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PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Extended frequency response

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Low self-noise

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Exceptional low-frequency reproduction

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Can withstand high sound pressure levels (SPLs)

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High output level

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No crossover distortion

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Uniform polar response

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Superior common mode rejection and suppression of radio frequency 

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interference (RFI)

APPLICATIONS

Electric guitar amplifiers

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Brass and woodwind instruments

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Orchestras, choirs, and wind ensembles

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Overhead miking of drums and percussion instruments

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Close-miking of acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, violins, drums, and 

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percussion
Low-frequency instruments such as double bass and kick drum

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Room ambience pick-up (guitar amplifier or drums)

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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

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Ultra-thin, 2.5 μm 24 karat gold-layered, low mass Mylar

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®

 diaphragm for 

superior transient response
Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier for transparency, extremely 

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fast transient response, no crossover distortion, and minimal harmonic and 

intermodulation distortion
Premium electronic components, including gold-plated internal and external 

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connectors
Two-position switchable pad (0 dB and 15 dB) for handling extremely high 

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sound pressure levels (SPLs)

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