Beyerdynamic M88 TG Dynamic Mic Review / Test

[@artysanmobile]

One of the all time great dynamic microphones. Perfect dimensions, usable for almost every possible source, studio and stage. Pure magic on bass drum, stand vocals, guitars, bass, horns and on and on. The extended low end and ultra flat response will give you a tone on kick and snare like no other dynamic microphone. Mine is decades old and working flawlessly. Not much to complain about.

[@johndoe1633]

i been doing music since '77, this is hands down the best product test ive ever seen.

[@Kragatar]

Nailed the diddly and the box throw... Bandrew's on a roll.

[@LeadingMotive]

Agree with the plosives! I was taken aback by this initially, but got used to taking one more step back to avoid them, and since then it's become my favorite mike for my own vocals. Obviously it'll depend on the singer. All my recent songs have the M88 on vocals.

[@johnshotwell3803]

I have owned one of these for years, I use it primarily for live sound. I love it on horns, Trombone, Tenor and Beri sax. It is also my go to mic for certain singers. It provides a rich creamy sound for some voices. . . I happened upon your video, in fact, while comparing prices on used ones, as I am thinking of getting another one.

[@Podcastage]

Thank you for the real world input. It's always awesome to hear how these work in the wild since i don't have access to horn players...unfortunately. And I wouldn't dare pick up a trumpet and relearn how to play that to disgrace all trumpeters.

[@xCLaiRVoYAnTx]

They're awesome on a kick drum. Can be a secret mic to blend in or as a stand alone.

[@proclaimav4197]

After so many box throws, Jackpot!

[@ThekidEdwin]

Been a fan for pretty long now to consider my self a “big fan” love your videos and the vibes you bring out !

[@andykruesi8252]

The M88 is simply one of the best sounding mics on a closed Jazz bass drums

[@anonymusum]

One of the best dynamic mics ever built.

[@Doofenshmirtz666]

This microphone was used by Phil Collins on vocals both live and in studio (especially during his first two or three solo albums). He liked to use it with Allen & Heath mini limiter with slow attack (5ms) and fast release settings, and possibly bunch of other effects. It surprised me tho that it's so horrible with plosives. I think foam windscreen is a must. Thank you for your reviews, they are very helpful!

[@SeparatedForJesus]

The Dude Perfect box throw-

[@Doctormix]

the perfect mix test!!!

[@Podcastage]

Thanks so much Doctor Mix! Really love your vids!

[@lucvandael421]

I have one already for years. It's awesome! and has extremely little leakage!

[@MrLouiegenzano]

Awesome review covering all the fine details. Thanks Bandrew.

[@owenandrew8108]

this is one of my favorite mics for recording guitar

[@AlbertoMartinezDelRio]

I love this mic (Guitar amps and vocals)

[@6coups6mouches]

I use this mic with a boompole when it's an awfully roomy situation (hangars, untreated glassy rooms), at about 15 inches of subject mouth. It saved my day numerous times ! I really think it does not sound its best really close of the mouth like a regular dynamic mic

[@ryanewalters]

Singing for me this is the best mic I have every used live. I've tried like 50. It is on a stand when I'm playing so no handling noise and as far as plosives i don't sing peter picked a pickled pepper so i don't even notice and i can control that. The strength of this mic is the tight low end and and smooth sound. On a bass cab and kick it is also amazing. For guitars I use a beyer m160 and a beyer m600 sounds so good together.

[@Podcastage]

This is great information to have. Thank you for sharing your experience Ryan.

[@General_Puffball]

The M201 is even better than the M88 for spoken word. It was a staple table mic at BBC radio for decades.

[@Podcastage]

Michael O'Regan damn you! Now I have to try it!

[@mattbailey1501]

I second on the M201. It’s everything that’s great about the Shure SM57, but with a flatter but broader frequency response and detail that rivals a condenser.

[@czdaniel1]

"M201, M88" -- British highway routes, and also firecracker names!

[@Kurzei]

I like the new graphics!

[@todddammit4628]

I think its time for an update on this mic, they have a new version and I'd like to see it with your new quality standards.

[@ChrisJS1987]

Used this mic on snare top, bottom and smaller rack Tom's with great results. It sounds smooth on hi hats too. Had mixed results on guitar cabs and would never imagine using it on acoustic. But given its rejection and smooth sound it's ideal as a vocal mic when a recording live acoustic/vocal performance if you're unable to get your hands on two figure 8 condensers. Not an amazing mic by any stretch of the imagination, but it's saved me quite a few times.

[@ryanewalters]

Oh I disagree, this is an amazing mic for my voice. I makes me sound like I am singing with myself, it tames a frequency that standard vocal mics make louder. Also kick and bass guitar this is a studio standard.

