Discover the Best Small Diaphragm Microphones
1. AKG P170
Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Buy this mic!
Reviewed by Steve on B&H Photo Video
I read a great review of these AKG Perception series mics, so with a bit of skepticism I ordered a pair for our college's media production program. We had few small capsule condensors for our students to try - and these are priced just right for experimantation. But since I've run comparisons with other mics in our fleet (Sennheisers, A-T, Sonys) I am bowled over by the low self-noise and great siound. They are a bit sensative to wind noise, so a wind screen is essential - but the P-170 is a very sweet sounding mic for vocals, piano or guitar. ... More
Surprisingly clear and versatile
Reviewed by Jeff B. on Reverb
This was recommended to me by a friend to help record some demos on acoustic guitar. Pointing the head at the 12th fret of the guitar, about 18 inches away, I got a sound that was clear, natural, and balanced nicely between tonal and percussive noises. For another song, where we had to record an electric guitar amp, I threw it in front of the speaker, and it captured that better than anything else I'd tried before. Haven't tried it for vocals yet, but I'm pretty sure it'd do fairly well there as well. I might be buying another one of these for other instruments. ... More
2. Shure SM81
Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Throw away all other drum mics
Reviewed by Jim on Guitar Center
Just got 2 81s to use as drum overheads in the studio....if you have 2 of these and a kick mick (I have an AKG D112) you are set. The 81s give you a true acoustic drum sound and even more importantly when EQing them on an analog board, you can easily separate cymbals, toms and snare to give your mix an outstanding sound. You may never close mic again.
What you hear is what you get!
Reviewed by Giuliano de Landa on B&H Photo Video
I'm a musician, producer and audio designer, recording professionally for over 5 years. The SM-81 has been the small diaphragm condenser of choice in many studios since it was released. I own a pair of them and have used them primarily as drum overhead mics, and for stereo mic'ing acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments. The SM-81 is one of the most accurate mic's I've used (what you hear is what you get). They are also very well made... like long, silver, cylindrical jewels. The -10db pad and low end roll off switches are easy to get to, but not easy to accidentally switch on or off. They are also one of the quietest (low self-noise) mics. Many jazz artists love them because of their accuracy. They also work quite well for recording choirs and pipe organs. ... More
3. Rode M5
Compact 1/2" Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Outstanding set!!
Reviewed by Cruddola on Guitar Center
I've used Rode mics on film and video shoots and are my go-to mics that won't break the bank. At my local GC I asked about a pair of little mics hiding out at the bottom corner of the badly lit display case. Before the GC dude came a customer gave me the run-down on these little gems. I've seen and heard this customer's work on many a local venue. He's well respected and is ALWAYS working the job. Like me, he won't endorse what won't hold its weight on the job and especially to the ear. The EAR is the final judge! I bought a set for my drum overheads. Swapped out the Audix AD-51s (These are killer too!) Short story even shorter, I bought two more sets. They are nothing but exceptional. Hi SPL and they don't fizz. Got them on my Hi-hat sets, blocks and X-hats. I placed one inside a gong drum, YIKES!! Beautiful rumble. I'll keep the AD-51s up high because I like the roll-offs and these little gems down low. With angled cable connectors they can hide anywhere and not be in the way. I got them running to a Soundcraft MFX-16 board (best board for drums yet) and they'll replace the SM-81s. I've got a buyer for the 81s already. The dude who turned me on to M5!! ... More
Best Overhead For A Cheap Price
Reviewed by Crunch Time Jerry on Guitar Center
I bought these for Overheads for my Drums.They were a perfect fit with the rest of my Mic setup.I use Shure Beta 57 Top Snare.Audix I5 on the Bottom and Shure SM57's on all the Toms and Shure Beta 52A Kick Mic.I record with a Zoom R24 and these Rode M5 were just the Finishing Touches I needed.Really made a BIG!! Difference.Really brought out my Kick Drum and just gave it a killer Stereo sound.I had my eye on these for a while.I wasn't disappointed when I got them. ... More
4. Behringer C-2
Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Pair
Great gen.purp. mics, especially for the price!
Reviewed by David Thompson on Guitar Center
I got 8 of these for micing small to medium orchestras (15 to 75 performers), mostly in outdoor venues like gazebos. Also use them for some more conventional uses like ambient recordings, crown mics for earbud injection, drum overheads, acoustic instruments (mostly stringed). They perform just fine for these tasks. I've used Octavas in the past and, of course, was very pleased with them. However, they cost so much now that they're not price competitive for my small market. The Behringers fit perfectly. Highly recommended. They were actually recommended to me by a buddy who has 16 Octavas and would rent 8 of them to me for the one month season I need them for about the same amount these cost. Can't beat that! ... More
great percussion overheads - live or recording
Reviewed by Goose on Guitar Center
I have these and a pair of matched condensers by another manufacturer (also sold by GC) in the same price range with similar features, and these Behringers are much, much better. Sound, sensitivity, feedback rejection, everything (just check out the spec sheets). They're also much more solidly built. If you're looking for a great value in condenser overhead or acoustic instrument mics look no farther.
5. Samson C02
Pencil Condenser Microphones, Stereo Pair
Versatile mics for a great price = excellent value
Reviewed by Michael on B&H Photo Video
I am trying to get setup for semi-professional video creation and wanted to generate good quality audio. After watching a lot of mic reviews, I decided to order a pair of the Samson C02 mics. While these are sold as instrument (drums, acoustic guitar, etc) many people have given them favorable reviews for dialog and even live action. Having received mine, I have done a number of tests both for inside dialog as well as taking them outside to check their sensitivity with ambient sound. I am using a Sound Devices mixer so the whole sound chain is pretty quiet, and I did not hear very much self-noise from these mics while they were able to pick up very faint sounds outdoor such as leaves rustling and birds chirping. They are somewhat directional but certainly not in the same way as a proper shotgun mic. All in all I am very glad I purchased these and I expect them to be with me for a good while. ... More
Awesome Microphones
Reviewed by William on B&H Photo Video
I have been recording for over 10 years so I have a basic grasp on the process. I bought these microphones being skeptical but at $108 ($54 each) I gave them a shot. I instantly love these mics. First, I plugged them into my Tascam DR100 (using a stereo mic bar on a stand walking around) and recorded room ambience, my voice, and different effects like running water, hits, etc. They sounded great. I am recording audio samples to place into my synthesizers/samplers to create new sounds. before I would have had to use either my Rode NT1A, Shure SM7B, or my ribbon mic. A lot of the things I record have fast attack times which can occasionally be captured better with smaller condenser microphones. I have yet to try them in my universal audio and other preamps but if they sound this good in my tascam, I believe the will sound great. P.S. - No they are not neumann mics (which are not a one size fit all either) but they are definitely in a class waaaay above their selling price! I didn't misspell way :) ... More