Stagg 50's Style Dynamic Stand Mounted Microphone for Vocal Pickup

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Another giant in the microphone business is Telefunken, and you’ll find our review of the ELA M251 in this article. Other models like the RCA 77-DX and AKG C 12 are also deeply intertwined in recording history and thus included here as well.

Rare working-condition vintage examples sell well into the five figures if you can even find one. With that in mind, Telefunken produced a meticulous reissue for a fraction of the cost. And the results are quite impressive and can be best described as “pure sonic opulence”.

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The Telefunken ELA M 251E features three polar patterns making it ideal for a range of stereo recording techniques if you have two, including Spaced Pair (A/B), XY (including Blumlein), ORTF array, and Mid-Side (MS). This rare Soviet children’s microphone system was produced in the 1980s in the USSR and is an early interpretation of the modern walkie-talkie. You’ll be surprised to discover that, while the term ‘microphone wasn’t coined until the early 1800s, the first device that echoes what came to be a microphone was created in 1665 when inventor Robert Hooke made an acoustic cup designed to transmit sound across a distance. Its amplifier circuit was originally built to comply with the standardized requirements of the German and Austrian national broadcast systems after World War II. The ELA M 251 has achieved legendary status and is an extremely sought-after and desired large-diaphragm tube contender mic today.

This retro microphone has been used extensively by Metallica’s frontman James Hetfield for live performances. Features Shure 55SH II: This is a replication of the iconic Shure Unidyne microphone which was favored by many music superstars over previous decades. This vintage microphone also has a reissue that was done meticulously and is sold for those that seek that unique sound and vibe from the Neumann U67. Features These legendary RCA ribbon mics features are quite unique. At 1 kHz, the 77-DX has an output of -50 to -56dbm, depending on the pattern selection. Its predecessor is the Type 77-D, introduced a few years earlier in 1948. The RCA 77-DX was widely used by broadcasters, and therefore instilled in the minds of the common folk. Legendary late-night show hosts such as David Letterman and Larry King used it on stage for years. FeaturesThe 1940s and ’50s saw an increase in radio enthusiasts and hobbyists and in 1957 the patent for the first wireless microphone was filed. In 1964 the Electret microphone was released. This model was revolutionary because it increased the accessibility of microphones thanks to its low cost, smaller size, and increased reliability. The 1970s saw greater improvements to both dynamic and condenser microphones, and clip-on microphones became the norm in the 1980s. These features make it ideal for capturing the dynamics of drums and taming electric guitar amps as they became progressively noisier during the ’60s.

Soundelux 251: This model recreates the AKG model ‘Telefunken ELA M251 TM’, one of the most iconic and sought-after retro microphones. When purchasing a vintage or antique microphone, what to look out for really depends upon your intentions for the item. For example, if you’re looking for a decorative or conversation piece, whether the microphone works or not isn’t relevant, but if you’re looking for a usable item, this will of course be your first concern. If you’re looking for an antique or vintage microphone from the perspective of a collector or enthusiast, you’ll probably want to avoid models which have been converted for compatibility for modern devices, whereas if you’re a music fan looking for that vintage tone a converted item can be very handy. Our Top List of Vintage and Antique Microphones

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As a matter of fact, the Neumann U47 became so popular in the studio that you’d have a hard time finding an album recorded in the 1950s or 1960s that didn’t employ a U47 in its recording process. The 1920s saw rapid improvements to microphone technologies largely thanks to the increased demand for broadcast radio services. In 1928 the first commercial condenser microphone was released. The RCA 77-DX is perhaps the most iconic-looking microphone on this list. It is a poly-directional ribbon mic, introduced by RCA in 1954. In all honesty, we’re going to talk about six vintage mics, and one modern mic with vintage looks. This last one is the Shure 55SH Series, the only modern and affordable microphone on this list that offers a vintage look and feel.