Microphone Catalog
From Help Wiki
"General Access" mics accessible to all enrolled students who are in programs paying media fees. The General Access section of Media Loan is different from the "Audio Studio" section, which is just for advanced audio classes and to be used exclusively inside the audio facilities on campus. For help learning about mics check our Microphone Basics page as well as our Audio Fundamentals page.
Explanation of Columns
- Type: The most common category used to describe each mic.
- Sound: Example audio for various mics.
- Usage: The most common use the mic is built for.
- Power Source: Power needed, see the Microphone Basics page to learn about Condensers and Dynamics and what type of transducer needs power to work.
This catalog has sortable columns. Click on the triangle and the top of the column to put the catalog in the order of contents within that column
GENERAL ACCESS MICROPHONES
| Type | Brand/Model | Image | Sound | Pattern | Standard Usage | Transducer | Power Source | Connector | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | Shure SM-58 | 
|
Cardioid
|
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MHA | |
| Stage | Shure SM-57 | 
|
|
Cardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MHE |
| Stage | Shure Beta 57A | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MHC | |
| Stage | Sennheiser MD-421 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MNA | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE-27 N/D |  |
Cardioid |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MEV | |
| Broadcast | Sennheiser MD46 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MSM | |
| Isolating from noise | Beyerdynamic M88 TG | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Vocals and instruments, specifically to capture lower frequency sounds | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MTG | |
| Broadcast | Beyerdynamic M58 | 
|
Omni |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MBD | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice 635A | 
|
Omni |
Voice and room mic | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MED | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-16 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MEG | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-15 |  |
Supercardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MEJ | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-18 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | MER | |
| Combo Kit | Sennheiser K6 | 
|
|
Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Super Cardioid | Can cater to almost all settings. Great for film, stage use, and studio recording. 1 module + 3 different capsules. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | MNC |
| Shotgun | Audio Technica 835B | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Film, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | MAU | |
| Shotgun | Rode NTG1 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Film, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | MCNTG | |
| Lavalier | Shure MX185 | 
|
Cardioid |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | MOX | |
| Lavalier | Sony ECM50 | 
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | MOF | |
| Lavalier | Audio Technica 899 | 
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | MOJ | |
| Stage | Shure SM86 |  |
Cardioid |
Voice | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | MSCC | |
| Stereo | Audio Technica AT825 | 
|
Stereo: X/Y Dual Cardioid capsules | Instruments and film | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | MAI | |
| Stereo | Rode NT4 | 
|
Stereo: X/Y Dual Cardioid capsules | Instruments and film | Condenser | 1 9V Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | MCNT4 | |
| Shotgun | Rode VideoMic | 
|
Super Cardioid |
Film, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 9V Battery | 1/8” | MCV | |
| Stereo | Sony ECM-MS907 | 
|
Stereo | Film, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | 1/8” | MOT | |
| Stereo | Sony ECM-MS957 | 
|
Stereo | Recording live concerts, conferences, interviews and sound effects. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | MOS | |
| Lavalier | Sennheiser ME2 | 
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1/8" plug-in power | 1/8” | MON | |
| PZM | Crown Sound Grabber II |  |
Omni |
Pressure zone mic for recording conferences, interviews, and lectures. | Condenser | 1 AAA Battery | 1/8” | MCP | |
| PZM | Crown Optimus Sound Grabber |  |
Omni |
Pressure zone mic for recording conferences, interviews, and lectures. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | MCPX | |
| USB | Blue Yeti Pro | 
|
Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional & Stereo. | Voice | Condenser | Powered by USB, Phantom Power for XLR | USB & XLR | MBY | |
| USB | Plantronics Audio 628 | 
|
Omni |
Headset mic for calls. | Powered by USB | USB | MHU | ||
| Hydrophone | DolphinEar Pro | 
|
Omni |
Designed to capture underwater sounds to depths of 100 meters. Proficiency required. | Contact | Not required | XLR | MHP | |
| Parabolic | Parabolic Kits with Sennheiser K6 | 
|
Omni |
Includes K6 power module, cardioid capsule, rollable dish, dish transport bag, pistol grip handle, tripod adapter, dish cover and duffle bag. Proficiency required. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | MGP |
Most recent update: November 2021.
