Beyer M160 ribbon mic, demo by Pete Thorn

[@plexibreath]

The M160 is also the mic in the stairwell above Bonzo's kit for the recording of "When The Levee Breaks".

[@jarrodottinger3]

That blended sound is one of the most natural and pleasing guitar tracks I've ever heard. Absolutely amazing. A Tele through a Vox can be pretty bright, but this is pleasant throughout all the frequencies while still cutting through.

[@Mike-en5le]

Great Demo Pete. I've had an M160 for a few years now. I refer to it as "All of the meat, none of the grizzle, light on the sizzle" and yea, it goes well with a 57 ( or 421 ). It's also a great vocal mic for spoken word, voice overs, and certain singers. Love it. You brought out the best of it and you final 60/40 blend with the m160 eq flat was perfect .

[@ChristianIce]

_Wow, cool, I'm gonna buy it now!_ [goes on ebay] _Wow, cool, I'm gonna buy it one day!_

[@enmanuelleonmusic]

Well, that was me years ago and eventually found it for half the price so that was that "one day" for me.

[@oliviervr4055]

Try this one! Golden Age R1 mkII (www.thomann.de/fr/golden_age_project_r1_mk2.htm?sid=c820d1aa1b5296818977c395e0f170de) I really enjoy it when i can't Use a R121, M160 or AEA-R84! He is super smooth, lots of balls, and it's a nice addition to a SM57 or SM7B!! and it's cheap!

[@gimmigimmigimmi]

mc ruoppolo sputa sangue col ribbon mic in mano

[@sciomancy6]

Lol, gotta pay to play

[@BoomerCovers]

WOW!! I admit it, I was skeptical when I first heard the M160 alone. But when you blended in the Sure SM57... your guitar sound became 3 dimensional! Great upload. Thanks!

[@TheLonetone483]

Awesome video Pete. you should do more mic videos like this

[@JulienMENARD]

I think BeyerDynamics can give you a big thank for my future acquisition !! Compair to a sm57 (that everybody knows well) i really can hear what the M160 does ! Thanks Pete ! (and of course big thanks for all your work here on youtube, you rocks !!!

[@BenChambless]

When I'm running FOH, the M160 and 57 is my go-to combo. LOVE how they blend together. Great video Pete! Sounded killer

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!!

[@67Stu]

I've been using the M 160 forever! It was highly recommended to me by Tony Visconti, and is also a favorite of Geoff Daking. Eddie Kramer uses one up close with a U67 (Hendrix), and Glyn Johns used the M 160/SM57 on Eric Clapton's last album. The M 160 can be used on almost everything; don't use it on bass drum or bass cabinets, though. Try it on vocals. It's really good those of us with deep voices. Try this: place the M 160 closer (not necessarily on the cloth) and the Beyerdynamic MC 840 (or other condenser) further back. Find the spot that's best for each mic, then switch the patterns on the MC 840. Let me know how this works out for you. Try swapping the SM57 for a Beyerdynamic M 201 TG. Tell me what you think. Thanks!

[@mineralsound]

Agreed; the 201 is much more detailed than the 57 and really brings out the crunch, perfect complement to the 160.

[@MrChazmuz]

Love the M160 on tenor sax. My sound is more aggressive, and the 160 tames it and polishes it extremely well. I bought another!

[@JSPagosa]

I like a dynamic in the front, a ribbon at the back of the cab, and a condenser in the room. Always gets a great tone.

[@tim9house]

Great tone with that tele/vox combo and those mics 👍

[@angelvox1603]

Thanks Pete. That combo is probably the best most natural recorded guitar tone I have ever heard. Or maybe it is just your masterful guitar playing.

[@keithhynes7001]

Have this in my "to buy" list. Couldn't remember why. This video just sold me again!

[@AudioWonderland]

From what I have been able to find, Vai uses( or at least used) the M160 with a 57 and a 421. There is indeed a reason these same mics keep rising to the top.

[@Hugoknots]

Great video Pete, to the point and really demonstrated what you intended to. That M160 truly added the right tone to blend with the 57!

[@michelmoe]

That's just a great sounding guitar! I'm glad to see new videos from you and I really dig the tone of this recording. Been trying to do some recordings with a ribbon mic but didn't get to tracking guitar with it yet. This inspired me so much. Thanks for sharing!

