Timeless Iconics: Five Microphones That Have Stood the Test of Time Across Decades

The invention of the microphone has had a profound impact on the worlds of music, broadcasting, and communication. Since the debut of the first microphone in the late 19th century, it has enabled people to transmit speech and music to broader and more distant audiences. Unlike many rapidly evolving tech devices, microphones follow the principle of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Many of the microphones that remain staples in today’s music industry have been around for over 50 years. Today, let’s take a closer look at these historically significant, classic microphones that have stood the test of time!

Shure SM 57

Release Date: 1965
Type: Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid Polar Pattern

The SM57 is best known in modern recording studios and live performances for its instrumental recording capabilities. Whether it’s capturing the sound of guitar amplifiers or snare drums, the SM57 has become an unbeatable choice. How unbeatable? Picture this: even after a world-ending apocalypse, aliens might still find a perfectly functioning SM57 on Earth! The heavy wear and tear visible on most working SM57s is proof of its durability and reliability.

The SM57 hasn’t just shaped modern music. Stars like Michael Jackson, Bono from U2, and Bruce Springsteen have all used the SM57 to record their vocals. Beyond music, this microphone has been a staple in the speeches of U.S. presidents over the decades, making it an important part of both musical and human history.

Every U.S. president since Lyndon B. Johnson has delivered speeches through an SM57

Shure SM 58

Release Date: 1966
Type: Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid Polar Pattern

Compared to its sibling, SM57, SM58’s design—with its spherical grille and shock-mounted capsule—makes it better suited for live vocal performances. If there’s one microphone that stands out as the most iconic for live singing, it has to be SM58. Legends like John Mayer, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and Kurt Cobain have all sung on the SM58. Why? Its rugged build makes it so reliable under all weather conditions, while the spherical grille and stabilized capsule reduce handling noise. Its dynamic cardioid design also minimizes bleed from other sources, making it ideal for loud, high-energy performances.

Both the SM57 and SM58 have earned their place in the music world not only for their functionality but also for their affordability. Many find the SM58 can easily handle instrument recording tasks too.

Neumann U87

Release Date: 1967
Microphone Type: Condenser, Multiple Polar Patterns (Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Figure-8)

This is the latest version of U87, it’s U87 Ai

Let’s shift our focus back to the recording studio, where the German brand Neumann’s U87 stands as an iconic, must-have piece of equipment. Unlike the previously mentioned microphones that can withstand rough handling in live settings, the U87 is more akin to premium Wagyu beef. It not only requires delicate care and gentle handling but also demands a significantly higher budget to acquire.

Looking back at the context of the U87’s inception, condenser microphones of that era relied on vacuum tubes, necessitating additional power supply units and increasing operational complexity. The U87, however, innovated by employing FET (Field Effect Transistor) technology. This design not only allowed for a more compact microphone but also enabled power to be supplied through the signal cable itself. This innovation led Neumann to establish the 48V phantom power as their standard, which eventually evolved into the universal power specification for condenser microphones.

The use of transistors in the U87 eliminated the warm-up time required by tube microphones, allowing for near-instantaneous recording readiness. The U87’s consistent quality and audio performance quickly made it a studio favorite. To this day, whether it’s chart-topping artists like Taylor Swift and Adele or legendary bands like The Beatles, studio recordings benefit from the U87’s high clarity and detailed sound reproduction, preserving musical history’s classic sounds. It’s a microphone that has earned high praise from both audio engineers and musicians alike.

However, such a sensitive microphone requires users to carefully set up their acoustic environment. If you record in an untreated space, you might find that even a neighbor flushing their toilet could potentially ruin your unreleased masterpiece! So remember, with great sensitivity comes great responsibility in managing your recording environment.

Electro-Voice RE20

Release Date: 1968
Microphone Type: Condenser, Multiple Polar Patterns (Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Figure-8)

While the Shure SM7B has become popular for podcasting and content creation, the Electro-Voice RE20 stands as a true legend in the broadcasting world. Found in major recording studios and radio stations alike, the RE20 is renowned for its Variable-D design, which eliminates the proximity effect. This allows for natural, smooth sound reproduction even when speaking extremely close to the microphone, avoiding excess low-frequency boost and reducing plosives.

The RE20’s consistent performance regardless of speaking distance makes it ideal for voice artists and broadcasters who may move while speaking. Its robust build quality, ability to handle high sound pressure levels, and versatility in recording both voices and instruments have contributed to its longevity in the industry. For content creators, especially those new to microphone technique, the RE20 offers a forgiving yet professional-grade solution, delivering that polished, broadcast-quality audio many aspire to achieve.

The RE-20’s unique tone characteristics have also made it a favorite among sound engineers for live performances, particularly when miking wind instruments. Over time, this practice has extended beyond the stage, with some saxophone players adopting the RE-20 as their primary recording microphone.

On this note, we’d like to share that the dynamic microphone IR simulation featured in our recently released FlashTrack DSP microphone specifically considers its suitability for both vocals and wind instruments, and has chosen the RE-20.

RCA 77-DX

Release Date：1954
Microphone Type：Ribbon. Multiple Polar Patterns (Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Figure-8)

Previously, we introduced the dynamic and condenser microphones, and now let’s discuss a relatively rare but equally classic ribbon microphone, the RCA 77-DX. If you’ve watched American talk shows, you’ve probably seen this microphone on the desk of the famous host Larry King.

For a bit of background, ribbon microphones operate on principles similar to dynamic microphones, but they use a piece of aluminum that is thinner than a human hair as the diaphragm material. This allows for more delicate high-frequency responses compared to dynamic microphones. It captures the necessary details while providing a smoother tone in the treble.

The RCA 77-DX, renowned for its use in broadcasting, still holds an important place in studios. Due to its ribbon design, it provides a naturally warm mid-to-low frequency response while also delivering a more naturally extended brightness in the high frequencies compared to typical dynamic microphones. Additionally, it has a higher maximum sound pressure level (Max SPL) than other similar products. The legendary voice of American singer Frank Sinatra, the renowned country singer Johnny Cash, and the band of jazz master Duke Ellington are all examples of various legends that have benefited from the RCA 77-DX.