Discover the Best Tube Microphones
1. Avantone CV-12
Multi-Pattern Large Capsule Tube Condenser Microphone
CV-12 MULTI-PATTERN LARGE CAPSULE TUBE CONDENSER MICROPHONG
Reviewed by Foxxman (Jim Nickolyn) on Guitar Center
I've used Nuemans, Shure, Telefunkens, Sonys, & Rode microphones in studios all over the U.S.A. But I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the quietness and articulation of this mic. It had a very open sound and easily captured the breath and intimacy in both male and female voices in "quite" songs. And....when pushed hard with Rock material....this mic worked flawlessly. It easily captured the "essence" of what it was being fed into it. This is now my "Go To" mic for vocals. Guitar Center....this mic ROCKS !!!!! ... More
Surprisingly nice
Reviewed by Joey D. on Reverb
I bought this microphone in order to do a modification. I like to test stock items, which I will be modifying, before I modify them. That way I can a/b the difference. I must say this thing sounds really good right out of the box. I am doing a modification in stages. The first stage is complete and tested. The first stage consisted of replacing the stock tube with a pre-tested 6072a Russian tube, removing caps C9 and C10, and using a power supply/pp selector box that use the complete modification upgrade from microphone-parts.com. The result: the microphone smoothed out and warmed up a little more - not a lot more but enough to tell the difference. When the parts arrive for the second stage upgrade I'll see if I can update this post. ... More
2. MXL V69
Tube Microphone
Great Mic (for the money)
Reviewed by Rick Miller on Guitar Center
I have been using an Oktava mic that I bought 10 years ago and it never cut the mustard. Because I just used it for demos I never wanted to spend the money on the mic I wanted. Now I have in the last year or so started buying equipment Mac, pro tools, midi controller etc.. I decide I am going to buy a mic, on a budget of $800.00. I went in to Guitar Center and started working with a sales man. I explained what I was looking for and he grabbed several mics some tube, some condensers even a vacuum tube mic. we set up in-front of an m-box mini and without any pre amps or effects we recorded some vocals. (Using the same phrasing and inflection on each mic). Once we finished recording all the mics we went back to listen. Oh my goodness! thats what every one was saying. This mic out preformed mics 2.5 times more expensive and not by a little bit by the truck load. It has a very rich tone and the warmth that you are looking for in a tube mic. This sales man went as far as getting all the other sales man to show them the difference. I have never written a review but this mic at this price deserves a Rave Review! go out and try it like i did you will be surprised. ... More
Excellent Mic
Reviewed by Randy Stanton on Guitar Center
I have been using this mic as my "go to" studio mic for about 2 years. I have a mid-range male vocal that is a little scratchy and this was the first mic I have owned that captures my sound and translates it in a rock mix. I use it with a Studio Projects VTB-1. I did have to replace the Shock Mount as it broke when I over tightened it. If it broke I would replace it or try the MXL Genesis if I had a few extra upgrade $$$. Very pleased. ... More
3. Warm Audio WA-47
Large Diaphragm Multipattern Tube Condenser Microphone
If you can, get this mic in your locker.