[@stephanecarter6091]

WOW !!! WHAT A TONE !!!! AMAZING

[@eflizotte]

A favorite mic of mine! I use one in combo with an SM7 and it's a killer pairing...

[@philtron1969]

Fantastic tones. This is the second time I've heard you use your AC-15 for demos. That's what I've always hoped a Vox would sound like.

[@jameslugo]

Man Pete that sounds awesome. Love that ac15.

[@antibanez]

Great review Pete! This is my favourite channel on KZbin. Great tones.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Anthony!

[@dapperdanman1956]

Always good to hear ya Pete thorn!

[@MrChazmuz]

For you non-guitarists, I absolutely love my M160 on tenor sax. The best tenor sax tracks I've ever gotten was with my M160, thru an AEA preamp with no EQ or comp. On tenor sax, it has a polish that, in my opinion, needs little or no EQ or compression. Just a dang fine mic. I use it on other sources, also, and am about to get a second for drum overheads and recording situations where a hypercardioid would come in handy.

[@noahchasinguitar5831]

Eddie Kramer used the M160 pointed straight into the center of the speaker for Hendrix’s recordings

[@IamtheActionman]

Looking into buying an M160 and this really helped. Thanks Pete.

[@lance134679]

The two mikes do sound great together. I'm going to try this out tonight, although with a different ribbon and dynamic microphone.

[@joshhawkinsguitar]

One of my fave mics for guitar and drum overheads

[@toddincharlotte]

Superb as always. I'm complementing a 57 with an LDC, tends to give it more definition but I really dig the balance the ribbon provides.

[@charliepin4501]

I've combined an LDC with a beta57 (which I really like) to good effect. Sonically, it's the same concept as jumpering the bright/normal channels of a Marshall together. I think it works better than EQ because each signal chain is simpler. EQ is known for phase/polarity side effects, which may be an issue. With mics, it can also combine the close / distant mic sounds, which have their own set of differences. Thinking a poor man's version of this effect would be to use an Audix D4 alongside a 57, to bring in some extra low end (thinking about mics I already have).

[@benoitbolduc]

Love the M160 mic - killer tone there Pete!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@andyracksthecams]

Powerful and useful stuff here. Master!

[@gravyblue]

I did a record with Eddie Kramer years ago and guitars were recorded with 57s, 421's u67s and M160's. We did blow a couple though!

[@eastwoodrecords3364]

Doug Cook that’s cool! Where can we hear it?

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

The Ribbon sounded Fantastic!..though Together warmer Mix Sounded Amazing!! Great Video Pete!! I Wish You and Tim would make Instrumental Album with Tommy Alridge and Rudy Sarzo 😀👍🎸🔊🎼

[@DaveElke]

classic combo. the shure 313 is another winner on amps.. thanks for the great videos!

[@pavel29jenny]

Bruh! Thats the most awesome video!

[@Harrysound]

You have a great channel Pete, your videos are very well made.

[@stilllifewithguitar184]

Awesome demo! I'd love to see more mic comparisons.

[@zeenuf00]

The M160 is gold.

[@collinjohnson1398]

I bought three of the 160s for 200 dollars at an estate sale.....not realising they were 700 dollar mics....I am on my way to buy some Mike stands and more cords today to try your techniques...only difference is going direct to a b y splitter ....may effect the blend modification.....if so I will find a couple of empty channels and make it work....thank you for the cool demo.....sonny in montana

[@thunderrosa2258]

Awesome video Pete! I guess there is a reason Hendrix and Pagey loved this mic. would be badass to hear it with a plexi style amp. Not sure if you'd be keen to make more vids on the the same product though. Just more microphone videos would be great to be honest! Nice work! cheers.

[@PeteThorn]

jayden wiggins I am actually going to do a video of this mic with a few different amplifiers!

[@PeteThorn]

I am actually going to do a video with a few different amplifiers, coming soon

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

They sound really good together. I'd like to see the amp with the mics setup in the other room.

