This recording from a 1930's Capac BIN-AURAL industrial stethoscope was made using a Sennheiser MKE2 inserted into the ear piece tubing. For further information visit : https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2021/04/11/the-capac-bin-aural-1936-c1960-the-accurate-and-simple-equipment-for-testing-the-internal-condition-of-mechanism-by-sound/

CAPAC BIN - AURAL. Internal Engine Sounds recorded from a 1930's Industrial Stethoscope

Soloed guitar channel from live gig. Mic is positioned 1 inch from the front of the amp. Apart from illustrating how well this mic handles high level transients, the recording also demonstrates the ability of the MD408N to reject unwanted sounds. The drum kit is only 3ft away from the guitar amp! There is no EQ or effects added to the mic. (The effects are on the amp) For more information visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/sennheiser-md408-n-super-cardioid-dynamic-gooseneck-microphone-1960s-70s/

Sennheiser MD408N (circa 1970) Guitar Clip

Live Orchestral recording using an ORTF (Office de Radiodiffusion Televison Francais) stereo pair. Microphones positioned on 4m tall stand immediately behind the conductor and angled down, pointing towards the woodwind section at the back of the orchestra. This technique produces a good sense of balance and accurate stereo positioning. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information visit:- http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/bbc-engineer-recommends-ortf/
For more recent post see :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/oktava-mk-012-matched-pair-my-favourite-stereo-microphone-techniques/

ORTF Sample Recording using Oktava MK012s

Short soloed clip of the STC4037A used as the drum overhead in a live concert. This mic provides an extraordinary amount of detail and punch, and a balanced view of the whole kit..No EQ or processing has been used. For more information visit:- http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/stc4037c-the-stick-1955-late-1970s/     The kit you can hear in this clip is pictured on my blog post. Many thanks to Mike Cypher for the drumming and a great sounding kit!

20. Vintage Microphone Recording. STC4037A Drum Overhead Clip

This short clip demonstrates the Faulkner Phased Array. Placed on a central stand in front of the stage. For more information visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2022/03/17/the-faulkner-phased-array-another-useful-stereo-microphone-technique/
Many thanks to Isaac Williams Violin (winner of the Audience Vote in the Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year 2022)and John Wright Piano.

Faulkner Array Violin And Piano

Nylon strung guitar and various percussion recorded on multi-track using this rare and unusual, dual pattern, dynamic studio microphone from the 1960s. No processing or EQ has been used. Many thanks to my good friend Mike Wood for the experimental playing! Omni mode was used for everything except the talking drum for which we used cardioid. For more information please visit :- http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/philips-el603310-dual-pattern-omni-cardioid-dynamic-microphone-circa-1966/

24 Vintage Microphone Recording. Philips EL6033/10 (Omni-Cardioid) Dynamic Microphone (circa 1966)

This recording demonstrates the ability of the AKG D224E to capture a range of sounds with  naturalness and complete accuracy. The mic was simply placed on a stand outside my back door and recorded for a few minutes. During this time apart from the delightful birds, there is the sound of the shed door creaking open in the breeze, and also the builders working in the house next door. At the start there is also an aircraft  flying over. For more information visit:- http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/akg-d224e-circa-1970-the-best-dynamic-microphone-ever-made/

27. Vintage Microphone Recording. AKG D224E (Circa 1970) Birds In The Garden

Soloed guitar channel from live gig. Mic is positioned 1 inch from the front of the amp. Apart from illustrating how well this mic handles rapid high level transients, the recording also demonstrates the ability of the D224 to reject unwanted sounds. Piano, bass, drums, vocals and 4 wedge monitors, have all but vanished.  The drum kit is only 3ft away from the guitar amp! There is no EQ or effects added to the mic. (The effects are on the amp) For more information visit :-  http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/akg-d224e-circa-1970-the-best-dynamic-microphone-ever-made/

28. Vintage Microphone Recording. AKG D224E (Circa 1970) Rock'n' Roll Guitar

The brand new Extinct Audio BoRbon Pocket Ribbon Microphone. Vocal recording featuring jazz maestro Peter Gill who also played piano (Yamaha Electric). Recorded at a distance of about 12 inches with no EQ or compression. Small amount of reverb added in mixing. For more information on this unique little microphone visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2023/10/29/extinct-audio-borbon-pocket-ribbon-microphone/

