Microphone Catalog
From Help Wiki
"General Access" mic is a category of Media Loan microphones that are 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 section inside 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. You can also press Command F (on Mac) and Control F (on Windows) to search for specific details on this web page.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice | AKG D202E |  |
Cardioid |
Designed to eliminate proximity effect, very flat frequency response. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MAA | |
| High SPL | AKG D224E | 
|
Cardioid |
High SPL, good for loud sources. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 1 | MAB | |
| Instrument | 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 | |
| All purpose studio | AKG C414 | 
|
Variable: Cardioid, bidirectional, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, subcardioid | All purpose studio standard mic. Comes in varying versions, B-ULS (vintage, warm tone), XLS (modern, warm tone), and XLII (modern, bright tone) | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 3 single (2 XLII, 1 B-ULS), 1 stereo pair kit (ULS) (5 total) | MAH | |
| All purpose studio | Aston Origin | 
|
Cardioid |
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 |
Great detail on acoustic instruments and drum overheads. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 1 stereo pair kit (2 mics total) | MBN | |
| All purpose studio | Neumann
U87 |
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Used on vocals instruments, flat frequency response and great detail | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 4 | MBO | |
| Instruments | Neuman
KM-83 |
|
Omni |
Omnidirectional equivalent of the KM-84. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MBP | |
| All purpose studio | Neumann
U47 (FET) |
|
Hypercardioid |
Great for vocals, also used on instruments. | 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 bidirectional 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 | 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 |
Voice and room mic | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MED | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-16 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 4 | MEG | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-15 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MEJ | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE-55 | 
|
Omni |
Voice and room mic | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MEM | |
| Instruments | Electrovoice CS-15 | 
|
Variable: cardioid and omnidirectional | Versatile instrument use | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 5 | MEO | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE-20 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice for recording and broadcast | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MEP | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE-18 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice, designed to reduce handling noise. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MER | |
| High SPL | Electrovoice 408B | 
|
Supercardioid |
High SPL, good for loud sources. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MES | |
| High SPL | Electrovoice 308B | 
|
Cardioid |
Cardioid version of the 408B. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 4 | MET | |
| Reference mic | Earthworks
TC 20 |
|
Omni |
Flat reference microphone, high SPL. Good for sound measurement and loud sources. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MEW | |
| Ribbon | Cascade Fathead | 
|
Bidirectional | Dark tone for instruments and vocals, often used in mid-side pair. | 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 |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 18 | MHA | |
| Stage | Shure Beta 87A | 
|
Supercardioid |
Hand held vocal mic with good feedback rejection | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHB | |
| Voice | Shure SM53 | 
|
Cardioid |
Hand held vocal mic, reduces proximity effect. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 1 | MHD | |
| Stage | Shure SM57 | 
|
Cardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 8 | MHE | |
| Instruments | 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, used in broadcasting. | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | 1 | MHG | |
| All purpose studio | Shure KSM32 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHK | |
| Instruments | Shure KSM137 | 
|
Cardioid |
Instruments. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MHM | |
| Voice | Shure SM7B | 
|
Cardioid |
Popular vocal mic for recording and broadcast | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 3 | MHS | |
| Drum mic | Shure Beta 52A | 
|
Supercardioid |
High SPL and good low end, for kick drums | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MEF | |
| All purpose studio | Marshall MXL2003 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic | Condenser | Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MML | |
| Stage | Sennheiser 421 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 6 | MNA | |
| Instruments | Sennheiser MKH 40 |  |
Cardioid |
Great detail on acoustic instruments and drum overheads. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 4 | MKH | |
| Drum mic | Sennheiser E604 Drum Mic Kit | 
|
Cardioid |
Clip on mics for snares and toms | 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 | |
| Voice | Sennheiser 441 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | 2 | MND | |
| Binaural mic | Dr. Normar's Binaural head
(Sennhesier MKE 2002) |
|
Omni |
Sennheiser binaural microphone pair to record a 3d stereo field for playback over headphones. | Condenser | 1 9V Battery | XLR | 1 | MNE | |
| Lavalier | Sony ECM50 | 
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1 E90 Battery
or Phantom Power |
XLR | 2 | MOF | |
| All purpose studio | Pacific Pro Audio LD1 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
Phantom Power | XLR | 2 | MPP | |
| Instruments | Beyerdynamic M160 | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Instruments, popular on strings. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 4 | MRB | |
| Ribbon | Coles 4038 | 
|
Bidirectional | Classic instrument and voice mic | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 2 | MRC | |
| Voice | RCA 77DX | 
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Vintage ribbon mic, popular in broadcasting for vocals. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 2 | MRR | |
| Instruments | Royer R121 | 
|
Bidirectional | Instruments | Ribbon | Do NOT supply phantom power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR | 3 | MRY | |
| Tube mic | Chameleon Labs TS-1 | 
|
Variable:
cardioid, omnidirectional |
Instruments | Tube condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 4 | MTS | |
| Tube mic | Chameleon Labs TS-2 | 
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | General purpose condenser mic | Tube condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 4 | MTS2 | |
| Tube mic | sE Electronics sE5000 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic | Tube 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 | General purpose condenser mic | Tube condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR | 2 | MSZ |
