However, you record audio you are not likely to get far without a microphone to capture the sound of whatever it is you are recording, whether it is a vocal, guitar, drums, instruments, sound effects or dialog.
There are many different types of microphones both in the way they pick up sound, Omni, cardioid, hyper-cardioid or figure of 8. Then there is the way the microphones are made, dynamic, ribbon or condenser. These all affect the way the microphone captures the sound.
A lot of people ask us to comment or compare the sound of various microphones. With our reviews, we give you the chance to see and hear what they can do before you consider buying them.
To help, we have consolidated 30 of our most recent microphone reviews in this article to enable you to see the differences between them and see how they could fit into your workflow. If you are considering a new microphone, for your studio or on location then check out these reviews...
In this video review for Production Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Slate Digital ML-2 small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone with a 'Dynamic mode' switch and the latest VMC Classic Instrument Microphone bundle for the Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack (VMR).
In this video review for Production Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Delta II and Sigma II handmade ribbon microphones by British microphone manufacturer Sontronics.
In this video review for Production Expert, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new LCT540 Subzero (540S in the UK and Europe) 1-inch condenser capsule microphone by Lewitt. In this review James shows you some of the key features of the 540S then lets you hear how it sounds on drum overheads and nylon and steel string acoustic guitars in a short demo track.
In this video review for Production Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look and listen to the Series Black range of condenser microphones by Lauten Audio.
In this video review for Production Expert, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor, James Ivey takes a look at the new Hammer Audio HA-872 condenser microphone.
In this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey looks at the final microphone in the Audio Technica 50 series the 5040. The AT504 is once again a quad rectangular diaphragm microphone but this has no transformer in its output stage thus giving it a very very high output.
In this video review for Production Expert, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Classic Tubes 3 collection for the Slate Digital Virtual Microphone System.
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey shows us around the new AT2035 Studio bundle from Audio Technica and Audient. This package features everything you need to get working on your next hit song. Just add creativity.
In this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Vanguard Audio Labs V44S Stereo Condenser Microphone.
n this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Audio Technica 5045 single rectangular diaphragm condenser microphone.
In this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new AT5047 quad diaphragm condenser microphone from Audio technica.
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey reviews the Audio-Technica 4080 and 4081 ribbon microphones. With music the music of singer songwriter Joel Tavares and his song Rain Down, James records a pair of AT4081 Ribbon mics in a Blumlein configuration to capture an open sounding stereo image of the acoustic guitar. James uses the AT4080 to record Joel's vocals. The 4080 is much more of a traditional dark sounding Ribbon mic and works perfectly as a vocal mic for this track.
In this 2nd part of this review, Technical Editor, James Ivey continues his look at the amazing Zylia recording system. Back in the studio 2 days after the recording session James shows what you can do with the recordings inside the Zylia Studio software. He goes on to show how the Zylia Studio software can export not only a stereo file but also the instrument stems with minimal bleed from the other instruments.
In this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Zylia multi diaphragm microphone and software recording solution with the help of the Elite String Quartet.
In this review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at 2 microphones from SE Electronics. With the help of singer-songwriter, Joel Tavares, James tests the SE 2200A Mk2 cardioid large diaphragm condenser mic and the SE Voodoo VR2 Ribbon microphone.
I have been lucky enough to have loan of the Soyuz SU-019 since just after the NAMM show back in January 2017. Many of you will have heard me use it as it is the mic I have been using to record my voice for the Pro Tools Expert podcast ever since. The SU-019 is a large diaphragm FET condenser microphone. The FET or Field Effect Transistor is placed in the mics internal circuit to produce a richer tone. read on to see what I think about it...
Pro Tools Expert Post Production Specialist Alan Sallabank reviews the RØDE smartLav+ Lavalier microphone system, and sees if such a reasonable budget solution can deliver a professional result.
In this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor and self-confessed microphone addict, James Ivey takes an up-close look at the new Mercury Valve Condenser microphone from British manufacturer Sontronics.
In this video, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Warm Audio WA-87 large diaphragm condenser microphone.
In this video review for Production Expert, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at 3 new microphones from Audio-Technica.During a drum recording session James tries the new AE2300 Dynamic mic on Snare drum, the ATM230 on Floor Toms and the ATM350D on Rack Toms.
In this video review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the Slate Virtual Microphone System (VMS).
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new V13 multi pattern valve condenser microphone from Vanguard Audio Labs. This is not only a beautiful looking mic but it also has the sound characteristics of some of the worlds most famous and expensive mics making it one that you really should thing about when buying a modern microphone.
In this video James Ivey from Pro Tools Expert takes a close up look at a new product from Sweden, the ISOVOX. For this review James moves the studio to his kitchen so you can really hear how the ISOVOX works to remove unwanted room reflections from the recording process.
Production Expert is proud to present a world exclusive. The first review of the new Townsend Labs Sphere Microphone system. Technical Editor James Ivey shows you around the Sphere L22 large dual diaphragm microphone and the Sphere and Sphere 180 software in a practical demonstration recording voice, drums and acoustic guitar. He talks about how to get the best out of the L22 mic and the Sphere software to get the sound of some of those classic money can't buy vintage microphones.
In this video review of the SE Electronics ProMic Laser Pro Tools Expert team member Dan Cooper shares his past methods for recording his voice in video production. Dan demonstrates how both the Shure SM7B (recorded via a Cloudlifter) and AKG C414 sound in comparison to the ProMic Laser when connected to his Canon 80D DSLR.
In this video James from Production Expert takes a close look at the new Halo portable vocal booth from Aston Microphones.
In this video review James takes a look at the new Origin from UK company Aston Microphones. He puts this new take on microphone design to work on a track using acoustic guitars, percussion and vocals. The Origin is available in stores for around £199 UK Pounds. This could become the new go to mic for Singer-songwrites and home recordists it really is that good. Take a listen and hear for yourselves. One thing to note is that at the time of recording the Rycote shock mount was offered as part of a deal. Sadly this deal ended at the end of December. A shock mount is available for the Origin but as an additional cost.
In this video James, with a little help from singer Rose O'Connell and band The Talent try out the new d:facto II microphone system from DPA. What are the benefits in being able to take a studio quality condenser mic and convert it to be able to run with a professional wireless system. James uses the mic in the studio and then the ultimate test to prove just why it gets his Editors Choice award.
Dan Cooper takes a look at Sonarworks rather brilliant Studio Calibration Software 'Reference 3'
Sonarworks claim Reference 3 to be the most accurate speaker and room calibration software delivering reference sound you can trust in under 15 minutes.
In this video James takes a look at two microphones from MXL. He uses a pair of CR21 mics on acoustic guitar and a CR89 on vocal in a session with Lois Correir and Lara Sa. This session is produced with no EQ or Dynamics processing. Take a listen to just how good these mics sound. Does paying a small fortune for mics make a difference... You tell us.
Want More Interface Reviews? We Have Them...
This is the 30 most recent microphone reviews we have on the Production Expert site. We have over 40 reviews on the site and so if you want to find more interface reviews then check out our reviews pages for more microphone reviews.