An Introduction to Compression: Basic Compression - A Free Guide from Audio Masterclass

An Introduction to Equalization - A Free Guide from Audio Masterclass

Equipping Your Home Recording Studio - A Free Guide from Audio Masterclass
Facebook social media iconTwitter social media iconYouTube social media iconSubmit to Reddit

Seven PRO microphones compared - with audio!

Can you tell the difference between a $100 dollar microphone and a $3500 microphone, all recorded in exactly the same way, with the same sound source. If you can't, you might save yourself $3400 dollars!

By David Mellor
Monday January 30, 2006
FREE VIDEO DOWNLOAD ►
Come on the FREE COURSE TOUR

The recent microphone preamplifier tests were illuminating. The conclusions were these...

  • Many people were bold enough to have a go at the test. Well done if you did!
  • Although people could in general tell the difference between the preamps, very few correctly identified which was the most expensive and which was the least expensive.
  • It wasn't a good idea to ask people to comment on the microphones as well as the preamps. Within its own terms of reference the preamp test was solid. However the microphone test introduced two variables where there should only have been one.

So... what we need is a proper microphone test. And here it is!

Here are audio examples of seven different microphones in common professional use ranging in price from around $100 to around $3500. The parameters of the test are these...

  • The mics are all either nominally cardioid, or switched to the cardioid setting.
  • The mouth-to-mic distance is consistent in all examples at 22 centimeters.
  • The microphone is placed 10 cm above the mouth and angled down at the mouth.
  • No pop shield was used.
  • All recordings were made in a large proprietary vocal booth in the same session.
  • The recordings were made on a Pro Tools HD system to 24-bit resolution using a Focusrite Octopre preamplifier. The recordings were normalized and bounced to 16-bit .WAV files with dither.

I have four questions...

  1. Which microphone do you prefer? Why is it better than the others?
  2. Which microphone do you least prefer? Why is it worse than the others?
  3. Which microphone is your next to least preference? Why is it worse than your preferred mic?
  4. Any constructive comments on the test procedure. Given that this is a speech test, please limit your comments to speech.

Please read the questions carefully before you answer, particularly Question 3.

When you comment, please try to make your remarks useful to the many sincere and committed recording professionals and enthusiasts who use this site.

Now, the mics... (right click, save target as...)

Thank you very much. I look forward to reading your replies.

Update - you can now see the results here...

By David Mellor Monday January 30, 2006
Come on the FREE COURSE TOUR

How to Avoid These 4 Huge Mistakes In Audio

Are you making these 4 simple mistakes again and again in your home recording studio? They are easy to identify and avoid, so you don't have to. Learn more...

Free Ebook - Equipping Your Home Recording Studio

Set up your home recording studio in the very best way possible. Learn how to select equipment and solftware all the way through from microphones to monitors. Learn more...

Welcome to Professional Audio

Come on the Audio Masterclass FREE COURSE TOUR. A short series of tutorials to welcome you to the challenging world of professional audio. Learn more...

IN BRIEF

The Audio Masterclass Newsletter is a free resource to help home recording studio owners improve the standard of their work. The Newsletter is available on this website, and via free email subscription.

Audio Masterclass also offers courses in Music Production and Sound Engineering; Advanced Music Production and Sound Engineering; Microphones & Microphone Technique; Digital Audio Workstation Course; Equalization; Compression; Reverb & Effects; MIDI, Synthesis & Sampling; Recording Techniques; Music Production Techniques; Mixing; Mastering.

Copyright © Imaginative Resources Ltd. and/or its licensors 2000 - 2019.

LINKS

GET CONNECTED

Join over 80,000 people on the Audio Masterclass mailing list. Receive the Audio Masterclass Newsletter, special opportunities and offers.

Get this Audio Masterclass Ebook Right Now!

Equipping Your Home Recording Studio - ebook

Your FREE Detailed 103-page Home Recording Studio Mini-Course Guide from Audio Masterclass...

Great home recording starts with a great home recording studio. It doesn't need to be expensive if you know how to select the right equipment for your needs.

Get the Audio Masterclass Newsletter, subscriber-only info and special offers too.