Shure SM7B Review: Vocal Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

10/10

Shure SM7B is a legendary high-end dynamic microphone, often used on radio stations, for podcasting, voiceovers and studio recording as well. Many people believe that to get the best sound it is somewhat mandatory to use only the expensive condensers like Neumann and similar. This microphone can easily prove them wrong. Three times cheaper than TLM 103 and 8 times cheaper than U37, it is capable of producing just as good, and in some occasions,…

The Messy Nessie – Blue Nessie USB mic review

3.5/10

Blue Nessie is a relatively new and fancy-looking USB mic with just about decent sound quality. It has some interesting features like switchable recording modes and a touch sensor mute button. The stand is quite tall and it almost raises the mic to the head level but it also makes for a larger footprint. Nevertheless, the stand is non-detachable and the whole complexity of that eye-sticking-out-of-the-socket design makes it vulnerable without providing any feasible advantage….

Samson Meteorite USB review – cheap, small and hot!

5/10

Samson Meteorite is a cheap USB mic with a small footprint, compatible with Mac and PC. It also works for IPad when combined with a Lightning USB adaptor, which is not included by the way. However, an obscenely short and flimsy cable creates limitations, so it’s hard to justify using it for anything other than a MacBook or a laptop. Samson says the mic’s pickup pattern is cardioid but that’s a lie. Meteorite has a…

Lewitt DTP Beat Kit Pro 7 Review, Shipped From Heaven

10/10

Editor's Choice

Lewitt DTP Beat Kit Pro 7 is a stunning quality premium set of drum mics that beats pretty much anything in the $1,000 range. The value for money is simply amazing, because this kit includes two externally polarized LCT 340 as overheads, for which alone it is actually worth buying! Toms, snare and kick mics are excellent too – for dynamics, they offer a breathtaking amount of detail and clarity without compromising their low-end response….

Shure SM81-LC: Cardioid Instrument Mic Review

9.5/10

Shure SM81-LC is a very neutral and transparent instrument condenser with electret bias. It is mainly used in studios for recording of guitars, pianos and cymbals but it’s also suitable for a wide range of different instruments. It is considered industry standard and although there are plenty of different SDCs available on the market today, few of them can quite match the old Shure in terms of quality. SM81 offers excellent definition, very consistent highs, low…

CAD e70 Review – Dual Capsule Pencil mic

8/10

CAD e70 is an excellent quality pencil mic with interchangeable omni and cardioid capsules. Very natural sounding, it is crisp and has plenty of air with a nice sparkling flavor. This mic also features fine low end, which really nails the sound of an acoustic guitar. Not thin, not too deep, and just about right to handle the most instruments. There are of course exceptions: if you want to achieve warmer and richer sound, you’re…

8/10

AKG C1000s is an inexpensive all-around mic with a switchable cardioid / hypercardioid pattern. It has a signature bright sound that creates an illusion of higher fidelity but also helps to clear up the sound in a live environment. Definitely not the highest quality mic, but if used correctly it can produce very decent results for instruments and female vocals. For videographers, of course I don’t recommend it. There are simply no viable mics at…

8/10

Sennheiser e835 is a budget mic of above average quality that has a very distinct wide cardioid pattern. As such, it offers minimum proximity effect and it’s quite forgiving if the talent goes a bit off axis. This mic is very easy to handle and it will be ideal for presenters, churches and other non-critical applications. It can produce quite clean, unobtrusive and intelligible voice as long as you don’t push it to the limits,…

Audio-Technica AT2035 Review – Best Affordable LDC

9/10

AT2035 is an inexpensive back electret condenser from Audio Technica that boasts pretty clear and balanced sound with low noise floor. This mic is a veeery good tradeoff between price and quality and hence, an ideal choice for home studios where budget is a factor. AT2035 has cardioid polar pattern and large diaphragm that actually works for both vocals and instruments. Having said that, the essential features of pad and low pass make it an…

Shure MV5 Review – Portable USB microphone

7.8/10

This device reminds us of legendary ‘Elvis Microphone’ except it is digital… and, it is packed with new features! Shure MV5 is a solid USB mic that boasts very decent quality at reasonable price (probably the best in up to $100 category). It is portable and highly compatible with Windows, Mac, iPad, iOS, iPhone and Android. Although it may lack the clarity of more expensive mics, the difference is not that huge. On a positive…

Apogee MiC 96k for Mac, iPad & iPhone review

4/10

Apogee MiC 96k behind the simple look offers a polished performance alongside with native Apple compatibility. This device brings a smooth experience for users of iPhone, iPad, Mac and new iPod. However, Microsoft Windows and likely other operating systems are not supported. As the name suggests the mic supports up to 96k sampling rate via 24 bit DAC. Paired with Core Audio interface it also results in a very low latency and can give demanding…

