Lot of new Microphones get introduced in the market all the time; after all ‘recording’ is big business and its an important component of any recording studio.
So finding a good set of mics for your studio can be time-consuming, a better approach to buy mics would be to just focus on a small group of ‘go to’ mics (that the majority uses and have been around for some time).
Obviously, this doesn’t mean that the new ones are bad, but some products are like ever-green products – tried & tested, and most professional prefer using these.
These mics can handle a wide range of recording needs, without breaking the bank or compromising on the quality, and have been around for some time.
Among this select group of vintage recording microphones, here are my favorites: Shure SM58, Shure SM57, Sennheiser MD421, Rode NT1/Rode N2.
The good thing about these mics is that you may also be able to find them ‘used’, if budget is a constraint or if you come across one that is maintained well. These are robust, made with really solid casings, and are built to last. If you come across a used mic (like the SM57 or SM58), that looks okay & works well, by all means go for it.
In terms of price, the Shure ones are cheaper (around 100 bucks), whereas the other models are in excess of couple of hundred dollars!
Shure SM58
Built like a tank, the SM58 is the most popular dynamic mic to go to. It producers a good clean sound and it works great both on stage and in a studio environment.
The SM58 is known for being used for recording drum kits but to be honest it can handle any recording task: guitar, vocals, snares (and other drums), piano, flutes you name it, it records it. You can generally find this mic for around $60-$80.
Alternatives – SM57, Audix i5, Beyer M88
Video Review of Shure SM58
The Sennheiser MD421
Priced in the range $300-$400 (lesser for the used models), the Sennheiser MD-421 has a nice 5 position freq control switch and is used in almost all the recording studios, especially for mic’ing bass drums and tom toms.
Great Alternatives – Shure SM58, Audix i5 and the SM57
Video Review of Sennheiser MD 421 Broadcast Microphone
AKG D112 Aka The Egg
The AKG D112 is the go to mic for mic’ing kick drums as well as upright basses. If you can find the older D12 go for it (it’s the better of the 2) but if you can’t then go ahead and get the D112. Both mics will get the job well.
The AKG D12 can be purchased for $200-$400 (just depends on where you go) and the AKG D112 for half that amount.
Alternatives – Audix D4, Audix D6
Rode NT1/NT1A
These mics go a long way back, and years back it used to be sky/baby blue, and every local studio had it in their arsenal. This mic is now discontinued but is always brought back in an anniversary package of some sort.
What makes the NT1A great is it’s warmth and texture on vocals which competes with mics in a higher price range (such as the Neumanns, not 100% of course but close enough).
The newer version of this mic is the NT2-A which includes the same warmth and characteristics but with a few more features such as: Multiple polar patterns (Omni, cardioid, figure 8), High pass filter (40hz or 80hz) as well as pad (0, -5 or -10db).
Alternatives – Shure KSM27
Here are Some More Older Recording Mics Worth Going After…
The ‘Salt Shaker’ Altec 633a
This mic was prominent in the 40’s and 50’s good for vocals but works much better on kick and snare drums as well as guitars. You can find this mic for less than $100 most of the time.
Electro Voice 666
Rock solid casing, this one gets used for drums, bass, piano, vocals, trumpets, anything! It’s a perfect all around mic to have in the studio. The 666 can be found on eBay between $150-$200 another mic worth it’s price – True Vintage!
AKG D19
This vintage mic gained it’s claim to fame furring the 1960’s when The Beatles Engineer Geoff Emerick used it for the Pepper’s Sessions. It’s really good for vocals (has a British sound) and runs for $200-$300. This was the go to mic for groups such as The Beatles and Artists like Jimmy Hendrix.
Electra-Voice RE20
Built like a tank and versatile to a fault, the professional quality EV RE20 has been a mainstay in studios (as well as broadcast facilities) for well over 35 years.
Great on low-frequency instruments such as bass cabs and kick drum, the RE20 also excels as a tom mic and can also be used for recording electric guitar. It includes a bass roll-off switch.
Priced around $400, slightly less for older models. Alternatives: EV RE11, Sennheiser MD421, Shure SM57
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