Ronan’s Recording Show

What, no download link this time?

I really liked that you didn’t try to make it a review. And the intro isn’t as dumb as you think, just funny.

Thanks for a great show about my main vocal mic! My engineer did a shoot out with 8 different vocal mics and the KSM32 was outstanding! It’s been his “go to” on my voice for the last 6 years. I also record most of my strings using it.
Ciao, Virginia

I have a pair…it wasnt so much your recommendation but the fact it was used exclusively on Steely Dans “Two against Nature” on all instruments sold me…

…Funny…if a voice came to me like yours…Id put an AT4047 in front of you…have you tried one of those?

…seriously…break your clip…Ive got a few…one came with my KSM44 too…Ill sell you mine $50 each…now that is a bargain

I don’t own one of these but have used them. When asked for gear recommendations by musicians with home studios, this is the one “good” mic I suggest they purchase, along with an outboard mic pre.

I was pleasantly surprised to see you do a show on the KSM32 and I completely agree about sounding good on just about everything. Thanks for another terrific show, Ronan. You are a generous man.

Very cool episode! Ah ah ah I remember the intro! UHHHHH

Thanks for the reminder about the download link. Fixed it.

I love this mic also. Sweet on bluegrass stuff here in Nashvegas.

Nice fun show Ronan. Thanks for sharing. I`m recording a live concert of a 40 person orchestra on May 1… Have you used the KSM32 on an orchestra?

[...] Just to add to the pot, you might be interested in watching Ronan's latest video about his love affair with the Shure KSM32. It's a $500 LDC. Shure KSM32 microphone and bongo ties review | Ronan's Recording Show [...]

Hey Ronan, I put up a pair of KSM 44’s in a clutch and was pleasantly suprised. Do you think there is a big dif between the 44 and 32? I know the 44 is voiced for vocals.

I talked about the difference in the first edit of this episode, but cut it out as the video was getting to be waaaaay toooo loooong. They are very different mics. I like the KSM44 a lot. It is voiced much brighter than the 32, more in line with what you would normally expect from a Large diaphragm condenser. But there is something very particular about the tonal balance and mid-range detail on the 32 that I miss when using the 44. That said I think the 44 is a great all around mic, especially if you need a multi-pattern mic, and I think it beats most of the competition in its price point.

How do you think the 32 compares to an Audio Technica 4050?

4050 is a very solid mics. But if I could choose only one it would definitely be the KSM32. Now if you had asked about the AT 4060 there might be some debate. The 4060 is an outstanding mic!

Ronan,

Thank you so much for this review of the Shure KSM 32. My friend and fellow musician Chris Schlarb referred me to your opinion of the microphone when I was asking about condensers. When he told me that you used them on King Crimson’s records, I was sold. I am stuffing quarters into my piggy bank saving up for one now.

Justice Constantine

But I’m not having such good luck on distorted guitars. My 57’s still out class the KSM32.

As I said in the video, I hardly every use condensers on electric guitars. I almost always prefer the SM57.

How does the Shure stack up against a Joy modded, Oktava mk-219?

I’ve got an Oktava mk-219 and could either pay for the premium electronics upgrade from Michael Joly or sell it and buy a Shure KSM 32.

Do you or anyone out there have any, personal, experience with either mics?

I actually had a chance to compare the two side by side in a shoot out a few years ago. The Oktova mod was fine, but every one in the room liked the Shure better.

Here’s the thing, I intend to use it only on male vocals. I’m a baritone and need a great vocal mic to capture the rich bottom mids…would you STILL recommend the Shure over a modded Joly Oktava?.

If its just for one vocalist, you REALLY want to test the mic. In general I think the Shure is a better mic, but you never know how a mic will match a voice before you try it.

2) Get the Avant cr-14 dual ribbon mic (Have you had a chance to check out these new ribbons?)

I have not experience with the Avant mics yet.

Very cool show! Sent here through a link from the Bongo Ties newsletter. Great stuff to stock up on, they have uses you haven’t thought of yet. I keep two at the bottom of my iPhone pouch for emergency quick fixes. In your line of work, I can see you using the pack of ten in a session, easy!

Hi Ronan,

I follow your advice and bought one of those KSM 32 mic. I am very happy with it but I think I can get better from it. So I’m asking about what preamp to use in conjunction to it. I’m recording jazz, classical, some folk and sometimes rock but essentially acoustic instruments and vocals. Searching over the internet, I saw 4 mic preamp flavor : Neve 1073, API 312, John Hardy Jensen Twin Servo and Millennia Media HV.
Price won’t be a problem since I’ll go the DIY way (Seventh Circle Audio)
What is your advice ? What is, in your opinion, the best couple (mic / preamp) ?

Best regards and thanks again for your show,
Laurent

Hey, love the show!
I was just wondering how you set up blind AB shoot outs (of the files).
Thanks!

Thanks, Maybe we will meet some day! Keep keepin it real. peace

Hi Ronan, great show. I bought my first KSM32 12 years ago as my first high quality condenser and it’s such a great all-rounder. Then after attending your awesome bootcamp and hearing what magic you can get with these as overhead drum mics, I bought another one. This mic has never blown me away with it’s character, but I think it’s greatest strength is to record what’s there with great accuracy, in a pleasing way and to sit well in the mix. And I think there is something magical about pairing it with the Pacifica preamp – just an awesome combination. Just yesterday I recorded ukelele for the first time, so I setup 4 mics to test – the Shure KSM32, AKG C414 XLII, GrooveTube MD1B and the Neumann TLM102, all through Pacifica pres. Once again the KSM32 won out. The AKG was brighter and made you go “wow” at first, but the KSM32 sounded more natural and fit better into the mix. Both the musician and I chose it hands down. And the irony is that was the cheapest mic of them all. It is good on so many sources. BTW when comparing my circa 1999 KSM32 vs the 2009 model, I find the 2009 model is slightly brighter. I don’t know if that’s manufacturing or more dust and age on the old one, but both sound great. Thanks for this great video and all your others. I still feel that the best money I ever spent on recording was to attend your Home Recording Boot Camp!