Best Dynamic Mics

[Eric Rottmayer]

everyone uses them...so list some of your favorites, and maybe what
you find them to be useful for. i'm just sick of my sm57s and want some
hints about other great dynamic mics. thanks!

eric

[AGCurry]

Sennheiser MD441
Sennheiser MD421
ElectroVoice RE20
ElectroVoice RE55

[markpar]

I've gotten good results a couple of times with a 57 on kick, but it depends on the drums, heads and drummer (doesn't everything?).

-mark

[Eric Rottmayer]

yeah, all that stuff varies from kit to kit, room to room, player to...you get my point.
so about the MD421? i've noticed that there is a 2nd version of this mic.
just as good or better to hunt down the original? stupid question?

eric

[bedbug]

I'm really curious about this stereo speaker thing.

[dwelle]

senn 421
shure sm7
ev 635a
ev re18
sm 57...

[lobstman]

All the usual suspects (most already mentioned), plus:

EV RE-38
Kinda like an RE-20, with a whole lot of low-cut options.

AT ATM-25
Great kick/bass instrument mic.

EV RE-15
Similar to the RE10/11/16. More natural midrange than a 57.

EV 666
Dosn't sound that great, but looks like Flash Gordon's ray gun and has a super-cool model number.

And the Beyer M88 & 201, which are pretty standard but no one's mentioned yet.

[jessejamietig]

The RE-20 is by far one of the best and most versitile dynamic mics around.
I've used it on kick drum, toms, gtr cabinets, bass cabinets, horns, vocals.
It's definately a good mic to have in your closet.

[cbcmusic]

Wow, this thread is reminding me to try my SM57 on kick. Thanks

I totally agree about the RE 20, great all around mic.

I mentioned this in another thread recently, but I really like my Beyer M55 dynamic omni. I got it for around $55 and I find it far more useful than my SM57. I can't think of any other dynamics that I've tried and liked as much as these 3.

[ottokbre]

is there actually any Beyer's to avoid?

my SM57 has'ent seen too much action latley.

[marqueemoon]

I heart my RE20.

[thunderboy]

is there actually any Beyer's to avoid?

I don't care much for my MCE 83's...

jt

[markpar]

Man, I used to use an RE-20 when I was a DJ. Never thought about using one on drums. I gotta try that!

-mark

[eeldip]

some beyer advice from steve albini: (from a famous RAP post)

I have read this thread with interest, and I have to agree that Beyer
makes a great range of mics. Unfortunately they make multiple versions
of some, and it is difficult (except by experimentation) to discern the
differences. I wish someone would make a glossary of types/variations
for reference.

Some of my favorites and their uses:

M201 (I have not used the 201TG) was marketed for a while as an
alternative to (Sennheiser) 421 and 441. It can handle high SPL easily,
and I have used it on snare (in conjunction with a small condenser like
Shure SM98 or other lavalier) on top, but the hi-hat bleed has been a
considerable problem with tight layouts. If there are a few inches
between the snare top and the hi hat, there is seldom a problem. I have
also used it as a guitar amp mic. I have seen it used with good results
as a stage bass drum mic and tom mic, but I haven't used it in the
studio this way. I also like the 420 and 422 in the same applications.

M88 (I have not used the 88TG) A fine "beefy" vocal mic. The heavier
the vocalist, the better the sound. No kidding. I have also used it on
bass guitar and bass drum with good results.

M380 (TG and TGX are different and brighter -- not necessarily bad, but
not what I'm referring to) I use these literally every session. I have
used them primarily on bass guitar, but also string bass, trombone,
male vocal and (occasionally) bass drum. A deep, bass-heavy mic, with a
proximity effect you can kill elephants with (something like +18dB @
20Hz at 2 inches). There is something about the extremely smooth low
end on this mic that I haven't been able to duplicate otherwise. The
behavior is like a ribbon mic (it is fig-of-eight pattern), without the
transient detail, and without the risk of overload. Perfect for woolly,
dub-like low end. Takes additive top eq well. I suspect this mic was
originally made from old-style Beyer headphone diaphragms, as the size,
shape and sounds are similar (Beyer headphones were not very bright).
It is now discontinued. I tried the TGX version and didn't like it
(sounded like a crapping-out D112), and tried the TG version and liked
it, though it was brighter.

M130 and M160 dual-ribbon mics. 130 is bidirectional, 160 is
hypercardioid. I use these mics often on guitar amps and occasionally
on horns and acoustic string instruments. The 160 is also a fine hi-hat
mic, on those rare occasions that I use one, and sounds good as an
overhead mic on drums. They were marketed as an M-S pair, though I
never use them this way.

M500 cardioid ribbon mic. I use this on guitar amplifiers and mush-
mouthed vocalists. The high-end is peaky, which can exaggerate
sibilance, but is perfect for vocals with very soft delivery (whispers,
even) as the ribbon adds a slight richness to what might otherwise be a
thin sound.

[Eric Rottmayer]

since were on Beyer now, anyone ever use one of these?

Beyer Dynamic TG-X50 Bass Drum Microphone

i've been looking for a different (different than the D112) kick mic to try.
i want to get a D12, but they are so sought after now that they are going for
ups of $400 which seems a little high, but i know that's a good one.

e