Microphone Catalog
From Help Wiki
"General Access" mic is a category of Media Loan microphones that are accessible to all enrolled students. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | Shure
SM58 |
|
Cardioid
|
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Stage | Shure
SM57 |
|
|
Cardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Stage | Shure
Beta 57A |
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Stage | Sennheiser
MD 421-II |
|
Cardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE-27 N/D |  |
Cardioid |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Broadcast | Sennheiser MD46 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Isolating from noise | Beyerdynamic M88 TG | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Vocals and instruments, specifically to capture lower frequency sounds | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Broadcast | Beyerdynamic M58 | 
|
Omni |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice 635A | 
|
Omni |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE18 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE16 |  |
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE15 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR | |
| All purpose studio | Aston
Origin |
|
No Example | Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments and vocals | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Pacific Pro Audio
LD1 |
|
No Example | Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments and vocals | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Marshall MXL2003 | 
|
No Example | Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments and vocals | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Stereo pair | Studio
Projects C4 |
|
No Example | Variable: Cardioid, Omni | General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Combo Kit | Sennheiser
K6 |
|
|
Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Super Cardioid | Can cater to almost all settings. Great for video, stage use, and studio recording. 1 module + 3 different capsules. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR |
| Shotgun | Audio Technica 835B | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Video, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR | |
| Shotgun | Rode
NTG1 |
|
Supercardioid |
Video, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR | |
| Lavalier | Shure
MX185 |
|
Cardioid |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR | |
| Lavalier | Audio Technica 899 | 
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | |
| Stage | Shure
SM86 |
 |
Cardioid |
Voice | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR | |
| Stereo | Audio Technica AT825 | 
|
Stereo: X/Y Dual Cardioid capsules | Instruments and video | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR | |
| Stereo | Rode
NT4 |
|
Stereo: X/Y Dual Cardioid capsules | Instruments and video | Condenser | 1 9V Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR | |
| Shotgun | Rode
VideoMic |
|
No Example | Super Cardioid |
Video, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 9V Battery | 1/8” |
| Stereo | Sony
ECM-MS907 |
|
No Example | Stereo | Video, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | 1/8” |
| Stereo | Sony
ECM-MS957 |
|
Stereo | Recording live concerts, conferences, interviews and sound effects. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR | |
| Lavalier | Sennheiser ME2 | 
|
No Example | Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1/8" plug-in power | 1/8” |
| PZM | Crown
Sound Grabber II |
 |
No Example | Omni |
Pressure zone mic for recording conferences, interviews, and lectures. | Condenser | 1 AAA Battery | 1/8” |
| PZM | Crown Optimus Sound Grabber |  |
No Example | Omni |
Pressure zone mic for recording conferences, interviews, and lectures. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR |
| USB | Blue
Yeti Pro |
|
No Example | Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional & Stereo. | Voice | Condenser | Powered by USB, +48v Phantom Power for XLR | USB & XLR |
| USB | Plantronics Audio
628 |
|
No Example | Omni |
Headset mic for calls. | Powered by USB | USB | |
| Hydrophone | DolphinEar Pro | 
|
No Example | Omni |
Designed to capture underwater sounds to depths of 100 meters. Not ideal for shallow water. Proficiency required. | Contact | Not required | XLR |
| Parabolic | Parabolic Kits with Sennheiser K6 | 
|
No Example | Omni |
Includes K6 power module, cardioid capsule, rollable dish, dish transport bag, pistol grip handle, tripod adapter, dish cover and duffle bag. Designed for distant low level sounds such as bird calls. Proficiency required. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR |
Most recent update: February 2025.
"Audio Studio" microphones are not available for checkout. This page is only here for reference. They are only used by the advanced audio classes and are to be used exclusively in the audio facilities on campus.
