Shure is an American audio company known for its innovative microphones and signal processors. During the 1960s, Shure introduced a range of rugged, affordable gear aimed at broadcast, recording, and live sound applications. Among the most distinctive was the Shure Level-Loc, a compact limiter designed to maintain consistent audio levels. Originally marketed for speech applications like paging and public address systems, the Level-Loc gained a cult following among engineers and musicians for its aggressive, gritty compression effect, which became popular in creative studio use, especially on drums and vocals.