-axis rejection compared to standard cardioid or hypercardioid microphones, the RPM89S is optimized for close-range directional capture in broadcast, A/V production, and commercial meeting space environments. Its compact form factor makes it well-suited for camera shoe, pistol grip, and camera clamp mounting, and it is a practical choice for documentary, ENG, and interview production workflows.

Product Description

The RPM89S uses an electret condenser element with a hypercardioid/lobar polar pattern and a frequency response of 65–20,000 Hz. Self-noise is 15 dB SPL-A, SNR is 79.0 dB, and maximum SPL handling is 132 dB (2500 Ω load, 1% THD). The short capsule housing is the most compact of the VP89 line, weighing 117 g (4.1 oz.) and compatible with the same Rycote InVision Video shoe mount (A89M-SH), Camera Clamp Adapter (A89M-CC), and Pistol Grip (A89M-PG) accessories as the medium capsule. Compatible with the RPM89/PRE preamp and legacy SM89 preamplifiers. Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction for durability in field production and fixed installation environments.

Key Features

• Short Capsule — Compact Camera-Optimized Form Factor — The most compact VP89 capsule option, well-suited for camera shoe, ENG, documentary, and interview production workflows where physical length is a constraint.
• 65–20,000 Hz Frequency Response — Extended high-frequency response with a low-end floor of 65 Hz, appropriate for speech, instrument capture, and mixed-content production.
• 15 dB Self-Noise — Low noise floor maintains signal clarity in controlled acoustic environments and studio production settings.
• Camera and Boom Mount Compatibility — Compatible with Rycote InVision Video shoe mount (A89M-SH), Camera Clamp Adapter (A89M-CC), and Pistol Grip (A89M-PG) accessories.
• 132 dB Maximum SPL — Handles high-pressure sources in commercial AV and broadcast environments with 117 dB dynamic range at 2500 Ω load.
• SM89 Preamp Compatibility — Backward compatible with Shure SM89 preamplifiers as well as the RPM89/PRE for use in mixed-system inventories.
• Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Housing — Durable field production build; operating temperature range −18°C to 57°C (0°F to 135°F).

Typical Applications

• Broadcast studio — camera-mounted directional capture for ENG, documentary, and studio interview production
• Training room — A/V production and distance learning capture using compact shotgun microphone configurations
• Government space — A/V media production requiring directional audio capture in a compact, camera-compatible form factor
• Multi-purpose room — commercial AV production and recording workflows requiring a short directional capsule

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a preamp included with the RPM89S?
No. The RPM89S is the capsule assembly only. The RPM89/PRE preamplifier is required for a complete VP89 system and is sold separately.

What Rycote mounting options are available for the RPM89S?
The short capsule is compatible with the Rycote InVision Video shoe mount (A89M-SH) for camera shoe attachment, the Camera Clamp Adapter (A89M-CC), and the Pistol Grip (A89M-PG) for handheld production use.

How does the short capsule compare to the medium and long?
The RPM89S provides the widest acceptance angle of the three VP89 capsules. For tighter pickup at greater distance, consider the RPM89M (medium) or RPM89L (long) capsules.

Is this compatible with SM89 preamplifiers?
Yes. VP89 capsules and SM89 preamplifiers are forward/backward compatible and can be used interchangeably.