CHAPTER 5 :
The Home Studio Microphone Guide
Types of Mics:
- Condencer microphone
- Rybon microphone
- Dynamic microphones
Pickup Patterns
Mic Picks for the Home Studio

Rode NTK $529
Condenser (Large Diaphragm)
A cardioid vacuum tube condenser that works equally well on flutes and vocals (it was used on vocals for Nickelback’s Long Road). Described as “warm” and “flattering” without adding its fingerprint to the recorded track. Its sister, the Rode K2 ($699) has multiple polar patterns and sounds particularly good on acoustic guitar.

Neumann KM 184 $850
Condenser (Small Diaphragm)
A studio staple cardioid condenser described as “accurate and exceptional” on all things stringed. Best used in rooms with good acoustics as its
accuracy can accentuate your room’s trouble spots, particularly if there are any extraneous sound sources (computers, fans, etc.).

Shure KSM44A $999
Condenser (Large Diaphragm)
Multi-pattern cardioid, omnidirectional condenser mic that works well on just about any sound
source, including piano, acoustic guitar, and strings. Also a nice choice when a little more richness in tone would benefit a vocalist.

Blue Microphones Woodpecker $1,000
Ribbon
An active (accepts phantom power) ribbon, the Woodpecker has an output signal that exceeds typical ribbon mics. Great for brass, acoustic guitars, and amps, though the higher output
might require mic placement experimentation
to quiet down some of the high end output.

AKG C414 XLS $1,049
Condenser (Large Diaphragm) Featuring nine polar patterns for a wide variety of uses, the C414 is a thoroughbred vocal mic with a long
history (it was first introduced in 1971). It is also exceptional on acoustic guitar and piano.
The C414 XL II ($1,099) is an excellent mic for acoustic instruments, and one that adds a bit of brightness on guitar amps.

Neumann TLM 103 $1,100
Condenser (Large Diaphragm)
The next step up from the 102, the TLM 103 is also a cardioid mic used by professional broadcasters and pro studios around the world. Boasting a very natural sound, for a “high-level” home studio, this is a high-quality general purpose mic.

Mojave Audio MA-300 $1,295
Condenser (Large Diaphragm) Mojave, which is Royer’s non-ribbon division, expanded on the MA-200 tube condenser (a fixed cardioid) to
include multiple patterns . Use on vocals, as overheads, percussion, and especially acoustic guitar.

Rode Classic II $2,099
Condenser (Large Diaphragm) Tube mic with a warm and rich tone. Its primary purpose is for vocals, but with nine polar patterns (cardioid, omni, and everything in between) it’s great for use on all sorts of acoustic instruments and even drum overheads (with a good sturdy mic stand).

Neumann U 87 Ai $3,600
Condenser (Large Diaphragm)
Professional studio, multi-pattern (omni, cardioid,) condenser mic that delivers unparalleled detail and dynamic sound, the U 87’s sonic signature can be heard on many hit records. Selected by Sound on Sound
magazine readers as ”the best microphone,
period.”

AKG C12 VR $4,999
Condenser (Large Diaphragm)
The AKG C12’s history dates back to the early ‘50s. Manufactured in Austria it is widely regarded as the most “exclusive and sought after mic ever built.” A vacuum tube mic with nine
polar patterns, AKG’s C12 VR is a modern take on the original.