Here is a collection of interesting videos on microphones and microphone technologies:
Audio 101: Microphones
Dynamic vs Condenser Microphones, What’s the Difference?
Audio recording tutorial: The different microphone types | lynda.com
XLR vs USB Microphones, Which Should You Buy?
$22 MICROPHONE VS $3600 MICROPHONE | Andrew Huang
Voice-over Microphone || DIY or Buy
How a Neumann U87 microphone is manufactured
How to Make Your Own DIY U87 Vintage Condenser Mic
Soyuz Video #3 Capsules
The Soyuz SU-019 FET Microphone
MKH-416 counterfeit mic teardown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdoeh7y0yeE
Disassembly – Taking apart the BM-100FX Microphone.
BEST Budget USB Microphone!? | FIFINE Honest Review
Why the Blue Yeti Sucks
Why the Blue Yeti Su cks | Pro Audio Engineer Responds
Do XLR to USB Cables Work?
Samson USB GO Mic Teardown
BM-800 Microphone Review / Teardown
Teardown of the Blue Yeti Microphone
Samson c01u usb microphone test + look inside
A quick teardown on the Samson Go Mic USB studio microphone for laptops and tablets
Samson C01U USB Mic Teardown (part of the article)
Random Teardown #001: Blue Snowball Ice Microphone
485 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
$3000 Neumann U87 vs $70 Clone from Aliexpress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftF_9dms9hI
Are those cheap U87 clones from Ali Express any good? We put one up against a REAL U87 from 1982 on Fearless Gear Reviews!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Electric + Acoustic Guitars Get Double Tracked (and NOT copy pasted)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu1P-cAhWJw
Tomi Engdahl says:
How It’s Made – Neumann U87ai microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTZy-ThRXeY
Here’s a nice video showing how the venerable Neumann U87ai mic is built.
Tomi Engdahl says:
11 Top-of-The-Line-Vocal Mics for Recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyZRe8ZhAXM
Join Mitch Gallagher as he takes us through 11 of the highest-quality mics available at Sweetwater that are guaranteed to skyrocket your vocal recording quality into the stratosphere!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Get Your Own Mic | Audio-Technica
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CdxvVNlRiKs&feature=youtu.be
WARNING: You may never use a club mic again!
This humorous public service announcement from Audio-Technica graphically illustrates why we feel you should “Get Your Own Mic.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Impact of In Ear (headphone) Latency upon Singers (Public)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APj0ZaMy4Xw
Discussion and demo of the impacts of latency and polarity upon the sound we perceive when listening our own voice with in ear monitors or headphones.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Making XLR Cables #1 – Solder a Cable and Tips (Public)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6prsGkbZi4
In this video I solder an XLR cable and discuss various cable shield, the tool used, cable strippers, holding connectors while soldering, keeping the iron clean of solder and testing the cable.
The first part of a multi part series on mic cable termination. In this video I describe many of the aspects I will cover in future videos and show how to make an XLR cable
Tomi Engdahl says:
Analog Cable Test Over a Mile Long Down CAT5e Cable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0nKK43Oeas
Lets listen to what Shure SM58 and a Neumann U89 sound like when run analog down a mile and a half of Cat5e cable.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Human Body Polarity vs In Ear/Headphone Polarity (Public)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dday7clNcc
In this video I will be discussing and demonstrating how microphone, headphone and in-ear monitor polarity has an impact on the sound a person hears when listening to their own voice in real time.
Our internal body resonance is audible to us when we speak or sing, how does the polarity of the Will our vocal signal sent to headphones interreact with our body resonance?
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dangers & Solutions – Audio Phantom Power + Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8UTGcuAtd0
How does phantom power work? What happens when sending phantom from more than one console to a mic? What happens sending phantom down an unbalanced mic cable? Can phantom power destroy a mic?
Tomi Engdahl says:
HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY MICROPHONE?
https://service.shure.com/s/article/how-should-i-clean-my-microphone?language=en_US#:~:text=To%20clean%20a%20microphone%20with,get%20caught%20in%20the%20grille.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Proper procedures for cleaning/sanitizing vocal microphone grills/windscreens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV4xilTm0QU
Important details for those of you that are willing to go the extra mile by regularly cleaning the grills of your vocal mic’s.
In the worst case scenario for your grills rusting you can simply go on Amazon especially if you have a Shure Sm58 and buy a replacement grill for about 7 dollars
Tomi Engdahl says:
Does this $39 “professional” condenser microphone from Kmart totally suck?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1M84sgLRmF0
Good audio is important for video, but it can be really expensive. I found this microphone kit at Kmart for under 40 bucks and just had to check it out. I expected it to be junk… but it’s surprisingly useable, with a few sneaky surprises discovered opening it up.
