MTM 74 |
SE Electronics 2200T
First there was the solid-state version, then a USB version – now it’s time for tubes. Huw Price feels a warming glow.
|
|
MTM 73 |
Harper Diabate HDV-1
The HDV-1 is a multi-pattern valve condenser designed for general recording applications. Huw Price powers up.
|
MTM 72 |
AKG C214
The only thing better than having one great microphone is having a matched pair. Huw Price is seeing double.
|
|
MTM 70 |
Audio-Technica AT4021 & AT 4022
Two new mics have been added to AT’s 40 Series, but can they keep up with the industry standards? Huw Price decides.
|
MTM 69 |
Rode M2
The new Røde M2 offers award-winning S1 technology, but
at a more affordable price. Huw Price goes live.
|
|
MTM 67 |
SE Electronics 4400a
On paper, the 4400a has everything required of a go-to studio mic, but does it have the sound? Huw Price sizes it up.
|
MTM 65 |
SE Electronics Z5600a II
SE has given its Z5600a a makeover, fitting a -10dB pad, bass rolloff and much more besides. Huw Price tries it out.
|
|
MTM 64 |
SE Electronics SE1000a
The SE1000a has replaced the short-lived Mini as the company’s entry-level condenser. Huw Price tries it out.
|
MTM 63 |
AKG Perception 170
|
|
MTM 62 |
AKG Perception 120, 220, 420
AKG’s Perception series has recently been expanded, with four new models joining the lineup. Huw Price tries out three of them...
|
MTM 61 |
IK Multimedia ARC
IK’s ARC could help improve your mixes without you needing to upgrade your gear. Huw Price calibrates good times...
|
|
MTM 60 |
Superlux R102
The Superlux R102 is an active ribbon mic for under £100. Is it true to life or too good to be true? Huw Price investigates.
|
MTM 57 |
Samson Audio G-Track
Samson’s G-Track is the latest entrant in an ever-growing line-up of USB microphones. Huw Price plugs in...
|
|
MTM 57 |
Telefunken ELA M 250F
Vintage mics are often cited as being among the best – and this offering is vintage to the roots. Huw Price goes back in time...
|
MTM 55 |
Rode M3
Røde is offering its own alternative to USB- or preamp-powered microphones. Huw Price sizes up the new M3.
|
|
MTM 55 |
Sontronics Apollo
Sontronics is aiming to build on the success of its Sigma with the active stereo Apollo. Huw Price lifts off...
|
MTM 53 |
SE Electronics GM10
Fidgeting guitarists can be the bane of an engineer’s life, making recording sessions frustrating. Huw Price tightens the screw...
|
|
MTM 53 |
M-Audio Pulsar II
M-Audio brought us something special with the Sputnik, so the Pulsar II has been keenly awaited. Huw Price dons a small cap.
|
MTM 52 |
CAD Trion 8000
CAD’s Trion 8000 is a brand-new multi-pattern valve condenser with a lollipop capsule. Huw Price has it licked...
|
|
MTM 52 |
Audio-Technica AT4047SV
AT’s proven capsule technology is combined with a FET preamp in the company’s AT4047SV. Huw Price plays the field.
|
MTM 51 |
Samson Audio VR88
Samson is getting serious about studio-quality mics and the VR88 is one of its hot new products. Huw Price is foiled again.
|
|
MTM 48 |
SE Electronics USB2200a
A plug‘n’play quality microphone ready for use whenever inspiration strikes? Huw Price sizes up the USB2200a...
|
MTM 48 |
M-Audio Sputnik
Is M-Audio’s new Sputnik the ‘sonic bridge’ between a Neumann U47 and an AKG C12? Huw Price blasts off...
|
|
MTM 47 |
SE Electronics H1
SE has re-voiced the capsule of its SE1a for a new role in the company’s hand-held H1. Petra Jones finds out more...
|
MTM 46 |
Audio-Technica ATM710
The ATM710 is designed specifically for live vocal use, but what does it offer over the competition? Huw Price finds out...
|
|
MTM 46 |
DPA SMK4061
DPA’s new SMK4061 stereo mic kit really can get to those places other mics just can’t reach. Huw Price gets stuck in.
|
MTM 44 |
Rode NT55
Rode’s NT55 is a mic with a difference – you get both omni-directional and cardioid capsules. Huw Price finds his match...
|
|
MTM 44 |
Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye
With its roots in medical science, Crowley and Tripp has gone on to manufacture pro-quality ribbon mics. Huw Price bares all...
|
MTM 42 |
Shure KSM9
If you feel that your live vocal mic is letting you down, maybe it’s time to consider a change. Huw Price picks up the KSM9.
|
|
MTM 42 |
Violet Gold Finger
Violet continues to expand its product line with the mediumcapsule Gold Finger. Huw Price puts it through its paces.
