The Most Costly Microphones used on Well-known Recordings. ·
Supply: AKG / Brauner
On this article, we’ll be exploring a number of the rarest and costliest microphones used on well-known recordings. These mic designs have been immortalized by their standing inside the {industry} and the timeless music created with them.
Since its invention within the nineteenth century, we have now all the time regarded to develop and elaborate on the microphone’s design. It’s solely till not too long ago that we have now turn into more and more involved with recreating classic and different current designs.
Greater than being unimaginable feats of engineering, the enduring microphones ushered in new eras of recording. They allowed performers and engineers new artistic freedom with better capabilities to seize sound.
The Most Costly Microphones
When exploring classic microphones and recreating historic sounds, it’s necessary to keep in mind that the microphone is just one hyperlink within the chain. Though it performs a significant position within the total sound, the best way microphones work together with specific preamps, EQs, channel strips, compressors, and recording mediums resembling analogue tape could make recordings come to life.
RCA 44 BX
It won’t be the costliest mic on this checklist by any means, however the RCA 44 marks an period earlier than German and Austrian condenser microphones turned well-liked within the US recording {industry}.
Developed by Harry Olson of RCA Labs within the Thirties, the RCA mannequin 44 turned the usual for voice recording and broadcast for a few years to come back. The design used an aluminium ribbon that featured a localized determine of 8 pickup sample, in addition to a transformer.
This created the superbly darkish and colored sound that we affiliate with recordings of that period. The RCA 44 has been famously utilized by Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, Elvis, and Nat King Cole.
In the present day, AEA creates genuine reproductions of the basic RCA 44 ribbon mic within the type of the R44C. Nonetheless, the supercardioid KU5A lively ribbon mic is a much more possible alternative for contemporary dwelling recording.
RCA 44BX
Sony C-800G
The trendy industry-standard pop vocal chain consists of the Sony C-800G tube condenser, the Avalon VT-737SP tube channel strip, and the Tube-Tech CL-1B tube-optical compressor.
Tube circuitry has an extremely low noise flooring, which maximizes the dynamic vary. Nonetheless, presumably the principle motive this vocal chain is most well-liked is that it captures vocals in an ultra-clean and clear manner with out colouring the sound.
Software program processors like Antares Auto-Tune and Celemony Melodyne carry out and sound higher within the context of most pop information when the enter sign is cleaner, and this produces the perfect finish outcomes.
With its distinctive dual-diaphragm design, the C-800G has been utilized by artists like Madonna, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and plenty of extra.
Sony C-800G
Brown VM1
It won’t be probably the most well-known nor probably the most broadly used, however for these within the know the Brauner VM1 is well top-of-the-line tube condenser mics ever designed.
In 1999, Klaus Heyne of German Masterworks undertook a venture with Brauner to create a timeless model of the already revered VM1, dubbed the VM1 KHE (Klaus Heyne Version). Solely 100 items have been produced.
When recording the Queens Of The Stone Age album, Lullabies to ParalyzeJoe Barresi rented a VM1 to make use of on Josh Homme’s lead vocals, which suited the characteristically dense mixes Baressi is thought for creating.
The VM1 is thought for capturing excessive frequencies with the utmost readability, however because it’s priced barely out of attain of most recording budgets today, the Manley Reference Cardioid Mic is a worthy various.
Brown VM1
AKG C12
First launched in 1953, the AKG C12 and its relative the stereo C24, in addition to the Telefunken ELA M 250/251 microphones which have been carefully modelled on the C12 are nonetheless a number of the most influential mic designs.
Its coveted brass CK 12 capsule and the expanded multipattern capabilities made it a mainstay in recording studios everywhere in the world. The nice and cozy, pure sound was most well-liked by numerous producers and engineers over time.
The C12 has been used on recordings by artists like Tom Petty, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and Michael Jackson, in addition to getting used throughout the well-known “We Are The World” periods.
Should you don’t fancy the trendy AKG recreation, the C12 VR, you may get some nice outcomes with the WA-CX12 from Heat Audio.
AKG C12
Neumann U47
The U47 was the primary post-war microphone produced by the Georg Neumann firm in what was the West German facet of Berlin in 1947 and shortly changed the ribbon mic because the recording customary within the US.
When recording, the U47 provided better dynamic vary with increased SPL dealing with. General, the sound was hotter, fuller, and clearer, with the elegant element of the recording setting’s atmosphere, and marked a brand new period in recording.
From Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and David Bowie, to Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Taylor Swift, and plenty of extra, the U47 has proved its price on a number of the most well-known information of all time.
If the trendy Telefunken model is out of your attain, the Neuman M147 is a good fashionable recreation with the capsule design of the unique U47.
Neumann U 47
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Picture Sources:
- RCA 44BX: Pintrest
- Sony C-800G: SONY
- Brown VM1: Brown
- AKG C 12: Classic King
- Neumann U 47: Neumann GmbH
