Shure KSM32 vs Stellar CM-6

[KRStudio]

I am also interested in the CM-6 but can tell you right now, the KSM 32 is a fantastic mic if you have only one mic. I do not know of another mic in it's price range that is so versatile. Drums, Hammond, piano, vocal and VO, acoustic, electric always kill with this mic.

[halcyo]

Yea, it seems that versatility is a big trait of the KSM32.

However, given my MAIN concern is great vocals, is there any reason to think of going with something else?

[shatz]

Never used the stellar, but I own the AR-51 and KSM 32. The shure definitely works on vocals just fine.

[Moonbaby]

I love my KSM32 on a lot of instruments, but vocals it is hit-or-miss, mostly miss. It is has great detail and depth, just not a lot of "character" to be great on vocals. I have found my AT-4047 is better for that, and it even beats out my U-87ai in many situations.
BTW, I've bought (2) 32's in the past year-and-a-half, and never paid more than $275 each, so haggle with the seller a bit.

[prizebeatz1]

To be honest with you, I once had the KSM32 and I did like it. I used it strictly for vocals. My only problem with it is that I found a KSM44 for less than what I paid for the KSM32 . The 44 ended my craving for vocal mics. True story.

[guitarboy94]

I've used the KSM44,KSM32 and KSM27. Personally, I thought the 300 dollar KSM27 sounded really, really close to the 1000 dollar Ksm44. I also thought the KSM27 had a little more magic as a vocal mic than the Ksm32. Been very happy with the ksm27 every since.

[halcyo]

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

I've used the KSM44,KSM32 and KSM27. Personally, I thought the 300 dollar KSM27 sounded really, really close to the 1000 dollar Ksm44. I also thought the KSM27 had a little more magic as a vocal mic than the Ksm32. Been very happy with the ksm27 every since.

That's quite interesting. I suppose the later models would theoretically have learned and improved upon the KSM32, right? ugghhh....so many choices!

By the way, checked out your music on your site. Sounds great man! So it's the KSM27 on your tracks on your site? Saw you lived in Columbus. I'm in Cincy, so shout out to a fellow Ohioan lol...

[prizebeatz1]

all of the microphones mentioned on this post are capable of doing a great job. I would just get the one that you will get the best deal on. I picked up my KSM44 used for $300. If I can do it, so can you.

[guitarboy94]

Thanks! Glad you liked my tunes! The album was recorded in a spare bedroom using Joly modded Oktava Mk012’s on the acoustic instruments. I used a variety of mics on the vocals, as the album was also an experiment on testing various microphones: Shure SM7b, Cad M179, Shure KSM27, Sterling ST77, Kel HM2D. Out of all of them, I felt like the Shure KSM27 was the easiest to work with. Most of the album was recorded through a stock GAP PRE73 preamp. A few songs through an ISA ONE.

Don’t get me wrong, the KSM32 is a vey nice mic. I just felt the like the KSM27 has that nice sparkle that vocals need. I have no idea why the KSM32 costs so much more than the KSM27.

Originally Posted by halcyo

That's quite interesting. I suppose the later models would theoretically have learned and improved upon the KSM32, right? ugghhh....so many choices!

By the way, checked out your music on your site. Sounds great man! So it's the KSM27 on your tracks on your site? Saw you lived in Columbus. I'm in Cincy, so shout out to a fellow Ohioan lol...

[uncle duncan]

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

....Don’t get me wrong, the KSM32 is a vey nice mic. I just felt the like the KSM27 has that nice sparkle that vocals need. I have no idea why the KSM32 costs so much more than the KSM27.

As a fan of frequency response graphs, your observation is confirmed by looking at the graphs. The 27 is a couple of db's higher in the high end than the 32. Whether or not one mic is "better" than the other is subjective. The 32 could be better if you want a smoother sound, the 27 could be better if you want a brighter sound. The Recording Hacks website includes a paragraph comparing the components used in the two mics, if anyone is interested. (According to the site, the KSM-27 is no longer in production.)

Shure KSM27 | RecordingHacks.com

[Marc Neibauer]

Ksm 27 is now the sm27. I guess that means its not made in the USA anymore.

I own a KSM 32, but I couldn't give you an honest assessment of it yet, as I haven't had a chance to use it much. I do kind of wish I had the option for multiple patterns for more experimentation.

Hope that helps.

[halcyo]

So how about the Stellar?

[icecubeman]

Originally Posted by halcyo

So how about the Stellar?

I am also waiting

[Matt R]

To note, the SM27 has replaced the KSM27 and the KSM27 has been discontinued. I'm a huge supporter of the KSM27 and I've yet to find something it doesn't work well on. However, I will say that I prefer my MXL Genesis on vocals. Probably because it's got a more sibilant sound, which I personally like. But, I have yet to use the SM27 on a source that it isn't good with. It's $299 brand new if memory serves me right.

I've used it on overheads, toms, kick (2 feet back), saxophone, trumpet, acoustic guitar (with a Rode NT5 over the 12th fret flipped out of phase -- best acoustic sound I've heard yet), trombone, etc... It's a great all around mic. I bought four of them and I've never regretted it.

[guitarboy94]

Originally Posted by Matt R

To note, the SM27 has replaced the KSM27 and the KSM27 has been discontinued. I'm a huge supporter of the KSM27 and I've yet to find something it doesn't work well on. However, I will say that I prefer my MXL Genesis on vocals. Probably because it's got a more sibilant sound, which I personally like. But, I have yet to use the SM27 on a source that it isn't good with. It's $299 brand new if memory serves me right.

