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| Professional Microphones | | |
| Type/ Model | approx cost | Brian's Notes |
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| Small DiaphragmCondenser Microphones | | General notes on small diaphragm condensor mics: they do a good job of capturing high harmonics that helps to accurately capture the sound of acoustic instruments, but since they have a narrow pickup pattern, they need to be close to the sound source (and it's best to have two) -a great choice if you're playing an acoustic instrument but not singing at the same time. |
| Shure SM81 | $350 | Good quality but the frequency response isn't as even as others. Still a good value for the money. |
| AKG C 535 | $350 | Good quality mic with an even frequency response |
| Neumann KMS 105 | $700 | Very high quality, my vocal mic of choice for stage |
| Neumann KM 184 | $800 | Very high quality, one of my favorite instrument mics |
| AKG C1000 | $200 | Also good quality |
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| Large DiaphragmCondenser Microphones | | General notes on large diaphragm condensor mics: they also do a good job of capturing high harmonics, but since the pickup pattern is much wider, it will pick up both a singer and their instrument or even two performers. These are an excellent choice for singers. If your budget only allows for only one microphone, I'd suggest that it be one of these because they're so versitle and are worthwhile investments because they hold their resale value. |
| Audix SCX-25 | $800 | My choice for multiple singers on stage |
| Shure KSM 32 | $500 | Also very popular for this purpose - an excellent all-purpose microphone |
| Shure SM27 | $300 | Good value from a realiable brand |
| Ear Trumpet Labs "Louise" model | $640 | Popular with folk musicians for some reason. I do not recommend the "Edwina" model but the "Louise" has a decent frequency response and sounds pretty good |
| Warm Audio WA-7 | $500 | Good quality from a new company |
| Studio Projects B3 | $160 | A decent (but not great) microphone at an attractive price point |
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| Instrument Microphones - Dynamic | | Dynamic microphones will not capture high harmonics as well but are better at handling transient signals (like drums or percussion) so are a good choce for brass of all sorts, some woodwinds and percussion. |
| Shure SM 57 | $100 | Very common for live sound, designed for rock n roll. A decent, inexpensive microphone. |
| Beyerdynamic M 201 | $300 | Warm-sounding instrument mic |
| Electro-Voice RE20 | $450 | My mic of choice for all brass, some woodwinds and lower-pitched percusson instruments |
| AKG D112 | $200 | Good for bass drums and other lower-pitched percusson instruments |
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| Vocal Microphones - Dynamic | | |
| Shure SM58 | $100 | Very common for live sound, designed for rock n roll |
| Electro-Voice PL80 | $100 | Smoother sound than Shure SM58 |
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| USB Microphones | | General notes on USB microphones: these will never match the audio quality of professional micophones used with an audio interface, but they are budget-friendly and some sound pretty good. Note that these types of microphones do not hold thier resale value nearly as well as others. |
| Apogee “Mic Plus” | $260 | Uses a standard USB cable. Has a headphone jack. Overall sound quality is decent. |
| Shure MV88 | $150 | Stays attached to the phone- it must be placed far enough away to get a good camera angle. Mic volume and polar pattern adjustment using an iPhone app. Also had eq & compression. Has a headphone jack. Quality will not come close to professional mics. |
| iRig Mic Cast | $100 | Stays attached to the phone, which must be distant for good camera coverage, has headphone output. Quality will not come close to professional mics. |
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| Audio Interfaces- external | | General notes on audio interfaces: there is an ever-expanding array of offerings, I would suggest staying with the more established, larger manufacturers, especially if you're going to be using it with a Microsoft Windows machine. |
| Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 | $160 | Entry level price for a highly respected brand, sometimes comes with free Pro Tools software |
| MOTU M2 | $170 | Also a highly respected brand |
| Universal Audio Apollo | $475 | The highest quality prosumer audio interface. Comes with very high quality audio plugins |
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