[@kimwirzenius9955]

Plosives will be a factor for any mic with frequency response extending down to 30Hz, not just the M88. For example the Shure SM57 & 58 have been internally tuned from the factory, they're about -5 / -3dB at 100Hz. If you hi-pass the M88 at 100Hz to mimic that, the handling noise and plosives aren't any worse. All mics will benefit from good microphone technique, and the more extended/sensitive the mic, the more important it is. Instead of singing directly towards the capsule, it's always beneficial to sing from an angle slightly off axis, which lessens plosives and esses with all microphones, dynamics and condencers alike. Compared to amateurs with no control over their pronounciation or mic technique, experienced studio singers don't often even need a pop filter. The M88 also has much tighter pattern and cleaner off axis sound & rejection than the usual suspects. You can't stuck it in the same position as a 57 and expect similar frequency balance, any hypercardioid mic will have a bigger proximity effect than a similar cardioid. The beauty of the M88 is that you can pull it farther for a more open sound, while still having minimal bleed, yet the bottom end and weight of the source isn't lost. Pulling the mic an inch further from where it was on the guitar cab would have provided a very different capture of the electric guitar.

[@Podcastage]

That's correct that most mics will encounter plosives. Thanks for sharing this very useful information, I appreciate it.

[@MrCunan]

hey, first video I saw from you because I just had this mic in my hands. Very useful review, very efficient and much useful information all over. in some videos I feel like my time was wasted, this kind of video feels to me like the opposite, you saved some of my time. the guitar and vocals tests where perfect for this short amount of time. even those timestamps in the description despite the videos short length anyway. thanks a lot! :)

[@LongshanMusic]

Turns out Podcastage is the love child of Larry Bird and Weezer.

[@johnjackson8902]

Really interesting to see a relatively flat dynamic mic. I hate the tone of most dynamics them but this one sounds pretty good. Like you pointed out there's a lot of handling noise, but with how great the specs and sound are I think that's forgivable.

[@Podcastage]

Yeah. There is a boost, but there’s very little variance. You get the lows that are a bit recessed, and then the Highs that are a bit boosted. There’s no up and down and up and down. And it just gives it this sweet and smooth sound which I really enjoyed.

[@johnjackson8902]

Podcastage Practically (if not) every microphone has some sort of boost (I know you know this, I'm just pointing out foe discussion's sake that not all boosts are bad). Even "flat" ones like the U87. But yeah the dynamic mic boosts that look like vital signs aren't something a lot of us would want. A lot of frequency response charts are smoothed out too, so those boosts are worse than you'd think.

[@djaszzydude]

You need Beyerdynamic WS 59 AZ to rejecting plosives. I use this mic for studio vocale and love it more than my Rode k2.

[@GlennWilsonDrums]

Best reviews. Thankyou.

[@WilsonTeixeiraOficial]

Great Channel!

[@cayomon69]

Great video as always, it would be nice if you could do a versus series on audio interfaces like the focus rite scarlet vs the zoom u22-u44, behringer HD, mackie onyx producer, Roland, tascam, etc... so many interfaces but not many options, is really the scarlet the best bang for the buck? I’ve heard the onyx producer is build like a tank and the pre amps are excellent! Tascam any good? Everyone praises the zoom for their pre amps, if I am a podcaster should I just go for the zoom instead of the focus rite and save a few bucks? We need the versus series on the audio interfaces, so many questions unanswered

[@Podcastage]

I have a few interfaces to review.

[@MrBlackCanvas]

Thanks for the review

[@febriss4267]

Great product!!!!

[@jyun7360]

Actually, it sounds really good to my ears！

[@larryhinze537]

It is a broadcasters delight!

[@ryanewalters]

@@larryhinze537 You are correct it has been one of the best dynamics for 30 plus years. Vocals, bass guitar, and kick drum. Every real recording studio has at the very least one for these purposes!

[@DestroyerOfLiberals]

Now do the 2023 edition of this mic.

[@JackHaveman]

which would you recommend between your tested mikes for vocal recordings? This one or the M81?

[@kickit301]

It’s an amazing kick drum mic 🤘🤘

[@brade42069]

What pop filter are you using for this mic? Still have issues sometimes with this mic for spoken word plosives

[@AlexRossiharmonica]

I have this mic, it is amazing!!!!!

[@imaginarytube]

This mic is killer as Kick drum mic.

[@thedillon]

Hey Bandrew, Love the videos! I was wondering what do you think the best microphone for gaming under $100 is?

[@baconbits828]

I'll always vouche for the Audio Technica at2020. Never steered me wrong and sounds great out of the box! It's a condenser, so you'll need +48v to use it

[@Rickblues46]

Handling noise appeared to be mainly your cable rubbing agains something and handling noise is best tested just handing back and forth from hand to hand not dragging the lead across a desk ??

