Top 5 Microphones You can't live without

[RedEye]

The question always comes up for 'best' gear, including microphones. Around here 'best' is a four letter word and the first comments out of everyone's keyboard are always:
'There is no best'
'Depends what you're recording'
'Go read tweak's guide'

So, to avoid all the hullabaloo of this stuff, let's get everyone to list their top 5 microphones they can't live without. Then we'll add the totals and list the top 10 microphones people can't live without. This should help new people choose what microphones people are getting and why.

In this regard, the only rule here is to post ONLY if you've had experience with 5 or more microphones. Whether or not you currently still own the gear is not a factor, so long as you can review the microphone in general. I know people in general will tend to say good things about their gear, so let's let experience do the talking. For those who think this is unfair, let it be known that I myself am putting myself out of this list because I haven't experienced using more than 4 mics.

Please also list the qualities that the microphones have so that a brief description of the item can be included.

This is VERY different from having a poll of having the best because it should give more information, rather than just seeing which people like.

[MASSIVE Mastering]

SM7b

SM57's (several)

SM81's (several)

C414 (at least a pair)

U87

But even with those, there can be plenty of "play" -- The 7b is pretty unique, as is the 57. The 81's are great, but I could use a dozen different mics - some better for some things, yada, yada, Josephson 22's, Avenson STO's, blah, blah, blah. The 414's are really flexible... The U87 when you want to pick up exactly what's in front of it (very rare, but that happens).

[nanashiwanderer]

I can't name 5 that are must haves. I've used several. I can name 5 types. The two I always want on me which are mostly because I record bands...

Sennhieser MD421s (at least a pair)
Shure SM57s (a couple)


Large Diaphragm Condensor thats neutral (it more or less picks up whats in front of it) Studio Projects B1 are a cheap example .

A good set of small diaphragms cardoids. mostly for overheads
A good kick drum/bass microphone depends on style/taste.

[tecnolover]

SM81 (own)
SM57 (own)

[_controlfreak]

SM81 (own)
SM57 (own)

[joelpilling]

SM57 is going to be on many peoples list.
As well as a SDC and a neutral LDC I would suspect.
Then hopefully a large diaphragm dynamic and some random mic.

[Weasel9992]

2 Cascade Fat Head II's
A bunch of SM57's
SM7b
D112 or Beta 52
Couple of SM81's

Weez

[RedEye]

For those who say get a <insert type of microphone> please insert an example of said type that you would reccomend above the others. Those looking might not know what would be consdered a good <insert type of microphone>

Also please add what these microphones sound like or what makes them different from other microphones. I don't want anyone making a decision on purchasing these just because they are on the list. Just because everyone says it's a 'must have' doesn't mean it will be right for someone's particular use.

I'll eventually change the first post to reflect the totals and add the description of the items listed.

[nanashiwanderer]

For those who say get a <insert type of microphone> please insert an example of said type that you would reccomend above the others. Those looking might not know what would be consdered a good <insert type of microphone>

Also please add what these microphones sound like or what makes them different from other microphones. I don't want anyone making a decision on purchasing these just because they are on the list. Just because everyone says it's a 'must have' doesn't mean it will be right for someone's particular use.

I'll eventually change the first post to reflect the totals and add the description of the items listed.

theres a good reason why I didn't mention examples other than SM57 or MD421 (Which most pro studios have multiples of). Its precisely because theres not 5 "must haves". having a flexible mic cabinet depends entirely on the context of what your doing, and tastes.


The D112/Audix D6/Beta 52a are all common choices for kick and bass which is better than next is purely subjective. A professional mic cabinet with a lot of flexibility would probably have at least two of these. The home studio guy would be fine picking the one he likes best. But its impossible to say one is better than the next.

[Steven mc.]

U87
Sm7
421
Sm57
sm81

[tecnolover]

SM81 (own)
SM57 (own)

Yeh, yeh ... I already saw the 5 thing, but I figured giving my measley 2 mics (actually 3 with my SM58 but I don't count that one as it's essentially a 57 with a ball top) was better than not posting anything. haha. Besides whats significant about 5 ? Is it any less significant if you only own a few? If they are good mics, they are good mics and I can't live without these.

