Applications and recommended contexts for each of these 5 models. Beyerdynamic. This is a company whose reliability has gradually become etched in our memory. At ISP Music we have been gathering feedback both from the professional audio sector (studio, live sound, engineers and rental companies) and from experienced musicians who have worked with the company's products. Opinions always agree on their quality, transparency, warmth and professional guarantee of results. Eugen Beyer started his own company in Berlin in 1924, building cinema loudspeakers, thus laying the engineering foundations on which his later designs in headphones, microphones and conference systems would be built. The company openly states its drive to achieve products of acoustic excellence for audio professionals, musicians and demanding audiophiles. Made in Germany, with dedication and know-how. Products from which a high-performance sound experience is expected. In our recording special, we could not leave out five of the company's models for quality recording or live capture.
We take a quick look at the features of these five selections, as well as their prices and possible / optimal applications in each case.
Beyerdynamic M88. APPLICATIONS. The M 88 TG offers a wide frequency response in a rugged build, an ideal combination that makes it a useful mic for a wide variety of applications. In both the studio and live, its high SPL handling allows the mic to be placed especially close to sources with high sound pressure: kick drums, electric basses, etc. We will also find good results in vocal applications and on brass or woodwind instruments. Finally, it is also recommended for radio or broadcast use.
M88TG FEATURES • Hypercardioid dynamic mic • Transducer: Dynamic Moving coil • Frequency response: 30 – 20,000 Hz • Nominal impedance: 200 ohm • Weight: 320 g • Pressure gradient • Sensitive, precise response • Extended frequency range. Enhanced highs and exceptional bass reproduction • High SPL handling • Humbucking filter dB -20 • Suggested retail price (excl. VAT) €299 • Distributed by: Gaplasa
Beyerdynamic M 130. APPLICATIONS. This is an outstanding double-ribbon microphone with excellent transient response. The mic's architecture gives it unmatched precision that lends great transparency to the recording or capture. Its figure-eight polar pattern very effectively suppresses unwanted interference from the sides. Being able to work faithfully and without coloration makes the 130 an attractive tool for a good variety of applications. For example, used together with a hypercardioid M 160, the M 130 is ideal for creating powerful stereo images (using the Mid-Side technique). As with other models from the company, the build is rugged and durable, and it is suited to studio or broadcast sessions. An interesting pickup application for this model could be recording ambience (audiences, concert halls, etc.) without unwanted resonances. In the recording studio, it seems really appropriate for recording vocal groups and percussion, mounted over toms, etc. It is a mic that produces "very real" takes, especially suited to demanding audiophiles and direct-to-disc digital recordings.
FEATURES • Double-ribbon microphone • Transducer type: Dynamic • Pressure gradient • Frequency response: 40 – 18,000 Hz • Weight: 150 g • Polar pattern: Figure-8 • Excellent transient response • Balanced, uncolored sound • Compact design • Warm, natural sound • Suggested retail price (excl. VAT) €499 • Distributed by: Gaplasa
Beyerdynamic M 160. APPLICATIONS. The M 160 is an all-rounder. It is a ribbon microphone with a very special sound. The results are great on guitar amps. This was the microphone Hendrix's engineer used on his recordings. It has also been the choice of Pink Floyd and John Mayer. David Bowie used it as a vocal mic, and on several Led Zeppelin songs the drums were recorded using only a pair of M160s. In general, this microphone delivers a warm, natural sound. It is also especially effective for miking acoustic guitars, woodwinds, vocals and even drums. The M 160's design and finish, with its matte black color and small size, make it suitable for discreet placement on television sets, film sets and audiovisual production studios. As mentioned above, it pairs especially well with the M 130 for stereo images using the MS technique.
FEATURES • Transducer type: Dynamic • Double-ribbon microphone • Pressure gradient • Frequency response: 40 – 18,000 Hz • Weight: 156 g • Hypercardioid polar pattern • Extended frequency response • Warm, natural sound • Suggested retail price (excl. VAT) €469 • Distributed by: Gaplasa
Beyerdynamic MC 840. APPLICATIONS. A high-end mic especially well equipped to handle multiple signal capture and recording situations. The MC 840 microphone offers 5 switchable polar patterns for universal studio applications: Omnidirectional, Wide Cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardioid and figure-eight. Besides offering this total flexibility, its design is expressly intended to capture the signal with absolute clarity and purity. There are many applications for which we can use the MC 840. Among others, orchestral miking and, thanks to its switchable pre-attenuators, it is suitable for close-miking situations.
FEATURES • Large diaphragm, gold-sputtered dual membrane • Five selectable polar patterns • Transducer: Condenser • Pressure gradient • Frequency response: 30-20,000 Hz • Weight: 286 g • Pre-attenuators -10 dB and -20 dB • Elastic transducer suspension system • Switchable 10 dB / 20 dB attenuator • Two low-frequency roll-off positions • Suggested retail price (excl. VAT) €1,299 • Distributed by: Gaplasa
Beyerdynamic MC 930 and MC 930 Stereo set. APPLICATIONS. This is a true condenser mic that provides versatility based on neutral, accurate pickup. Worth highlighting are its wide frequency response (from 40 to 20,000 Hz) and its 71 dB signal-to-noise ratio. An optimal microphone for choir, orchestra and solo instrument applications. Its pre-attenuator (15 dB) enables exceptional performance at high sound pressure levels, while the switchable high-pass filter compensates for possible proximity effect. Aided by windscreens, the mic can be used for vocal applications both in the studio and live. The cardioid polar pattern gives this product high gain before feedback, rejecting noise from the rear. It is an excellent tool in studio contexts, but also in live situations that require particular clarity and gain before feedback. Using a pair of MC 930s is also especially recommended for wide stereo recordings with strong image projection.
FEATURES • Cardioid polar pattern • True Condenser • Pressure gradient • Frequency response: 40 – 20,000 Hz • Weight: 115 g • 15 dB pre-attenuator • Switchable high-pass filter • MC 930 Stereo Set pack: 2 MC930 mics + EA 19/25 elastic suspension, 2 WS53 pop filters and case • -15 dB pre-attenuation • Low-cut filter switchable at 250 Hz • Phantom power 11-52 V • Suggested retail price (excl. VAT) €789 • Distributed by: Gaplasa
