Recording - October 2016 - 21

and custom-tuned capsules with globally sourced metalwork, shockmounts, and cases/boxes, all inspired by information directly from a 1940s-era Neumann staffer whom
John had befriended. The most famous Peluso mic is the 22
47, inspired by the classic Neumann U 47. The P-87
($994; reviewed July 2016) is a solid-state mic that has the
application flexibility of the Neumann U 87 on vocals,
drums, acoustic guitar, winds, percussion, and guitar amp,
all while offering a hotter, quieter output signal. Peluso's
newest mic is the P-84 pencil condenser, reviewed elsewhere in this issue.

wide dynamic range that's still considered a exceptional
value today. Gene Porfido was amazed at how quiet and
clean it was on voice and acoustic and electric guitar,
noting its clear high end and gentle bass.
RØDE has expanded into broadcast and video products,
but has continued to create impressive studio mics at every
price point. In May 2014, Paul Vnuk enjoyed reviewing the
NT1 ($269, photo 16) cardioid LDC and M5 ($199/pair)
pencil condensers, which he considered among the very best
starter mics one can buy today, and this issue contains Paul's
review of the NTR, RØDE's first ribbon mic.

Placid Audio (www.placidaudio.com): The most unusual
mics in this list, Mark Pirro's designs leverage old technology to create unique "vintage" sounds without resorting to
signal processing. The first and most famous Placid mic is
the Copperphone ($265; reviewed September 2008), a
copper-bodied dynamic mic with a tuned and ported resonant chamber. Its naturally-compressed, midrangy sound
gives a lo-fi, old-timey sound that Justin Peacock loved on
voice, drum room, piano, and string instruments. Later models include the Copperphone Mini ($299; reviewed July
2015, photo 15), which Paul liked on vocals, hand percussion, drum room, and acoustic guitar, and the
Carbonphone ($425; reviewed February 2016), a phantom-powered carbon-granule mic with a gritty, sputtery
sound that I enjoyed on voice, winds, and hand percussion.

Roswell Pro Audio (www.roswellproaudio.com): Matthew
McGlynn is famous for his encyclopedic knowledge of mics
and mic modifications, so when he launched his own mic
line, everyone took notice. Paul reviewed the Mini K47
($299, photo 17) in September 2015 and the Delphos
($849; formerly called the Aurora) in May 2016. Paul
found the Mini K47 to be a versatile mic whose carefully
chosen capsule and upgraded electronics gave it tight
imaging and a beautifully weighty sound belying its small
size, making it a fabulous starter mic. He found the
Delphos to be neutral, full, and well-balanced, presenting a
slight "solid state vintage" vibe that didn't hark back to any
particular classic mic model, having a sound of its own.

RØDE (www.rode.com): Australian mic maker RØDE
has developed a strong following for its studio mics,
most notably the NT1-A ($229; reviewed July 2003),
a cardioid condenser mic with very low noise and

Royer Labs (www.royerlabs.com): The Royer R-121,
released in 1998 and still available today ($1295;
reviewed July 1999), rewrote the book on what ribbon mics
could do. David Royer's offset ribbon element resulted in a
mic that had the characteristically smooth and warm ribbon
sound, but was small, lightweight, and surprisingly sturdy,

http://www.placidaudio.com http://www.roswellproaudio.com http://www.royerlabs.com http://www.rode.com http://www.mil-media.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - October 2016