CAD U37 – budget USB mic unbiased review

7/10

CAD U37 is a very cheap USB mic and while some may not take it seriously, it actually offers the best bang for the buck. Despite having some disadvantages, overall quality is quite decent. This mic is mainly designed for situations that don’t demand maximum performance. Particularly, it will be a great choice for Skype, amateur videos and even gaming. Musicians who make simple covers for YouTube will also probably find it suitable. If this…

Sennheiser e935 Review – Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

9.6/10

Editor's Choice

Sennheiser e935 is a very powerful but inexpensive handheld. It has a beautifully balanced sound and clarity of a condenser mic. On the other hand, it is quite unpretentious and works wonderfully for both female and deeper male voices. As a cardioid microphone, it sounds more natural than its supercardioid brother e945 and that is expected. What we find most striking is the level of feedback rejection – it is simply incredible… Works not only…

10/10

Editor's Choice

Introduction. NT1 is a new all-purpose LDC from Rode with a truly exceptional sound. It resembles the appearance of older NT1-A, however, the inside has been redesigned from scratch. Comparing to predecessors the sound has become clearer, purer and far more natural, showing a tremendous improvement in every single aspect! As a large diaphragm mic, it also has a very neutral response, which is a privilege of expensive professional units. Particularly, it is very similar to…

9/10

Shure KSM9 is a professional on-stage condenser mic. This model is renowned and remains a favorite choice of many musicians. It offers a natural, open sound, with a very balanced low-end, beautifully smooth midrange and brilliant highs. Giving just enough brightness to put you in line or slightly ahead of the instruments, I find it working great for all types of voices too. As expected from professional equipment, you’ll get that superior quality and low noise levels. The unique…

Shure PG Alta Drum Kit 7 Review (PGADRUMKIT7)

10/10

Editor's Choice

Here come the latest 7-piece drum mics from Shure, which rely on their new model range called “PG Alta” or simply “PGA”. Those microphones are highly cost-effective and yet retain that professional quality for which Shure is renowned. If you cannot afford premium sets of drum mics and still want to get every bit of quality, then PGADRUMKIT7 will be your best investment. For only about $500, you are offered a complete package with a…

Rode NT-USB: USB Recording Microphone Review

9.5/10

Rode NT-USB is one of the best USB mics that beats anything in the under $200 range. It brings exceptional for USB quality without the need for special drivers or any additional 3rd party equipment. Neither is it overly expensive as it offers a solid and durable build, not skimping on quality components. The design is well thought out and provides for a handy headphone monitor and a pair of solid controls. It also comes with a well-fitted pop shield and…

Audio Technica AT829CW Lavalier Microphone Review

8/10

Audio Technica AT829CW is a quality lavalier mic designed specifically for AT body-pack wireless transmitter. If you do not have one yet, you may also get it in bundle with transmitter. This makes a very good all-purpose combo that I recommend above all for the price. Note: the mic uses a unique four-pin connector that is different from XLR, so it won’t work with devices from other vendors. However, although XLR is technically more compatible,…

AKG D112 Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone Review

9/10

AKG D112 is a classic mic for kick drums that features large diaphragm, designed for high sound pressure and can handle quite a bit of vibrations. Typically, dynamic mics never boast having balanced frequency charts, especially when meant for kick recording where all you’d probably hope for is a decent low-end. Surprisingly, D112 is rather the exception. This mic is more or less accurate throughout its entire range of up to 17 kHz, and it doesn’t…

Audio-Technica PRO70 Cardioid XLR Lavalier Review

10/10

Editor's Choice

AT Pro 70 is an affordable, professional lavalier that comes with a battery pack and a standard XLR output. Ideal for both voice and instruments it also includes a handy instrument mount in the package. This microphone uses phantom power to polarize the capsule. Phantom power can be either supplied externally or generated by the battery. It’s quite useful, especially if your device does not produce the phantom power by itself. Powered by a single…

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cardioid

Shure SM7B Review: Vocal Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

The Messy Nessie – Blue Nessie USB mic review

Samson Meteorite USB review – cheap, small and hot!

Lewitt DTP Beat Kit Pro 7 Review, Shipped From Heaven

Shure SM81-LC: Cardioid Instrument Mic Review

CAD e70 Review – Dual Capsule Pencil mic

AKG C1000s Multipattern SDC Review

Sennheiser e835 Cardioid Dynamic Review

Audio-Technica AT2035 Review – Best Affordable LDC

Shure MV5 Review – Portable USB microphone

Apogee MiC 96k for Mac, iPad & iPhone review

CAD U37 – budget USB mic unbiased review

Sennheiser e935 Review – Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Rode NT1 Cardioid LDC Microphone Review

Shure KSM9 Condenser Microphone Review

Shure PG Alta Drum Kit 7 Review (PGADRUMKIT7)

Rode NT-USB: USB Recording Microphone Review

Audio Technica AT829CW Lavalier Microphone Review

AKG D112 Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone Review

Audio-Technica PRO70 Cardioid XLR Lavalier Review

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