Shure have been one of the big names in microphone design for well over two decades, and although not being a particularly pricey manufacturer, the majority of their most popular mikes have in recent months had strong competition from some of the newer Japanese budget priced copies. As far as Shure and their budget priced copies are concerned — "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" is the order of the day — and therefore Shure have now licensed a Japanese company to make copies of a few of Shure's most popular mikes — the Unidyne B, Unisphere B and SM58 which they have called (under the Shure banner) the Prologue range — and retail between £22.95 and £44.95.

Don't judge a book by the cover price

The construction of these mikes is well up to Shure's high standard of robust manufacture. Each of the three Prologues feature an all-metal die-cast case, which certainly doesn't feel or look at all cheap. Finished in a smart non-glare matt finish, the Prologue 14 is the top of the range and has an internal pop shield, metal grille and a lockable on/off switch (as have all the Prologue mikes). Connection is via 3-pin XLR (cable not included) and Shure make a point of mentioning these three microphones' serviceability, namely that if anything does prove to be faulty that it can be repaired (in case you might have been under the impression that these are disposable mikes).

Each microphone comes in either high or low impedance versions. The difference in price between the two types is just two or three pounds more for the high impedance (depending on which mike it is), however unless your mixer/amplification equipment specifies otherwise, it is generally better to go for the low impedance mike for most uses although its output is less (and therefore you need a bit more pre-amp gain on your mixer/amp) it enables you to use much longer cable lengths without degradation in sound quality (high impedance mikes are usually limited to cable lengths of 20 feet or less). With each microphone comes a slip-in microphone holder, and the Prologue 12 and 14 both come with their own 100% simulated leather carrying pouches...

The specifications indicate that these microphones are predictably (as they are so inexpensive) average in quality — the Prologue 10 and 12 reaching up to 10kHz whilst the Prologue 14's response is from 40Hz to 13kHz. In comparison with the original Shure mikes that they are modelled on, the Prologue 10 and 12's response drops away 5kHz below that of the Unidyne and Unisphere, while with the Prologue 14 you only lose a couple of kHz off the SM58's spec. Also the response curves themselves appear to be quite different to the originals', indicating that they might not have the same type of sound...

So much for the theory

In practice, the first impression about the quality of sound of both the Prologue 10 and 12 was that they did not sound like what we have come to expect of cheap mikes. That is not to say that they sounded expensive, yet their tonal quality is quite acceptable. Their lack of high frequency response was only a minor limitation in their respective sounds (the 10 and 12 both sounding very similar), whilst the only indication that they might not be posh mikes is that the presence of, say, vocals is perhaps a little more nasal than clear — nothing a tweak of EQ couldn't smooth out; and in attempting a blindfold test between the original Unidyne B and the Prologue 10 and 12,there was not an obvious difference between them, apart from the Unidyne sounds being a bit warmer.

The Prologue 14, however, is quite noticeably wider intone than the cheaper two mikes. Although still not on a par with the unique sound of the SM58 (which is only a mere four times the price of the Prologue 14), it is nevertheless quite a tight, punchy sounding mike with a usable resistance to feedback.

Conclusion

Shure's reputation for quality was built up in live venues rather than recording studios, and although these mikes would by no means be unusable in a budget recording set-up, they would appear to be aimed primarily for sound reinforcement purposes. For pub/club-type bands with only one or two mikes and a small PA, I would certainly suggest that they invest in one good quality mike — something that will last. Although I can find no indication that the Prologue range is not a good, solid, inexpensive range of mikes, I would expect the Prologue 10 and 12 to be most popular as secondary mikes — those for, say, backing vocals or brass section. The Prologue 14 would certainly be adequate for lead vocal.

To justify handling over your readies for one or more of Shure's Prologue range of mikes, you should be satisfied with their sound quality — not just the name. Persuade the shop assistant to let you try out some mikes in the shop and then make your own mind up. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised at how well Shure's newest and cheapest range of microphones compare with anything of an equivalent price tag.

Prices:
10L — £22.95, 10H — £24.95 12L — £32.95, 12H — £35.95 14L — £41.95, 14H — £44.95

SHURE PROLOGUE MICROPHONES - RRP: £22.95-£44.95