Studio Microphones

One matched pair, coming up -- Mojave Audio introduced the MA-101SP, a matched pair of MA-101fet cardioid condenser microphones for stereo recording and live sound reinforcement applications. According to Mojave, each David Royer-designed MA-101fet in the pair provides warm, full-bodied reproductions of instruments without the shrillness and high-frequency artifacts so often encountered with modern condenser microphones.  

Multi-pattern capability, switchable 15 dB pad, and switchable bass roll-off are just some of the features that make the Mojave Audio MA-301fet a go-to mic for capturing vocals, drums, acoustic instruments, electric guitar, and more. The new condenser microphone is based on the company's MA-201fet.  

Lauten Audio introduced its multi-purpose Atlantis FC-387, a solid-state, large-diaphragm condenser microphone with selectable polar patterns, a voicing switch that provides three different timbres, and more.  

Whether you need it for Podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, voiceovers, or live performances, the Audio-Technica AT2005USB is sure to please. The new cardioid dynamic microphone has dual connectivity (both USB and XLR), making it a doubly good mic for recording instruments and vocals.  

At NAMM, CAD Audio will be showing the new and improved version of its E300S Multi-Pattern Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone. To be released as part of the Equitek S Series, the updated mic is ideal for capturing vocals both in the studio and in live sound reinforcement applications.  

Kicking off its 50th anniversary, Audio-Technica has launched a limited-edition hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone based on the original ATM25. The new version offers the same features but adds a silver-colored metallic finish with blue accents, a 50th anniversary graphic, and a special serial number.  

Complete your mobile recording setup with the Blue Microphones Spark Digital -- a new USB / iPad microphone ideal for recording a range of sources, from vocals to drums to Podcasts and more. As the digital version of the original Spark, the Spark Digital runs at under $200.  

Audix introduced the TM1 Plus, a complete kit including a TM1 microphone, accessories, and a microphone calibration data on CD. You can put the kit to work in a variety of applications, including test and measurement, room analysis software programs, real-time analyzers, and ambient room miking.  

When you buy the Blue Microphones Bottle Rocket Stage Two Bundle, you'll not one, but two capsules. Blue Microphones is now offering a bonus capsule in addition to the included B8 capsule, hooray.  

Earthworks redesigned its DP30/C Drum Periscope cardioid microphone, giving the trusty drum mic a more rugged gooseneck, microphone capsule housing that can survive direct hits from a drumstick or overly excitable drummer, fast impulse response, heavy-duty construction, and more. Drummers won't have to worry about accidentally breaking this mic.  

Next week at AES, Earthworks Microphones will be showing all in attendance just how versatile the new SR20 cardioid condenser microphone really is. Updated with a metal mesh windscreen, the SR20 can be used in any miking scenario, live or in the studio, for vocals, instruments, and whatever else comes to mind.  

Classic meets modern -- JZ Microphones introduced its latest Vintage series microphone, the V11. The new studio mic boasts a cardioid polar pattern, 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range, vintage styling and classic audio quality, and more, all for under $700.  

Selectable patterns, a swiveling capsule, and Blue's proprietary preamp circuit are just some of the features that make the new Blue Microphones Reactor stand out from others on the market. If you like what you see, you can head over to a Blue dealer to buy one, as the multi-pattern, large diaphragm condenser mic is now available.  

Cradle your massive Yeti or Yeti Pro mic in style with the Blue Microphones Radius shockmount, a custom-built cradle designed to let a big mic such as the Yeti sit upright on a mic stand or be mounted onto a boom stand.  

Cardioid is a handy pickup pattern, but if you find yourself using cardioid mics for every application, the only way to break out of that pattern is. . . more patterns! The Rode NT2-A is a multi-pattern condenser mic that'll expand your recording skill-set but won't cost a bundle. Of course, if it doesn't sound good, it won't do you any good; Larry the O gives this large diaphragm, solid-state condenser a scrutinizing listen in this review.  

Mike Bloom's new release, King of Circles came out on Pierre de Reeder of Rilo Kiley's Little Record Label. He used Pearlman TM-1 Microphone on the recording.  

Regularly contributing review Larry the O wonders how well the popular Rode K2 Large Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone fares now that its particular market niche is a bit more crowded than in 2004 when it was released. So does he wonder what the K2 fuss is about, or why you haven't tried one out yet? Read on and find out.  

Based on the model that initially launched the company, the Rode NT1-A incorporates a few performance revisions and a modest price — two factor which contribute to this condenser microphone's high-selling status. But numbers aside, how does this mic fare in a professional studio environment? Regular reviewer Larry the O finds out in this rigorous examination.  

It's not every day you see a small-diaphragm condenser microphone that's side-address, rarer still you see one with interchangeable capsules. The new Shure Beta 181 is just such a microphone, but will it become a legend like other Shure designs or remain forever a lesser condenser? Owner of Broken Radio Studios in San Fransisco Matt Boudreau does a little hands-on research.  

Humans have two ears, generally, yet most microphones hear audio in mono. Not the Audio-Technica AT2022 Stereo Microphone; it's got a pair of condenser elements arranged in X/Y for more life-like reproduction of ambient sounds and sonic events. That's the intention, anyway. So does it succeed? Composer, engineer, and regularly contributing reviewer Nick Peck finds out.  

JZ Microphones is now shipping the Vintage 12 condenser microphone, a fresh take on the classic Neumann AKG C12. This new mic takes the best qualities of the C12 and adds Golden Drop Technology for the GDC12 capsule.  

Getting the best take from hand percussion instruments is a breeze if you have an Audix Micro-HP mini drum mic. The new Micro-HP mounts directly to drums, eliminating the need for a bulky mic stand; has a flexible gooseneck for quick placement; and features a cardioid polar pattern to capture the attack of the head as well as the tonality and transients of the instrument overall.  

The latest in a long line of ever-evolving multi-pattern microphone designs, the newest iteration of the AKG C414 XL-II features even more patterns and other improvements. So does it remain the reliable studio catch-all mic, or has AKG gilded the utilitarian lily? Engineer Michael Cooper offers his thoughts.  

The wait is now over for Milab users who have been waiting for Milab to add a "super" to its current line of cardioid and omni capsules. The new VM-44 Supercardioid interchangeable capsule rounds out the VM-44 range, offering a natural, versatile sound for a variety of applications.  

Starting this June, MXL Microphones will be bundling a free copy of Acoustica Mixcraft 4 LE recording software with certain MXL USB mics, including the MXL Studio 24, the MXL USB.009, the MXL USB-77, and the soon to be released MXL UR-1 USB ribbon microphone.  

There were warm-yet-articulate vintage-sounding vocal tracks waiting to be recorded, but I never heard them satisfyingly realized, no I never heard them at all, 'til there was you, Audio-Technica At4080. 'TIIIIIIL THEEEEERE WAAAAAAS YOOOUUUUU.  

Sontronics introduced more drum miking options: the DM-1T and DM-1S pencil condensers for tom and snare drum, and the DM-1B condenser microphone for kick drum and bass.  

Erik Wofford does more than play with his band Candi And The Strangers. He works extensively with other bands in the studio and after the studio. An album he mastered just won a Grammy for Best Latin Rock album. He talks to Gearwire about Micing drums in the studio.  

Apogee brought a friend to the iOS party -- Mike is a compact, studio-quality USB microphone for the iPad, iPhone, and Mac, which allows you to capture audio and work with GarageBand, all from your iOS device.  

Can a large-diaphragm condenser mic with a price tag this small really have a big studio sound? Gino Robair puts the Blue Spark under the microscope to see if this little guy is a big deal or small potatoes.