Shure PGA 181 Review / Test

Today i review the Shure PGA181 an affordable side address condenser. It is very straight forward with only a cardioid polar pattern and no pads or filters. This mic is more of an upper mid focused sound which gives it a punchy character. The self noise on this mic comes in at 22dBA which is kind of high, but seems relatively inline with the competition LCT240 (19dBA), AT2020 (20dBA), 770 ($20dBA), X1a (16dBA), but it is still on the higher side.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: +32dB

Boosted in Post: +9dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 50Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -38dB

Max SPL: 138dB

Self Noise: 22dBA

Impedance: 120-ohms

Buy the Shure PGA181(Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/pga181
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/pga181
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/43g9RZQ

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)

Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:24 - What’s in the Box
00:41 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:05 - Specifications
01:16 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:35 - Plosive Test
01:52 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:14 - Background Noise Test 
02:27 - Untreated Room Test
02:46 - Shock Rejection Test
03:09 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:39 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
03:51 - MXL 770 Comparison
04:15 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
04:40 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
05:07 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison
05:37 - AKG P220 Comparison
06:04 - Neat King Bee Comparison
06:30 - Rode NT1 (5th Gen) Comparison
06:58 - Sterling ST181 Comparison
07:33 - Shure SM57 Comparison
07:58 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
08:24 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
08:50 - Music Test
11:15  - Pros & Cons
12:20 - Overall Thoughts
14:08 - Recommendation