|
MTM 41 |
Violet Global Pre
Assembling a collection of quality mics used to be a particularly expensive business... Huw Price plays mix and match.
|
|
MTM 40 |
Sontronics Sigma
Sontronics’ new active ribbon microphone promises the ribbon sound and condenser convenience. Huw Price powers up.
|
MTM 39 |
Sennheiser E912
Sennheiser’s e912 boundary mic joins the e901 bass drum mic in the 900 series. Huw Price explores the peripheries.
|
|
MTM 39 |
SE Electronics Ribbon
Having brought quality condensers to the masses, Chinese manufacturers are focusing on ribbon mics. Huw Price listens in.
|
MTM 38 |
Samson Audio C01U USB Microphone
If you’re on the road or limited by a lack of hardware, a USB mic is the perfect solution. Huw Price plugs in and plays.
|
|
MTM 37 |
AKG Perception 100
For years the AKG sound was the preserve of top studios, but the Perception 100 could change all that. Huw Price finds out.
|
MTM 36 |
DPA Microphones 4090 & 4091
DPA has squeezed its 4061 capsule into a more conventional body to create the 4090 and 4091. Huw Price gets the point.
|
|
MTM 36 |
SE Electronics Mini
When it comes to price, small is beautiful – but is quality inevitably compromised? Huw Price measures up SE’s Mini.
|
MTM 35 |
Sontronics STC-1
All-purpose microphones are just as limiting as the cost of three dedicated mics, but Sontronics’ STC-1 aims to cover all the bases. Huw Price puts it through its paces.
|
|
MTM 33 |
Rode NT6
Unlike Victorian children, good mics sometimes need to be heard, but not seen – and the new NT6 promises high fidelity in hard-to-reach places. Huw Price hits the Røde.
|
MTM 30 |
Sontronics STC-2
Don’t confuse the STC-2 with the STC microphone built for the BBC by Standard Telephone and Cable – or the Brauner Valvet, for that matter. Huw Price tests the latest from Sontronics.
|
|
MTM 30 |
BLUE Red Type B
Blue’s roots lie in restoring vintage mics, but now the company produces its own models aimed at the higher end of the market. Huw Price checks out the latest offering.
|
MTM 28 |
Marshall Electronics MXL V6
Forget about waiting for your classic mic to warm up – MXL’s V6 promises the sound of valves in a completely solid-state package. Mark Cousins assesses the results…
|
|
MTM 28 |
SE Electronics Titan
SE mics has developed a style of its own, with retro bodies and innovative shockmount attachments, but has it found a voice of its own? Huw Price checks out SE’s new Titan.
|
MTM 27 |
Sontronics Orpheus
Few microphones can claim to have been inspired by Greek mythology, but does Sontronics’ Orpheus deliver a sound fit for the gods? Mark Cousins puts it though its paces.
|
|
MTM 27 |
Violet Amethyst Vintage
A new range of mics has emerged in Latvia. Has Huw Price found a gem?
|
MTM 26 |
Nady RSM-2
The only components you’ll find in a ribbon microphone – apart from the ribbon – are a magnet and a transformer. However, they’re rarely cheap to buy. Huw Price finds the right price...
|
|
MTM 26 |
Rode S1
Røde finally brings its experience in creating studio microphones to the stage. Mark Cousins finds out if the S1 is a true all-round performer.
|
MTM 23 |
SE Electronics Z3300a
We thought the SE 2200a was good, but recording with a fixed cardioid mic is like listening to music through one ear. The Z3300a could open your mind to omnidirectional and figure-of-8 recording. Huw Price switches over.
|
|
MTM 24 |
Shure PGX Wireless System
While many of us miss the comedy potential of microphone cables, in
this era of glorified karaoke, wireless microphones are invaluable.
Huw Price checks out Shure’s new PGX Wireless System.
|
MTM 22 |
Samson CL7 Condenser
Specialist mics are expensive, while all-purpose mics often compromise quality. With its neutral sound, attenuation pad and high-pass filter, can Samson’s CL7 do it all? Huw Price switches over.
|
|
MTM 22 |
Beyerdynamic Opus Drumset XXL
A set of drum microphones from Beyerdynamic that takes the strain out of rigging a kit. Pete Crisp sets ‘em up.
|
MTM 22 |
SE Electronics Icis
Why pay for extra pickup patterns when most of the time you need only cardioid? Closely related to the SE5600a, the Icis has a redesigned body and fixed cardioid capsule. Huw Price spots the difference.
|
|
MTM 21 |
Rode NT2-A
Røde claims ‘the legend continues’ with its new NT2-A microphone,
but is it a hit or a myth? Bob Dormon takes it on the road.
