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All three are excellent and very versatile microphones. The descriptions on the equipment list here are pretty spot-on. The 201 is a great sort of general dynamic mic, capable of all the things at which workhorse dynamic mics excel. I used one today to record a snare drum after trying a Shure KSM141 and finding it a bit bright for this particular session. The M88 is a little bit more "hi-fi-sounding" than the 201, with a bit more definition in the top end and a nice, full-sounding bottom end when placed close to a source. It probably would have been my second choice on kick drum today had the Beyer TGX50 not sounded as great as it did. The M160 is a pretty fantastic ribbon mic, darker than many dynamics or condensers, yet brighter than many other ribbons. (I'm really generalizing here.) It's a fairly small mic, so it fits nicely in places larger ribbon mics can't. Since it has the typical smooth-sounding characteristics typical of ribbon mics with a bit brighter top, this mic sounds pretty terrific in front of just about anything. Today for me, that was a guitar amp.

I've used all three on a variety of wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments and they all work well. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

i second all of the above --- you really can't go wrong with any of these microphones.

one thing: i don't think i'd want to make a habit of using the M160 (or any ribbon microphone) on snare. maybe for brush-work, or those `hot rods' thingys, but definitely not for general-purpose snare recording. fantastic for guitar amps 'though.

the m69n might be a good choice too. i've been using one on distorted guitar amp recently and i think it's really excellent. i've been using it in a stereo configuration with a 421, and i actually like the m69 a little better. it might be a different case with a clean guitar-- haven't tried that setup yet. usually they go for a little less used than the ones you mentioned for some reason.

i don't mean to hijack this thread but i've been thinking about getting a new snare mic myself. the m201 is looking pretty promising. is there something else in that price range that i should consider as well?