The Shure PG 81 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone suitable for use both in the recording and on the stage. Unlike most condenser microphones, it is designed for use on the stage and will excel in this situation over the studio. It has a cardioid polar pattern pick up and a standard XLR output. It is designed mostly for use in the live setting, as it has a battery to power it that it comes with if you don't have phantom power at a show. Its sturdy design and on/off switch also make it a great candidate to use on the stage.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Shure PG 81 both on the stage and in the studio for the last two or three years. I have found that it is best suited for picking up acoustic instruments during a live show. I have also used it in the studio a few times, but find that it doesn't pick up as much detail as I would like for a studio mic. For this reason, I would really only recommend the PG 81 for those looking for a condenser microphone to use for live sets. It is a great option for acoustic guitars that aren't acoustic-electric and don't have pick ups, and also excels on other acoustic stringed instruments like banjo and mandolin. As far as condenser microphones go, this is about as cheap as they will get, and while I wouldn't normally recommend using condenser mics for live use, this is designed for playing out and does a great job in this situation. I haven't used too many other condenser mics for live shows, so I'm not sure what I could compare it to. Its heavy build and good sound quality make it a great option to bring out to shows for picking up acoustic instruments.