Shure Hits Home Recording with First USB Mics PG27USB and PG42USB and X2u Mic Adapter [Ces 2009]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/LZxmxvDfcAM/shure-hits-home-recording-with-first-usb-mics-pg27usb-and-pg42usb-and-x2u-mic-adapter

Anybody who has ever recorded in studio or garage knows that "Shure" spells "microphone." This year, they finally get into the USB mic action with PG27USB and PG42USB, plus the X2u USB mic adapter.

So many people already own the Shure SM57 and SM58 condenser dynamic mics that it made sense for Shure to create the X2u, a $130 adapter that would let people easily use them with their amateur home recording rigs. This isn't about ProTools, which requires its own proprietary I/O. It's for people using GarageBand and other cheapie programs, who just want some way to ease in their vocals and acoustic instruments. It's plug-and-play compatible as an audio input, so it just works. It is bus-powered for easy one-cable connectivity, yet it's got an integrated pre-amp with phantom power, so you won't have to worry about not having enough juice going in. There's a headphone jack on the box, along with a monitor-mix playback dial, for easy latency-free tracking and monitoring.
Supposing you don't have a Shure mic just lying around—Shure built two new microphones—the company's first foray into USB mics—integrating essentially the same circuitry as the X2u. The $200 PG27USB is the multi-purpose mic, with a 20 dB pad for dropping the input level for stuff like drum recording. You can record whatever you want with it, but if you want to focus on voice, the better bet is the $250 PG42USB. It is tuned for singing and voice work, and it has a low-cut switch that drops anything south of 120Hz, meaning any environmental sounds that couldn't possibly come from human vocal chords.

There are a lot of home recording products out there, and a number of USB mics, but to see Shure getting invol! ved, esp ecially aiming product at a lower-price-range amateur-level audience, well, that's pretty damn sweet. Almost makes me want to get the band back together. [Shure]

Shure Unveils New USB Microphones and USB Signal Adapter for Seamless Computer Recording
New Products Connect Personal Recording Enthusiasts With Professional Quality Audio

LAS VEGAS, NV; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; and NILES, IL, January 6, 2009 – At the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld Conference and Expo, Shure Incorporated extended the Company's legacy of world class microphones to the digital recording market, unveiling three new products – the PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones and the X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter (XLR is the standard electrical connector for microphones). In recent years, consumers have taken recording into their own hands, creating an explosion of user-generated content. Now, the overwhelming number of low cost options for digital media production means that anyone with a computer and a microphone is a potential recording star, and the demand for tools that enable and encourage personal creativity is surging.

"Shure has catered to the high-fidelity audio cravings of consumers since the introduction of its first stereo phonograph cartridge 50 years ago," said Mark Karnes, Shure's Executive Director of Global Marketing. "Back then, we were just listening to music. Today, most of us are not only taking our music with us, we're also actively involved in creating and recording sound."

"Given the broad appeal of our new digital recording products, we chose the biggest consumer electronics stages in the country – the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld – to introduce our highly anticipated answer to the question 'How can I replicate professional quality audio recording with my computer?' Our new digital recording microphones and adapter connect seamlessly for personal recording and produce rock ! star-cal iber sound worthy of bearing the Shure name," continued Karnes.

Shure's iconic microphones have been used by everyone from Elvis Presley to FDR, and they are still the equipment of choice when high quality sound can't be sacrificed – such as in Grammy-winning performances and professional broadcasting arenas. Today, Shure is for the first time bringing its legendary microphones to every level of performer and recording enthusiast, including the new breed of aspiring audio enthusiasts that's proliferating as digital recording takes hold. These content creators need three key factors to produce accurate and high-quality recordings: superior equipment to translate sound; the ability to hear themselves (monitoring); and the ability to accurately adjust monitoring mix. Shure delivers all three capabilities with the new PG27USB and PG42USB microphones and X2u Adapter.

PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones

The PG27USB and PG42USB microphones connect professional-caliber Shure microphones to any USB computer port with "Plug and Play" performance. Excellent tools for multi-track recording, the cardioid condenser microphones feature built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency and monitor mix control, enabling users to instantly hear what they're recording through headphones and make adjustments on-the-go. Both microphones are durable enough for everyday use and practice, but sophisticated enough for advanced recording by the most discerning artists.

The key difference between the PG27USB and PG42USB microphones is the application for which they were designed:

• The PG27USB features a flat, neutral frequency response for natural reproduction of a wide variety of instrument and vocal sound sources.
• The PG42USB was specifically engineered to reproduce the subtle nuances of lead vocals. The large diaphragm allows for higher sensitivity to clearly reproduce refined performances. The low-cut filter and external shock-mount further optimize! perform ance for vocals.

Other unique features of the PG27USB and PG42USB include:

• Large diaphragm capsule: Provides wider dynamic range, clear highs, and strong lows.
• USB "Plug and Play" Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer goes.
• Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
• Zero Latency Monitoring: For real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation.
• Headphone Jack: For monitoring with 1/8" connectivity.
• Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.

X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter

The Shure X2u Adapter is a modular accessory that connects any XLR microphone to a computer to create better-than-CD quality recordings. As home recording flourishes, the X2u redefines what amateur musicians and podcasters can do in their homes and on the go. The X2u mimics the sleek, beautiful design of Shure's iconic SM57 and SM58 microphones and can be used unobtrusively for live and in-studio recording. The X2u's unique features include:

• USB "Plug and Play" Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer can go (compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X 10.1 or later).
• Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
• Zero Latency Monitoring: Enables real-time playback and facilitates multi-tracking without disorientation.
• Headphone Jack: For monitoring with standard 1/8" connectivity.
• Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.
• Phantom Power: For use with condenser microphones.

Pricing and Availability

• X2u Adapter: $129.00 retail [$154.00 MSRP]
• PG27USB: $199.00 retail [$238.00 MSRP]
• PG42USB: $249.00 retail [$298.00 MSRP]

Shure's PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones and X2u Signal Adapter will be available to co! nsumers in spring 2009 and will carry a two-year limited warranty. The products can be purchased at select retail partners and the X2u will also be available at www.shure.com. Check www.shure.com for a complete list of Authorized Dealers.