[tbuenger]

SM81 (own)
SM57 (own)

That's hilarious right there!

SM57 (can never have too many of these) (own)

SM81 (don't own yet, but will) NT-1's & NT-5's are filling in for now

Mojave (own) (I seem to be using this more often; currently tracking a band for an EP who can't put it down)

Neumann U87 (don't own yet)

SM58 (own half dozen of these) [screamo bands more comfortable with these)

[RedEye]

theres a good reason why I didn't mention examples other than SM57 or MD421 (Which most pro studios have multiples of). Its precisely because theres not 5 "must haves". having a flexible mic cabinet depends entirely on the context of what your doing, and tastes.

Which is exactly what the intention of making this thread was for. Not everyone here has a pro studio and the funds to experiment with every mic until they land on what they want. I'm willing to bet most people here reading and lurking are having a hard time finding good mics for them let alone being able to have a 'flexible mic cabinet'. Listing what people more experienced with mics can't live without, why they can't live without them, and what sound these mics make that they can't live without them helps non pros on choosing mics.

...At least that's the intent.

[Rimskidog]

I cant live without any of my mics but if I had to choose 5 and was on a budget then for flexibility at a great price I'd go with an SM57, a cascade fathead, an SM81 (better still a pair but I guess that adds up to 6 mics), an Oktava 219 and an SM7

[nanashiwanderer]

...At least that's the intent.

but I think it misses it. If you've spent time reading what pros have to say their hordes of gearslutz. You'll realize there tastes are subjective. All of them have different must haves. Studio-central there are fewer pros so you'll see more consensus...

[adhesive]

Studio-central there are fewer pros so you'll see more consensus...

That's actually a really good point that I hadn't considered before. Not only that, but some of the pros here are "disciples" (for lack of a better word) of others, having acquired some of their gear thanks to the formerly smaller pool of pro advice. So there is definitely some deliciously nasty incest going on!

[kernmount]

So there is definitely some deliciously nasty incest going on!

ew.

Anyhoo...

SM57
SM58
Audix D6
KSM137
Green Bullet

I also have a SP B3 and Behringer B2. I like it, but I can live without them.

[nanashiwanderer]

. I'm willing to bet most people here reading and lurking are having a hard time finding good mics for them let alone being able to have a 'flexible mic cabinet'. Listing what people more experienced with mics can't live without, why they can't live without them, and what sound these mics make that they can't live without them helps non pros on choosing mics.

It seems like this might better serve your goal. I'm doesn't playing exactly by the rules. This is a list of popular recommendations on this forum for under 500$. I've listed either the microphone type or application. If I write work horse, its one that your going to see come up in the gear list of a lot of professional studios. If I've written standard. Its more or less on the gear list of most professional studios. I've restricted the budget to 600.00 I don't want to enter the world of highend condensors/ and ribbons in this world its a lot like choosing higher end pres. Its very subjective, and one cardoid condensor large diaphragm over the next depends on the source and what ones going for.

Condensors are cardioid unless otherwise noted. Ribbons are Figure 8 if noted. Multi polar patterns assumes Cardoid/Figure 8/Omni unless other wise stated.

If you bought a pair of all the work horse I think any one would call your mic cabinet well equipped. Most everything 350$ and up will be found in a few professional cabinets... Most all the dynamics at any price point are found in some professional cabinets.



Shure SM57 (100$) all around instrument mic considered studio standard
Shure SM58 (100$) Dynamic Vocal Mic considered studio standard
Audix I5 complementary instrument mic popular for snares
Studio Projects B1 value budget condensor especially good for instruments also good for over heads. (125$)

Audix F15/MXL603s/MXL991- Low end budget condensor that has slightly brittle highend. Can be used as an introductory set of microphones useful on acoustics

AKG Perception 200, Studio Projects C1 and RODE NT1a popular budget large diaphragm vocal condensors. Studio Projects C1 is probably the best reputed of the bunch. Though its subjective. (200- 250$)

Sennhieser E604/MD504 (same mic more or less) popular tom mic, also can be used for guitar some times vocals. (160$)

Audix D2- another popular tom mic

AKG D112/Shure Beta 52a/Audix D6 popular choices and studio workhorses for bass drums and bass guitars. the D112 is a studio standard

