AKG D112 Dynamic 20 Hz - 17 khz 168dB 73dB - Can handle high level signals from close micʼd sources. - Commonly used for kick drums and electric bass guitar cabinets. - Also works nicely with brass instruments such as Saxophone, Trumpet, etc. - Almost THD free, meaning it produces a more accurate reproduction of the source by reducing harmonics added by electronics. - Response is maintained to 20hz. Sennheiser MKH20 12 Hz - 20 khz 134dB @ 10db [18db w/ -10db pad] - Good for orchestras; vocal/instrumental groups; solo instruments; spot instruments; picking up the natural acoustics of the room. - Relatively flat frequency response allows for a natural sound. - Does not suffer from the proximity effect and includes a -10db pad for situations where it is in close proximity to a high-transient source. - Includes a pressure build-up ring to capture accentuated high frequencies. - Takes +48V phantom power. Neumann U87AI 20 Hz - 20 khz 117dB @, [127dB w/ pad] 82dB - 79dB - 80dB - Fig 8 - Commonly used for vocals and acoustic guitar due to its warm and balanced sound - Also very useful for orchestral recordings/spot mics, and/or broadcast media. - Includes a low cut roll-off switch to decrease any unwanted hum, rumble, or low freq. noises such as those formed due to proximity. - Includes a 10dB attenuation pad, which allows it to handle SPLs up to 127dB. - Three polar patterns make it very flexible.
Neumann M149 Tube Wide Hyper 20 Hz - 20 khz 120dB-136 db 66db - 69dB - 71dB - Fig 8 - Used for many applications, such as: Broadcasting, Dubbing, Voice-Overs, Spot Mic for Close Miking of Solo Instruments, Strings, Wind Instruments, and Piano. - No attenuation pad, but uses a 7-position high-pass filter that advances in half-octave steps between 20Hz and 160Hz. - Has a total of 9 polar patterns due to intermediate switching between the 5 standard patterns - Uses itʼs own power supply. Neumann KM184 20 Hz - 20 khz 138dB 78dB @ - Small diaphragm condenser; ideal for solos, ensembles, & spot miking. - High Max SPL allows for close miking of instruments. - Has a clean, high-gain output signal that isnʼt colored due to itʼs transformer-less circuitry. AKG 414 C XL II (stereo pairs) Wide Hyper 20 Hz - 20 khz 140dB -158dB 88dB - Matched stereo pair - High SPL + wide dynamic range + low self-noise = clean and natural/life-like reproduction of the sound source. - Utilizes 3 switchable bass-cut filters reduce low frequency sounds [12dB/oct @ 40 & 80Hz, and 6dB/ oct @ 160Hz]. - 3 pre-attenuation pads allow for an increase in headroom Audio Technica AT4041 20 Hz - 20 khz 145dB @ 70dB - Ideal usage for drum overheads, acoustic guitar, piano, horns, and bottom snare miking. - High output with a high SPL capability; also a smooth and extended frequency response - Transformer-less design for low self noise - Uses a low frequency roll-off [12dB/oct @ 80hz]
Audio Technica AT4050 20 Hz - 20 khz 149dB 77dB - Looks comparable in usage to many similar microphones: guitar, vocals, etc. - Uses a high-pass filter the removes frequencies below 80Hz - Uses a 10dB pad that increases the SPL to 159dB Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Super- 50 Hz - 16 khz none found unable to - Commonly used in live performance situations due to its feedback rejection. - Humbucking coil reduces excess noise from lighting and other electronics (again, commonly used in live performance situations). - Super- pattern is uniform/symmetrical throughout the frequency range; reduces off-axis coloration and feedback. - Possibly good for harmonica OR an artist whose performance depends on replicating a live show. Shure Beta 57A Dynamic Super- 50 Hz - 16 khz none found unable to - Very similar in specification to the beta 58a, but geared toward instrumental use rather than vocal use. - The SPL must be high because it can be used to handle the loudest of snare drums, guitar amplifiers, along with brass, woodwinds, and vocals. Royer R-122 Ribbon 30 Hz - 15 khz >135 db @ 20Hz < 20dB - Very sturdy in comparison to some ribbon mics! - Ideal for vocals, piano, drum overheads; but can also handle close micʼd applications. - Produces a very transparent reproduction of the audio source. - Has a relatively high SPL for a ribbon microphone. ; allows for high output for a ribbon microphone.
AEA R92 Ribbon, crisp smooth 20 Hz - 18 khz >135dB unable to - Reduced proximity-effect and excellent wind blast protection make it ideal for close miking (6-12 inches) of guitar amps, vocals, percussion, etc. - Has a subdued bottom & a detailed midrange/upper midrange. - Can be used to get very fat/full range sounds from an electric guitar amplifier. - The front is the "crisp" side; clean and realistic high end detail. - The back is the "smooth" side; high end roll-off that can help to handle harsh transients. Sennheiser MD421 II Dynamic 30 Hz - 17 khz Very High unable to - Useful for vocal broadcast (low frequency roll-off!), and commonly used on bass guitar amplifiers, large tom-drums, etc. - uses a dynamic capsule which allows for an even signal response in both close and reasonably distant applications. - Off-axis noise and ambiance is attenuated/rejected by the cardioid polar pattern. - Uses a 5-position low frequency roll-off for flexible bass attenuation. Sennheiser E901 Half- 20 Hz - 20 khz 154dB unable to - Ideal for kick drums, bass cabinets, and other low end frequency producing instruments. - The frequency range is optimized for accurate reproduction of kick drums. - I donʼt get this, as the freq. range is listed as full... - It reproduces fast attacks and transients (often produced by... kick drums) without noise and distortion. - It uses a half-cardioid pattern to effectively reject incidental noise and signal from the rear and surface..
M130 Dynamic- Ribbon 40 Hz - 18 khz unable to Rear attenuation @ : > 25dB @ 110 degrees - Designed and used for the figure 8 style recording of vocals, and the Mid Side stereo technique. - Can also be used on strings/wind instruments. - No Phantom Required (Dynamic Ribbon) M160 Dynamic- Ribbon Hyper- 40 Hz - 18 khz unable to Side attenuation: >25dB @ 110 degrees - Used on hi-hats in drum sessions. - Can be used on string instruments, pianos, zithers, dulcimers, etc. - Chromium plated enclosure for protected use in television and film studios. Opus Drum Set M Assorted Selection 99 = hyper 87 = cardioid 88 = cardioid 83 = cardioid Average of 35Hz -19 khz 99:????? 87: 136dB 88: 136dB 83: 138dB 99:???? 87: 64dB 88: 64dB 83: 60dB - Kick: Opus 99 dynamic mic - Snare: Opus 87* condenser, affected by proximity - Toms: Opus 88* condenser, affected by proxmity - OverHeads: Opus 83* FET condenser, HUGELY affected by proximity. - Each condenser is subject to a +8 to +10dB boost below 100Hz when placed within 2cm of the source. - *Takes +12V or +48V Phantom Power, though +48V is recommended. GrooveTubes GT67 w/ tube electronics Hyper- 20 Hz - 20 khz 147dB w/ pad discontinued, unable to - Seems like it would be good to use on vocals, guitar, and assorted drum placement (hi-hat) - 10dB pad, - 75 Hz lowcut filter