Sweetwater Exclusive Mic Reviews and Buying Guides!

Buying Guides

Shopping for mics? Sweetwater's exclusive Buying Guides give you the information you need while searching for the right mic for your specific needs! Our studio mic, live sound mic, wireless system, and preamp guides have the answers to your questions, and give you tips that will help in your decision-making process.

Buying Guide:
Studio Microphones
Types of microphones, how to read a frequency chart, understanding polar patterns, and more! Learn More >>
Buying Guide:
Live Sound Mics
Why polar patterns matter, finding the right mic for live applications, what to look for, and more! Learn More >>
Buying Guide:
Wireless Microphones
Wireless setup basics, types of wireless mic systems, true diversity, UHF vs. VHF, and more! Learn More >>
Buying Guide:
Microphone Preamps
Preamps vs channel strips, tubes vs. solid state, matching mic impedance, and much more! Learn More >>

Video Mic Reviews

Sweetwater Sales Engineers have spent years evaluating, selecting,
and (most importantly) using microphones in live sound, recording, and broadcast environments. We've asked several of them to give you the
low-down on a number of popular mics, to help you choose the one that's right for you. Remember, expert advice is just a toll-free call away!

AEA R84
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Large Ribbon Studio Microphone w/Cable and Carrying Case Learn More
AKG D 112
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Kick Drum/Bass Instrument Dynamic Mic with 160dB SPL Capacity Learn More
AKG C414XLII
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Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Nine Switchable Polar Patterns Learn More
Audio-Technica AT4050
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Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Multiple Polar Patterns Learn More
Audix D6
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Cardioid Kick Drum Microphone - Black Learn More
Audix i5
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Dynamic Instrument Microphone Learn More
Beyerdynamic M 160
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Hypercardioid Ribbon Microphone with Double Ribbon Transducer Learn More
Blue Microphones Bottle
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Multi-pattern Vacuum Tube Condenser Microphone System with Interchangeable Capsule Learn More
Blue Microphones Bottle Rocket Stage 2
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Large-diaphragm Transformerless Tube Microphone with Shockmount and Changeable Capsule Learn More
Bock Audio 241
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Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone with Bright/Normal Switch, Handwired Learn More
Electro Voice RE20
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Dynamic Cardioid Broadcast Microphone Learn More
Lauten Audio Clarion FC-357
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Large-diaphragm FET Condenser Mic w/ Cardioid, Omni, and Figure-8 Patterns, Gain and Attenuation Switches, Shockmount, and Flight Case Learn More
Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone
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All-tube Reference Cardioid Microphone Learn More
Mojave Audio MA-300
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Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Mic w/ Multiple Polar Patterns (Continuously Variable from Omni to Figure-8) Learn More
Miktek CV4
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Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Mic with 9 Selectable Polar Pickup Patterns, Shockmount, and Aluminum Case Learn More
Neumann U 87 Ai Set Z (Nickel w/Shockmount)
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Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Elastic Shockmount, Windscreen, and Cable Learn More
Neumann TLM 103 (Nickel)
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Large-diaphragm Cardioid Microphone in Wooden Jeweler's Box with 20Hz-20kHz Frequency Range Learn More
Neumann M 149 Tube
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Large Diaphragm Transformerless Tube Condenser Mic with Switchable Polar Patterns Learn More
Neumann KM 184 (Cardioid - Black (Single))
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Small-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone Learn More
Rode NT1-A
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Large-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Mic w/ Shock Mount, Pop Shield, XLR Cable, Dust Cover, and Instructional DVD Learn More
Schoeps Collette Modular Mic Cardioid Stereo Set
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Stereo Pair of Cardioid Condenser Microphones Learn More
Sennheiser MD 421 II
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Dynamic Cardioid Microphone with High SPL Capacity and 5-Position Bass Roll-Off Switch Learn More
Sennheiser e835 Microphone 3-pack (Switchless, 3-Pack)
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Dynamic Cardioid Handheld Vocal Mic with 150dB SPL Handling, and 40 Hz-16 KHz Frequency Response, 3-pack Learn More
sE Electronics Z5600a II
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Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone with 9 Switchable Polar Patterns Learn More
Shure SM81
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Small-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with 20Hz-20kHz Frequency Range and 136dB SPL Learn More
Shure SM58
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Dynamic Vocal Microphone with Cardioid Pickup Pattern and 50Hz-15kHz Frequency Response Learn More
Shure Beta 87A
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Handheld Supercardioid Electret Condenser Mic Learn More
Shure Beta 181 Stereo Set
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Sweetwater-exclusive! 2 Beta 181s and 2 of Every Capsule, Plus Clips, A75M Clamp Mounts, and a Custom Case Learn More
Sweetwater Mic Locker to Go Starter Pack
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Sweetwater-exclusive! Audio-Technica AT2020, Sennheiser e609, and Samson C02 Mics with SKB Custom Case Learn More