"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.
- 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 | 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 |
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments and vocals | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Pacific Pro Audio
LD1 |
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments and vocals | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| All purpose studio | Marshall MXL2003 | 
|
Cardioid |
General purpose condenser mic, used on instruments and vocals | Condenser | +48v Phantom Power | XLR |
| Stereo pair | Studio
Projects C4 |
|
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 |
|
Super Cardioid |
Video, broadcast, and field work. | Condenser | 1 9V Battery | 1/8” |
| Stereo | Sony
ECM-MS957 |
|
Stereo | Recording live concerts, conferences, interviews and sound effects. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR |
| Lavalier | Sennheiser ME2 | 
|
Omni |
Interview, broadcast, and presentation. | Condenser | 1/8" plug-in power | 1/8” |
| PZM | Crown Optimus Sound Grabber | 
|
Omni |
Pressure zone mic for recording conferences, interviews, and lectures. | Condenser | 1 AA Battery | XLR |
| USB | Blue
Yeti Pro |
|
Variable: Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional & Stereo. | Voice | Condenser | Powered by USB, +48v Phantom Power for XLR | USB & XLR |
| 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. 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.
