3
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
• Extended frequency response
• Low self-noise
• Exceptional low-frequency reproduction
• Can withstand high sound pressure levels (SPLs)
• High output level
• No crossover distortion
• Uniform polar response
• Superior common mode rejection and suppression of radio frequency
interference (RFI)
APPLICATIONS
• Electric guitar amplifiers
• Brass and woodwind instruments
• Orchestras, choirs, and wind ensembles
• Overhead miking of drums and percussion instruments
• Close-miking of acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, violins, drums, and
percussion
• Low-frequency instruments such as double bass and kick drum
• Room ambience pick-up (guitar amplifier or drums)
Note: Sound quality is strongly affected by microphone location and room acous-
tics. To achieve the best overall sound for a particular application, it may be neces-
sary to experiment with microphone placement and room treatments.
Mounting the Microphone
Thread the supplied stand adapter onto a floor or boom stand and insert the
microphone.
NOTE: Since this microphone reproduces ultra-low frequencies, use an isolating
shock mount (available at www.shure.com) to reduce low-frequency mechanical
vibrations transmitted through the stand.
Setting Attenuation
The attenuation switch lets you reduce the signal level without altering the fre-
quency response. This can prevent extremely loud sounds from overloading the
microphone.
0 dB For “quiet” to “normal” sound levels.
-15 dB For use with extremely loud sound sources such as drums, horns, or loud
guitar cabinets.
Integral Pop Filter
The microphone grille consists of 3 separate mesh layers that act as an integral
pop filter. This helps reduce wind and breath noise. Depending on the performer,
an external pop-protection screen or windscreen may be necessary when close-
miking vocalists.
Load Impedance
Maximum SPL capability, output clipping level, and dynamic range varies with the
input load impedance of the preamplifier to which you connect the microphone.
Shure recommends a minimum input load impedance of 1000 Ω, and most modern
microphone preamplifiers meet this requirement. Higher impedance results in bet-
ter performance for these specifications.
Power Requirements
This microphone requires phantom power and performs best with a 48 Vdc supply
(IEC-268-15/DIN 45 596). However, it will operate with slightly decreased head-
room and sensitivity with supplies as low as 11 Vdc. Most modern mixers provide
phantom power. Phantom power can only be transmitted through a cable termi-
nated with XLR connectors at each end.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Shure
®
SM137 is a versatile, flat-response cardioid probe microphone with an
ultra-thin diaphragm. Its frequency response combines smooth high-end and tight,
controlled low-end. A 15 dB pad provides natural, consistent sound reproduction in
both acoustic and high-volume performance applications.
FEATURES
• Cardioid polar pattern to reduce the pickup of unwanted sounds
• Ultra-thin, 2.5 μm 24 karat gold-layered, low mass Mylar
®
diaphragm for
superior transient response
• Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier for transparency, extremely
fast transient response, no crossover distortion, and minimal harmonic and
intermodulation distortion
• Premium electronic components, including gold-plated internal and external
connectors
• Two-position switchable pad (0 dB and 15 dB) for handling extremely high
sound pressure levels (SPLs)
