Microphone information:

Blackhill Studios has some of best microphones in the industry, including standards as well as some more vintage additions.

Avantone CV12:

Avantone’s attempt to make an affordable version of the legendary AKG C12, this microphone was used to track Taylor Swift’s vocals on her debut “Fearless” and the follow up “Speak Now.”

This tube condenser has a multitude of different polar patterns, allowing you to isolate the sound source, or blend in the tone of the room. Great if you want a crystal clear take without colouring the sound, the CV12 features a smooth frequency response making it a good choice for a number of different instruments.

Once it warms up, its is equally at home capturing an intimate vocal performance, intricate acoustic guitar, or a cranked Marshall, the possibilities for this microphone are endless.

 

Used by: Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum.) Grimes.

Shure SM7B:

From James Hetfield, (Metallica) to Ed Sheeran, to the King of Pop himself, the SM7B has beaten out microphones many times its price due to how well it adaptable it is to different styles. Some of this could be accredited to its warm and rich tone, which can be further changed with its built in low cut and presence switches.

John Born, the Production Manager at Shure, said that:

“The SM7 was designed to be universal in its applications. It has a flatter and wider frequency response than its SM57 and SM58 siblings…allowing it to more adaquately fullfill and enhance applications where the 57 and 58 excel.” 

This incredibly versatile microphone lends itself to numerous other instruments due to its increased mid to high mid range frequency response, this includes guitar cabs, brass instruments, bass cabs, hi-hats and can even be used drum overheads.

It is great at rejecting electromagnetic hum, making it an ideal choice for producers who don’t have as much space, as well as making it a staple for radio stations and voiceovers.

Used by: Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones) John Mayer, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Charlie Puth, James Hetfield (Metallica), Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana),  Anthony Kiedis )Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

BLUE Bluebird:

A hand built, large diaphragm condenser with a modern crystal clear sound, it gives higher range instruments the detail, air and resolution they need to cut through the mix.

Its naturally accentuates upper mids, making it great for female vocals, acoustic/electric guitar, strings, which sit in that register.

A 500hz low cut can be added to clear up any low-end issues, while its cardioid polar pattern offers excellent isolation for the source, which becomes even more pronounced at higher frequencies.

Used By: Shawn Mendes, Amon Tobin, Feed Me.

DTP 640 Rex:

The Lewitt Audio DTP 640 Rex is two microphones within one housing, consisting of a Dynamic and Condenser perfectly in phase. It then splits the signal into two separate tracks for further blending options.

Specifically designed for kick drums, though works on any low-end instruments, its frequency response can be modified by selecting different modes on the microphone.

Used by: Chris Wilson (Vanilla Ice, Forever the Sickest Kids) Rick Camp (Earth Wind & Fire, Madonna, Beyonce. Jennifer Lopez.)

3 x DTP 340 TT’s

Designed for use on toms and other percussion sounds., Its frequency curve has a boost from 100-200Hz and again 3-5Khz allowing them to capture the body of acoustic instruments as well as the snap of a snare and rim shots.

Due to its polar pattern, it ensures great isolation for the south source, providing high gain before feedback, with side and rear sounds being effectively rejected.

Used by Bryant Siono (Prince, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears) Kyle Hamilton (Janet Jackson, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, R. Kelly)

2 x LCT 340’s

With the choice of either cardioid or omnidirectional capsules, it can be adapted to suit any recording situation.

Its frequency response for both capsules has a boost between 5-10Khz making it great for the top end of acoustic guitar, use as cymbals mics, while also lending itself to instruments like the saxophone and trumpet.

Used by: Fela Davis (Christian McBride) Gino Scarim (Plain White T’s, The Amity Affliction,)

MTP 440 DM

Lewitt’s response to Shure’s classic SM57, this dynamic cardioid has similar applications, but with it has a smoother top end and better low end frequency response. Its great for electric guitars, acoustics, snares, brass and woodwinds, being able to capture the clarity and dynamic range of the instrument.

Used by: Greg Wurth (Steve Vai, Mary J Blige), Fabrizio Grossi (John 5, Cypress Hill, Eric Gales)

Shure SM57:

An Industry Standard, used in many different genres and styles, this dynamic cardioid is great for close mic-ing due to its built in low cut 200Hz downwards to combat proximity effect. The 3-9Khz shelf boost accentuates the upper mids, which great at getting snappy snares, acoustic guitar string noise and rough sounding vocals.

We also have a modified SM57, based on a technique used by Terry Manning, which has increased low-end output compared to a regular one, giving it a response closer to the previously mentioned SM7B.

Used by: Industry Standard:

T Bone RM700:

We liked it so much we acquired a second one, the RM700  is a delicate ribbon microphone made in the same factory as the Cascade Fathead, but does the same job for almost half the price.

Its a great choice for smoothing out sharper sounds, providing greater clarity than a dynamic or condenser, with its frequency response having a high cut from 5k upwards to reduces the chance of any nasty harmonics or resonance.

This microphone excels, male vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, this microphone provides a tight clear take that cuts through, while its figure of 8 polar pattern gives you the best of the source and the room tone when recording.

Used by: Gary Clark Jr, Owl City.

SE Electronics V7:

SE Electronics first dynamic microphone, it has a number of clever features which make it more practical than its competitors.

Mainly designed for live use, its beveled edge stops it rolling around when placed on a flat surface, while also having a built in internal shock mount so it can be handheld with minimum noise.

Designed with a lightweight aluminium voice coil, it allows the frequency range to be expanded to 40Hz-19Khz, while featuring a super cardioid pattern designed to provide large amounts of gain before feedback. Its least sensitive 45 degrees off axis.