The Beyer Brothers! M88 TG vs M88 (C) vs M88 (N) vs...

Released in 1962 - and thus predating the Shure SM58 by four some years - this top quality dynamic is still manufactured today. Not surprisingly there have been some changes along the 56 years but have they all been for the better, or does the phrase 'don't fix what ain't broken' spring to mind?

[@creativesoundlab]

I hit subscribe as soon as he put the lens on. So genuine and authentic.

[@creativesoundlab]

16:45 Love that breath/percussion/record scratch thing you do. Amazing vocalist.

[@mrmemyselfandi9609]

It's cool to watch this guy interact with the different details and personalities of each mic. Every time he said something I was thinking. YEP!...NAILED IT! He really has a great ear that most people just don't have for picking up all of the minutiae and responses. Thanks for your videos.

[@julianwild8556]

Anton, Fantastic detail as always. Never prejudiced reviews, and nothing left out. I am a jazz singer in the USA, male vocal baritone, loving that oldest NC model circa ‘62! Can’t find one anywhere here! I have a KSM8 and also ordered an sE V7x based on your review - which made such perfect sense to me, as a working singer. The frequency response is exactly what matters, isn’t it. If you ever hear of an old NC original model m88 going anywhere over there - do please so kindly let me in on it! :) Thank you for your advice! Always! My kindest, Julian Wild (USA)

[@danielgildenlow8151]

I had not expected that they would be SO different from each other. Love the oldest M88! It's like a totally different microphone compared to the rest, especially the TG. As much as I appreciate good headphones and speakers (and I have plenty), I love to double check all shootouts through a cell phone - the differences in the mids become very clear. 60s gear has such a sweet glue in the mids.

[@marin4311]

Your demos are always deep and detailed. Amazing to hear how much these versions of the same mic sound different.

[@henningriez7655]

what an excellent and charming demo! being a beyer fanboy and collector myself you sir gain my highest respect

[@AntonBrowne]

Thank you.

[@kniferideaudio]

I've hade an N (died in a kick drum!) as well as 2 TG's and they were all within an expectable margin of comparison to each other. Very slight differences if you solo a/b checked them, but in a mix I would say they were interchangeable. I only use them for studio recording though and don't think I would ever really want to use an M88 live in a stage setting. I'd grab a M69 maybe before an M88. Just more managable in monitors and really, that sweet low end is going to need to be pulled back in a live mix anyway. Fantastic mic. I'm just glad the new version is close enough to still earn the M88 name.

[@AntonBrowne]

I have heard about the blasts of a kick-drum killing the M88. I guess if you have something fine and responsive then you could be in for trouble - a foam sheild may mitigate. That being said, I have a number of older M88s and they are holding up fine... on vocals!

[@telsutton]

I picked up a Beyer TG-X580 from Gumtree, for £10, just before Xmas... needed refoaming but the Beyer support managed to help me track down the spares. What a mic..! I'd put it up there with my EV PL20. The more vintage Beyers in the locker the better imo.

[@AntonBrowne]

Beyerdynamic have some gems in their history. Glad to hear they are continuing to support.

[@samonik11]

You are SO pleasing to watch andI love your voice! Singing and speaking!

[@matthiascieslik5301]

more microphone stuff please! is so soothing to see you reviewing!

[@minty_Joe]

Ahh, the M88, also known as the "Phil Collins" mic, due to its famous user. He used this model both live on stage and on the studio recordings he made throughout the 80s and 90s. A very versatile microphone. I find that all the revisions are pretty darn close, but the older vintage revisions have more enjoyable quality. To do an accurate test of the model revisions, you set your EQs flat (zero loss, zero gain) and at the same 12:00 position on the gain/trim knob. Finally, position all the revisions close to each other and on-axis.

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks for the info. It's a great mic - can't really see how it particularly suits Mr. Collins, as he and his voice don't really show what it has to offer, but I guess his name is useful for getting it known a bit.

[@minty_Joe]

@@AntonBrowne You're welcome. Been an audio tech for over 25 years and know this stuff pretty solid. I think using the same mic both live and on recording makes for accurate capture of a voice. But I understand that not everyone's ears are the same. What sounds pleasing to one is harsh to another. My personal favorite is the SM7B, a very versatile mic, especially when coupled with a Cloudlifter CL-1 or Triton Audio "Fethead".

[@DaveZula]

You have me hooked on your mic demos, sir! You put all the rest to shame!

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

Mate, you’re the coolest bloke on KZbin! Thanks for making this video.

[@SeductiveNeptune]

This was very helpful and uncharacteristically charming for a KZbin review. Keep it up!

[@pml394]

Thank you for the very good Video! I wonder if we can see you test the "Heil pr 35" its got a gigant 1,5" big dynamic element ! and it goes down to 40 HZ. Some have said it was "condenser like or "ribbon like"" . Your videos are of insane value for lovers and users of fine microphones as we know your voice and you are treating all the microphones with the same mastery. So it's easy to compare or just enjoy your videos.

