When it comes to podcasting, your voice is a key factor. But even the best voice can sound horrible with a bad microphone. This is why investing in a high-quality microphone is important unless you’re broke. In this blog, I’ll guide you if you want to select among the most expensive microphone that will give you the best return on your investment. These microphones are easy to use, deliver professional sound quality, and are worth every penny.
Why Choose Expensive Microphones over Cheap Ones
There has never been more options accessible than there are now when it comes to selecting a microphone. In the early 1990s, condenser mics were simply nonexistent, unlike their pervasive existence today. My friend paid £125 for an unidentified Neumann KM84 that he discovered in a thrift store!
When we fast-forward to 2024, we have access to everything from really affordable condensers from unknown firms through reasonably priced substitutes from reputable manufacturers to brand-new renditions of timeless designs that have been manufactured for decades.
According to Reverb, a vintage U67 costs between £10 and £15,000.00. An authentic Neumann reissue costs approximately £5K, whereas the Mojave MA300, recommended by an expert with extensive knowledge of authentic vintage U67s, is a worthy substitute for a 67 and costs about £1400.
This does raise the question of why people purchase pricey microphones given the disparity in cost and sound quality between various models. Let’s ask some experts and think over some ideas.
Quality And Consistency
A well-known brand has an established reputation and will work hard to uphold it. In addition to being carefully tested and produced, a high-quality microphone is rejected if it isn’t perfect.
But what about the most coveted microphones? Is their consistency with one another what makes them good? Not every time. The brass capsule of the AKG C12 is renowned for its amazing sound quality and for being a production nightmare, resulting in notable variations amongst units.
What about old microphones? With 60-year-old microphones, consistency is anything but guaranteed. When working with extremely low-cost equipment, component quality and quality control are the first things to suffer. However, that is limited to the most affordable equipment. It’s my opinion that production and quality control have improved so much in recent years that you don’t need to travel very far into the mid-market to find truly good consistency and quality.
Brand Reputation
This one is significant. Engineers have extensive associations with certain brands or models. This is a strong incentive.
There are real financial advantages to a studio’s gear list prestige. Engineers are certainly interested in the equipment a studio has on hand.
Do customers give a damn? That really depends on the customer, though.
Industry Standards And Expectations
It could be expected or mandated in some professional situations to utilize particular brands or kinds of microphones. This might be the result of “industry standards,” customer preferences, or the standing of particular microphones in relation to particular uses.
Widespread usage in a certain application makes something familiar and recognizable to the engineers using it and, to a lesser extent, to the individuals being recorded. A U87 has a very unique sound. I can identify it on VO because it has a “growl,” in my opinion. More than just being a nice microphone, this one sounds authentic. Something else falls short if you’re used to the sound of a U87, regardless of whether it’s better or not, simply because it’s different.
7 Most Expensive Microphones to Buy
The Top Most Expensive microphone you should buy are Telefunken Elektroakustik U47, Sony C-800G PAC, or Telefunken Elektroakustik ELA M 251 T. However, we’ll also talk about four more alternatives that are equally noteworthy and hard to ignore.
1. Telefunken Elektroakustik U47 ($9,995.00)
Resurfacing at top position, Telefunken Elekroakustik presents its U47, a historically authentic re-creation of the renowned Telefunken/Neumann U47. It’s a large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone with many patterns. Possibly the most treasured studio vocal microphone ever made, this one is.
Here is TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone on Male Vocal:
Despite the fact that the transformer and tube are changed, Telefunken did a fantastic job reissuing this classic. The Telefunken U47 sounds fantastic on everything, especially vocals, thanks to its amazing top-end smoothness and low-end response.
Transducer Type: Condenser.
Stereo: No.
Polar Pattern(s): Omni and Cardioid
Capsule(s): Thiersch M7
Tube(s): VF-14K
Transformer: BV8
Remake: Yes (Telefunken/Neumann U47)
Released: Originally 1947
2. Sony C-800G PAC ($10,700.00)
One of the more well-known microphones on this list is the Sony C-800G PAC. This microphone is a clear example of a modern classic. It’s a large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone with many patterns.
