When looking for top professional microphone pairs, there are a number of factors to consider. While many brands are available, some of the top manufactures to consider are Neumann, Royer, Mojave, Audix, and Shure. Each brand of microphone will provide a unique sound with distinct sonic characteristics. The following paragraphs are a guide to some of the top profession stereo microphone pairs.
Neumann is one of the most well known microphone companies. The Neumann U87 and SMK184 stereo microphone pairs are the most heavily used of their line providing excellent results. The TLM 103 stereo pair is a recent addition to Neumann’s line and quickly gaining popularity for its performance on overheads and as room microphones. The TLM 103 pair features cardioid polar patterns with a frequency spectrum that can pickup low sounds from under 20 Hz up to highs that smoothly roll-off at 20 kHz. Neumann is known for their warm, smooth top-end; the highs are ever-present without sounding too bright. Neumann microphone pairs can function for recording a variety of instruments, each model providing realistic reproductions of any instrument. Many people consider Neumann to be the recording studio industry standard.
The second set of microphones to be considered a top stereo is Royer’s ‘R’ line. The Royer R-121, R-121 Live, R-122, R-122 Live, and R-122V models utilize innovative technology providing one of the highest quality ribbon microphones on the market. Ribbon microphones are usually fragile, heavy, large, and have a low-output. Royer’s microphones are a complete reinterpretation of the ribbon microphone, offering rugged durability, light weight, and high-source output. Like many ribbon microphones, Royer’s microphones have a figure-eight polar pattern creating a full sound-stage. There frequency response offers near-perfect replications of bass, midrange, and treble without the ‘muddiness’ generally attributed to ribbon microphones.
Next in line is the Mojave Audio MA-100SP stereo microphone pair. The MA-100SP pair is a small diaphragm condenser set featuring vacuum tubes and removable capsules. The pair includes both cardioid and omni-directional capsules. Mojave’s are designed to be on everything from on high volume instruments, such as drums and amplified guitars, to standard acoustic instruments. The Mojave microphone pair offers tube warmth for a unique sound excellent for a variety of applications.
Audix microphone pairs (SCX25A-MP and CX112-MP) are large diaphragm microphones offering diverse recording functionality. The SCX25A-MP microphones are uniquely designed to feature the microphone capsule mounted separately from the electronics, which provides more flexibility in positioning the microphone. This features an ‘open-air’ sound which performs well at both on-axis and off-axis placements. The CX112-MP pair is highly versatile and features a -10dB pad allowing high volume instruments to be recorded at up to 145 dB. This feature functions well for recording loud instruments such as; drums and electric guitars.
The Shure microphone pairs (KSM 141/SL and KSM 137/SL) are small diaphragm condensers with a high degree of flexibility. Both models offer switchable pads of -15dB and -25dB allowing for high SPL (Sound Pressure Level) handling, along with a three position high pass filter for removing unwanted low frequencies. The KSM 141/SL offers both cardioid and omni-directional recording patterns, while the KSM 137/SL records a cardioid pattern only. Both microphone pairs are durable highly accurate and excellent choices for recording a variety of soft and loud instruments.