ShurePGA48

Tonal profile

The cheapest cardioid dynamic Shure still sells: a moving-coil cartridge in a plastic-collared body, tuned for spoken word and karaoke rather than for a mix. Shure lists it as discontinued while continuing to publish the sheet.

Gain staging

-53.5 dBV/Pa is on the loud side for a dynamic - 1 dB above an SM58 and 2.5 dB above an SM57 - but level is not where this microphone differs from its neighbours. The 600 ohm output impedance is: four times the PGA58's 150 ohms, so a preamp with a low input impedance will load it down and the high end goes with it. Look for an input rated 1.5 kilohms or more.