AUDIO STUDIO MICROPHONES (Advanced Audio Classes Only)
| Type | Brand/Model | Image | Pattern | Standard Usage | Transducer | Power
Source |
Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | AKG
D202E |
|
Cardioid |
Designed to eliminate proximity effect, very flat frequency response. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| High SPL | AKG
D224E |
|
Cardioid |
High SPL, good for loud sources. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Instrument | AKG
460B |
|
Cardioid |
Low self-noise. Equipped with low cut filters or 10db pad. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Drum mic | AKG
D112 |
|
Cardioid |
Used primarily on kick drums. Handles high SPL. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| 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) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Tube mic | Audio
Technica 4060 |
|
Cardioid |
Vacuum tube condenser. Used on vocals, instruments and amps. | Tube condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR |
| Stereo pair kit | Neumann
KM84 |
|
Cardioid |
Great detail on acoustic instruments and drum overheads. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Neumann
U87 |
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Used on vocals instruments, flat frequency response and great detail | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Instruments | Neumann
KM83 |
|
Omni |
Omnidirectional equivalent of the KM84. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Neumann
U47 (FET) |
|
Hypercardioid |
Great for vocals, also used on instruments. | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Stereo mic | Avantone
CK40 |
|
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) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Stereo mic | Rode
NT4 |
|
Stereo: X/Y Dual Cardioid capsules | Instruments and video | Condenser | 1 9V Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR |
| PZM | Crown
PZM |
|
Omni |
Used for recording multiple voices in a conference or meeting setting. | PZM | 2 9V Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice
635A |
|
Omni |
Voice and room mic | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE16 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE15 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE55 | 
|
Omni |
Voice and room mic | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Instruments | Electrovoice CS15 | 
|
Variable: cardioid and omnidirectional | Versatile instrument use | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Broadcast | Electrovoice RE20 | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice for recording and broadcast | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Isolating from noise | Electrovoice RE18 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice, designed to reduce handling noise. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Drum mic | Electrovoice 408B | 
|
Supercardioid |
High SPL, good for loud sources. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Drum mic | Electrovoice 308B | 
|
Cardioid |
Cardioid version of the 408B. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Reference mic | Earthworks
TC20 |
|
Omni |
Flat reference microphone, high SPL. Good for sound measurement and loud sources. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Ribbon | Cascade Fathead | 
|
Bidirectional |
Dark tone for instruments and vocals, often used in mid-side pair. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply +48v Phantom Power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR |
| Stage | Shure
SM58 |
|
Cardioid |
Voice | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Stage | Shure
Beta 87A |
|
Supercardioid |
Hand held vocal mic with good feedback rejection | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Voice | Shure
SM53 |
|
Cardioid |
Hand held vocal mic, reduces proximity effect. | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Stage | Shure
SM57 |
|
Cardioid |
Instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Instruments | Shure
SM81 |
|
Cardioid |
Used on instruments, popular for pianos. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Stereo | Shure
VP88 |
|
Variable: cardioid and bidirectional | Stereo, used in broadcasting. | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Shure
KSM32 |
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic | Condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Instruments | Shure
KSM137 |
|
Cardioid |
Instruments. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Voice | Shure
SM7B |
|
Cardioid |
Popular vocal mic for recording and broadcast | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Drum mic | Shure
Beta 52A |
|
Supercardioid |
High SPL and good low end, for kick drums | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Stage | Sennheiser MD 421-II | 
|
Cardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Instruments | Sennheiser MKH40 |  |
Cardioid |
Great detail on acoustic instruments and drum overheads. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
+48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Drum mic | Sennheiser E604 Kit | 
|
Cardioid |
Clip on mics for snares and toms | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| Combo Kit | Sennheiser K6 | 
|
Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Super Cardioid | Can cater to almost all settings. Great for video, stage use, and studio recording. 1 module + 3 different capsules. | Condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
1 AA Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR |
| Voice | Sennheiser 441 | 
|
Supercardioid |
Voice and instruments | Dynamic | Not required | XLR |
| 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 |
| Lavalier | Sony
ECM50 |
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1 E90 Battery
or +48v Phantom Power |
XLR |
| Ribbon | Beyerdynamic M160 | 
|
Hypercardioid |
Instruments, popular on strings. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply +48v Phantom Power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR |
| Ribbon | Coles
4038 |
|
Bidirectional |
Classic instrument and voice mic | Ribbon | Do NOT supply +48v Phantom Power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR |
| Ribbon | RCA
77DX |
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | Vintage ribbon mic, popular in broadcasting for vocals. | Ribbon | Do NOT supply +48v Phantom Power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR |
| Ribbon | Royer
R121 |
|
Bidirectional |
Instruments | Ribbon | Do NOT supply +48v Phantom Power, ribbons will be damaged! | XLR |
| Tube mic | Chameleon Labs
TS-1 |
|
Variable:
cardioid, omnidirectional |
Instruments | Tube condenser
(Small diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR |
| Tube mic | Chameleon Labs
TS-2 |
|
Variable: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional | General purpose condenser mic | Tube condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR |
| Tube mic | sE Electronics sE5000 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic | Tube condenser
(Large diaphragm) |
External power supply | XLR |
| 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 |