[@DemetriYoung]

I really really like the tone this mic. I tend to lean more toward condensers for voice because I can't seem to get over the lack of air and unnatural sounding higher frequencies that most of 'em have (particularly the sm58). Although at

[@johnjackson8902]

Yeah this things a beauty. I normally don't say "Hey that mic sounds like it's worth the price tag" on pricier mics, but damn this thing sounds like it's worth every cent. Especially with that extended frequency response. 30 Hz to 20 KHz is something I don't think I've seen before in a dynamic.

[@vivekkarthik5381]

Great review as always

[@sinocelt]

For spoken word, do you prefer the M88 or the M201 TG?

[@insanejughead]

That frequency response chart should have been on a sticker.

[@Podcastage]

#Triggered

[@TheRitter]

please, can you tell me what guitar you have? i mean the acoustic

[@pawankumarmehra94]

ISK BM-800 review, please!

[@nikolaykovalenkosinger-1410]

Tg v70d vs tg 88 a big difference?

[@TheSkyweasel92]

Which mic stand are you using when on the acoustic guitar? 3:04

[@PAuLXPlain]

How to process My audio My mic is blue yeti

[@ganggang5264]

Yo you think there's a chance you could do the AKG p220?

[@Gifted-404]

We need cheap Mic videos

[@Podcastage]

There haven’t been any cheap mics that seem interesting to me recently.

[@johnjackson8902]

Podcastage Check out iSK's stuff. The Pearl and Little Gem are pretty cheap ($30 and $50 respectively), and their BM-700 is a proper large diaphragm mic and I believe the original (but it costs $70 or so).

[@johnjackson8902]

Andrew M. Sheppard The iSK BM-700 is a completely different mic. It's a true large diaphragm condenser with a 1 inch diaphragm K67 capsule that requires phantom power. The BM-700's from Shengyue and Tonor and just cheap OEM copies that have very little in common with iSK's product

[@johnjackson8902]

Andrew M. Sheppard Swamp.net.au has the frequency graph for it and specs listed. It's got a 34mm K67 as well which should be a bit better than the usual 32 and lower ones. I'm not recommending anyone go out and buy one as an every day mic since I doubt it's any better than the MXL V67, I just think it could be interesting to take a look at for a video. I'm not doubting a quality electret mic can be good. But the little tiny capsules in the OEM Chinese OEM mics aren't going to be on the same level as an Audio Technica AT4033 or AT4040. Some of the BM-700s and BM-800s seem to have bigger 16+ mm capsules with the FET in the circuit, but some like the Neewers I've seen use those little tiny caspules that look like they're from a headset.

[@saifahmed8494]

Can u plz review BOYA BY-WM4 Wireless Lavalier Microphone or any good wireless microphone for dslr under 50 dollars Thank You

[@supermannyg3]

Nice throw.

[@NWGR]

Wayyyy to pricey for what it is. Many of the sub-$100 dynamic mics you've reviewed sound as good or better than this one. Thanks for the review bandrew!

[@user-gh9iw1of2y]

For example?

[@phatboyzband831]

Welp wez waiting cuz I'll buy a better one???

[@ryanewalters]

This is very much not true. You have so use the mic yourself. This is a very special microphone and has been for 30+ years. Vocals, bass guitar and kick drum. Every recording studio has these for a reason.

[@oldschoolwaverider]

I thought this was a highly sought after microphone for baritone vocalists, but you mentioned it is muddy at the lower frequencies? .. urgh I am so confused what to get now.

[@Podcastage]

I would recommend checking other folks reviews as well. I’m just one person and I’m fallible.

[@albionseed4866]

High pass filter 😉

[@ryanewalters]

I have 2 it is not muddy. What it is is insanely tight in the low end similar to a condenser. It is kind of hard to explain. A working theory is that this mic was made to make female vocals sound full. This mic really flatters my voice. I have heard baritone singers say this sounds best from around 8 inches away pure gold. This is a magic mic I promise.

[@Podcastforthewin]

Did you smoke a bowl before recording bandrew? :D

[@Podcastage]

Johnhitbox I don’t even know what a bow is.

[@waddupnvck]

WARM AUDIO WA-87 PLEEAASSSEEEEEEE

[@user-it9ho3lm2z]

*NOTIFICATION SQUAD!!*

[@onichanxd5949]

you should have used a condenser while recording XD

[@yasuh4550]

So this is the tempered glass edition?

[@yasuh4550]

RE27 ND? Or whatever it was

[@maxago2456]

Hi Yasuh, funny to see you in the comment!

[@Podcastage]

I don't get it.

[@theiammike123]

the mic was cool. but that box tho.

