Studio Mics: Sterling ST159 Initial Thoughts and Review

[@rodneyowens6661]

Hell yea man! This mic just came up on musicians friend stupid deal of the day for $129.99 and yours was the first video I came across. I intend to use it for acoustic guitar recording and vocals. Going from using my headphone mic and garage band to ableton and this mic will be a huge step up.

[@OrojinMusic]

Haha that's what brought me here too. I picked up 2. I do a lot of mobile recording and a stereo pair will be good for drum overheads, choirs, piano, or like you said, acoustic guitar sounds great in stereo

[@KeithronPowell]

I should’ve waited to buy the one I got. I missed the Black Friday sale and got it during the regular Christmas sale. At $129 I would’ve probably gotten two!

[@onzkicg]

How was it? A keeper?

[@CaptainsQuadrant]

I like this reviewer he is so animated haha I just got this mic for my friends who are coming to do a round table

[@KeithronPowell]

😂

[@CaptainsQuadrant]

@@KeithronPowell now that some time has passed, you still like the mic?

[@KeithronPowell]

Yep it’s still in use in my studio

[@jonathangarcia3306]

I really dig Sterling audio microphones. I’ve been using the ST-55 one for about a decade and it hasn’t disappointed me a bit. I’m thinking of upgrading to this one.

[@KeithronPowell]

It’s nice… I had to adjust my EQ but that’s normal when you swap mics

[@babybonez]

Same think mine sound boxy

[@justesmond]

I can see how the singer liked the AT mic in her headphones. It's brighter, has that mid peak, and has a bit of pop/sizzle. But an an audio engineer, I prefer the Sterling. It's more balanced, warmer and less peaks.

[@KeithronPowell]

I can see that

[@alterhijo164]

Great video! Saw this on fb marketplace going for $100. Considered it for the different polar patterns!

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah… I think it’s about to be discontinued. I know they’ve dropped the H224 interface. It’s the entire Sterling line I think.

[@trenillo]

That Sterling sounded great compared to the AT which had some crazy mid frequencies that not really pleasing. The flatness of the Sterling is a mic that allows you to create your own eq curves, rather than trying to fix bad eq in the AT mic. That's my opinion.

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah, I hear you. I like the AT a bit more but I’ve since bought the Sterling and it is in my collection.

[@yssnfilms]

I had at2020 and now sterling my give or take on this is that if you lookin more of a natrual flat sound get sterling if u want warth n harmonic get at2020 .

[@ruby2thursday]

thank you for reviewing this. it's on MF as the 'stupid deal of the day' at $150 for another couple hours.

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah…, so I missed that deal and then I missed the Black Friday deal $159. I just said screw it and bought it at $199.

[@ruby2thursday]

@@KeithronPowell - bummer. keep an eye out. i also picked up the st170 for the same price on BF...but i think that MF will put both of those up sometimes during the year as Sterling appears to be their own brand...which is frikkin' weird since it seems like the quality is high(relatively of course) compared to most of what is in the field from similar brands(MXL?....and I have a few of those). great vid...keep up the good work!

[@ruby2thursday]

interestingly...MF will put this up at sale price often...as low as $139....you can find them used in great condition for even lower sometimes.

[@KeithronPowell]

@@ruby2thursday thanks way cool. I just said bump it and went and bought it after Black Friday. Saved a bit.

[@RenRen2577]

Thanks for the review . I just bought this mic 24hrs ago. I'm gonna put it through the ringer.

[@KeithronPowell]

I’d love to hear back what you think about it

[@RenRen2577]

@@KeithronPowell short lived . I sent it back. I didn’t like it. It didn’t sound quite how I liked it too. Thanks for for the review though

[@KeithronPowell]

Wow!!! Please tell me what you did or didn’t like. I noticed it had more of a high end to it and that I needed to EQ it differently. I also used it on a female vocal.. While I didn’t test it on my voice (baritone/bass) I thought I may need a different mic for myself.

[@RenRen2577]

@@KeithronPowell yes , that was pretty much it . It wasn’t as crisp sounding as i expecting. The only plus side , was when I played my acoustic guitar. It was pretty sweet. Vocal end , I just didn’t care for it.

[@KeithronPowell]

@@RenRen2577 yeah…. High end vocals do guitars I think it’ll be perfect. That’s the main reason I want one. I’d suggest the Sterling P10 for guitars. I’m going to do a review on that one as well.

