Conan's Mic

[Rocket Boy]

is that a sennheiser 421? having never seen one in person... i wouldnt know

 

[Englebert]

It looks like an Audio-Technica condenser to me. I think it´s there mainly as a prop though.

 

[cominginsecond]

It must be pretty durable. He's always knocking it down for a joke.

 

[EddieRay]

I heard that the mics on the desks of most late night TV shows are just props. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[Innovations]

Yes they are props. The real mics are shotgun mics on ovehead booms

 

[cominginsecond]

On Conan's show, they are at least plugged in, though. When he picks it up and says something into it, it sounds exactly like you think it would. When he knocks it over, it makes a loud thunk.

 

[Rocket Boy]

yeah, i know they're just props.. i mean like they dont serve a purpose, but every once and a while he talks into it.

 

[cominginsecond]

Yes they are props. The real mics are shotgun mics on ovehead booms

Don't they also use lapel mics?

 

[Jblount]

Its usually a combo of overheads and mostly lapel mics. Conan's is a AT I think.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I like the RCA ones Jonny Carson and Larry King had on thier desks, But Im sure they didnt use them as anything more than a prop.

 

[Innovations]

Don't they also use lapel mics?

they can and do, particularly if the guests are going to be moving around and doing things on stage. If they are going to be just sitting and talking a fixed setup of overhead mics is simpler than wireless lavaliers.

 

[Tonewoods]

I like the RCA ones Jonny Carson and Larry King had on thier desks, But Im sure they didnt use them as anything more than a prop.

The Shure 330 was the Carson mic...
It's one of my favorite ribbon mics if you can find a good one...