After more research it appears this is in fact the Neewer NW-8000 USB variant, not 7000.
I don’t usually check products like these out, but if it helps you make some voice overs or streams I’m all for it!
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://service.shure.com/s/article/how-do-i-change-the-roll-off-frequency-of-the-a15hp?language=en_US
Tomi Engdahl says:
Best Budget Dynamic Microphone: The SM58 And It’s Clones
https://bestproaudio.com/best-budget-dynamic-microphone/
I’m often asked “What’s the best budget dynamic microphone for singing?”. First of all, budget is a relative term. One person’s budget $200.00 microphone is another person’s expensive $200.00 microphone. It all depends on how much disposable income you have to blow on a dynamic microphone! For the sake of this post, I will consider any dynamic microphone below $100.00 a budget mic.
The Shure SM58 also happens to be the industry standard, work horse dynamic vocal microphone of choice for sound engineers and musicians everywhere. Mine has never let me down to date. It has a cardioid pickup pattern, a natural tone, excellent feedback rejection, ample power, and just plain works like it should. If you have roughly a hundred dollars to spend on a “budget” microphone, you can’t go wrong with the Shure SM58.
The next budget microphone in my search for the best budget microphone is the Shure SM48-LC. The SM48 is basically an SM58 clone made by Shure! Looking at the specs and the photos it’s easy to see that this dynamic mic is closer in look to the SM58 than in performance. The biggest difference is the frequency response. This will effect the overall sound produced by the microphone. After reading numerous reviews, most people admit that it’s not as good as the SM58, but close to it.
One of my favorite SM58 clones is the Behringer XM8500.
The first dynamic microphone in the lineup is the Sennheiser e835. I have used this dynamic vocal mic with great success in the past. Sennheiser is best known for it’s pricier microphones, but this one performs nicely and is priced near the top of the budget for this comparison.
After reviewing my alternatives, I have to say that the Behringer XM8500 is the best budget dynamic microphone for singing because it actually holds it’s own with the likes of the Shure SM58. At $19.99, it certainly is a hard bargain to beat.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How the SM58® Survives the World’s Toughest Tests
https://www.shure.com/en-US/performance-production/louder/how-the-sm58-survives-the-worlds-toughest-tests
Tomi Engdahl says:
13 Things to AVOID when Recording GUITAR at HOME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvRAL_q3csk
Are you recording your guitars at home? Are you planning on having your stuff mixed at a larger studio? Here are 13 things to watch out for, with some nightmare stories explaining WHY you shouldn’t do them!
0:00 The Series Continues!
0:47 Get the Guitar in Recording Shape
4:56 Avoid the First Generation Scarlett
7:03 Even Experts need to take a DI signal
9:41 Don’t give a Noisy DI signal!
11:39 Play Authentically out of Tune
12:50 Proper Levels and File Format
14:11 How to Set your Levels PROPERLY
14:58 Use foam to Control the Strings
16:45 Tape down those strings!
18:29 Double Track, not Copy & Paste!
20:26 Track Labelling
22:16 Make sure you TUNE
23:14 New Strings
Tomi Engdahl says:
A fake SM58 will sound very bright and harsh with moderate gain applied. A genuine 58 will sound like, well, a 58 — smooth in the lows and midrange, with a slightly recessed and pleasant high end. A genuine 57 will give lush midrange tone with great low end response — a counterfeit will not produce similar results.
5 Steps to Spotting a Fake Shure SM58
https://fakesm58.wordpress.com/
The biggest indicators of a counterfeit SM57 are inside the microphone. … An authentic Shure SM57 microphone should have yellow and green wiring. On the circuit board, there should be a quality control stamp. The fake SM57 I got from Woot had yellow and blue wiring.
Spotting a counterfeit Shure SM57
https://mpinnauphoto.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/spotting-a-counterfeit-shure-sm57/
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Guide to Spotting Fake SM57s and SM58s
Are You Sure it’s a Shure?
https://sine-post.co.uk/2017/11/10/are-you-sure/
As two of the most popular mics in existence, the Shure SM57 and SM58 have pretty much dominated the affordable microphone market since their introduction in the mid 60s, becoming synonymous with ruggedness and reliability. But lifelong popularity has proven to be a double-edged sword for the dynamic duo, and in recent years counterfeiters have flooded the market with untold numbers of inferior knockoffs, hoping to fool the unwary buyer into parting with their cash. In this instance, imitation is certainly not the sincerest form of flattery…
Whilst the counterfeiters have ‘traditionally’ put a lot of time and effort into ensuring that their fake microphones look the part (on first glance at least), the same cannot be said for the interior workings and resultant sound quality, which can range from plain shoddy to nigh on unusable.
