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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: meatballs on October 28, 2009, 07:37:18 PM

Title: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: meatballs on October 28, 2009, 07:37:18 PM

I've been wondering about the ceiling alot lately!

 I am curious to know, now with all the technology changes that have taken place, i.e. digital -- what is the most expensive mic out there today?

  Let's keep it simple and limit it too price for one mic -- no matched pairs. 

My contribution is the Neumann KU 100 ...

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: imgoinmad on October 28, 2009, 08:34:36 PM

Kind of funny you say 'no matched pairs' but isn't yours a matched pair of condensers?

How about this one for a single  mic ==>
Sony C-800G Studio Tube

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: OOK on October 28, 2009, 08:41:49 PM

Telefunkin USA ELA-M 270 = 15,995 ................. :o

its one mic but technically a stereo mic tho..

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: DSatz on October 28, 2009, 09:09:36 PM

From a professional's standpoint, the most expensive microphone is the one that fails midway through a recording and costs you your job or your reputation. Anything else is cheap by comparison, no matter what it costs.

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: meatballs on October 29, 2009, 04:46:58 AM

Just found this:

Laser 3000 microphone -- on sale at Brickhouse security for $51,495.00 ouch!

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com -- Item # lasermic3000

This could be the new stuff.

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: rokpunk on October 29, 2009, 06:57:13 AM

Quote from: OtheroneK on October 28, 2009, 08:41:49 PM

Telefunkin USA ELA-M 270 = 15,995 ................. :o

its one mic but technically a stereo mic tho..

having heard this mic i can say that it's about $15,000 over priced.

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: oudplayer on October 29, 2009, 10:55:37 PM

Brauner VM1 Klaus Heyne edition mics currently go for $15-20k, as do used Neumann U47s. They're "arguably" worth it...

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: Roger Gustavsson on October 30, 2009, 12:58:14 PM

Didrik de Geer's microphone is also in that price range. Very few made, maybe 25-30 and only to order. Price was $21000 a few years ago.


Roger

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: H₂O on October 30, 2009, 02:03:59 PM

Used Vintage ELAM 251's can fetch $15K+ in great condition

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: DSatz on November 16, 2009, 09:02:06 PM

The funny thing is that most of these hyper-expensive vintage microphones would actually be rather bad by modern standards for live stereo recording at moderate distances like most of us do.

Probably the biggest exception would be the Neumann M 49 and M 50--but for typical miking distances for modern stereo recording you'd still need to bring down the M 50's high-frequency response a few dB. It's a fully diffuse-field-equalized omni, like a KM 130 or KM 183 is today (or the Schoeps MK 3 capsule which just about nobody buys any more).

Have a listen some time to some of the early stereo Mercury "Living Presence" orchestral recordings that were made with U 47s--the sound of the violins can almost cut glass, it's so sharp-edged. Really just about unlistenable.

Back when the U 47 was current it was considered too harsh for very close vocal miking--the main thing it gets used for today. People seem to need a little extra something to "cut through a mix." Back in the day, the whole idea of needing to "cut through" anything with vocal sound would be inconceivable and downright embarrassing and unprofessional; the arranger's job was to make sure that the voice fell right into place with no instruments competing or interfering with it.

Title: Re: What is the most expensive microphone out there?
Post by: NOLAfishwater on November 16, 2009, 09:38:33 PM

maybe?

http://cgi.ebay.com/DPA-4040-Hybrid-large-Diaphragm-Tube-Microphone-RARE_W0QQitemZ130325639373QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Music_Instruments_Microphones_MJ?hash=item1e580370cd&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177