Shure Nexadyne – The Next Generation of Handheld Mics

Shure and Sweetwater go way back, so I called our friends at Shure and started my interview this way.

“I’ve used Shure microphones for decades and know that Shure doesn’t release new mics on a whim — Shure picks microphones based on a need. So, when you decide to launch a new handheld dynamic mic, my first question is, ‘Why? What was the target you were trying to hit — that’s different than the SM58, Beta 58, and KSM8, all of which are industry standards?'”

The answer was revealing. The biggest innovation about the Nexadyne mics is that they use two calibrated transducers in a single mic, utilizing Shure’s patented Revonic dual-engine technology. By wiring these two mic elements together, reversing the phase between them, and placing them strategically in a single housing, the acoustic signal processing offers enhanced clarity and lessens the need for corrective EQ. By tuning the two transducers to work together, the resulting acoustic combination strengthens the desired frequencies while reducing unwanted signals. The mechanical advantage of dual transducers is being able to forgo the typical pneumatic shockmount. Shure also touts low handling noise and increased feedback rejection compared to previous mics.

First Listen

After we finished the interview, I took the NXN8/S (8/S) and NXN8/C (8/C) into the studio and plugged them in alongside an SM58. After using SM58s for decades, here are my first impressions based on 10 minutes of listening in the control room at Sweetwater Studios.

The dual-transducer design yields sonic benefits that, to my ear, make the Nexadynes sound like an SM58 with EQ, so you may find yourself using (drastically) less EQ than before.

The Nexadyne 8/C is noticeably lighter in weight. The SM58, at 10.5 ounces, is not a heavy mic, but the 8/C is only 9.1 ounces, a full 15% lighter. The 8/S weighs 10.3 ounces, only slightly less than the SM58.

The output level of the 8/C (at -54.0 dBV/Pa) is slightly hotter (by 2dB) compared to an SM58 (-56.0 dBV/Pa), so it can be a direct replacement. The 8/S is noticeably louder to my ear (5dB hotter than a 58), which the product specs confirm (-51 dBV/Pa).

The sonic character of the mics is really different — in the best possible way. The 8/C sounds like an SM58 after you apply EQ. The compensation that you make to minimize proximity effect and the presence you might boost are already there on the Nexadynes. The 8/S sounds even more present than the 8/C (with an additional 3dB at 4kHz and 7dB at 8.5kHz) and is tapered less on the bottom end (2dB more at 100Hz).

The 8/C’s cardioid pattern sounded nearly identical to the SM58 to my ear, and the supercardioid 8/S had a noticeably tighter polar pattern.

Both the 8/C and 8/S are available as capsules for wireless mic systems.

I think the Nexadyne 8/C and 8/S will be valuable additions to any mic locker, for a studio or on the road. My bottom line? If you own an SM58, then you owe it to yourself to try out the Nexadyne mics. I think Shure has raised the bar again for handheld dynamics.

Sweetwater Has Your Nexadyne Mics

Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 if you have any questions about Nexadyne, Shure’s next-generation handheld dynamic, or if you want to try these capsules on your existing wireless system. You need to hear these Nexadyne mics.

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