I was simply wondering - What is everyone's favorite Microphone?
(note: it doesn't have to be a completely versatile microphone)

I couldn't decide between these -

Coles 4038
Josephson 700a
Brauner phantom-C

Right now I like the RCA BK-5. I use it mostly for Guitar amps, mono drum kit overhead, and vocals.

I used the BK5 on bass twice and both times it kicked my ass in a good way. I tried it on vocals once and in that application it kicked my ass in a bad way.

I think the Earthworks TC-30Ks are really awesome mics.

My new favorite would have to be the EV RE-55s. Those mics are astoundingly astounding. Omnidirectional dynamics that have excelled on evertyhing I've put them on (so far), particularly awesome on guitar amps and as overheads. In an overhead application they seem to posses the smoothness of a ribbon with the high end frequency response of a condensor.

My favorite mic lately has been the Sennheiser 441. It just looks cool. Sounds neat on an acoustic guitar and kicks ass on Trombone.

The band I was in while in high school used an old ratty PA head through a guitar cab for vocals at practice. There was one mic (some cheap little dynamic) that would ALWAYS send a jolt of electricity to the lip of who ever got too close. The other mics (58s and radio shack equivalents) for some reason did not. Anyway, some drunk 'buddy' would always come by and 'sing' into that mic at some point and get knocked on his ass. Always very funny. So I would have to say my favorite mic is one that shocks dumb drunk people.

the stc/coles 4038 is probably my favorite mic, in that you can record almost an entire band with enough of them, and it will sound real nice

the beyerdynamic m88 is probably my second favorite mic, in that it will cover anything the coles can't deal with

i will say that, in my ltd. experience, the royer stereo ribbon mic is kind of magical, in that you can just throw it up in a room and record whatever, and most likely it will sound great

Yeah I think if somehow I could only have 10 of the same mic, I'd have the Coles 4038.
But I've been really into the sony 48c lately.

greg wrote:Right now I like the RCA BK-5. I use it mostly for Guitar amps, mono drum kit overhead, and vocals.

Greg,
You mentioned it as a good mono drum over head - is it good (if you had a pair) in an M-S or just any stereo drum micing? I've never used one before. Or room mics?

Two BK-5s cannot be used as an M-S pair because of their unique (for a ribbon mic) cardiod polar pattern. Of yourse you can use one as the center mic and use some other fig-8 mic as your side mic. Couldn't tell ya how that would sound though.

mtar

It's not my favorite of all time, but I've been loving my Sony C48 as well.

I don't think I've made a record in the last five years that didn't use an Earthworks TC40k on something.

A friend of mine loaned me a bunch of stuff from his private collection: a pair of Sony C17's, a Royer SF-12, Soundelux U195s, another Royer R-121, a couple of Altec 175's. All very nice.

As soon as I sell my spare CMV 563, I'm buying a pair of 4038's. So freakin' gorgeous.

mb