The 1940s and ’50s saw an increase in radio enthusiasts and hobbyists and in 1957 the patent for the first wireless microphone was filed. In 1964 the Electret microphone was released. This model was revolutionary because it increased the accessibility of microphones thanks to its low cost, smaller size, and increased reliability. The 1970s saw greater improvements to both dynamic and condenser microphones, and clip-on microphones became the norm in the 1980s.

Mercenary Audio MFG KM-69: This is a modern interpretation of Neumann’s KM-84 microphone model and is a transformer-coupled FET condenser microphone. These features make it ideal for capturing the dynamics of drums and taming electric guitar amps as they became progressively noisier during the ’60s.When used in cardioid polar pattern, it is level from approximately 150 Hz to 2 kHz, with a slight rise peaking at just under 5 kHz, then dropping approximately 3dB/octave to 20 kHz. You can also have a piece of history in your house with the Neumann U47 FET Collector’s Edition (used for the features here). The only real downside here is the high price, but it’s fair enough for what many consider to be the ultimate vintage microphone. Features These legendary RCA ribbon mics features are quite unique. At 1 kHz, the 77-DX has an output of -50 to -56dbm, depending on the pattern selection. The C12 was also frequently used to record both strings and piano on Beatles records. It was used on the orchestral session for A Day In The Life, and Something. Talk about history in the making!

The figure 8 pattern became very useful for recording two singers at the same time, as well as other applications with musical instruments, ambiance capturing, etc. It was consistently used as a bass mic on many Beatles sessions, and it became legendary for this reason. The microphone has a fascinating history that is aligned with the development of music, pop culture, and society as a whole. As objects, vintage microphones not only make for stylish decorative objects, and even practical items, but also speak of the rich history of their prior ownership and purpose.Neumann released the U67 in 1960 and became its flagship large-diaphragm condenser, as a replacement for the U47. The carbon microphone was one of the first commercially available microphone types and was patented in the late 1800s though most started manufacture in the 1920s. Carbon microphones used a platinum bead pressed against a hard carbon disc to transmit sound.

As a matter of fact, the Neumann U47 became so popular in the studio that you’d have a hard time finding an album recorded in the 1950s or 1960s that didn’t employ a U47 in its recording process. Shure 55SH II: This is a replication of the iconic Shure Unidyne microphone which was favored by many music superstars over previous decades. In other words, the Shure 55SH Series will give you great vocal sound with fantastic isolation. It comes with its stand mount built into the mic and you can connect easily via an XLR cable, just like you would with any other dynamic microphone. This vintage microphone also has a reissue that was done meticulously and is sold for those that seek that unique sound and vibe from the Neumann U67. Features

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The AKG C12 is still considered a classic to this day and remains very popular amongst both classical/film and pop engineers alike. Sometimes called a ‘velocity’ or ‘pressure gradient’ microphone, ribbon microphones use the vibrations of an aluminum foil ribbon to record or produce sound. It is still being sold today, over 70 years after it was first released. The original series was manufactured by Georg Neumann GmbH between 1949 and 1965, with this early version employing a tube design (the early U47s used an M7 capsule). The AKG C12 is another vintage microphone that helped build the history of western music in the last century. The Telefunken ELA M 251 has a rich history, and now you can get a faithful reissue of this incredible mic…assuming you have the budget!