Studio Microphones

Ape-like Himalayan cryptid, or triple-capsule, THX-certified, multi-pattern, stereo USB condenser microphone? Stop, you're both right: it's the new Blue Yeti.  

Use the Audix FP5 Fusion Drum Pack to mike your five-piece drum kit. The pack includes a complete set of Audix dynamic microphones: the F5 for snare, three F2s for rack / floor toms and congas, and the F6 for kick drum.  

Dig the adorable Neumann TLM 102, Neumann's newest transformer-less microphone. This little guy was introduced at AES, where we sized it up against the TLM103. . . literally!  

From now until the end of the year, you can get free gear when you purchase select mics from Blue Microphones. Qualified purchases of Blue Baby Bottle, Bottle Stage Rocket, Cactus, Kiwi, or other fruity-named microphones will land you free preamps or capsules.  

Every year at AES there's at least one nifty new gadget that makes the conference feel like the World's Fair of recording. . . or at least the Epcot Center of recording. Last year in San Fran we witnessed the quirky majesty of the Seagrave Instruments LASSIE Room Analysis System, and this year we have the Laser Microphone from Schwartz Engineering & Design.  

Have you ever used an AKG C414? If you are a musician, it's a pretty sure bet you have. This year, AKG took a chance and decided to improve upon an age-old standard. Do they succeed? Listen to Joe Waggoner and make up your own mind.  

In an effort to prove that size doesn't matter, Neumann has released the reduced-size TLM 102 microphone, which according to the company, is partial to recording big sounds.  

Ask and you shall receive. Audio-Technica users specifically asked for a stereo version of the AT4050 microphone, and believe it or not, they got it. This mic joins a gazillion other new additions, or so it seems, to the 40-Series of microphones.  

Ever find yourself wondering when AKG would release another USB microphone? Even if you answered "no," they're still throwing their literal chips into the figurative pile with the announcement of the AKG Perception 120 USB. Or are they going "all in?" Whatever.  

Once the sole the tool of well-endowed professional studios and, umm, people who recorded music in the 50s, the ribbon mic has made a resurgence of late, with lots of options for the musician on a budget. Audio Technica thinks they've got the new champs among working-man's ribbons with their AT4080 and AT 4081 active ribbon microphones. Everyone crack a PBR and salute them.  

Equipment that merges versatility with high quality makes for very economical options, which are especially helpful in this period of economic depression. The Audio-Technica AT4047MP takes in the much loved quality of its predecessor along with more flexibility at a more than reasonable price point.  

Occasionally we get the time to do a real no-holds-barred demo here at Gearwire, and now is one of those times. Owen O'Malley brings in a little backup to see how far we can push the M-Audio Luna II.  

All manufacturers yearn to create their very own Holy Grail. Could the JZ Microphones BH-1s get itself around this claim? Find out here.  

Not all musicians and producers would like to fuss up with complicated connections for their recording equipment, especially if they're out on the field. The Samson Go Mic is now being shipped out to provide that instantaneous plug-and-play (or record) solution on the fly.  

Modern-day function and manufacturing with vintage sound are things that producers seek after gear these days. Following that trend is Avant Electronics Avantone BV-1, a new tube microphone catering to every recording need.  

It's raining microphones at this year's Summer NAMM thanks to a lot of microphone manufacturers going on a roll. One of these is MXL as they introduce four new mics: the MXL R77, R144, Gold 35, and V69XM.  

The ART M One USB and M Four are two different microphones for two different purposes. Debuting at Summer NAMM 2009, these two microphones give audio enthusiasts more alternative options for various recording needs.  

You know how much cooler bendy straws are than regular straws? That's exactly how much more awesome the new Granelli Audio Labs G5790 is in comparison to a regular old non-angled Shure SM57.  

Nothing exhibits “warmth” more than what is described as vintage gear. Banking on that vintage warmth with modern sophisticated engineering is the CAD Equitek E100S Condenser Microphone (and it comes in a vintage-looking wood case too).  

All those singular polar pattern microphones create a lot of clutter and disturbance in installed sound applications. In attempts to eliminate clutter, some technicians will sometimes resort to various adjustments on site and during an event which leads to that annoying interruption and noise. The Astatic 1600VP variable polar pattern microphone takes all that extra stuff away.  

The sophistication you find in supermodels, as they keep on changing wardrobes while maintaining poise, is not limited to those living clothes hangers. Microphones can do the same thing as BeezNeez unveils Elizabeth.  

As the drummer for DFA 1979, Sebastien Grainger got a decent idea of what he wanted his kit to sound like. Now a frontman, Grainger gets to communicate this information to proper sound engineers (with diplomacy and tact, always). In respectfully listening to their feedback, he has discovered that a pair of Apex 460s can serve as a decent stereo pair indeed.  

Spectrasonics producer Diego Stocco has designed sound for the likes of Nokia, Samsung and Panasonic, and he's currently scoring a videogame for the Wii platform. He also really enjoys recording things like heater springs and flaming pianos. One might wonder what microphones lend themselves to this sort of extreme tracking, and since Mountain Dew doesn't make microphones, the answer for Diego is the Rode NT6, as well as other Rode models.  

The Neumann KMS 105 Microphone is the one mic Chris Ayer says sounds good enough to use both on the road and in the studio. He's very happy with how it sounds, and with the fact that he hasn't managed to break it yet.  

A recording studio of the normal variety was not good enough for the engineer / producer team of Matt Lane and Keith Saunders. They hauled musician / songwriter Jar-e out into a barn in the woods to record his new CD, Chicas Malas, and brought along a Schoeps BLM 03cg PZM mic for help.  

If you like ribbon microphones and money, you'll love the $200 rebate Blue Microphones is offering on their Woodpecker ribbon mic. The offer -- valid until July 31, 2009 -- coincides with the peak of woodpecker mating season . . . a fact I just made up!  

Conrad St. Clair talks of his love for the Audix SCX1 condenser mic. In addition to his Kicksville gig St. Clair is a sound engineer, ergo he knows of what he speaks.  

Now that Alesis has released the first handheld stereo USB microphone, you can hold two of them at once for stereo in stereo through USB.  

Experimental Liverpudlian Phil Hargreaves is back, giving us more insight into his unorthodox recording technique. In this interview, he describes his use of the Soundman OKM Binaural Microphone to acquire 360 degree soundscapes. These mics are convenient and ingenious, as they use your handy skull as a mobile micstand.  

Over in Liverpool, Phil Hargraves conducts experiments with, among other things, saxophones and true stereo recording. In his truly hypnotic Liverpudlian accent, Hargreaves explains the physics, technique, and pleasure of using the Oktava MK219 Microphone for his various purposes.