"Audio Studio" microphones are only available to those in advanced audio classes and are too be used exclusively in the audio facilities on campus
AUDIO STUDIO MICROPHONES (Advanced Audio Classes Only)
| Type | Brand/Model | Image | Sound | Pattern | Standard Usage | Transducer | Power
Source |
Connector | Quantity | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKG D202E |  |
Cardioid |
Designed to eliminate proximity effect, very flat frequency response. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MAA | ||
| AKG D224E | 
|
Cardioid |
Designed to handle high SPL, good midrange,
-20db rear attenuation at all freqs |
Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 1 | MAB | ||
| AKG 460B | 
|
Cardioid |
Low self-noise. Equipped with low cut filters or 10db pad. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MAE | ||
| Drum mic | AKG D112 | 
|
Cardioid |
Used primarily on kick drums. Handles high SPL. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MAF | |
| AKG C414 | 
|
Variable: Cardioid, bidirectional, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, subcardioid | Large diaphragm condenser.
Used on instruments |
Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 3 single, 1 stereo pair kit (5 total) | MAH | ||
| Aston Origin | 
|
Cardioid |
Large diaphragm condenser. Used on instruments and vocals | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MAN | ||
| Tube mic | Audio Technica
4060 |
|
Cardioid |
Vacuum tube condenser. Used on vocals, instruments and amps. | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 1 | MAV | |
| Stereo pair kit | Neumann
KM-84 |
|
Cardioid |
Small diaphragm FET condenser. Used for drum overheads and on hi-hats | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 1 stereo pair kit (2 mics total) | MBN | |
| Neumann
U87 |
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Used for vocals. has low cut, 10db pad, and omni, cardioid, and figure 8 pickup switches | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 4 | MBO | ||
| Instrument | Neuman
KM-83 |
|
Omni |
The Omnidirectional equivalent of the km-84. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MBP | |
| Neumann
U47 (FET) |
|
Hypercardioid |
Large diaphragm FET condenser. Good for studio vocals. | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 1 | MBQ | ||
| Stereo mic | Avantone
CK-40 |
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Stereo condenser with adjustable pickup patterns and swiveling capsule. Good for recording a room or in a figure 8 pattern. | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 1 | MCK | |
| Stereo mic | Rode NT4 | 
|
Stereo: X/Y Dual Cardioid capsules | Instruments and film | Condenser | 1 9V Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | 1 | MCNT | |
| PZM | Crown PZM | 
|
Omni |
Used for recording multiple voices in a conference or meeting setting. | PZM | 2 9V Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | 2 | MCP | |
| Stereo pair | Studio Projects
C4 |
|
Variable: cardioid and omnidirectional | Small diaphragm condenser. Used for overhead or stereo recording of instruments or ensembles. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 1 stereo pair kit (2 mics total) | MCS | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice
635A |
|
Omni |
A live interview microphone designed to eliminate plosives and other proximity effects. |
Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MED | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-16 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Excellent for podium use where high intelligibility is important. |
Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 4 | MEG | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-15 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Used for broadcasting and instrument recordings. Also used to mic speaker cabinets. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MEJ | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE-55 | 
|
Omni |
Handheld vocal use for interviews or recording of orchestras etc. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MEM | |
| Electrovoice CS-15 | 
|
Variable: cardioid and omnidirectional | Increased bass response at close proximities. Handheld vocal use. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 5 | MEO | ||
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE-20 | 
|
Cardioid |
Very popular vocal recording mic, used extensively in broadcasting. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MEP | |
| Electrovoice RE-18 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Designed to reduce microphone handling noise. Used for spoken word/announcing. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MER | ||
| Electrovoice 408B | 
|
Supercardioid |
Instrument mic, used mostly on instruments with high SPL, drums, horns, etc. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MES | ||
| Electrovoice 308B | 
|
Cardioid |
Slightly less directional version of the 408b. Instrument mic. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 4 | MET | ||
| Reference mic | Earthworks
TC 20 |
|
Omni |
Reference flat microphone, 150db SPL rating, used for calibration or for very loud instruments/sound effects | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MEW | |
