Members average number of mics and a list...

How many mics do you own?

  • 1

    Votes: 127 7.8%

  • 2

    Votes: 155 9.5%

  • 3-5

    Votes: 408 24.9%

  • 6-7

    Votes: 221 13.5%

  • 8-12

    Votes: 326 19.9%

  • 13 or over

    Votes: 399 24.4%
  • Total voters
    1,636
This really is a little off topic of this thread, but I'm beginning to suspect quality control issues with the Bluebird, because everybody who owns one has a different opinion, not unlike the Oktava MK319. It's been called bright, dull, lifeless, dark, just about the entire spectrum. Mine is pretty well ruler flat- just the facts, Ma'am. That makes it a pretty good instrument mic, and good for voiceovers if you have the right talent. That doesn't mean that mine sounds like yours. Given the price, I suspect it is based on a Chinese capsule, which further supports the QC theory. For reference, I've listened to mine primarily through an Avalon AD2022, which produces damned little color of any kind.-Richie
 
My reason for owning so many mics is for research and development - I try to be familiar with, and be able to comment on, some of the more popular mics a lot of people own. And of course I have to find out which ones are good platforms for upgrade and / or re-voicing modifications.

With the exception of the Coles 4038, Neumann U 87, Gomez, MJ Vin-Jet and the LOMO shotgun all of the mics below have been modified.

AKG - Perception 120 & 200; Apex - 215, 205, 460; Audio Technica - AT 2020; Behringer B1, B2-Pro, T-1, T-47, C2; BLUE - Spark, Bluebird, Baby Bottle, Kick Ball; CAD - GXL 1200, CM 127, GXL 3000, M177, M179; Cascade - Gomez, MJ Vin-Jet, M20, Elroy; Chameleon Labs TS-1; Coles - 4038; Electro Voice - RE-20, RE-15, RE-18, Cardinal; KEL - HM7u, HM2D; M-Audio - Pulsar, Nova; Mojave MA-100; LOMO - long shotgun; MXL v67, v69, 4000, 3000, 990, 991, 909, Cr-24, 2003a, v63, 9000, R144, 7000, v87, 960, 190, 603, 67n, v250; Nady - SCM 800, SCM 900, CM 90, TCM 1050; Neumann KM 184, U 87 (early '70s); Oktava - MK-219, 319, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, ML52, MKL-2500; Reslo - RB ("Beatles ribbon"); RODE - NT1a, NT1000, NT2a, NTK; SE Electronics - SC2200; Sennheiser - MK4; Shure - SM7, SM57; Studio Projects -C1, B1; Stellar - RM3, Stereo Ribbon; Sterling Audio - ST51, ST55, ST79; t.Bone - Retro Bottle, Retro Tube, SC1100, SC300, SC400, SC600, RB100, RB500, RB700.

Assorted "pre-branding applied" Chinese mics from ShuaiYin, Feilo, iSK etc.

My go-to reference standard mics (own or have access to): Neumann - U 47, U 67, U 87, KM 84, KM 184; Coles 4033; RCA 44 & 77; Shure SM7; Electro Voice RE20; Earthworks - QTC30. You'll notice I'm not an AKG C-12 / Elam 251 kind of guy.
 
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Wow, it's been a while since i've been on this board. Here's my updated list

Rode Classic II
Sennheiser blackfire 515
Sennheiser MD515
Uher m534
Shure SM57
Shure SM58
Shure Beta 52A
TNC ACM 583
TNC ACM 1200
TNC ACM 6802T
MXL 603s

need ribbons, and some other mics, but it's a long road getting there when I also want more guitars, preamps, converters and acoustic treatment o_O - oh well got better stuff than I had 8 years ago.
 
Just starting out
(1) apex 435 condenser
(1) apex 775 (sm57 knock off)
(1) apex 125 kick mic
(1) blue ball
(1) peavey hand held somethin or other
 
Here's my list:

- Shure 55SH
- Shure 315 (needs reribboning, too lazy)
- some DIY stuff

Really, the 55SH can record almost anything, but I don't have a pair so I can't do stereo :(
 
Man when I voted in this poll I had 3-5. Now I have 11 I think? I really don't use a lot of my mics. I've had two SM57's for several years now but I never have done a recording that required two at once. I almost stopped using my D112 completely, and my Naiants I use for acoustic guitars, which I very very very rarely record seeing as I don't play any acoustic guitar.
 
yeah. Like Mrs Serious ... I'm paring down. I decided to do the one mic thing and got me a 44 BX. But I still use my mod'd Apex 205 because I have too much respect for the 44 to subject it to the grooves I'm throw'n down.
 
In order of acquisition:

Electro-Voice 731 (looks and sounds cool)
Shure SM57 -- this is ubiquitous like the fourth Led Zeppelin album,
Audio-Technica AT 3040
V-Tech "57" style knockoff
V-Tech "58" style knockoff (don't underestimate these cheapies.)
"RoyerMod" MXL 2001
MXL 2001A
MXL 2006
2x Alctron HST-11a (OEM Apex 460)

The last four are pending modifications. just waiting for some more parts.
 
Shure SM58 x 4
Rode NT1A x1 (I plan on getting it Neuman U87 modded by Joly)
Shure SM27 x1
Neumann TLM 102 x1 as of Tomorrow

And loads more Cheap dynamics (over 6)
And more wireless dynamics for Live stuff including a Wireless SM58, 2x Wireless Sennheisers (e865 equivelant) and more.
 
My Mic Locker

MY MICS


7 Dynamics

4 Condensers

​

Altogether I have invested about $1800 for my 11 mics. I do believe that for a hobbyist studio like mine, dynamic mics must have priority over condensers. You get better bang for your buck, and they generally do a better job in a noisier environment (like a home garage). But condenser mics are very useful for acoustics, certain vocals and overheads.

STORAGE

I store all these mics in a single flat (tray-style) plastic box (from office dpt). This makes it easy for me to find any mic I need. I lined the box with foam above and below, and keep a few silica packets in there to keep things dry.

I have a separate small box for all the mic accessories (mounts, adapters, pop filters, etc.). Since I'm not using all the individual cases/bags, they are stored somewhere out of sight.

So far, this system is working well for me.
 
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^ Add one more for me: Shure SM7B. Just arrived yesterday.

So now I have 12 mics, and I don't plan to have any more than that. Seems like more than enough, considering I'm just recording myself and friends.
 
Listing mine from memory here. I'm bound to forget one or two.

Electrovoice
Re11
Re-20
635a x4
DO54 x4

Shure
Sm58
Sm78
Sm81 x2

AKG
D12e
D112

Sennheiser
MD421n x2


Oktava
Mk-219 x2

Rode
NT1a

Marshall
MXL 990

Reslo
RBT/L

Naiant
prototype/reject. Not sure.
 
Shure SM81 (2)
AKG D12E (1)
AKG D112 (1)
AKG D707 (2)
AKG D330 (1)
AKG C418 (1)
Sennheiser MD-421 (1)
Sennheiser MD-908 (1)
Cascade M20 (2)
Clock Audio C33E (1)
Neumann KM184 (1)
Audio Technica M4000S (1)
and an old dynamic omni made by shure
I think i need to start weeding out my mic collection I didn't even realize I had 16 mics!
 
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