[@mikeheaphy]

Excellent job , both of you....

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

It’s a great starter mic. Very good sound.

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah, I have a more expensive one but I liked it when I reviewed it last year. Decided to gone and add it as I think I can get some use out of it. Looking for a different sound

[@greedfox7842]

the "metal" is a single forge zinc-oxide, while technically a "metal" it is the kind of metal that is more technically a metallic polymer; ABS or even some PLA could be harder and lighter than it, not to mention some of the aerospace polymers like ultem and peek. decent mic if you get it on sale :/

[@KeithronPowell]

That last sentence was powerful. 😂

[@kenkaliyuga]

Sterling vs the Aston origin mic?

[@KeithronPowell]

I need to try and Aston Origin to give it a true review.

[@Blonde7627]

Heck yea ! you killed this video . I have the same mic its well worth , especially for instruments.

[@KeithronPowell]

It’s my primary mic now

[@BLOODIAMONDZ]

Hey man ive been trying to figure what size is the thread to connect it o a mic stand can u please let me know?

[@KeithronPowell]

The thread?

[@smallsxd1068]

Aslong as it’s better the my zealsound s28 I’ll definitely invest in one

[@KeithronPowell]

🤔 you’d have to invest in one and test it… hen determine if your think it’s better.

[@AaronThipthacoach22]

Thanks Big Bro

[@KeithronPowell]

👍🏽

[@Mutatedchromosomes333]

It’s a decent mic I just don’t like the fact that it’s so siblant and has hum in some conditions. The input also bounces up and down and I thought it was just my mic so I took the one o bought initially back to guitar center and it happened with the second one also. Then I also tried different locations to ensure the hum wasn’t my circuit. Overall though with proper de-esser it can reproduce good vocals

[@KeithronPowell]

I’m going to put it through the paces next year. I bought one this year when it went on sell and I’ve not used it once. I did like it when I initially did the review so I’m not going to be upset with the work I may need to do… but I’m also looking at recording guitar so I know it’ll be nice on that as well.

[@thugzman7890]

Good vid man!! 💪🏽

[@KeithronPowell]

Thanks.

[@MusaRecordings]

I respect a man of science 🤣

[@KeithronPowell]

Not everyone does! 😂😂😂

[@PovElijah]

Can I just use an XLR to USB and plug it into my PC?

[@KeithronPowell]

Nope

[@PovElijah]

@@KeithronPowell what do I need to use it as a microphone for my twitch streams?

[@KeithronPowell]

@@PovElijah you need a usb mic

[@PovElijah]

@@KeithronPowell so no matter what this mic won't work on my PC?

[@KeithronPowell]

@@PovElijah the mic is phantom powered. It’s a recording studio mic. It has to be on something that provides proper power. A sound board or some usb interface… you can’t connect it straight usbc… it ain’t that type of mic.

[@shottahuncho]

Which audio Technica mic was that

[@KeithronPowell]

I didn’t put it in the video? I thought I did.

[@shottahuncho]

@@KeithronPowell yea u did put it in the video. I rewatched it guess I missed it the 1st time thanks

[@jetcyclezero8907]

Looks fast.Glad your guest could duplicate her lyrics and modulate identically.Technica hotter.Sterling better mids and lows and was better match to her very lovely voice.Thank you.

[@KeithronPowell]

You’re welcome

[@TheZacharyMartinShow]

It’s between this and the large diaphragm

[@KeithronPowell]

Yeah, it’s about that budget

[@gmarod6099]

$89 RN!

[@AndyQuezadilla]

I got it for 50 dollars at guitar center! I think it’s an early Black Friday deal so I don’t know how long it’ll be cheap for but nonetheless I’m gonna consider myself lucky because from $300 to $50 is one hell of deal! Im gonna take it as a sign that I should pursue my goals even further lol.

[@unreleasedhits5777]

I got this a year ago and when I record music the P in ( pussy ) and ( percs ) is like so loud and the P doesn't ever sound good in my vocal recordings what can I do ?.

[@KeithronPowell]

Pop screen…I put this on mine and I love it! amzn.to/3Kx694M

[@unreleasedhits5777]

@@KeithronPowell I appreciate that big brotha