| Cascade Fathead | 
|
Bidirectional | Used for mid-side pickup, and on instruments and vocals. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 2 single, 1 stereo pair kit (4 mics total) | MFH | ||
| Stage | Shure SM58 | 
|
Cardioid |
Suitable for vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. |
Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 18 | MHA | |
| Stage | Shure Beta 87A | 
|
Supercardioid |
Hand held vocal mic
good feedback rejection |
Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHB | |
| Shure SM53 | 
|
Cardioid |
Vintage hand held vocal mic, designed for low proximity effect. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 1 | MHD | ||
| Stage | Shure SM57 | 
|
Cardioid |
good for live sound reinforcement, instruments and vocals. bright, clean sound. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 8 | MHE | |
| Shure SM81 | 
|
Cardioid |
Used on instruments, popular for pianos. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHF | ||
| Stereo | Shure VP88 | 
|
Variable: cardioid and bidirectional | Stereo recording mic used in broadcasting. | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | 1 | MHG | |
| Shure KSM32 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, useable for vocals/instruments etc. equipped with -15db and low cut switches. | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHK | ||
| Shure KSM137 | 
|
Cardioid |
Small diaphragm condenser designed for instruments. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHM | ||
| Shure SM7B | 
|
Cardioid |
Shure’s response to the EV RE-20, a popular broadcasting vocal mic. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MHS | ||
| Drum mic | Shure Beta 52A | 
|
Supercardioid |
Supercardioid specifically for kick drums | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MEF | |
| Marshall MXL2003 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, useable on vocals, instruments, ensembles etc | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MML | ||
| Stage | Sennheiser 421 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 6 | MNA | |
| Sennheiser MKH 40 |  |
Cardioid |
The MKH 40 P 48 is a high frequency condenser microphone with an excellent frequency range. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 4 | MKH | ||
| Drum mic | Sennheiser E604 Drum Mic Kit | 
|
Cardioid |
Mic kit specifically built for snare drums. Emphasis on mid and high frequencies, with a fairly clear low frequency clarity. Based on MD 421 technology. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 1 kit (3 mics total) | MAD | |
| Combo Kit | Sennheiser K6 | 
|
Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Super Cardioid | Can cater to almost all settings. Great for film, stage use, and studio recording. 1 module + 3 different capsules. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
1 AA Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | 3 | MNC | |
| Sennheiser 441 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Vocal and instrument mic equipped with a 5 position bass roll off switch and a treble boost switch | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MND | ||
| Binaural mic | Dr. Normar's Binaural head
(Sennhesier MKE 2002) |
|
Omni |
Sennheiser binaural microphone pair, for recording a 3d stereo field for playback over headphones. | Condenser | 1 9V Battery | XLR | 1 | MNE | |
| Lavalier | Sony ECM50 | 
|
Omni |
Vintage lavalier vocal mic | Condenser | 1 E90 Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | 2 | MOF | |
| Pacific Pro Audio LD1 | 
|
Cardioid |
Large diaphragm condenser, used for vocals, instruments, ensembles etc | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MPP | ||
| Beyerdynamic M160 | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Designed for instruments, popular on strings. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 4 | MRB | ||
| Coles 4038 | 
|
Bidirectional | Vocal/instrument mic, popular with BBC broadcasting and recording studios. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 2 | MRC | ||
| RCA 77DX | 
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Vintage ribbon mic, featuring cardioid, omni, and figure 8 polar patterns. Popular in broadcasting for vocals. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 2 | MRR | ||
| Royer R121 | 
|
Bidirectional | High quality ribbon instrument mic. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 3 | MRY | ||
| Chameleon Labs TS-1 | 
|
Variable:
cardioid, omnidirectional |
Small diaphragm tube mic, used primarily on instruments | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 4 | MTS | ||
| Tube mic | Chameleon Labs TS-2 | 
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Large diaphragm tube condenser, used primarily on vocals. | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 4 | MTS2 | |
| sE Electronics sE5000 | 
|
Cardioid |
Large diaphragm tube condenser, used on vocals | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 2 | MSV | ||
| Tube mic | sE Electronics sE5600 | 
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, with 5 intermediate stages selectable on power supply | Large diaphragm tube condenser, used on vocals | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 2 | MSZ |
