Lauten Audio: Snare Mic
reviewed by Mike Kosacek
I have quite a few snare mics, but none that are actually named “Snare Mic.” That's about to change. I'm a drummer, and I've mic’d a lot of snare drums. I usually rely on dynamic...
Gear Reviews
Microphones
SAMAR Audio Design: MG20 Small Diaphragm Condenser Mic
reviewed by Liam Nelson
SAMAR Audio is a refreshing voice of innovation. Dr. Mark Fouxman founded the company on his passion for electronics engineering, classical piano virtuosity, and pro audio expertise, and has...
Royer Labs: FlexBar Stereo Mic Mount
reviewed by Larry Crane
I'm a stickler for using stereo mounts for setting up pairs of microphones or grouping two mics on an amp when recording, and I am usually completely unhappy with how all these stereo bars and mounts...
JZ Microphones: BT202 SDC Microphone Pair
reviewed by Geoff Stanfield
It's no secret that I am a fan of JZ Microphones. In the past, they've offered exclusively large diaphragm microphones, but with the BT202 they have entered the small diaphragm condenser [SDC] market...
Earthworks Audio: SR117 Supercardioid Condenser Mic
reviewed by Geoffrey Knecht
I work in studio recording, location sound, and live performance. For me, versatility is king, and I'm constantly searching for tools that allow me to minimize my kit and do more with less. With this...
DPA Microphones: DDK4000 Drum Mic Kit
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, James Neil
DPA's DDK4000 is a selection of their mics packaged as a complete drum recording solution, including the 4055 kick mic, a 2012 compact cardioid mic intended for snare, two 2015 wide cardioid mics for...
Sony: C-80 Condenser Microphone
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Who doesn’t love Sony microphones? Their reputation is built on the C-37A, C-800G, and the C-38B; all of which deliver. I'd previously reviewed the C-100 series of mics [Tape Op #132] and was...
Placid Audio: Copperphone AV20 Microphone
reviewed by Joel Hamilton
It has been more than 20 years since I got my first original Copperphone microphone and wrote a review for Tape Op about it [Tape Op #42]. I fell in love with that microphone the moment I heard it,...
FLEA Microphones: FLEA ELA M 251 Tube Microphone
reviewed by Larry Crane
The original Telefunken ELA M 251 tube-powered condenser mics were made for Telefunken by AKG in the early '60s – when Neumann had pulled their U 47 distribution from Telefunken – and were...
LEWITT: PURE TUBE Condenser Microphone
reviewed by Daniel Ryan Morse
I try a different vocal microphone on just about every record I make. Some are technically great, but too sterile for my taste. Others – particularly tube large diaphragm condenser (LDC) mics...
Cloud Microphones: Cloudlifter CL-X
reviewed by Scott McDowell
If you’re reading Tape Op reviews and love recording with ribbon and dynamic mics as much as I do, then you’re probably already familiar with Cloudlifters. Also known as “mic...
Umbrella Company: Active Mic Cable
reviewed by Larry Crane
Late last year, I received an awesome email from Takeo Yamamoto, who had stumbled across Tape Op #4 when he was living in NYC ages ago. He now owns the pro audio sales/distributor and development...