Shure SM48 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone with Shock-Mounted Cartridge for Professional-Quality Vocal Recordings

By: Shure

The Shure SM48-LC is the best multipurpose dynamic microphone available, thanks to its battery and power efficiency, easy-to-use design, and great customer support. Featuring a cardioid pickup pattern, the SM48-LC helps reject off-axis sound and ensures superior gain before feedback. The shock-mounted cartridge offers exceptional ruggedness and reduces handling noise, while the built-in pop filter helps reduce explosive breath sounds and wind noise. The SM48-LC also includes an A25D mic clip, storage bag, and 3-pin XLR connector – but no cable is included.

Key Features:

The cardioid pickup pattern of this microphone rejects off-axis sound and has a frequency response tailored for vocals. The shock-mounted cartridge provides exceptional ruggedness and reduced handling noise, while the brightened midrange and bass rolloff help to control the proximity effect.
96
B2B Rating
534 reviews

Review rating details

Value for money
91
Sturdiness
91
Sound output
90
Packaging
79
Overall performance
90
Easy to use
97
Customer support
90
Connectivity
91
Build quality
92
Battery and power efficiency
94

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Cardioid pickup pattern helps reject off-axis sound and provides superior gain before feedback
  • Shock-mounted cartridge offers exceptional ruggedness and reduce handling noise
  • Built-in pop filter helps reduce explosive breath sounds and wind noise
Cons
  • May capture low volume sound

Details of Shure SM48 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone with Shock-Mounted Cartridge for Professional-Quality Vocal Recordings

  • Power Source: Corded Electric
  • Date First Available: July 16, 2004
  • Product Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 3.5 inches
  • Special Feature: Stand
  • ASIN: B0002D0HY4
  • Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
  • Recommended Uses For Product: Singing
  • Material Type: Alloy Steel
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No
  • Color: Gray
  • Connector Type: XLR
  • Batteries: 1 AAA batteries required.
  • Included Components: microphone
  • Compatible Devices: Radio, Amplifier, Speaker
  • Connectivity Technology: XLR
  • Customer Reviews: 4.6/5 stars of 3,743 ratings
  • Color Name: Gray
  • Item Weight: 1.25 pounds
  • Best Sellers Rank: #706 in Musical Instruments #13 in Vocal Dynamic Microphones
  • Color Screen: No
  • Model Name: SM48
  • Brand: Shure
  • Item model number: SM48-LC

Comments

PQ: At this price point I wasn't expecting much, but the build quality is great and the sound quite decent. If you have a singer in your band who likes to swing the mic around on its cable or a speaker who does the "mic drop" (that is so passe now), this is the mic for you. I don't know that audiences will hear the difference through a PA system, and if you're recording instruments I would use a completely different type of mic anyway such as a ribbon or condenser mic depending on the instrument. What I will say, is the level is really low, so you should probably get a pre-amp. That kind of defeats the low price point, but you can use pre-amps for different mics. If I were gigging consistently, I'd outfit the band with these mics for vocals since it wouldn't be such a big deal if they were stolen or broken through mistreatment.

United States on Nov 30, 2023

Dusty N.: I use this microphone for public announcing at dragon boat events and for a little karaoke in the garage once in a while. It feels good in your hand and it has some weight to it. It sounds great with my QSC K12 powered speakers.

Canada on Nov 21, 2023

Amazon Customer: Superb performance and has a professional look. Only missing thing is that, it does not have a on/off switch.

India on Oct 08, 2023

WNCChip: I bought this and the 1st mic I received was evedently defective as I had to crank the gain up all the way and run the main close to full just to get the sound where it needed to be. Amazon quickly sent a replacement, the mic arrived just in time for rehearsal. The mic works perfectly and has a warm rich and refined sound. Nothing like the 1st one I got. This restored my faith in Shure microphones as I was distraught after the first experience.

United States on Sep 01, 2023

Rich: The first SM48 I received from Amazon was defective. Amazon promptly sent me a replacement after I returned the bad one. Great job Amazon! I had my replacement the next day! The replacement is working great and it sounds pretty good for a budget mic. I never expected this mic to be a high end microphone at this price point but for what it is I'm pleased with the sound quality. I run it into an old Symetrix 528E voice processor and the two work well together. I do not need a preamp for the SM48 to drive the 528. This mic would be ideal for a church that needs good PA mics on a budget or even a band that's just starting out. Although there is a slight difference in sound quality between the SM48 and it's famous big brother the SM58, most people won't hear it on a PA system or in a live setting. If budget is not a concern, get the SM58, but if your money is tight but you need a decent mic, this will do the job nicely for you.

United States on Aug 15, 2023

Erick: Bien micrófono nuevo y original obvio para grabación recomiendo otro pero para susp general muy bien, lo uso para segundo vocalista y todo bien.