Extinct Audio BoRbon Pocket Ribbon Microphone (2023) Vocal

Here are 2 very different versions of the same harp recording made in a huge cathedral with a 7 second reverberation time!
The first version, (though very grand), is considerably blurred by out of phase reflected sound arriving at the microphones. The mics used in version 1 are an M-S pair of AKG C414BTLs mounted on a stand 2-3m in front of the performer. On the floor at the base of the mic stand I also placed a pair of Shure MX393C boundary mics set at 90 degrees. Playing back this 2nd version of the same performance, recorded on the MX393s, it is hard to believe that this is the same concert! The reverberation of this enormous echoing space has all but vanished and the resulting recording is clean and sharp, and gives the impression of being much closer to the performer. No EQ or processing has been used. For further information visit:- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/what-is-the-use-of-boundarypzm-microphones/

What is the use of PZMs? Compare these 2 recordings.

This is a short voice recording made with an AKG D109 hung on a cord around the presenter's neck and positioned in the centre of the chest. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information on this unusual vintage Lavalier visit:- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/how-did-lavalier-microphones-get-their-name/

27. Vintage Recording. AKG D109 Classic Lavalier (Circa 1968)

This is a comparison test between 3 microphones from the 1930's recording from a distance of about 3 feet from the performers. First is the STC4017, then the STC4021 and finally the Siemens SM3. No EQ has been applied to these sample recordings. For more information please visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2015/04/26/how-to-get-that-vintage-mono-sound-a-1930s-microphone-shoot-out/

Many thanks to 'Echoes of France' (Fenner Curtis violin and Andy Wood guitar) NEWS FLASH! The new album(recorded on the Siemens) is out now! Visit :- http://www.echoesoffrance.com/   

STC4017, STC4021, Siemens SM3 Shoot Out

This is a simple test to find out how the Oktava MD-186 compares to  the classic AKG D224. It may look similar but does it sound similar?There are 12 switches from one mic to the other in this short recording! Can you spot where they are? No EQ or processing has been used. The mics were mounted coincidentally and set to the same levels. For more information visit :-   https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2015/09/12/oktava-md-186-a-classic-clone/

Oktava MD186 V AKGD224 Voice Recording

The Guitar is recorded with the MD-66a pointing straight into the sound hole from very close. With most directional microphones this would produce an unpleasantly bassy sound requiring drastic EQ. Because of it's noise-cancelling design, the bass on the Oktava MD-66a rolls off steeply from around 500hz downwards, allowing it to be placed in close proximity to almost any source without a trace of 'boominess'  
The harmonica is also close mic'd using the MD-66. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information on this useful little dynamic visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2015/10/10/oktava-md-66a-noise-cancelling-microphone-1979-brand-new/
Many thanks to Pete Bradshaw and Steve Ashley for the impromptu blues. 

32 Vintage Microphone Recording. OKTAVA MD-66a Noise-cancelling Microphone (1979)

My very first microphone! For more information go to:-https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/akg-d1200e-1974-my-first-mic/   No eq, effects, or processing have been used.  The sax is recorded with the mic about 8 inches from the bell.
Many thanks to Edi May for the impromptu tenor sax. 

33 Vintage Microphone Recording. My First Microphone. AKG D1200E (1974)

Apart from being mainly designed for heavy rock vocals I was interested to note that AKG also recommend the D170 for Bass Drum ' (where other microphones sound too 'bassy' and muddy)'.................. So with that in mind I recently took it out on some live rock'n'roll gigs and was very pleased with the tight, punchy sound it produces. If more low end is required it also responds very well to additional EQ.  The mic was positioned in the mouth of the hole in the front skin. No processing or EQ has been used. For more info visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/how-to-take-apart-an-akg-d2000-or-a-d170/

34 Vintage Microphone Recording. AKGD170E on Bass Drum

This Grampian DP4 is a British made, omni-directional, dynamic PA microphone from the early 1960s. Aimed mostly at the semi-professional market it was popular with bands and tape recording enthusiasts. This short soloed vocal clip was recorded with no EQ or processing.  For more information visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2016/09/24/grampian-dp4-circa-1963-a-trip-down-memory-lane/

Thanks to Phil Hambling for the brief vocal.

35 Vintage Microphone Recording. Grampian DP4 circa 1960

This drum recording of the Sennheiser MD441-U was recorded with the mic positioned about 2m in the air just in front of the kit. No additional mics have been used and no EQ or processing added. The recording illustrates the wide frequency response, dynamic range and highly detailed transient response of this remarkable dynamic microphone.
For more information please visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/05/02/sennheiser-md441-u-another-classic-dynamic-microphone-1971-to-the-present/
Many thanks to Matt Bucher for the impromptu drum solo.

