Stagg 50's Style Dynamic Stand Mounted Microphone for Vocal Pickup

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Units produced before 1950 were distributed by Telefunken and display the Telefunken logo. Telefunken stopped production of VF14 tubes in 1957, and so the U47 was discontinued in 1965 and followed by the U47 FET in 1969.

When purchasing a vintage or antique microphone, what to look out for really depends upon your intentions for the item. For example, if you’re looking for a decorative or conversation piece, whether the microphone works or not isn’t relevant, but if you’re looking for a usable item, this will of course be your first concern. If you’re looking for an antique or vintage microphone from the perspective of a collector or enthusiast, you’ll probably want to avoid models which have been converted for compatibility for modern devices, whereas if you’re a music fan looking for that vintage tone a converted item can be very handy. Our Top List of Vintage and Antique Microphones The Neumann U47 is a large-diaphragm condenser vintage microphone that became renowned over decades for its outstanding and unique sound. Also called the ‘Piezoelectric Microphone’ this microphone type was most commonly used between 1930-60. You’ll be surprised to discover that, while the term ‘microphone wasn’t coined until the early 1800s, the first device that echoes what came to be a microphone was created in 1665 when inventor Robert Hooke made an acoustic cup designed to transmit sound across a distance.

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Sometimes called a ‘velocity’ or ‘pressure gradient’ microphone, ribbon microphones use the vibrations of an aluminum foil ribbon to record or produce sound. 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 Perhaps the most legendary brand in microphone history is Neumann. This German microphone maker is one of the most reputable and respected builders of mics, and we’ve included two of their most iconic models in this list: the U47 and the U67. 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).

You can still find old editions of this mic on the market, although they usually sell for tens of thousands of dollars. You could also buy the Telefunken ELA M 251E, which is a meticulous reissue of the original… if you have 10k lying around that is. Features The SH55 UNIDYNE II was designed with a cardioid polar pattern. This ensures that your vocals make it out to your audience without the rest of your band bleeding through. The dynamic microphone is an alternative type of pressure microphone and uses magnetic induction to sense whether an input is created. Dynamic microphones are a more durable alternative to the condenser microphone. In 1915 the vacuum tube amplifier was created which improved the volume output across all types of devices including the microphone. The following year the condenser microphone was patented by E.C. Wente.

Many of the most sought-after vintage microphones had a limited amount of models made, and have since been discontinued. In return, these characteristics made their prices soar as collectors and engineers search the internet trying to find some of the originals. It has the look and flair of a vintage microphone but in reality, it’s a modern vocal mic that produces great results. This mic was made for vocalists in live situations but can also be used in studios. Needless to say, chances are you won’t be bringing any of the other mics mentioned on this list to any gigs, as they are prized possessions that need to be handled with uttermost care for studio-only use. The Neumann U67 features three polar pattern options as well as a switchable highpass filter and 10dB pre-attenuation pad and 200 ohms of output impedance. The Telefunken ELA M 251E can work beautifully on a number of instruments, in part thanks to its 3 polar pattern options. You can record vocals with stunning results, and you can even set it up on a figure-8 pattern to record two singers for a beautiful duo sound.

Shure 55SH II: This is a replication of the iconic Shure Unidyne microphone which was favored by many music superstars over previous decades. Seminal Beatles record Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band employed the AKG C12 quite a bit for the bass. For the remainder of the group’s sessions at Abbey Road, the C12 would be the primary choice for recording Paul’s bass. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at vintage and antique microphones and compiling a list of products that exemplify the best examples of retro microphones and their multiple alternative uses. Different types of 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 Another great feature of the U67 is its versatility. You can mostly use it on any source imaginable.

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Few microphones throughout history have the pedigree of the Neumann U47. For many, this mic is THE studio microphone and has been used in countless recordings by some of the greatest musicians ever, produced by one of the most respected microphone brands ever. Its most appealing point was the synergy of its three sound-shaping components: capsule, tube, transformer. The U47 was especially popular in professional recording studios.

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. This retro microphone has been used extensively by Metallica’s frontman James Hetfield for live performances. Features 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!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. Advanced Audio CM251: This is a large-format condenser tube microphone that recreates the iconic ELA M251 model. With time, this vintage microphone became recognized for its wide, flat frequency response and high sensitivity, and became a very valuable tool in the studio. Features This new version employed the same capsule (K47) and a similar head grill but used solid-state circuitry. That’s quite a history! The RCA 77-DX is known not only for its classic tone but also for its bold and iconic appearance. It has been used in a vast number of recordings by legends such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Al Green, and Jonny Cash.