The figure 8 pattern became very useful for recording two singers at the same time, as well as other applications with musical instruments, ambiance capturing, etc. Few microphones throughout history have the pedigree of the Neumann U47. For many, this mic is THE studio microphone and has been used in countless recordings by some of the greatest musicians ever, produced by one of the most respected microphone brands ever. The AKG C12 is still considered a classic to this day and remains very popular amongst both classical/film and pop engineers alike. Another great feature of the U67 is its versatility. You can mostly use it on any source imaginable. In all honesty, we’re going to talk about six vintage mics, and one modern mic with vintage looks. This last one is the Shure 55SH Series, the only modern and affordable microphone on this list that offers a vintage look and feel.

The 1920s saw rapid improvements to microphone technologies largely thanks to the increased demand for broadcast radio services. In 1928 the first commercial condenser microphone was released. It was consistently used as a bass mic on many Beatles sessions, and it became legendary for this reason. The RCA 77-DX is perhaps the most iconic-looking microphone on this list. It is a poly-directional ribbon mic, introduced by RCA in 1954. Another giant in the microphone business is Telefunken, and you’ll find our review of the ELA M251 in this article. Other models like the RCA 77-DX and AKG C 12 are also deeply intertwined in recording history and thus included here as well.The RCA 77-DX is known not only for its classic tone but also for its bold and iconic appearance. It has been used in a vast number of recordings by legends such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Al Green, and Jonny Cash.

It has the look and flair of a vintage microphone but in reality, it’s a modern vocal mic that produces great results. The Neumann U47 is a large-diaphragm condenser vintage microphone that became renowned over decades for its outstanding and unique sound. The Telefunken ELA M 251E can work beautifully on a number of instruments, in part thanks to its 3 polar pattern options. You can record vocals with stunning results, and you can even set it up on a figure-8 pattern to record two singers for a beautiful duo sound.Its amplifier circuit was originally built to comply with the standardized requirements of the German and Austrian national broadcast systems after World War II. The ELA M 251 has achieved legendary status and is an extremely sought-after and desired large-diaphragm tube contender mic today. Neumann released the U67 in 1960 and became its flagship large-diaphragm condenser, as a replacement for the U47.

Many of the most sought-after microphones from history have been recreated and reproduced for the modern era. If you’re looking for a microphone that is usable, high-quality but still retains its vintage aesthetic then the following brands may be ideal for you. It is still being sold today, over 70 years after it was first released. The original series was manufactured by Georg Neumann GmbH between 1949 and 1965, with this early version employing a tube design (the early U47s used an M7 capsule).

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Units produced before 1950 were distributed by Telefunken and display the Telefunken logo. Telefunken stopped production of VF14 tubes in 1957, and so the U47 was discontinued in 1965 and followed by the U47 FET in 1969.