Shure SM4: A Versatile Microphone for Professional Recordings at Home

Shure, a leading name in microphone technology for nearly a century, unveils the SM4 Home Recording Microphone. This versatile, large-diaphragm condenser microphone caters to both aspiring and experienced artists by offering professional-quality recording capabilities for vocals and instruments in home and studio environments.

Designed for the Modern Creator

The SM4 microphone addresses the challenges faced by musicians, engineers, and content creators in their recording setups. Steve Marek, Associate Manager of Product Management at Shure, highlights the microphone’s ability to overcome common issues like plosives, harsh high frequencies, undefined low-end, and radio frequency (RF) interference. He emphasizes SM4’s focus on maintaining creative flow for artists by minimizing audio problems that require extensive post-production fixes. This translates to better audio quality for creators and less time spent on editing for engineers.

Engineered for Seamless Recording

The SM4 is meticulously designed to simplify the recording experience, prioritizing the capture of desired audio details while minimizing unwanted noise. It features a dual-diaphragm capsule that reduces unwanted plosive sounds (excessive bursts of air) while maintaining consistent sound quality across varying distances from the microphone.

A key feature is the patent-pending Interference Shielding Technology. This innovative technology eliminates the worry of unwanted noise picked up from commonly used wireless devices in home recording environments. These include smartphones, laptops, and Wi-Fi routers, which can emit radio frequencies that interfere with audio quality.

Effortless Professional Recordings

The SM4 boasts built-in features that enable professional-quality recordings with minimal effort. The controlled low-end response allows for post-production adjustments without introducing unwanted elements, making it easier to achieve a clear and full sound for vocals and instruments.

Other features include a magnetic pop filter to diffuse air blasts, a shock mount to reduce handling noise and rumble, and a cardioid polar pattern. This polar pattern provides a broad “sweet spot” with good off-axis rejection, allowing vocalists to move freely while maintaining consistent sound quality. With the SM4, users can focus on their creativity and spend less time on post-production work.

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Key Features and Benefits

Smooth and Natural Audio Reproduction: The SM4 delivers clean, controlled low-end and detailed highs thanks to its brass one-inch dual-diaphragm capsule. The microphone’s cardioid polar pattern effectively rejects unwanted noise from off-axis positions, while the large “sweet spot” minimizes the proximity effect, ensuring a consistent sound regardless of the distance between the microphone and the source.

Effortless Elimination of RF Interference: Shure’s patent-pending Interference Shielding Technology blocks unwanted RF noise from common wireless devices, ensuring clean audio capture. This proprietary system integrates a pop filter with a woven mesh Faraday cage that shields the microphone capsule from unwanted radio frequencies.

Mix-Ready Sound: The internal pop filter minimizes plosives, rumble, and other unwanted sounds, simplifying post-production work. The optimized sensitivity of the SM4 allows it to work seamlessly with any audio interface, facilitating professional-quality recordings in any environment.

Exceptional Versatility: The SM4 is designed to capture a wide range of sound sources, from delicate vocals to loud instruments like drums, guitar amps, and horns. It boasts an impressive sound pressure level (SPL) handling capability of 140dB, equivalent to the noise level of a jet engine.

Legendary Durability and Sleek Design: The SM4 upholds Shure’s reputation for reliable audio equipment with its rugged, all-metal construction. The sleek, low-profile design allows the microphone to blend seamlessly into any recording environment.

Pricing and Availability

The price is yet to be announced but the SM4 Microphone comes with a swivel-mount microphone clamp and a carrying bag. Additionally, a Home Recording Kit option is available, which includes a shock mount, magnetic pop filter, and a premium carrying case.

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