Stereo microphones

Outside ENG - travel podcasting - I record using a H4n - For travel work the value for money of this microphone is simply incredible. I purchased a shorter cable for (£25) nearly half the price of the Superlux (£55) Both cable and mic were sourced from eBay. One - Used for recording interviews for my blogs and website. I have no complaints of quality and stereo effect. I have a Beyerdynamic MCE58 which was once my primary ENG microphone. The Supberlux has a 'warmer' sound, although the 58 may have the edge for build quality. Two - Used as a 'hotel room' recording microphone for podcasting applications. In this instance I had carried a Rode Procaster which is a superb microphone, I no longer see the point of carrying two microphones the Supberlux gives good quality for this application. Three - There are no con's the price is so low it is impossible to fault it.

The AKG C 422 is a stereo condenser microphone that's to be used in the recording studio. The first recording studio that I worked at where I was an intern had this microphone, although it's a somewhat rare mic. Since it's a stereo mic it's got two separate capsules. It has three different polar pick up patterns to choose from, including cardioid, figure eight, and omnidirectional, as well as six others that can be set somewhere in between these settings. It has it's own power supply for selecting between these pick up patterns, which can actually be set for each of the two channels independently, which I think is a really cool feature although usually you'll set it the same way. The AKG C 422 also has a frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. OVERALL OPINION The AKG C 422 is one of the coolest microphones I've used, as stereo microphones in general offer up a world of possibilities. I've used a few different stereo microphones out there, but this is up there with the best that I've used. Although I first used it a while back when I was just starting out, I used it as an overhead drum microphone and knew enough then to know that it sounded incredible. It presents a perfect stereo spread and it's adjustability is a huge plus in terms of different polar patterns and all that. I don't know how many of these are floating around nowadays as I haven't seen or used one since I worked at that studio, but I would think you could find one to buy if you were determined enough. There aren't many stereo microphones out there that are of this caliber, so if you do come across a C 422 for a reasonable price and were looking to get a stereo mic, there's really no way you can go wrong with it!

The Neumann SM 2 is an interestingly shaped tube condenser microphone that is quite rare and hard to find. Like all Neumann mics, this is too expensive and fragile to be used for anything outside of the recording studio and since it is a tube condenser microphone is does have its own special cable and power supply that come along with it. OVERALL OPINION While the Neumann SM 2 tube condenser microphone isn't one of my favorite Neumann microphones out there, it still does have a great sound and will work in a variety of situations. I've only had the privilege of using this microphone a handful of times at a studio and it is the only one of these that I have ever seen and have had a hard time finding out too much information about these relics. The one thing that I have found it to sound really great for is acoustic piano. While I only had access to one of these, I would imagine that a pair of these would sound even better on an acoustic piano as this has a really warm and full inherent tone. This isn't all that similar sounding to any other Neumann microphone that I have used, but it does share the same quality detail that we have come to expect from Neumann products. If you can find an SM 2 I would bet that they would be pretty expensive, but they are definitely tough to find and this isn't a mic that you can really seek out. Its more of the time of mic that you get a lucky find with. Either way, it is a very cool sounding microphone and is one that should be tried out if give the chance. Overall, while rare and not one of the Neumann out there, still a very formidable microphone.

The Rode NT4 is a set of condenser stereo microphones, set in an XY pattern. It has an on/off switch, useful when you don't want to waste the battery on it (which is probably always). OVERALL OPINION I've used this mic extensively in a local studio. I have used it for acoustic guitars, room mics, as drum overheads and with a number of other acoustic instruments. Its got a clear sound and I love that it is fixed in the XY pattern - this saves set up time if I am looking to capture something with an XY stereo pair. I haven't used any other stereo microphones like this one, but for the price, it seems to be the best in its range. It really sparkles on the top end and the price, like most Rode mics, is pretty reasonable. I have had a bit of trouble with keeping it healthy, as it has been broken a few times. I believe this has more to do with the cable it comes with though. I also wish the mic cable that comes for it was bit longer, overall I have been very happy with the sound quality and features that the Rode NT4 offers.

