I see that EA has a lot of them. What have you folks at EA and elsewhere used em' on besides vocals? Anybody have any idea what they sold for when they were new? I have a line on one and am wondering if this is a good/versatile beyer ribbon mic. Thanks.

I have two Beyer M-500s and use them as stereo drum overheads. I really like them a lot for this...clear with a little natural roll-off on the cymbals and more emphasis on the toms.

I have not had luck with them as vocal mics to date. I have used them on cello and upright bass with very good results as they seem to get bunch of the tone and body with less of the 'string' sound unlike my large diaphragm condensers.

also nice on guitar or mono kit

I had one for a while and didn't really like it on drums or vocals. It was good on guitar, but the M320 blew it away in all respects.

M320's are very hard to find.

Have you used an M160? 9 out of 10 geeks seems to prefer that mic to the M500. I have not used one.

Supposedly Steven Sank works magic on the guts of an M500.

-Charles

Also, will phantom power hurt it?

capnreverb wrote:Also, will phantom power hurt it?

I have accidentally plugged one of these mics into a cord that was on a channel with the phantom power on and luckily there was no damage. I am not sure if it can take much if that abuse and I will try to not find out.

capnreverb wrote:Anybody have any idea what they sold for when they were new?

I think I got one for $250 used at a rental company sale and the other for closer to $300 on Ebay. Froogle is a great place to find out what and where to get gear (or anything sold new) cheapest.

the 500 is great on guitar amps. especially cleaner sounding amps. also quite good on violin/viola.

i believe that it has a mylar ribbon which can withstand +48v but probably not worth trying out.

-ew

Seaside Lounge wrote:I had one for a while and didn't really like it on drums or vocals. It was good on guitar, but the M320 blew it away in all respects.

M320's are very hard to find.

-Charles

I recently picked up a pair of m320s, and I'm eagerly waiting for them to arrive. Did you use them for close micing loud amps? Are they as rugged as the m500 and m160s?

Very well built, the M500. Rugged. Directional. Gotta like that in a ribbon. Sometimes you want that ribbon sound but don't want the back of a figure 8.

+1 for loud guitar amps, in my experience. A guy that works regular in our space always brings his and they're a pleasure to work with.

pretty much 90% of the times where i need a close hihat mic, i use a m500. bright without being annoying, also takes EQ really well.
also extremely nice for recording rhodes piano through an amp.
also very flattering to "unseasoned" brass or string sections or soloists.
(i.e. seems to smooth out squeaky or blatty sounds without dullness.)