Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Timeless Iconics: Five Microphones That Have Stood the Test of Time Across Decades
Some microphones don’t just record history — they become part of it. The Shure SM58 that Kurt Cobain sang into. The Neumann U87 on Taylor Swift’s studio takes. The RCA 77-DX that gave Frank Sinatra his signature warmth. Unlike most technology, these mics haven’t been replaced — they’ve been refined and kept, because nothing that came after them did the job better. Here are five iconic microphones that have defined the sound of music for over 50 years.
Shure SM57
Release Date: 1965
Type: Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid Polar Pattern
The SM57 is the workhorse of recording studios and live stages worldwide. Whether capturing guitar amplifiers or snare drums, it has become the default choice for instrumental recording. Its durability is legendary — the SM57 can take years of heavy abuse and keep working. After a world-ending apocalypse, the joke goes, aliens would still find a functioning SM57 on Earth.
Beyond music, the SM57 carries political weight: every U.S. president since Lyndon B. Johnson has delivered speeches through one. Michael Jackson, Bono, and Bruce Springsteen have all recorded vocals on it. Few microphones can claim relevance across both the White House podium and the world’s biggest rock stages.
Every U.S. president since Lyndon B. Johnson has delivered speeches through an SM57
Shure SM58: The Microphone Kurt Cobain Used Live
Release Date: 1966
Type: Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid Polar Pattern
If the SM57 is the most iconic instrument mic, the SM58 is its vocal counterpart. Kurt Cobain, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and John Mayer have all sung through one. Its spherical grille and shock-mounted capsule reduce handling noise, while the dynamic cardioid design minimizes bleed from other sources — essential for loud, high-energy performances. The SM58’s rugged build handles all weather conditions, making it as reliable at an outdoor festival as it is in a controlled studio.
Both the SM57 and SM58 have earned their place not just for performance, but for accessibility: they deliver professional-grade results at a price point most musicians can reach. If you’re exploring microphone options for live instrument use, our guide on microphones versus pickups covers the tradeoffs in more detail.
Neumann U87: The Studio Standard
Release Date: 1967
Microphone Type: Condenser, Multiple Polar Patterns (Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Figure-8)
The U87 is the benchmark for studio condenser microphones. Unlike the Shure dynamics that can withstand rough handling, the U87 rewards careful treatment — it’s sensitive by design. Its innovation was using FET (Field Effect Transistor) technology instead of the vacuum tubes common in condenser mics of the era, making it more compact and allowing 48V phantom power through the signal cable. That phantom power standard, now universal, was Neumann’s contribution to the industry.
Taylor Swift, Adele, and The Beatles have all recorded through the U87. Its consistent quality and detailed sound reproduction have made it the first choice for audio engineers who need to capture a voice or instrument exactly as it sounds. One caveat: its sensitivity picks up everything, including a neighbor’s plumbing, so acoustic treatment matters.
Electro-Voice RE20: The Broadcaster’s Choice
Release Date: 1968
Microphone Type: Dynamic, Cardioid Polar Pattern
While the Shure SM7B has become popular for podcasting, the RE20 remains the gold standard in broadcast. Its Variable-D design eliminates the proximity effect — the low-frequency boost that occurs when speaking extremely close to most microphones. The result is natural, consistent sound regardless of speaking distance, which makes it ideal for voice artists and broadcasters who move while speaking.
The RE20’s versatility extends beyond voice: its tone characteristics have made it a favourite among sound engineers for miking wind instruments live, with some saxophone players using it as their primary recording microphone. The dynamic microphone IR simulation in Cloudvocal’s FlashTrack DSP microphone specifically includes the RE20 for its suitability across both vocals and wind instruments.
The RE20’s unique tone has made it a go-to for wind instrument miking in live performance. Over time, this has extended to recording, with some saxophone players adopting it as their primary studio microphone.
RCA 77-DX: The Ribbon Microphone That Defined an Era
Release Date: 1954
Microphone Type: Ribbon, Multiple Polar Patterns (Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Figure-8)
The RCA 77-DX is the most visually distinctive microphone on this list — immediately recognizable from American talk shows, where it appeared on Larry King’s desk for decades. Ribbon microphones use a piece of aluminum thinner than a human hair as their diaphragm, which gives them a more delicate high-frequency response than dynamic microphones: detailed where needed, but smooth rather than harsh in the treble.
Frank Sinatra’s voice, Johnny Cash’s country recordings, and Duke Ellington’s band all passed through the 77-DX. Its naturally warm midrange response and extended brightness make it a studio reference point that modern microphones still aspire to. For musicians and audio engineers who want to understand what “classic” microphone tone actually means — this is where to start.
