beyerdynamic Opus 69

I've been running a small project studio for several years now. I use a Linux-based audio workstation with an m-audio delta series sound card, several Ashly and Rane processors, a Studiomaster mixer and an assortment of mics. Monitoring is over a pair of Alesis Monitor Two's and whatever I take my mixdowns around to. I've gone through a sizeable amount of gear, and I take great care in finding good value and excellent performance. Some other mics in this class I have used include Shure SM57, EV N/D 308 and 408B and Audix i5.

This dynamic mic is absolutely indispensable for several applications. I first used it in a small vocal PA I was doing for a company barbeque outdoors. Through a small PA with no compression or EQ applied, voice was transmitted with a degree of clarity I had never before experienced with a dynamic. The midrange is rich, clear, and full, with a true midrange presence. This isn't one of those vocal dynamics with an irritating high frequency presence boost, it's all about mids! Next, I tried it on a guitar amp in the studio, having become dissatisfied with the SM57. The difference was incredible, a red hot rock tone with none of the hollowness or muddiness I had come to expect from the SM57, just clarity and midrange presence. Much more output too, I found that very little compression was needed to get the sound I wanted compared to before. It really captures the richness of tube tone. After comparing it to several other dynamics for close micing guitar cabs, I keep coming back to this mic. It's heavy and feels like it could withstand years of abuse on the road, but for now it gets the light treatment of studio use.