[@minty_Joe]

The Heil mics are very good; originally designed for use in amateur (ham) radio to cut through the mud and congested traffic. The only rant I have with them is the handling noise. Compared to other mics, they tend to be a bit noisy there. They really were built to be mounted on a mic stand and never held in the hand.

[@TiqueO6]

Maybe that tube extending down into the Mike body is part of the acoustic labyrinth for creating the directionality?

[@j.i.weyllandin7439]

Great demo. I watched your another of your videos on the M88 before, and I was a bit disappointed in the current production M88 after hearing your vintage one (which is absolutely beautiful). In this video, I think the TG did perform/sound a bit better, very good even, but still no match for the vintage M88. Thanks for these great reviews!

[@TiqueO6]

It just goes to show you the sibilance can be pleasant on dynamic ribbon mics where is on condenser mics it’s always over accentuated, glassy, grainy and what I call “ear candy” a little goes a long way and such. The best sibilance I think I’ve heard of those still artificial are on some Sanyo? mics. They use rectangular elements which helps to keep the resonances down.

[@bradmodd7856]

Would like to hear the what the current Beyer V70 has to offer against the current M88, in particular; rejection.

[@bernardw4842]

A lot of these new-release versions of classic old mics really lose the magic but actually the TG version is doing OK. Yes the old classics have certain subtle flavours, but for a brand new mic not yet fully burned in that TG is putting in a creditable performance. I looked on the Beyer site to see if the TG is the only version still offered, I think so but there is the "M-series", it just says to get in touch with them about it, but there does appear to be an all-black M-88 on that page. Don't know if it's TG or not. In any case I just bought mine for kick but it'll do duty on brass and stuff too

[@bernardw4842]

Is the non-TG version of the M88 still in production or not? Can't seem to get a straight answer on that, or if there are any for sale

[@AntonBrowne]

I'm pretty sure it's not, but having been around for decades, it comes up used on auction sites quite regularly.

[@devonbiker]

I own the Beyerdynamic TG-X80 bought new in the late 90s. I remember the M88 went lower but it was more money. Today I’m here checking this mic out again. Great video. Listening on my TV I could here the M88 TG was not as good but now listening on my headphones with more base the M88 TG isn’t too bad. Maybe because its new and ends breaking in?

[@AntonBrowne]

The M88s I have, are amazingly consistent (sonically) through the decades. The TG has a higher output but sounds the same. My objection to the TG is in handling and breath noise only (well, and looks but hey). If you are a singer, this could be an issue.

[@devonbiker]

@@AntonBrowne Would pop filtering (mesh filter, nylon filter or foam filter) resolve this?

[@chrisgoebel]

what about taking out the foam in the TG model and testing it?

[@trz5rtzrtz45zfghfghrt4]

somehow feel reminded of Wally from Scabb Island

[@virgogreg]

very thorough nitty gritty demo ..Nice

[@stephenoconnor6756]

I believe most of the better sound is to do with the grill fine mesh makes them sound better....... I have had both.... I found the same with audix mics Vx10 has a nice grill put this grill on thier cheaper om5 model and it made the om5 much better

[@proyectoJAROCHO]

Hahaha you are great man I love you

[@livingabovethe12th]

Be interesting to hear the new TG without the foam in it.

[@AntonBrowne]

It might be interesting but not rewarding, I fear. On the TG, the foam is the main line of defence against pops and the grille is squatter than the previous model meaning you can get even closer to the diaphragm and blast it! The older design - with layers of mesh/gauze and a taller dome, is better (for singers) in my experience. I encourage Beyer to make a current 'vocal' version - which would be a re-manufacturing of their 80's model.

[@kristhompson8112]

Just watchin a 10CC vid ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYXYmIRmjZaBpas ) M88's for Africa on this vid , while always being a fan of the Electro Voice RE 20 ( Tom York ) and owning a very nice vintage mic from the early days of New Zealand media around (1970s ) I have always been keen on getting a M88 and always wanted one for my personal collection since Phil Colins made them big , Niceness man while very scooped I am still leaning towards your Frank or the classic as a little more info in the mids for me that leads towards intelligibility/ readability, or maybe that's the radio Ham, or the TV Location sound recordist in me coming through, either way got to get myself one after all these years. I'm monitoring using a pair of DynAudios and they sound rich and smooth but think we are cheating a bit cus you have the advantage of a great voice for TV brother.. LoL

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks. Yes, can sound scooped but can be controlled by bringing it closer (proximity). It is something of an instrument, which you have to learn how to play.

[@kristhompson8112]

@@AntonBrowne I'm ya newest Subscriber dude Thanks for your hard work making these vids, Wondering what your M88's would sound like driving them with the mighty Cloudlifter Z I use on my RE20 , which just brings it to life and makes it PoP, I'm sure you would get similar if not better results.

[@PMKPL]

Great job with speaking, thinking and singing- thank you!

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks for listening.

[@PMKPL]

@@AntonBrowne It would be great to hear your thoughts on EV ND96 one day as well (it is supposed to have low ranges boosted, sort of M88).