Shure KSM32 Studio Condenser Microphone

Trust Shure's tough quality standards for your studio vocal mic. The fixed-cardioid KSM32 condenser is a proven contender on broadcast voiceovers and beyond.

$599.00

  • 12 x  
    $49.92
  • 8 x  
    $74.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $99.83
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $149.75
Overall User Ratings (based on 56 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(56) (see rating details)
Submitted August 13, 2004 by a customer from juno.com

"Shure KSM32 Studio Condensor Microphone Review."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Need a more "warm" or more "smooth" mic for vocals, to hear velvety smooth soft warm singing voices. This mic is "natural" not "warm". Some clients may prefer more "warm" = emphasized midrange sound. They must smooth out the high frequency response. I did not think this would be noticable from the curve, but it IS noticeable, only 3 or 4 dB; our ears are fantastic instruments.
Sound
I own two Shure KSM32 studio condensor mics. It has a very natural sound. I bought them because when I used some Audio Technica Midnight Blues to record a band, I noticed bass guitar was missing, and also the bass drum. The frequency response curve of the KSM32 indicates it has very flat bass response. I used them on four concerts and the bass drum sounds awesome on the recording, the spectrum analyzer in Adobe Audition measures it at 54 Hz. The high end is there too, and it produced an astoundingly clear recording, of a xylophone/barred percussion. I recorded also mandolin and banjo and the bright "plucking" sounds are very delightful. I recorded a marching/concert band, and the trumpets were very nice and bright and clarinets very smooth and natural, tenor sax came through fine. The bass response of this mic, picking up wind noise outside, will rip the cones off of your speakers! The only reservation I have, is with voices, sometimes, depending on the distance, the voice will sound "whistly" or similar, at a high frequency, on certain consonants, such as "f" or maybe "s". However, it usually is very natual sounding, but not overly "warm" like SM58 or AKG D190ES. Running into a Tapco/Mackie 6306 mixer/preamp to Sony CDRW66 24 bit AD optically coupled SPDIF into 2.68GHz PC running Adobe Audition. Shock mount ez to use and very effective in isolating the microphone. My bass pickup problem solved for the time being. Have to try low "E" on the bass guitar and some pipe organ. Much better than AT Midnight Blues for bass (the AT are voice mics so that should be expected!). They don't have much hiss but when it is quiet they seem to emphasize bass ambient noise if anything, I am talking -60dB or so. As read on VU meters, I can at home studio achieve about 60 some dB SNR and without more sound proofing that is it. That is, ambient noises including computer fans etc. are becoming the dominant factor. This is a good mic, well built, solid feel, reliable, it works fine. To make it perfect they should smooth out the bumps in the high end response to eliminate the slight "buzziness" or "whistling" on voices. This characteristic sounds great on mandolin/banjo though, its not a negative thing on the instruments.
Features
Elastic shock mount works fine, easy to use, reliable. I only use the shock mount, have not used the swivel mount. I don't use the -15dB attenuation switch, the sound would have to be massively loud to require its use. Wish it had omni pattern for flatter bass to 0 Hz but that is somewhat academic. Noise is low enough and not much of a factor.
Quality
This is top quality fit and finish, there is no doubt it will work. Cables are more likely to break, not this mic. The carrying case is not a true road case and will scratch and dent easily.
Manufacturer Support
They have a good web site, did not need any interaction with them.
The Wow Factor
It has wide frequency response, it hears everything.

Musical Style:

Church woodwinds, concert and marching band trumpet and woodwind.
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Submitted January 14, 2021 by James Crouse in Frenchcreek, WV

"Great all around condenser mic"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have three of these and they get used a lot for everything from bluegrass to drum kit mic

Musical Background:

Sound engineer

Musical Style:

Bluegrass,country,rock
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Submitted May 15, 2017 by Robert E in San Antonio, TX

"Better than the WA87"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
After working this vs wa87 using portico 5017 the ksm32 sits better in mix and sounds better. I enjoy it a lot! I use mine only for vocals. No need to get TLM103 since it brings a crispy high you can get the ksm32 and bring up eq vs bringing down with 103.

Musical Background:

OVER 5 years of mixing and mastering.

Musical Style:

Christian music, vocals.
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Submitted June 16, 2013 by Michael Newman

"Money well spent!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I just bought this microphone a few days ago! I used it in our studio on my dobro and I'm well pleased with it! All I can say is for the money, it's a MUST have. It's a killer instrument microphone! I finally got the sound I've been searching for! The Shure KSM 32 is AWESOME!
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Submitted March 6, 2006 by a customer from gmail.com

"Sweet sounding mic!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Sound
I do voice work in professional studios and over more than 30 years of experience, I find the KSM32 one of the finest sounding microphones I've ever used. It an extremely smooth sound and makes me sound better than I thought possible! I plan to build a small voice facility in my home for out of town clients and will definitely consider this microphone as my choice.
Features
Not being an owner, I can't really comment here, except that the shock mount works very well.
Manufacturer Support
Can't comment here either.

Musical Background:

Voice over talent
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Submitted June 9, 2003 by a customer from hotmail.com

"A very versatile mic"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Features
The briefcase of the ksm 32 is amazing, the sockmount is the best I know, the mic has an style that mics of 2000 dollars doesn
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