[@Emillices]

Well...! You're throwing without the box. That was totally weird for it. LOL! XD

[@htotube]

I have a dynamic microphone which cost me a little under $10. If that thing can throw in an xlr to xlr cable, why can't a darn $350-400 do the same?

[@Podcastage]

I'd prefer the mic companies to focus on the mic and not throwing in some after the thought accessories.

[@johnjackson8902]

Podcastage A cable would be nice still since you can find some XLR cables for $10, but when a mic has stuff like a branded shock mount and pop filter included then yeah they should leave them out. The mic manufacturers' branded shock mounts and pop filters are basically just the generic Chinese ones at an inflated price. I definitely don't want to pay an extra hundred dollars for a generic aluminim shock mount, nylon pop filter, and generic foam windscreen (or one of those curved mesh ones that cover the mic grille). Each of those could be found for $10 bucks or less on eBay or Amazon. I see the mesh wind screens with an aluminum shock mount included for $20 on Amazon. TL;DR most included accessories can be sourced for next to nothing.

[@johnshotwell3803]

Professional microphones don't come with cables.

[@insanejughead]

Plosive test: badass pizza plays a prominent part at big parties.

[@czdaniel1]

Padme's Pizza plays pepperoni percussion por los Peronists

[@Podcastage]

You both forgot the to end it with Papa.

[@czdaniel1]

the Peronist potato? lolz

[@czdaniel1]

Padme's Pizza plays pepperoni percussion por los Peronist Papas in period pieces performed by Puccini periodically as period pieces were performed prior to the _piquant_ period's pointed play of poignant Punic puns placed passionately by pioneering piccolo players!!

[@czdaniel1]

By God, _I have done it!_ Thirty-eight words according to wordcounter[dot]net

[@DarkPa1adin]

I don't think it is worth over $3xx

[@johnjackson8902]

DarkPa1adin I'd say it's very worth the price since it has a pretty smooth presence boost without that super boomy sound a lot of dynamics get. This is probably the only dynamic I've heard that I actually really like the sound of. It's not boomy or muddy, it's not harsh or noticably bright, it just has a really smooth sound most dynamics don't.

[@shcaboose]

For my vocals, this thing records just as well as the sm7b and doesn’t require a cloud lifter to get a usable signal. Also sells used for way cheaper than the sm7, got mine for $260. For my purposes, the thing is a steal.

[@ryanewalters]

It is worth over 300 easy one of the best dynamics made. Both of mine I got for around 260 though if you shop around for a while. I like this better than an EV RE-20 on bass cab and kick and vocals also. They are 450 soooo it a bargain really. Beyerdynamic is a very underrated mic company. After hearing beyer I will never touch another shure mic as long as i live.

[@yuriytitov1997]

I've stopped see the review just when it was taken in a hand and given too much noice. The mike is quite good for useon stand but not for keeping in hands...

[@LazyMitchell]

Absolutely not worth the $400 Too may other better options around that price range.

[@LeadingMotive]

Where did you see that price? It's 280 EUR in Europe, that's 312 USD including taxes.

[@albionseed4866]

There is no bad mic. You must choose the one that fits your voice. If this one opens up your sound, $400 is a small price to pay.

[@ryanewalters]

Not even close to true. Name one mic better than this for live vocals, bass cab and kick for less than 400. There is not one.

[@mutatedgeek8040]

Very mid heavy. A little too harsh for me.

[@richi5831]

Terrible mic. Those plosives are out of this world!

[@samnicholson5051]

Terrible mic? I think Phil Collins would disagree. Because of it's hypercardioid pattern, it's more susceptible to plosives than a regular cardioid is but these mics were not designed to be eaten like an SM7B, they're supposed to be used several inches away.

[@ryanewalters]

This is one of the best dynamic mics ever made. You can back up and stop plosives you know. Thats what this is made for. For the owner to know how to use a mic. I use mine on a stand while playing guitar, the tight low end this mic has is unmatched from a dynamic. It rules at live vocals, bass cabs, and kick drums. Ask any real recording studio.

[@ryanewalters]

@@samnicholson5051 That is funny. Shure makes there mics to be eaten I guess.

[@jerryadams5487]

All theeez mostly soundz a like NO where the difference in price

[@truthmusicman]

Bro...you are...this is a...I don’t want to live here anymore 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️ Applications sir. Applications. 1: Kick. 2: Bass Guitar Amping. 3: Toms. 4: Guitar Amping. 5: Bass Vocalist. This is not a podcast mic. At $400...why in the world would you seemingly try to market it as such??? The proximity effect that you didn’t care for is one of the best things about it. It grabs low tones so well; especially at live events for kicks and bass g. Podcasts................. 🤦🏼‍♂️