In the meantime watch A Trace Of The Sun, a documentary about Sara volunteering in Japan. You’ll see why we love her.

Chris Lyons introduces Shure ULX-D, a breakthrough digital wireless system that incorporates a collection of technological innovations into one easy-to-use professional wireless system.

• Transparent 24-bit digital audio quality
• RF performance
• Advanced setup features, such as intelligent scanning
• The rechargeability of the Lithium Ion battery offers up to 12 hours of use on a single charge

Find out more about the ULX-D Digital Wireless.

Michael Johns introduces our first open-back headphone models: the SRH1440 and SRH1840. Designed for critical mastering, monitoring and unparalleled audiophile listening, the SRH1440 and SRH1840 deliver a unique sound signature that enables listeners to achieve and produce their best quality mix.

Shure SRH1440 Professional Open Back Headphones

Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones

John Born introduces the A300SM Shock Mount. Recently called the “Sexiest Shock Mount Ever” (recording hacks), the sleek and stylish A300SM uses advanced materials to provide exceptional isolation and shock protection for the KSM353/ED Ribbon Microphone. Most notably, in place of the traditional elastic bands the A300SM uses wire rope.

Find out more about the A300SM and the KSM353/ED Premium Bi-directional Ribbon Microphone.

Chris Lyons introduces the new MX150 and MX153, both fully compatible with all Shure wireless systems. The discreet MX150 lavalier offers uncompromising sound quality and is available with cardioid or omnidirectional polar patterns. The MX153 provides outstanding clarity in an extremely comfortable over-the-ear design and is available in 3 colors.

MX150 Subminiature Lavalier Microphone

MX153 Earset Headworn Microphone

Previewed at last year’s NAMM show, Axient is now shipping through Axient Certified Dealers. The system features new-to-the-world technologies that drive a range of innovative wireless system capabilities. Axient constantly scans for problems, always keeping a second, clean channel available—delivering control, convenience and confidence in wireless audio transmission for mission-critical events. Capabilities include interference detection and avoidance, spectrum management, advanced power management (thanks to a rock-solid rechargeable system), frequency diversity, transmitter remote control, and Wireless Workbench 6 software.

Shure has long had a reputation for building not only excellent sounding products, but ones which are built to last. There are hundreds of stories of bands dropping their Shure mic into their pint glasses, accidentally dropping a mixing console onto their mic, or in the case of The Who’s Roger Daltrey, actually going out of his way to try to destroy his Shure mics. In addition there are lots of videos showing just how tough an SM58 is. Try searching for ‘Shure drop test’ on youtube for even more videos of an SM58 being shot, dropped from a helicopter, and even being run over by a bus!

Having said all this, the actual process every single Shure product goes through before appearing on the market is something not a lot of people know about. Wired’s RAW FILE blog got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the type of tests Shure products have to pass including products being scorched, smashed, frozen, and even bathed in synthetic sweat. Very interesting reading.

Making an Audio Icon: Inside Shure’s Stress-Test Gauntlet | Raw File | Wired.com