I've used it on overheads, toms, kick (2 feet back), saxophone, trumpet, acoustic guitar (with a Rode NT5 over the 12th fret flipped out of phase -- best acoustic sound I've heard yet), trombone, etc... It's a great all around mic. I bought four of them and I've never regretted it.

Definately. It's a super high quality mic at a sick price. I got mine used for 150 bucks. It's got this meaty sound to it (kind of that classic Shure sound you find in mics like the SM7B) with just the perfect amount of sheen on the top end without getting harsh. Sometimes it does sound a little meaty or chunky sounding on the acoustic guitar and I prefer the more airy sound of my ST77 on the acoustic.

[LTJazz]

I haven't used those particular Shure mics (though I do own a CM-6 and have used an SM7B, 57, 58, etc.)

I can say the CM-6 pretty easily smashes any competition in the sub $1,000 range that I have tried. This includes Kel Microphones, the Mojave stuff, and the Sterling mics.

The variable pattern on the mic makes it pretty versatile, and I've found myself using it on sources I never really used a tube mic on before.

Entirely your call, but I will say the CM-6 exceeded my expectations when I first used it.

[metrocenter]

I have the KSM32, and I think it sounds great on voice and lots of other sources. I'm still working it into my repertoire, so hopefully I will have more to report soon.

[Alex_HS]

To note, the SM27 has replaced the KSM27 and the KSM27 has been discontinued.

Any opinions about new Beta 27?

[Matt R]

Originally Posted by Alex_HS

Any opinions about Beta 27?

It should sound about the same. It probably has a slightly more hyped high end with a tighter pickup pattern since it's supercardiod. I know people that have them, but I haven't heard them personally. I would probably go with the SM27 since it's cardiod and I'd find more uses for the wider pickup pattern. For instance, I don't like supers on overheads since my kits tend to be fairly large.

[halcyo]

Originally Posted by icecubeman

I am also waiting

I guess we shouldn't hold our breath for more opinions on the CM-6

[Yummerz]

I have a stellar and it shines on vocals. Airy, sparkly, open, not too sibilant or harsh. It helps that I drive it hard with a tube pre.

I supplement the stellar with a Kel hm2d, for background vox and acoustic stuff - guitar, percussion, etc.

Good pair.

[halcyo]

Originally Posted by Yummerz

I have a stellar and it shines on vocals. Airy, sparkly, open, not too sibilant or harsh...

This sounds fantastic. It's just that after trying numerous "upper league" mics, I feel like the top end is usually what separates the men from the boys so to speak.

[LTJazz]

CM-6 made in the same factory as many "upper-league" mics. Long story short, no markup because there are no middle-men. Is it a U67? No. Will it easily compete with, or outperform Mojave, Sterling, some Peluso mics? I really think so.

The owner of Stellar has also informed me he is working on a couple of FET mics, so it's something to keep in mind.

If I have one gripe about the CM-6, it's this. It's not exactly a fun mic to take with you or set up. Tube mics can be a hassle. But man, does it sound good.

Originally Posted by halcyo

This sounds fantastic. It's just that after trying numerous "upper league" mics, I feel like the top end is usually what separates the men from the boys so to speak.

[sheva]

I've been wondering about a similar comparison- the AT4050 vs the CM-6. Both are described as being in the natural/neutral category. The 4050 is of course made in Japan and has an entirely different capsule/electronics. Has anyone used both?

[Screws]

Here are some clips from a shootout I did. One is a Stellar CM6, one is a Kel HM2d and one is an Advanced Audio CM47. Clips have no EQ compression or effects of any kind, and all mics were up while singer sang one pass only.

I'll post the key of what's what when you want.

[halcyo]

Thanks for the clips. It's not the world's best vocal part for really getting the full character of a microphone, but I can hear subtle differences.

I have no experience working with any of these mics, but I'm gonna guess that Mic A is the Kel HM2d, as it's often described as "dynamic mic" or "SM7bish" and has less high end air than the other two.

So....which mics are which? Strangely, I feel like Mic A is my favorite on this particular vocal, but I think it's only because the other ones just sound too thin on this particular song/performance (gonna sound kinda "whiney", as that is the vocal style of the song).

[rmandelbaum]

I am acutally n the next few weeks going to record my singer with a ksm44, stellar cm-5 and cm-6.

I am simply going to see what sounds best with his voice. I will post when done.

I will say i have a NOS tube in the Stellars so it my not be 100% accurate ;-)

[Screws]

Mic A = Kel HM2d

Mic B = Advanced Audio CM47

Mic C = Stellar CM6

I actually preferred the CM47 in this comparison, but wish I had tried the CM5 on his voice for the richer low end it supplies.

To be fair, the 3 mics were arranged in a head to head type pattern, and the singer sang one pass at about 18" away from them, so he really didn't get a chance to work the mics and get the proximity boost that makes such a difference when tracking. The CM6 in particular gets a sound that gives me goosebumps on occasion when a singer knows how to work that effect.

The CM5 is a mic that has beautifully detailed and robust lower mids with a boost in the 10K air region, so it's a bit fuller sounding. The CM5 and CM6 cover a lot of ground since they sound so differently from one another.

Hope this helps.

[Daedalus77]

There are lots of interesting options in your price range—new and used. We've had a pair of KSM-32s from the beginning, and I've found them supremely useful for the price. It doesn't have, as has been mentioned, tremendous "character," but it's got detail and clarity. You might find the "character" elsewhere in your signal chain, after all. Best of luck.