Have a bit of a budget? Here are eight options that will level up your at-home tones.
There are a million places where you can find the first handful of mics you need when you start to record. But what about when you have the basics down and need to get to the next level? I’ve gathered info about eight different mics that might hit your wallet a bit harder, but the results will be well worth it.
Shure KSM137
A matched pair of these ubiquitous condenser mics works wonders on piano, acoustic guitars, and even drum sets. The KSM137s sport a gold-layered Mylar diaphragm, subsonic filter, and a 3-position pad.
$699/pair
shure.com
Sennheiser MD 441-U
This dynamic mic is perfect for when you need pinpoint precision. It includes a treble boost, 5-position low-frequency contour switch, and a hum-compensating coil.
$1,099 street
sennheiser.com
AKG C414 XLII
This multi-pattern condenser mic is a bona fide classic. It can handle nine different polar patterns, features three different bass-cut filters, and gives you an LED light to keep an eye on clipping.
$1,319 street
akg.com
Neumann U 87 Ai
As one of the most legendary mics ever made, this new iteration has been updated with modern circuitry, switchable 10 dB pre-attenuation, and three directional characteristics.
$3,295 street
neumann.com
AEA N22
This active ribbon mic houses a custom-made German transformer, and a maximum SPL of 141 dB, so let those amps cook! It combines both vintage and modern elements in the RCA tradition.
$1,099 street
aearibbonmics.com
Royer R-121
The company’s flagship microphone might be the only mic to win a Grammy. The figure-8 pattern offers increased sensitivity, can handle very high SPLs, and gives equal response from either the front or back of the element.
$1,499 street
royerlabs.comom
Earthworks QTC50
This omni-directional condenser mic has plenty of headroom to capture even the loudest of audio sources. QTC (Quiet Time Coherent) allows the mic to excel even at lower volumes with strings, vocals, and distant sound sources.
$1,399 streetearthworksaudio.com
Telefunken ELA M 260
Originally released in the ’60s, this modern version features a new-old-stock EF732 vacuum tube along with a thread-on TK6x Series capsule that provides cardioid, hypercardioid, and omni polar patterns.
$1,295 street
telefunken-elektroakustik.com
Now that he’s ditched heavy amps for a digital rig, the melodic shredder shares his secrets for utilizing modern modeling tech.
You’ve spent time and money putting your home-recording rig together, so don’t skimp on the critical component for listening.
It’s not just about avoiding angering your neighbors (or significant other) with late-night tracking, mastering, or mixing. Quality headphones for your studio efforts are a must-have. Here are 10 solid options between $100 and $300.
ATH-M50x
These headphones have contoured earcups for superior sound isolation and minimal bleed, and feature durable yet comfortable materials for long sessions in the studio.
HD 300 PROtect
Featuring highly sensitive transducers and precision diaphragms, these headphones also offer Active Gard technology to protect hearing from sound pressure levels above 110 dB.
DT 770 Pro
Intended for critical sound monitoring, these headphones were designed to provide a neutral listening environment with excellent isolation and impulse response.
SRH1440
Designed for mastering and critical listening, these professional open-back headphones are reported to provide full-range audio with detailed highs and rich bass.
K702
These reference studio headphones boast accurate response and spaciousness, which is achieved through their flat-wire voice coils and a patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm.
MDR-7510
Offering high power handling capability, neodymium magnets, and oxygen-free-copper voice coils, these headphones utilize polyethylene terephthalate diaphragms for their 50 mm drivers.
Listen Professional
The design goal of these music-production headphones is to keep all the dynamics from an original track, while accurately reproducing every detail on the entire audio spectrum.
MPH-4
These monitoring headphones provide an over-ear, noise-isolating design, and feature 50 mm drivers with extended frequency response as well as plush ear cushions for extended comfort.
T60RP
Featuring Fostex’s proprietary Regular Phase technology diaphragms for high accuracy in monitoring, these headphones also offer mahogany housings and low-repulsion ear pads.