Shure SM89 User Manual

Model SM89 User Guide

27C2365 (Rev. 4)

Printed in U.S.A.

©2006, Shure Incorporated

Model SM89 is a highly directional condenser shotgun microphone 

with  distant  pickup  characteristics  suitable  for  on-location  film 

and television production. The SM89 can also be used for theater 

sound  reinforcement,  spot  news  coverage,  or  wildlife  recording. 

The SM89 discriminates at a distance in favor of desired dialogue 

or effects and against ambient noise–even in noisy surroundings. 
The  on-axis  frequency  response  of  the  SM89  is  very  smooth 

and  extended.  For  clarity  and  speech  intelligibility,  a  slight 

presence  rise  optimizes  the  high-frequency  response  to 

compensate  for  high-frequency  losses.  A  low-frequency  roll-

off  minimizes  pickup  of  wind,  mechanical  vibration,  ambient 

noise,  and  rumble  without  affecting  voice  frequencies. 
The  off-axis  response  of  the  SM89  is  virtually  free  of  comb-

filter  effects.  This  is  important  when  it  is  not  possible 

to  aim  the  microphone  precisely  or  when  it  is  desirable 

to  pick  up  dialogue  or  sound  from  moving  sources. 

Designed especially for location film and TV prodution, 

theater sound reinforcement, and spot news coverage 
Highly directional polar pattern optimized for distant   

pickup 
Smooth, wide on-axis response 
Greatly suppressed side pickup with minimum comb-filter 

effects 
Two low-cut frequencies, switch selectable 
Low impedance, high sensitivity 
  Extremely low hum, noise, and RF pickup 
  Uses readily available 11 to 52 Vdc phantom supply 
Rugged and reliable, operates over wide range of tem-

perature and humidity 
Extremely lightweight, can be suspended on fishpole for 

long periods of time without operator fatigue 
Aircraft-grade materials used throughout 
Supplied with foam windscreen and strong luggage-grade 

carrying case 

Pressure gradient/line combination 

Condenser 

60 to 20,000 Hz* 

*Curves shown at 1.8m (6 ft)

TYPICAL ON-AXIS FREQUENCY RESPONSE

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