Mexico on Aug 13, 2023

M.R.: Utilizzo il microfono Shure quasi tutti i giorni con le applicazioni d jamming online, per cui l'utilizzo è prettamente casalingo (da studio, direi). L'uso è sia per effettuare i cori di supporto al cantante che per chattare con gli altri componenti della jam session online. Il microfono è collegato ad una interfaccia audio Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 e si comporta davvero bene: il suono è corposo, non si notano artefizi o sbilanciamenti in alto o in basso. Suonando il basso non impugno il microfono, però devo ammettere che il suo peso risulta adeguato alla classe dimostrando una certa robustezza e bilanciamento. Un ottimo acquisto.

Italy on May 08, 2023

Giuseppe: Possedevo un microfono del prezzo di 40€ e mi sembrava già facesse il suo sporco lavoro.
Ho deciso di comprarne uno di fascia più alta e con questo Shure mi sono reso conto che quello da 40€ tirava solo avanti la carretta, mentre questo fa il lavoro moooooolto meglio.
Voce pulita, bei bassi e bel controllo del suono.

Italy on Mar 06, 2023

Mo Ramirez (Heavy Gatz)Mo Ramirez (Heavy Gatz): Simply put: No other microphone does so much, can handle anything you throw at it, is as versatile and affordable —especially is this price range (even up too $100)— comes close to this iconic microphone except it’s big brother the legendary and classic SM58

Honestly I can’t think of a better value for the amazing sound quality and build. This microphone is simply perfect. It has a legacy that it lives up too, provides an amazing audio experience. It’s perfect for live music, performance, studio sessions, gigs, conferences, etc.

Wherever whenever you need it, it is ready and will be there to work. You can not go wrong here. It’s an essential and fundamental tool in my music gear toolbox and it’s my primary goto for anything i need.

United States on Dec 20, 2022

Happy Guy: Whether the SM48-LC is the vocal microphone for you depends on your sensitivity to the ratio of quality to price and your personal taste in microphone characteristics. It seems to be a well made instrument, so let's jump to the chase. I spent an afternoon doing A/B comparisons between the SM48 ($30), my nearly-new SM58 ($100), and a nearly-new Chinese SM58 knock-off (Digital Reference DRV-100), which I bought on sale for $10. I compared the three mikes through my P.A. system, with the equalizer flat and reverb settings they way I like them for the SM58, without trying to optimize them for each microphone (seemed like too much work). In addition, I was using the P.A. line out to my Sony MDR-7506 Sound Monitor Headphones, rather than the P.A. speakers, to allow more critical listening. For my voice, P.A., and settings, I found both Shure microphones to be quite usable for a live performance, but the DRV-100 was a distant third for vocal quality.

After many comparisons over the course of an afternoon, I found that I do prefer the sound of the SM58 enough that I will continue to use it as my live performance vocal microphone, especially since I already own it, but I would not...

United States on Nov 17, 2014

Shure SM48 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone with Shock-Mounted Cartridge for Professional-Quality Vocal Recordings Sennheiser Pro Audio e935 Cardioid Dynamic Handheld Microphone for Professional Sound Quality Shure SV100-WA Multipurpose Cardioid Dynamic Microphone for Vocals & Speech
Shure SM48 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone with Shock-Mounted Cartridge for Professional-Quality Vocal Recordings Sennheiser Pro Audio e935 Cardioid Dynamic Handheld Microphone for Professional Sound Quality Shure SV100-WA Multipurpose Cardioid Dynamic Microphone for Vocals & Speech
B2B Rating
96
97
94
Sale off $23 OFF $55 OFF
Total Reviews 534 reviews 239 reviews 267 reviews
Power Source Corded Electric Corded Electric
Date First Available July 16, 2004 April 13, 2004 September 30, 2010
Product Dimensions 10 x 5 x 3.5 inches 10.4 x 4.5 x 3 inches 10.83 x 3.54 x 4.53 inches
Special Feature Stand The e935 is a cardioid vocal stage microphone specially designed to perform under pressure while cutting through the mix with its high output. Made for the working musician. Excellent sound results guaranteed, day to day, 365 days a year.The e935 is a cardioid vocal stage microphone speciall… Clip
ASIN B0002D0HY4 B000N94RP2 B009M6RFQA
Polar Pattern Unidirectional Unidirectional Unidirectional
Recommended Uses For Product Singing Singing Karaoke
Material Type Alloy Steel Metal
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No No No
Color No black Black
Connector Type XLR 6.35 mm Jack, XLR
Batteries 1 AAA batteries required. 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. 1 A batteries required.
Included Components microphone Cable Connector microphone
Compatible Devices Radio, Amplifier, Speaker Radio, Amplifier, Karaoke Machine, Speaker
Connectivity Technology XLR Wired, Wireless Wired
Customer Reviews 4.6/5 stars of 3,743 ratings 4.7/5 stars of 793 ratings 4.6/5 stars of 347 ratings
Color Name Gray black
Item Weight 1.25 pounds 11.6 ounces 1.59 pounds
Best Sellers Rank #706 in Musical Instruments #13 in Vocal Dynamic Microphones #6,671 in Musical Instruments #17 in Multipurpose Dynamic Microphones #8,090 in Musical Instruments #56 in Vocal Dynamic Microphones
Color Screen No
Model Name SM48
Brand Shure Sennheiser Pro Audio Shure
Item model number SM48-LC e 935 SV100-WA
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