The storied Neumann K67 serves as the foundation for the C-800G PAC capsule. The capture produced by this dual-diaphragm capsule is exceptionally accurate and smooth. The Sony C-800G PAC is a preferred choice in upscale studios across the globe due to its sound quality.
Here is Sony C-800G PAC Microphone on Male Vocal:
The primary characteristic of the C-800G is its unusual appendage, as seen in the photograph. This is an integrated cooling mechanism that maintains the 6AU6 tube’s optimal temperature and keeps the microphone cold. The C-800G’s most reliable performance as well as the lowest possible levels of distortion and self-noise are largely dependent on Sony’s cooling system.
Transducer Type: Condenser.
Stereo: No.
Polar Pattern(s): Omnidirectional and Cardioid
Capsule(s): Sony’s C800G (based on Neumann K67)
Tube(s): 6AU6
Transformer: Custom
Remake: No
Released: 1993
3. Telefunken Elektroakustik ELA M 251 T ($11,995.00)
The most expensive ELA M 251 clone/remake on this list is the Telefunken ELA M 251 T. This microphone is the first of five from Telefunken’s Diamond Series to be featured on the list. A large-diaphragm multi-pattern tube condenser microphone is the ELA M 251 T.
Here is Telefunken Elektroakustik ELA M 251 T on Male Vocal:
Based on the original 251 and its earlier clones, the ELA M 251 T incorporates the Telefunken CK-13 capsule for a contemporary twist. Compared to previous ELA M 251 microphones, this capsule, which is composed of Alloy 2213 (Titanium and Aluminum), allows for more clarity in the T-version’s low end.
Transducer Type: Condenser.
Stereo: No.
Polar Pattern(s): Omni, Cardioid, Bidirectional
Capsule(s): CK-13
Tube(s): GE JAN 6072a
Transformer: Haufe T14/1
Remake: Yes (Telefunken Ela M 251)
Released: 2009
4. AKG C12 VR ($7,199+)
The list of famous recording artists who have never used a 12-style microphone is likely shorter than the list of those who have. Some of the most notable artists to create music with the C12 include The Beatles, Lupe Fiasco, Tom Petty, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, and My Bloody Valentine, just to name a few. The original AKG C12, which was manufactured in Austria between 1953 and 1963 with a restricted production run of only 2500 microphones, is the authentic 12-style microphone that incorporates the CK12 Capsule.
Here is Sony AKG C12 Microphone on Female Vocal:
The natural beauty of vocal performances, room sounds, and other far miking techniques are captured in these originals, which are widely praised for their sound quality. This is the characteristic sound of several generations of well-known songs. This iconic sound is still in great demand even though they are no longer produced and the originals are usually too expensive.
- Transducer Type: Condenser
- Stereo: No
- Polar Patterns: 9 selectable patterns, including cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-of-eight
- Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 200 ohms
- Pre-attenuation Pads: -10 dB and -20 dB
- Bass Cut Filter: 100 Hz, 130 Hz options
- Released: Originally in the 1950s; C12 VR is the modern successor
5. Brauner VMA ($7,739.00)
Similar to other microphones on this list, the Brauner VMA is a large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone with multiple patterns.
Here is Brauner VMA on Male Vocal:
Brauner combined their VM1 and VMX models to create the VMA. The external power supply of the VMA has a switch that allows you to choose between the “natural-sounding” VM1 circuitry and the “charming-sounding” VMX circuitry.
Much as with many of Brauner’s hand-crafted luxury microphones, there is hardly any discernible change in sound quality between the polar patterns.
Transducer Type: Condenser.
Stereo: No.
Polar Pattern(s): Infinitely variable. Includes Omnidirectional, Cardioid, and Bidirectional.
Capsule(s): VM1 capsules (by MBHO)
Tube(s): EF732s
Transformer: No
Remake: No
Released: 2008
6. Brauner VM1S ($10,799.00)
A stereo tube condenser microphone with two huge diaphragms and several patterns is the Brauner VM1S.