This is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that I use quite frequently nowadays. It's a lot cheaper than many other large diaphragm condenser microphones that are of a similar quality. While it's generally used more for studios than live, I do think that it is a better option than most large diaphragm condensers for live because it's built tough and it is on the cheaper side, so it's more easily replaceable on the off chance that it does break (this is unlikely unless you are careless, though). There is only one cardioid pattern, which other reviews have mentioned, which is unfortunate but that's the trade-off that you make for having such a good price. OVERALL OPINION I like the surprisingly versatile use of this microphone. I have used a pair of them as overheads, which is a decidedly unique but often effective use for them. I have also used it in tandem with a dynamic mic on a guitar cabinet, which resulted in a fantastically detailed sound. I don't particularly like them as room mics as they don't have a more encompassing cardioid pattern. But there are certainly good uses for them, if you have no other options for vocals these aren't really a bad option, and they work on acoustic guitars well too. The sound is definitely not on par with a Neumann U87, or any tube-based condenser, but that's to be expected given the price difference between those mics and this one. Also, you don't have to worry about this one breaking on you and costing a fortune to fix. I think that for the home studio, or even some live situations, this is a great bet especially if you are on a budget (which, honestly, most of us are). Highly recommended unless you've already got better mics to work with but if you are looking for a mic with a good price tag you found 1!

The Avant Electronics Avantone CK-33 is a stereo FET (field effect transistor) microphone designed for use in the recording studio. I've only used it in the recording studio, and wouldn't recommend using it anywhere else as it isn't designed for any other sort of use and you will be putting it's safety at risk for sure. The mic has variable spaced cardioid pick up pattern, and will pick up frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. The mic comes with a shock mount and a hard wood case, as well as a splitter to put the 5 pin cable into and split it into two separate standard XLR outputs. OVERALL OPINION With the Avantone CK-33, Avant Electronics is offering up a very affordable stereo FET microphone, a type of mic that surely cannot be had at this sort of price in most places. While the CK-33 can't hold it's own weight when compared to the big boys, for home studio owners looking for a replacement because of the price, the CK-33 will definitely get the job done. You never know when a stereo microphone will come in handy in a variety of situations, so having one around even if it's not top tier is a good idea. I've used the CK-33 for a few different applications, but mainly for getting a spread room sound, which in my opinion is what the CK-33 is best for. It has a pretty full sound overall, but definitely lacks the depth and fullness that you'd get with a top end stereo microphone. The price however, makes up for any of it's shortcomings, as it is affordable for anyone who wants a stereo mic. I wouldn't recommend the CK-33 for professionals, but it is more than an adequate microphone for those looking for a stereo microphone on a budget...

The AKG C 24 is a stereo tube condenser microphone that is designed for use in the recording studio. It is a unique mic because it actually has two capsules in it and has the ability to move them in different directions. Few microphones out there have the same design, and the C 24 is definitely the best that I have used that are like this. Since it is a tube microphone it also comes with a power supply. OVERALL OPINION I first used the AKG C 24 a few years ago and was immediately impressed with not only the design and its attributes, but the overall sound quality. The C 24 is a pretty rare microphone and I haven't seen too many copies of this design either. I've only had a chance to use the microphone in a few different settings, but each application that I've used it for I've been quite happy with the results. I've used it for getting a stereo spread on an acoustic piano as well as for a general room microphone. I find that it probably works best as a room microphone or anytime that you want to get a wide sound from far away. While it will work well in most situations other than this as it is a well built microphone from a reliable company, using it as a stereo room spread is probably its best attribute. This also includes as a drum overhead as it gives you an all in one option. Having a single microphone that has two capsules in it is great, but it can also be used as a mono microphone if you decide that you don't need a stereo spread. This is a cool feature because it makes the mic extremely versatile and useful in all sorts of situations. These are hard to find microphones, and even if you can find one they are quite expensive because it is two microphones in one and is extremely high quality. While I can't say I would recommend trying to find one, if you come across a C 24 in a studio you should absolutely try it out as it is an overall killer microphone.