37 Vintage Microphone Recording Sennheiser MD441-U. Drums.

Sax and clarinet recorded separately with the mic about a foot from the instrument. No EQ or processing of any kind has been added, apart from a touch of room reverb. For more information please visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/05/02/sennheiser-md441-u-another-classic-dynamic-microphone-1971-to-the-present/
Many thanks to Edi May for his tasty, impromptu ,sax and clarinet.

38 Vintage Microphone Recording Sennheiser MD441-U Sax And Clarinet

New voice recording using improved pre-amp. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information and a simple circuit diagram please visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/marconi-reisz-carbon-microphone-bbc-1925-to-cica-1939-as-in-the-kings-speech/

39.Vintage Microphone Recording. Marconi-Reisz (circa 1925)

This is a simple voice recording demonstrating the Mélodium  Mélodynamic 75A .
No EQ, effects or processing has been added. For more information please visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/08/25/melodium-melodynamic-75a-1948-1958/

41. Vintage Microphone Recording. Mélodium  Mélodynamic 75A (1948-1958)

Live performance in large Medieval church. Male voice choir with Horn Quartet. Mics are positioned on a tall stand (3m) about 1 metre behind the conductor. No EQ or processing has been used.
For further information visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/oktava-mk-012-matched-pair-my-favourite-stereo-microphone-techniques/

M - S Pair Sample Recording using Oktava MK012s

Live performance. Wind Quintet recorded in a tiny 12th century church. Performers arranged in a shallow arc and with mics positioned about 3 metres back and about 2 metres in the air. No EQ or processing has been used.  For further information visit :-
 https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/oktava-mk-012-matched-pair-my-favourite-stereo-microphone-techniques/

Crossed Pair At 90 Degrees Sample Recording using Oktava MK012s

This recording of a large symphony orchestra was made with a single pair of AKG C747s. The mics were crossed at 65 degrees (at the capsules) and positioned on a tall stand about a metre behind the conductor. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/11/19/akg-c747-more-than-just-a-podium-conference-mic/

AKG C747 More Than Just A Podium Conference Mic.

Birds in a tree 40ft away. Recorded with HMN Sound MicroLav mounted at focal point of 50cm parabolic reflector. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information visit:-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/the-parabolic-microphone/

Parabolic Microphone (50cm dish with HMN Sound MicroLav) Various Birds.

Acoustic guitar recorded with the STC4032D positioned midway between the end of the neck and the sound hole at a distance of about 8 inches. No EQ or processing of any kind has been used. For more information visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2018/08/13/stc4032-d-outside-broadcast-microphone-ex-bbc-circa-1955/    Many thanks to the fabulous Joe Martin for the impromptu guitar playing.

44 Vintage Microphone Recording. STC4032-D  Ex BBC Circa 1955. Acoustic Guitar

Violin Concerto with small symphony orchestra in 400 seat concert hall. Jecklin Disc with Oktava MK012s (with omni capsules)  10m back from stage and about 2m above conductor's head. No EQ or processing has been used. For further information see http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/my-jecklin-disc/
For more recent post also visit :- https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/oktava-mk-012-matched-pair-my-favourite-stereo-microphone-techniques/

Jecklin Disc Recording Example 1

Choir, organ,counter tenor soloist, harp and percussion recorded in a huge Medieval Cathedral with a 7 second reverberation  time!! (The audience of around 1,000 people seems to make no impact on the acoustics whatsoever !!)  The Jecklin Disc with 2 Oktava MK012s captures every detail of sound in this vast space. The punch and subsequent decay on the last note are awesome (in the proper sense of the word!!) The Jecklin disc is on a 4m tall stand 2m behind the conductor. No EQ or processing has been used.  For further information go to http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/my-jecklin-disc/
For more recent post also visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/oktava-mk-012-matched-pair-my-favourite-stereo-microphone-techniques/

Jecklin Disc Recording Example 2

Group of 8 singers recorded in the chancel of  a 15th century stone church. Jecklin disc with Oktava MK012s (with omni capsules) is mounted on 2m high stand and the singers arranged in an arc at  a distance of about 2m. This recording captures the light airy acoustic and also produces excellent positional detail. No EQ or processing has been used. For further information see http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/my-jecklin-disc/
For more recent post also visit :-  https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/oktava-mk-012-matched-pair-my-favourite-stereo-microphone-techniques/