Fake SM58 Wiring
https://sine-post.co.uk/2017/11/10/are-you-sure/fake-sm58-wiring/
Tomi Engdahl says:
SHURE SM58 Real Vs Fake Counterfeit Microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpL5xO6AQW0
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://groupdiy.com/threads/active-ribbon-mic.5743/page-15
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://service.shure.com/s/article/ebay-sellers-and-counterfeit-products?language=en_US
Tomi Engdahl says:
Real vs Fake – Shure SM58 microphone side by side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WLbgBYJ4RA&feature=youtu.be
Tomi Engdahl says:
DA 87i DIY Microphone Kit
The faithful vintage ’87-style sound you’ve been chasing.
https://www.dachmanaudio.com/da87i-diy-microphone-kit/?utm_medium=intl-tof&fbclid=IwAR1_1zztAsJoDsecq7Ht2jQq6rwreWRUHbYKfqrJU1V2uDCx1gGCVUlgZtg&playlist=0f910e9&video=c8fa6b8
Tomi Engdahl says:
Shure 55SH
https://youtu.be/xGsYm8dZEio
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/02/24/taking-a-capacitor-microphone-to-the-next-level/
Tomi Engdahl says:
5 Mics UNDER $100 that don’t Completey S*CK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlMwRiIQqhg
One question that constantly comes up on this channel is, “what mic can I start with that’s not terrible?” I take a look at FIVE very affordable microphones that should do the trick!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Headphones Are Not Stereo (the other LCR problem)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ9WQDojQt8
In which I talk about the way LCR mixes translate to headphones, warn of the potential dangers of mono-ing your low end without listening carefully to what that does, and show you some delightful ways to add depth to your mixes.
Tomi Engdahl says:
We Recorded an ENTIRE Song w/ Scarlett Solo Studio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3qkXY0qJq8
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electrical Audio How-To: Mid-Side (M-S) Recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6RO8JmAdc
A demonstration and explanation of mid-side stereo recording from Greg Norman.
Tomi Engdahl says:
LIGHTER is a MICROPHONE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlVI7YJGHq0
Did you know every lighter with a piezo-igniter has a microphone component inside??!!!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Custom Desktop Mic Stand Rig Using Basic Grip Equipment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1FdN6sOLqk
In this video we’re building a custom desktop microphone stand using grip equipment from the film & lighting industries. You may have noticed setups like this being used on some of your favorite shows in the past & you’ll certainly notice more of these tools in the background of your favorite YouTube channels if you look closely. Hopefully this video will give you some ideas to try the next time you’re working on a microphone rig.
What do you think of this setup compared to shelling out for an off the shelf broadcast style desktop mic stand?
Tomi Engdahl says:
Behringer XM8500 vs Behringer SL 84C?? Who wins?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wMk3yiM6Uc
Tomi Engdahl says:
The front capsule is exposed to a lot more Schmutz (this is a technical term describing spit, mucous, lint, and dust). When moist, this can drastically change the output of the capsule.
Tomi Engdahl says:
There are two basic microhpne powering schemes in use today.
One uses balanced (i.e., three-wire) cabling and uses voltages in the 9v to 52v range, with 48v being the most common.
The second uses unbalanced (i.e., two wire) cabling, is also called “T-power”, and is a 12v spec (with variation between 6v and 15v). T-power method can also be used with balanced wiring.
There are international standards for each of these (IEC 61938).
Condenser mics which use balanced phantom power are designed to work best with a certain range of voltage and amperage of phantom power. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not specify precisely enough, merely stating 48v. Many mics will work well with less, although the SPL rating will drop and occasionally the mic will not perform as well sonically.
You will find unbalanced phantom power (aka T-power) in use with internal mics for acoustic guitars, among some other applications
https://umgf.com/phantom-power-what-s-up-with-that-48v-15v-t77612.html
Third power type is called plug-in-power.
What is the difference between Plug-In Power (Bias) and Phantom Power?
Phantom power is used with condenser microphones. It is called phantom power because there is no obvious external power supply for the condenser mic; the power supply is invisible and therefore a “phantom.” The mixer sends voltage up the same wires that the audio is traveling down. Thus, the microphone is receiving the power remotely from the mixer. Phantom power is used to power up the electronic preamp (also called an impedance converter) for professional condenser microphones.
Phantom Power is 11 to 52 volts of DC power that rides on the same wires as the balanced audio signal.
Plug in power is typically 5 volts of DC used to power up the JFET of inexpensive condenser microphones. The voltage can be on a separate conductor from the audio or ride on the same conductor as the audio.
In some condenser microphones, Plug-In Power (Bias) must be supplied on the same conductor as the audio signal. Condenser elements with a built in JFET use this configuration and employ a single conductor, shielded cable.
Other condenser microphones use separate conductors for bias and audio. Make sure to consult the manufacturers spec sheet to get the exact configuration!