The VM1S is intended to be Brauner’s high-end VM1 microphone in stereo. It essentially has two identical VM1 microphones that may be independently adjusted for each capsule’s orientation. Even the vacuum tube circuit and power supply in each capsule are unique.
Here is Brauner VM1 Microphone on Female Vocal:
The directionality of each VM1 capsule is indefinitely flexible, thus the VM1S can be utilized in either mono or stereo mode. Because of this, the VM1S is possibly the most adaptable microphone available right now!
In addition to its adaptability, the VM1S has the best resolution of acoustic detail and sounds entirely contemporary and natural.
Transducer Type: Condenser.
Stereo: Yes.
Polar Pattern(s): Infinitely variable. XY, Blumlein, Mid-Side, and many more.
Capsule(s): 2x VM1 capsules (by MBHO)
Tube(s): 2x EF732s
Transformer: Custom
Remake: No
Released: 1999
7. Shure SM7B ($399)
This microphone is obviously included in this list despite of being so cheap because I think it’s worth more. Shure SM7B is a need for any studio looking to record high-caliber vocals. An essential studio microphone is the Shure SM7B. Almost £300 in price puts it in the upper echelon of recording microphones, but it’s well worth the investment.
This is a studio staple, along with the SM58 and SM57, since it offers great clarity for recording vocals or high gain amplifiers.
This studio microphone is among the best and most costly ones for recording because it captures the original sound of instruments and vocal performances without adding any coloration. At low volumes, though, the 50 Hz–20 kHz frequency response becomes a little more forgiving because it offers touch less sensitivity.
With the option to select between flat, bass roll-off, and improved presence control, this is the preferred microphone for broadcast and vocal work since it allows you to take total control of your sound without requiring an audio interface. Vocalists of all genres can record plosive, unrehearsed performances thanks to the built-in pop filter and windshield, and the maximum SPL of 180dB offers plenty of headroom for recording loud instruments like acoustic pianos and guitar cabinets.
Here is Shure SM7B Microphone on Female Vocal:
Transducer Type: Dynamic
Stereo: No
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
EQ Switches: Flat, Bass Roll-Off, Presence Boost
Pop Filter: Built-in
Released: 1973 (original version)
All the Most Expensive Mic in a Nutshell
Here’s a comparison table for the seven most expensive microphones:
| Microphone | Price | Polar Pattern(s) | Capsule(s) | Tube(s) | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telefunken Elektroakustik U47 | $9,995.00 | Omni, Cardioid | Thiersch M7 | VF-14K | 1947 |
| Sony C-800G PAC | $10,700.00 | Omnidirectional, Cardioid | Sony C800G (based on K67) | 6AU6 | 1993 |
| Telefunken Elektroakustik ELA M 251 T | $11,995.00 | Omni, Cardioid, Bidirectional | CK-13 | GE JAN 6072a | 2009 |
| AKG C12 VR | $7,199.00 | 9 patterns (Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8) | CK12 | 6072A | 1950s (VR: 1994) |
| Brauner VMA | $7,739.00 | Infinitely variable (Omni, Cardioid, Bidirectional) | VM1 capsules (by MBHO) | EF732s | 2008 |
| Brauner VM1S | $10,799.00 | Infinitely variable (XY, Blumlein, Mid-Side) | 2x VM1 capsules | 2x EF732s | 1999 |
| Shure SM7B | $399.00 | Cardioid | N/A | N/A | 1973 |
Conclusion
Choosing the right microphone is crucial for your podcast’s success. The above mentioned mics are all excellent choices that provide exceptional sound quality and durability. By investing in a high-end microphone, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re investing in the quality and success of your podcast.
Remember: Always use a good preamp or audio interface, treat your recording space, and position your microphone correctly to get the best results. Avoid the common mistakes and you’ll be well on your way to producing professional-quality podcasts that your audience will love. Happy podcasting!
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