[@PeteThorn]

I show the photo of the cab- at :152

[@scottjames2355]

In the 80's when I started in the studio world this mic and other Beyers really stood out - if you were savvy and didn't chase every big name classic (cork sniffing?) mic company you were in for a lovely surprise. This mic was used a lot! Try it on hi-hat. And lets face it, if Glyn used it, I'm using it.

[@zip7806]

You can get a Brighter response from the M160 By using a pre with variable impedance more suited for Ribbon.

[@Dave-sb7jt]

Wow ! Man Pete thanks for this video . i was just about to buy a royer 121. Abd this mic sounds considerably better with the 57 and much better alone by its self. Thanks and as always love your playin!

[@MrBHBjr]

Wow! that M160 has good clarity.

[@eljodon]

I own a Royer 121 and the M160 sounds like it might be slightly brighter. Have you notice that Pete? I also noticed that ribbon mics sound more natural when using addictive eqing than a dynamic mic. I'm using a hardware SSL eq which sounds really nice.. When blending a ribbon with a dynamic I never add eq to them even when I'm mixing. I usually do more subtractive eqing when mixing guitars. To make up for the dark sound of ribbons I sometimes place it right in front of the dust cab while placing a 57 1 cm away from the dust cab and play with the distance of the mics to make sure they're in phase.

[@PeteThorn]

George Alayon i think it may be, ya

[@blackie75]

Dude, you should totally release a signature overdrive pedal called the Crown Of Thorns. Or an album of the same name :)

[@preciseaudioblog]

Awesome test! Thank you!

[@ZaynAli416]

Johan segeborn uses them heavily for his Marshall demos.

[@MartinCliffe]

Great video... that M160 sounds killer (particularly the last clip, blended with the 57 with no EQ boost). Any idea how it compares sonically to the M130?

[@electricbuffalo4137]

Well, I WAS gonna spend my money on a bunch of fuzz pedals I don’t need, but looks like I’m buying an m160. Goddamn that sounded great

[@PeteThorn]

If you record guitar you won’t regret it they are great

[@GmanMusicProductions]

Cool, I'll have to mess with the M160 in my Redwirez collection. Thanks Pete!

[@saz123ful]

Great tone you have Pete!! Thanks for your videos and the knowledge!! Is this mic good for bass and what you usually use? I would love to see more videos about recording and tell us your opinion about your great equipment you have!!

[@Achase4u]

Pete is the best. Thanks for the cool videos, man.

[@oldman0995]

Pete - i have been looking at ribbon mike. This one sounds great. Do you have a recommendation for a more budget minded studio? Love all you videos, you are practical and love your playing. Thank you for sharing with us all

[@2020shredfest1980]

Awesome work Pete. Would be really cool if someday you make a video comparing the various mic pre's that you use (BAE vs API vs Chandler vs UAD etc). Just a regular SM57 and the clean and dirty channels of the PT100 or maybe just Bassman clean through familiar sounding speakers, maybe GB's or V30's. Would make a very valuable resource as a mic pre comparison video of sorts. Especially for guitar players interested in recording themselves. Btw, what audio interface or A to D converters do you use for your pre's ? Cheers !!!

[@TheRealSlickRick63]

Great demo, Pete. they do sound great together. Would you say the M160 would sound good alone for an overly bright guitar? I have a Peavey T-60 and a 2012 American Standard Strat that both tend to be on the bright side. Thanks.

[@PeteThorn]

Yeah, I love the sound of it by itself!

[@estacadugan]

i have a vintage one. amazing mic

[@Henry154a6]

I have a M 160 and M 260 made ca 1960 when I was an apprentice those days in BEYER

[@XChristianNoirX]

It would be great if you showed the mic'ing process for these two mics. Placement etc.

[@SirRenderAV]

Hi Pete. Great job.I have a question: You said the mics were one inch back, but the video seems to show the mics touching the grill cloth. So is the one inch that you reference the distance from the grill cloth to the speaker or is it just the photo angle of the still and the mics are one inch from the grill cloth? Thanks.

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

this is fucking cool, amazing comparison demo, thank you!

[@Randomly_Ruli]

sounds great

[@avenuegroover]

How does the M160 compared to the Royer r121? I do the same blending mic thing with an sm57 and r121.

[@Neverdweller]

Well.. Its a royer.. you are going to get alot more clarity with the royer where you will get more warmth and an almost muffled tone focusing on midrange with the m160

[@Leannstrat]

Gros son !! Excellent !