Reviewed by Mark J. on Reverb
After running across this mic in an advert, I realized that I had numerous good mics but none were tube. I was very skeptical at first and no fan of wasting money on a mic that makes promises but can't deliver in a real world application. I was very pleasantly surprised after running this mic through its paces in the studio. It is very accurate but not harsh like some of the fet mics that we have which cost more. I am currently using this mic in the vox booth and it has taken the sound of the recordings to a level several steps higher. I, in my forty years, have used world class mics and this 47 is in that league. If you can, get this mic in your locker. You will not be disappointed. I will update this review as we use the WA-47 in different apps while making recordings for clients and our personal use. Mark Jackson Knotty Pine Studios, LLC ... More
Good solid warm sounding mic
Reviewed by Jeffrey on Guitar Center
Had this about a week now so this is just a quick comment. It's heavy... feels solidly built... I have a baritone voice but it still makes me sound better, very warm with no eq... really worked well on a girl I know who sang while her husband played guitar (kind of a mix of folk and church songs they wrote)...no eq either... all I got so far, but can't go wrong with this Warm WA-47. ... More
4. Rode NTK
Class-A Dual 1 inch Tube Condenser Microphone
In Love
Reviewed by Jess on Guitar Center
This mic... We had a couple at school available for students to use in their recording sessions. Those ones had a lot of mileage on them and were still favorites amongst students who also had access to mic's from brands like Shure, AKG, Neumann, etc. Despite the price tag, it was an easy decision to make this upgrade based on the experience I had with them as a student.. man was I looking forward to hearing the quality of a brand new one. IT HAS NOT DISSAPPOINTED. I mainly record vocals (female singer/songwriter). I also own an AKG C214, and an SM7B. This mic far outperforms them both on my voice. Paired with my Apollo Twin, the sound is crystal clear. Beautiful tone, slight "warmth" contributes to a full sounding vocal, while capturing all the details without the harsh high end my C14 tends to get.. the NTK is just right. Could not be happier with this purchase!! ... More
Great Mic For Vocals - EVEN BETTER SUPPORT!
Reviewed by Bozhan Arizankoski on Guitar Center
This Mic Is Great! Quality Built product with a Smooth Professional Look. Paired With a good Mic Pre It will give you the vocal you want but you need to play with the proximity when you record your vocals. Turn It on, wait for 15 min and you are ready to go. There is no limit to what you can do, I cut VOX from HipHop Artists, to RnB Singers, they all sound great! And the support!Companies need to learn form Rode Microphones. Not just they offer the 10 years warranty, if you have problems with your microphone they will fix it ASAP! I had problems with my mic ( something with cables ) but Rob from they service department was so kind , he send me a new suite for the mic , changed the tube ( as I asked him) send me a new shock mount and a new cable! WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK?!? GREAT MICROPHONE AND EVEN BETTER SUPPORT! ... More
5. Rode K2
Variable Pattern Studio Tube Condenser Microphone
Good mic, but know the truth.
Reviewed by Todd McKernan on Guitar Center
I know you guys just want simple and easy "this mic rules!", "beats mics costing three times as much" reviews. This is not a phony review. I've owned this mic for about four years now. I was concerned about the reviews currently about this mic. They seem VERY misguided and misinformed. This mic is NOTHING like a Neumann. For one thing this mic is a transformerless tube mic, which means they've designed it to sound like a FET mic on the top end and a tube mic on the bottom end. So if you're looking for a classic vintage tube mic sound, this actually isn't it. Its much more modern than you'd probably expect. No Neumann tube mic is transformerless for that very reason. Most people associate a tube mic as having a very mellow top end because of the harmonic distortion created by the tube, this mic does not have that. Its airy and can be somewhat sibilant depending on your source. Now having said all that here's what I can tell you about this mic. Its fantastic for when you need to beef something up a bit. It has a fairly exaggerated low end. So this isn't a favorite for acoustic guitars, but is definitely a top pic for say bass cabs, room sounds, baritone singers, smaller acoustic instruments that lack body, females singing in a lower register, etc, etc. You get the idea. So it certainly can handle many of the same tasks a traditional tube mic would. But its going to sound a little less "vibey" or "colorful". I've also had fantastic results for voice over work because the low end is so warm. If you're looking for an all around great mic that will give you good results on everything, I would suggest looking at an AKG C series mic, 414s will never sound "bad". But if you're trying to fill out your locker and need something that handles the aforementioned tasks exceptionally well, this is a solid mic thats built to the highest manufacturing standards possible. Rode's a made with Medical Grade machinery, it simply does not get better than that. Same type of manufacturing that Apple uses. ... More
Bests a Neumann
Reviewed by SubvertK on Guitar Center
I bought this mic after hearing the reviews and comparisons to Neumann mics (often the U87) and yes, it lives up to the hype. In fact, it surpasses it. Its got a warm, transparent character that I choose on vocals over mics that cost 6 times the price. And if you really want to get the full effect of this amazing mic, replace the tube with a vintage European one. Its warmth is amazing. Best 600 dollars I've spent, I'd sell off my U87 before I'd sell off my K2. ... More