Jecklin Disc Recording Example 3

Once again this recording demonstrates the ability of this stunning microphone to effortlessly reproduce a complex classical work. The mic was set on a tall stand positioned dead centre, (angled slightly down towards the back of the orchestra), a couple of metres behind the conductor. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information visit : https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2019/03/15/extinct-audio-valkyr-bmx2-blumlien-stereo-ribbon-microphone-2019/
Many thanks to dynamic young cellist Rebecca Mc Naught and the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Glyn Oxley, for this exciting performance. Excerpt from Haydn Cello Concerto in C major.

The 'Valkyr' Extinct Audio BM9 Stereo Ribbon Microphone. Cello Concerto.

This Reslo RB/L from the early 1960’s is an extremely robust miniature ribbon microphone (as used by The Beatles in their early days at The Cavern). It has a clever design using inserted ‘acoustic correction pads’ which will allow for loud vocals, even close up, without causing popping or damage to the delicate ribbon, as demonstrated in this brief clip of ‘I Saw Her Standing There’. No EQ has been used just a touch of plate reverb. For more information on this classic microphone visit :-   https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2019/06/28/the-beatles-mic-reslo-rb-l-black-label-circa-1961/   
Many thanks to rock’n’roll maestro Peter Gill for the vocal and piano.

47. Vintage Recording .‘The Beatles Mic’ Reslo RB/L Black Label (Circa 1961)

The Marshall guitar amp in this recording is mic’d from about 1 inch in front of the cab with the Acel GM-17B Cardioid Dynamic about 2 inches in  from the edge of the speaker. The guitar is a Fender Strat. The vocal and the shaker are both close mic’d . It was interesting to note that the Acel GM-17B seems to be pretty much impervious to ’popping’ even with loud vocal delivery close to. No EQ or Compression has been used. Just a touch of Reverb. For more information on the history of this obscure Polish microphone please visit :-https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2020/02/02/acel-gm-17b-a-mystery-polish-microphone-circa-1987/
Many thanks to Keith Thompson for the excellent guitar and vocals.

Acel GM-17B. A ‘Mystery’ Polish Microphone (Circa 1987)

Extinct Audio’s ‘Valkyr’ BM9x2 Stereo Ribbon Microphone was placed on a tall stand, stage centre, about 2m in front of the instrument.  The mic is set in M-S configuration.  No EQ or processing of any kind has been used.  For more information visit: https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/recording-marimba-a-new-experience/
Many thanks to Darcy Beck (winner of Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year 2020) for the amazing marimba playing (except from 'Prism' by Keiko Abe)

Marimba Recorded With Extinct Audio 'Valkyr' BM9x2.

My first hydrophone recording. Unusual alien sounds recorded in a patch of pond weed.  For more information go to : https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2020/08/06/jrf-d-series-hydrophone/

JrF D-Series Hydrophone. Pond Recording

The Electro-Voice DO56L is a 1980's dynamic microphone designed for news gathering and TV Interviewers/ Hosts. Appeared on many US TV shows. In this recording it is held about 8 inches from the speaker's mouth. No EQ or processing has been used. For more info visit : https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2020/09/22/electro-voice-do56l-dynamic-shock-mount-omni-circa-1980/

48. Vintage Recording. Electro-Voice DO56L Shock Mounted Omni Dynamic (1980)  Voice Clip

A short voice test of the American D9AT. This is a dual element dynamic microphone with one omni capsule and one figure of eight combined to make a cardioid pattern. No EQ or processing has been used. For more information visit: - https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2020/10/23/american-microphone-company-d9a-d9at-skyscraper-1938-circa-1958/

49.Vintage Recording.American Microphone Company D9AT 'Skyscraper'(1938-circa58) Voice Test

A slightly eccentric audio ‘collage’ of ‘percussion’ from around my desk to illustrate some of the impressive qualities of this distinctive Tannoy microphone. The finest details and complex textures of a variety of sounds are effortlessly reproduced as well as delivering natural speech with a high level of intelligibility.  No EQ or compression has been used. For more information visit: https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2021/01/12/tannoy-microphone-circa-1950/

Tannoy Announcement Mic Circa 1950

Freelance Sound Engineer specializing in Live sound, Live recording and Mastering.
Also vintage microphone junkie. To find out more about these recordings follow links to my blog. http://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/

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