|
MTM 21 |
Beyerdynamic Opus 29 S
Beyerdynamic introduced the world’s first studio-quality moving-coil
microphone – the M19 – in 1939, so they should know a thing or two
about dynamic mics by now... Huw Price checks out the Opus 29 S.
|
|
MTM 21 |
SE Electronics Z5600A
Affordable multi-pattern valve condenser microphones are a rare sight. So, when SE Electronics recently updated its Z5600, we grabbed the new A model as fast as we could. Huw Price warms to the theme.
|
MTM 20 |
Red5 Audio RV6
If someone offered you a large-capsule condenser microphone for £45, you might think it was a joke. But Red5 is perfectly serious about its new RV6. Huw Price listens in.
|
|
MTM 19 |
Audix OM2 & OM3
Can any mic ever eclipse Shure’s SM58 and SM57? Audix mics are catching on fast in the US and have just crossed the Pond. Huw Price gets dynamic.
|
MTM 18 |
Coles Electroacoustics 4040
Coles Electroacoustics, manufacturers of the classic 4038, has released its first new mic since 1969. Huw Price cuts the ribbon on the Coles 4040.
|
|
MTM 18 |
XXL XC20 & XC97 Condenser Microphones
With lots of affordable mics around at present, do these pencil and shotgun condensers from XXL deserve your attention? Keith Gemmell takes aim...
|
MTM 17 |
Shure SM86 Cardioid Condenser Mic
Shure’s microphone pedigree is the stuff of legend, so will its SM86 be a hit or a myth? Bob Dormon takes it in hand…
|
|
MTM 17 |
SE Electronics SE-1A, SE-2A, SE-3
For natural-sounding recordings, small-capsule condensers are hard to beat. Huw Price checks out three new models from SE…
|
MTM 16 |
Yamaha MC7 Pickup Mic/ST-5 Studio and Effects Unit
With 32 digital effects, comprehensive practice aids and a clip-on mic, the ST-5/MC7 might just be the ultimate brass and woodwind accessory. Keith Gemmell hooks up his sax...
|
|
MTM 16 |
Hitec Audio Tube One
A no-frills tube microphone with a German pedigree? Huw Price fires up the new Tube One from Hitec Audio…
|
MTM 15 |
DPA IMK4061 Microphone Kit
Miniature microphones have revolutionised the broadcast industry, but do they also have uses in studio and live applications? Nigel Lord finds room in his heart for DPA’s mini marvel…
|
|
MTM 15 |
SE Electronics Gemini
Are two valves are better than one? SE seems to think so. Huw Price puts the Gemini to the test...
|
MTM 14 |
TL Audio Ivory 2 5000 Valve Microphone and Preamp
Valve microphones are getting cheaper and more commonplace, and now TL Audio has joined the fray with a mic and preamp bundle. Will Bob Dormon warm to it?
|
|
MTM 12 |
M-Audio Solaris
Straight from M-Audio’s Chinese factory is the three-pattern Solaris microphone – the ‘grown up’ version of the successful Luna. Huw Price looks for any family resemblance…
|
MTM 11 |
SE Electronics SE2200-A Condenser Mic
Budget condenser mics are usually fairly basic, but SE’s 2200-A has a few unusual extras. Huw Price finds out what difference an ‘A’ makes…
|
|
MTM 10 |
Rode NT2000
Where mics are concerned, one size definitely doesn’t fit all – but have you considered one that offers variable polar response? Pete Crisp hits the Røde...
|
MTM 09 |
Audio-Technica ATW-T3141 & ATW-3110D
Wireless mics offer freedom of movement and have recently dropped in price. Huw Price puts two of the latest systems from Audio-Technica to the test…
|
|
MTM 08 |
M-Audio Luna Microphone
Many of today’s mics are based on classic designs from the past, but M-Audio’s Luna is refreshingly original. Huw Price finds out whether it sounds as good as it looks…
|
MTM 06 |
BLUE The Ball
Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics – BLUE, to the rest of us – has released its first cardioid dynamic microphone. Huw Price is invited to The Ball...
|
|
MTM 05 |
SE Electronics Z5600 Condenser Mic
Superb detail, warmth and a variable polar response – and all from a mic that sells for under £400. Daniel Duffell can’t believe his luck...
|
MTM 04 |
Superlux DRK-B5C2 Drum Mic Set
Looking for that real drum sound but working to a tight budget? Daniel Duffell reckons this new line of drum mics from Superlux might be the answer to your prayers…
|
|
MTM 03 |
Shure KSM141 microphone
Bob Dormon gets to grips with the latest offering from legendary microphone manufacturers Shure.
|
MTM 02 |
Samson C01
The Samson C01 is one of the things that dreams are made of – not for its rugged good looks, sweetie, but its price. Bob Dormon sniffs around for a prize catch.
|
|
|
|