A dynamic microphone should not be connected to an input that uses the same conductor for audio and bias (such as some wireless transmitters). It this happens, the frequency response of the mic may change and the signal can become distorted.
https://service.shure.com/s/article/difference-between-bias-plug-in-power-and-phantom-power?language=en_US
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electrical Audio How-To: Microphone Techniques for Speaker Cabinets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrdd5-ehb8
Steve demonstrates some of the techniques he uses to record amplifiers of all kinds and describes some common problems and solutions.
His whiteboard diagramming skills reach new heights.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Don’t Unplug Your Guitar Until You Watch This! + SilentPlug Giveaway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSNJE4IdCtY
The Neutrik Silent Plug is a 1/4″ plug made just for guitar players and they’re awesome. How many times have you had a guitar unplugged on-stage for a swap, but someone forgot the mute switch? It happens all the time & the Neutrik SilentPlug is designed to save everyone a ton of trouble. We’re checking them out today & giving two away as well.
Tomi Engdahl says:
We Bought 100 Microphones To Do This…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJYSk_SxqV0
I bought 100 microphones and this is what happened!
This has to be THE MOST chaotic return in recorded YouTube history
Tomi Engdahl says:
Neumann U87i vs Mic & Mod U87 DIY. Can you hear the difference? Guess the original and comment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekf-xJ0EvNI
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.shure.com/en-US/performance-production/louder/how-the-sm58-survives-the-worlds-toughest-tests
Tomi Engdahl says:
Build a microphone from speaker element
https://youtu.be/LroLf0c2fKM
https://youtu.be/PqzMuq3EzSk
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-microphone-for-vlogging-and-filmmaking
Tomi Engdahl says:
Building a quality USB-C microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQu3XXIayc
The 3000 dollar mic is definetly better in quality of sound, but it is no 100 times better, with a little tuning of the DIY mic the average person would not hear much of a difference at all. This is amazing work Matt glad to see this project!
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.analog.com/en/analog-dialogue/articles/understanding-microphone-sensitivity.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://groupdiy.com/threads/5-pin-xlr-wiring-balanced-stereo-what-is-the-standard.10225/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Eliminate Microphone Feedback | 5 Must-Know Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2ceO8D_MUw
What causes microphone feedback? How can you eliminate mic feedback to prevent the squealing, howling, or screeching sound of feedback from ruining your live performance? In this video, I’ll teach you how to set up your PA system and ring out stage monitor wedges to prevent microphone feedback before the show begins.
0:00 – Introduction
0:16 – What Causes Microphone Feedback?
1:03 – Tip #1
2:32 – Tip #2
3:19 – Tip #3
5:20 – Tip #4
6:26 – Tip #5
7:31 – Bonus Tip (Tip #6)
7:49 – Subscribe To Audio University!
https://audiouniversityonline.com/5-steps-to-eliminate-microphone-feedback/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cheap DIY Mic Sounds (And Looks) Damn Good
https://hackaday.com/2021/11/06/cheap-diy-mic-sounds-and-looks-damn-good/
As any musician, podcaster, or youtuber will be quick to tell you, there’s no substitute for a good microphone. They’ll also be quick to tell you all about their favorite microphone, why it’s better than all the others, and how much it cost (oh, and how round it sounds, whatever that means). But what if you could build your own that sounds as good, if not better, and do it for only $30?
That’s what [Matt] from DIY Perks set out to discover when he built his DIY USB-C Microphone. He was able to source the same microphone capsule that can be found in his high-end, $600 CAD E100S, and built a simple pre-amplifier that bumps its quiet output up to line-level.
Building a quality USB-C microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQu3XXIayc
Tomi Engdahl says:
Building a quality USB-C microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQu3XXIayc
Quality audio for cheap?
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jQY1SycV0OChw9_9w9qhMVCW47YFHgBu
https://www.jlielectronics.com/microphone-capsules/jli-2555bxz3-gp/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Selecting the Right Vocal Mic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvUfXxalD7Q
Dave Rat does a simple demonstration of the rejection pattern and distance related volume levels of some popular vocal mics. Shure Beta 58, Audix om7, Neuman KMS105, Sennheiser e835, Audix om5, Sennheiser e865
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Correctly Fig 8 Wind a Cable and it is not a Straight Figure 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgq8-4m133o
It can desirable to wind a cable in a figure 8 to reduce inductance related heat in power cables, to fit a large cable in a case, or to reduce inductance related signal degradation in audio cables to name a few.
Turns out that winding a straight figure 8 is not optimal and does little to nothing in altering the inductance build up compared to a coiled cable. In this video you can hear the effects of inductance build up of coiled and Fig 8 cable as well as see it on an analyzer. I will also show you how to wind a cable figure 8 (perhaps better called a figure 80) such that there is little to no inductance build up.