[@gioelevio1626]

Great tone:D!!!

[@MikeG-js1jt]

good mic for vo too!

[@steveg219]

Great example of this technique

[@TheGurner1]

Are those mics in a tight enough pattern so there are no phase cancellation problems? I've been using a 57, thinking of getting an M160 for my home studio blues project?

[@claymccown]

Great video as always and the mic sounds awesome! ...But what's going on with the camera? Looks like it is shaking or focus hunting. Pretty subtle, but I was just curious.

[@PeteThorn]

That's interesting- i used a bit of a filter in final cut, just to change the color- it must be that effect I added.

[@nolatone]

GREAT sounding clip! Two questions: 1) Are you using a brick wall limiter to get the level up without clipping the output, and 2) Are you using any EQ? I'm using a similar technique and in mine I'm hearing a "whump" around 250hz I'm assuming is a room resonance, I hear it in a LOT of KZbin and Instagram clips. I hear none of that in yours. One difference is I'm using a figure of 8 ribbon mic. I've ordered the M160 thinking what I'm hearing is being picked up from the rear lobe of the Figure 8. I'll know when it arrives, but curious about your setup.

[@PeteThorn]

I'm careful about that exact frequency- really, 190-300 hz buildup. And yes I'll use a limiter to avoid digital overs.

[@IsaacGarciadelaPoza]

HI Pete! What do you choose... This or sterling audio st 170?

[@dougsharrott]

Pete Have you tried the Celestion A-Type with your AC 15? I'm liking it a lot with a Morgan AC20 Dlx.

[@PeteThorn]

I mainly use the blue with the AC15, but the other speaker in that cab is a A type! Ha. So it'd be very easy to try that.

[@dougsharrott]

Let us know how you like it! It seems like the presence peak is wider and shifted downwards with the A vs the blue. How do they sound together? That's been on hold till I get another cab.

[@jfranciskay]

Pete - how would you compare the M160 with the Royer 121? Are they comparable or totally different animals? Haven't really seen them compared side by side...

[@ai4nlp]

awesome video! Pete,.how do you compair M160 with royer 121?

[@MrChazmuz]

The M160 is a short-folded ribbon, whereas the 121 is a 'long' ribbon. The M160 is tighter and hypercardioid, which may lend itself useful in certain recording situations. Although I don't have a 121, I would venture to say the frequency response would be similar, with the 121 being perhaps a bit more open on the top end.

[@musicrecord1239]

👏👏👏

[@3dsman]

Are Beyer M160's still in production today and if so, what's their approximate price point. I'm assuming there >$1k since you've not played with a physical one until now...??

[@3dsman]

Thanks! That's closer to $500 than $1000, so while nowhere as easy to afford as the SM57, that's not terrible either! I just assumed that with all the access PT has to fancy gear he would have 'touched' one before now! LOL!!

[@soundknight]

Would REM have recorded with this Mic? It sounds like automatic for the people

[@lucasvillaquiroz]

0:02 2020/2021 mood

[@garywesthead8561]

Just joking, some great tones in that gear though. Keep up the good work...

[@soundknight]

Wow, this Mic sounds great on this source, the acoustic videos show that it isn't that nice

[@petegiant]

Am I the only one who dislikes the irregular high end of a 57?

[@FernandoLopez-gf2sr]

With both mics the volume is higher. No good to compare.

[@PeteThorn]

?

[@FernandoLopez-gf2sr]

@@PeteThorn Thank you a lot. You are great!!!! I mean. The M160 solo, or the 57 solo, the sound is lower than the demo with both together. Then both together seems to sounds a lot of better. But actually we are listen louder, perhaps no better. Is like when you listen a compressor: Ohhhhh sounds great!!! Ok, sounds louder but perhaps you put the same volume than the original signal and then you see than it is sounding worse with the compressor. I wanted to say that. Thank you very much for your art and your helpness.

[@trevormachadomusic4827]

this is what they used to record Stairway to Heaven

[@garywesthead8561]

You need a bigger MIDI keyboard, bro...

[@PeteThorn]

I barely use this one! I can’t play keys ha

[@jyun7360]

I really think 57 is better