Cascade Fathead/Fathead II- 200$ ribbon microphone, commonly used for any task you would use a ribbon for. More expensive version with ludhal transformers available

M-Audio Solaris 3 Polar pattern large diapragm condensors- massive and tweak really like this one. Good chocie for instruments/over head

RODE NT5/KSM109- Decent Small Diaphragm Condensers (180$-200$)

Oktava MK012- switchable capsules for multi polar patterns
(studio work horse)


Shure SM7b Large diaphragm dynamic (vocal & instrument Microphone)
(studio work horse)

Electrovoice RE20 Large diaphragm Dynamic (Vocals, secondary instruments) studio work horses

Shure SM81- popular small diaphragm condensor (studio work horse)


Sennhieser MD421-popular large diaphragm dynamic (instrument microphone & vocals). (Studio Workhorse)

Beyer Dynamic M260- Inexpensive Ribbon Hyper Cardoid (vocals) 350$

RODE NT2A- Popular large diaphragm condensor with multi patterns

Audio Technica AT4033 (400.00) popular large diaphrag condensor. Not discussed a lot here but very common choice out side this formula for the mid price segment.

Audio Technica AT4050 (600.00) multi polar pattern large diaphragm condensor

Josephen C42 (400.00) small diaphragm Condensor

Avenson STO-2 (500.00) Small diaphragm Omni Condensor



Beyer Dynamic M160- Double Ribbon Hyper Cardoid (Vocals) 600$

Beyer Dynamic M130- Double Ribbon figure 8

Audio Technica AT4050- Large diaphragm condensor with multi polar patterns.

[otisinc]

Shure Sm7
Shure Sm57
Neumann U87 (ill settle for a Mojave clone)
Senn. MD421
Royer 121 (settle for a Fathead)

[Weasel9992]

Love the Mojave....it's a U47 clone though. Wish I had another MA-200.

Weez

[adriannortier]

Shure SM57 - does whatever you need it to
AKG C414 - Best vocals ever
Shure SM81 - great on almost anything
Shure KSM109 - warmer that the 81 with a mid range boost
Shure Beta 52 - anything with a low end.

with these 5 mics you can record a demo album of a whole band (i have done it), even 5 mic'ing a drum kit with SM81 on overhead left (from drummer), picking up crash and tom 1 and 2 in the process, sm57 on snare, KSM109 on overhead right getting tom3 and ride,beta 52 on kick and last c414 on hihat, this gives a great sound on hat and gives a reasonable pickup of the snare and in a good room will give you an extra bit of rounding on the kick too.

[tbuenger]

Love the Mojave....it's a U47 clone though. Wish I had another MA-200.

Weez

I say I must agree on the MA-200. Love it! If you can't have a U47....well, the MA-200 is the next best thing!!!

[Blue Bear Sound]

Electrovoice RE20 - great for voice, guitars, kick, bass
AKG 451B (or even better - the original 451) - very clean small dias - overheads, ac gtr, percussion
Audio-Technica ATM25 - great on toms, el gtr
Shure Beta 52 - no-brainer for kick, bass gtr - anything with low-end
Rode NT2A - workhorse large dias - smooth, great presence - good for vocals, ac gtr, overheads, voiceovers

Those are pretty much workhorse mics that cover a wide range of applications.........

[tbuenger]

Been a few months since my first list...

FIRST LIST:

SM57 (can never have too many of these) (own)

SM81 (don't own yet, but will) NT-1's & NT-5's are filling in for now

Mojave MA-200 (own) (I seem to be using this more often; currently tracking a band for an EP who can't put it down)

Neumann U87 (don't own yet)

SM58 (own half dozen of these) [screamo bands more comfortable with these)

============= NEW LIST - added 7b ===========================

SM57 (can never have too many of these) (own)

SM81 (don't own yet, but will) NT-1's & NT-5's are filling in for now

Mojave MA-200 (own one)

AKG 4050 (own one) (great all around mic)

SM7b (own one) [an absolute workhorse that I use primarily for male rock vocals....forgivenally (is that a word?)]

[Multiman]

C414B ULS
AKG SE300B (+ CK91, CK92 caps) pair
SM57

Could live without the rest.