recordinghacks

Shure Model 330

Supercardioid Ribbon Microphone

The Model 330 is a “unidirectional,” supercardioid passive ribbon microphone manufactured by Shure from around 1957 through 1983, according to Shure.

The bottom of the mic’s housing is threaded (female) to accept a standard mic stand (5/8''-27). A female XLR jack is built into an extrusion on the rear of this housing.

The microphone’s headbasket can tilt in relation to the lower housing; according to the specifications, it can travel through 125° of rotation (55° forward, 70° backward). Note that the 1956 specification describes only 45° of forward movement, rather that 55° is in 1981.

The mic was originally marketed as the “Unitron,” changed in subsequent product runs to “Uni-Ron” due (according to speculations posted to Coutant) trademark issues with a telescope manufacturer of the same name.

A slotted rotary switch on the base of the microphone allowed selection of any of three output impedances. Lower impedance values allow the microphone to be used with longer cable runs, at a cost of lower sensitivity.

Label:	50Ω	150Ω	250Ω
Actual:	73Ω	230Ω	365Ω
Sensitivity:	.59 mV/Pa	1.1 mV/Pa	1.41 mV/Pa

The variable output impedance feature was a function of multiple taps on the output transformer.

The ribbon motor assembly is said to be shockmounted via an “isolation unit” made of rubbed.

Shure, 1956

The Model 330 “Unitron” is a slender compact uni-directional microphone. An improved ribbon element (coupled with a newly designed phase-shift network) provides an Super-Cardioid uni-directional characteristic which gives highly satisfactory operation under adverse acoustic conditions. These unique features permit placement of the microphone at a 92% greater distance from the performer than is possible with non-directional (omnidirectional) microphones. The Model 330 reduces reverberation, reflection and pickup of undesired random sound by 73%, thus minimizing disturbing studio noises often heard in telecasting and radio broadcasting.

Historical MSRP:

• 1957: $120
• 1983: $239

The Shure Model 330 is also known as: Uni-Ron, Unitron.

The mic was released in 1957.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
CHART Supercardioid (1.41 mV/Pa; 30 - 15,000 Hz)

Ribbon Construction	Impedance	SPL/Noise
	73 Ohms (Low)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
n/a	n/a	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications

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