beyerdynamic M 160
Dynamic Double Ribbon Microphone
- Optimised for use on guitar, drums and brass
- Warm and silky sound
- Excellent transparency and impulse response
- Polar pattern: Hypercardioid
- Frequency range: 40 - 18,000 Hz
- Nominal impedance: 200 Ohm
- Pure aluminium diaphragm
- Length: 156 mm
- Shaft diameter: 23 mm
- Head diameter: 38 mm
- Weight: 192 g
- Includes mount and case
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Available since September 2023
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Item number 573623
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Clip-On Microphone No
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Condenser Microphone No
A classic among double ribbon mics
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The beyerdynamic M 160 is a double-ribbon microphone that has been manufactured since the 1950s, making it a true classic - though it has also received a more modern design since 2023. It brings a distinctive character to recordings, with its hypercardioid polar pattern helping to minimise sound coming from the sides and therefore reducing unwanted background noise. Its carefully crafted construction also contributes to its precise and consistent sound reproduction, with a tonal character that combines a solid low-frequency response, warm mids, and smooth, silky highs. This balanced response gives the M 160 its characteristic vintage quality, allowing even more aggressive or harsh sound sources to be captured with a remarkably smooth and controlled character.
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Optimised sound capture
Unlike conventional ribbon microphones, which typically capture sound from the side, the beyerdynamic M 160 reaches its highest output level when sound arrives from the front, along the microphone's axis. Its distinctive hypercardioid polar pattern helps suppress unwanted background noise, reducing sound arriving at an angle of 110° by around 25dB, while the combination of a fine-mesh metal grille and time-delay element also attenuates sound coming from behind. The grille creates this delay through mechanical friction, which requires an extremely narrow gap between the ribbon and magnet and thus a high degree of manufacturing precision. At the heart of the M 160 are two short, lightweight ribbon elements positioned directly above one another and wired identically, forming its double-ribbon design. Although this arrangement does not affect the microphone's directional characteristics, it effectively doubles the available output level.
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For slightly more demanding requirements
For a ribbon microphone, the beyerdynamic M 160 features a notably unusual polar pattern, with its focused directional response making it well suited to demanding recording and broadcast applications. This characteristic allows individual sound sources to be isolated effectively while retaining the warm tonal qualities associated with ribbon microphones, and its faithful reproduction is complemented by a compact and particularly robust construction. The black finish and small footprint also make the M 160 a discreet choice for television productions, where its unobtrusive appearance helps it blend into the setup while minimising unwanted reflections from studio lighting.
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About beyerdynamic
beyerdynamic was founded in 1924 by its namesake Eugen Beyer in Berlin and initially manufactured loudspeakers for film palaces before making a huge impact on the sound engineering industry in 1937 with the development of the first pair of dynamic headphones, the DT 48, followed in 1939 by the first dynamic microphone, the M 19. After World War II, beyerdynamic moved its headquarters to the German town of Heilbronn, and today has locations in the US town of Farmingdale, New York State, as well as in Shenzhen, China. The company’s most popular products, a large proportion of which are still manufactured in Germany, have always included headphones and microphones for both live and studio use, and a wide selection of audio equipment for gamers and streamers is also on offer, particularly headsets for broadcast and gaming applications.
Excellent channel separation
The beyerdynamic M 160 is also well suited to instrument miking applications where precise separation between sound sources is important, including violins, cellos, and violas, as well as piano and percussion. It can also serve as an overhead microphone for drums, while its warm tonal character makes it an appealing choice for capturing guitar amplifiers. The microphone is supplied with a mounting clip for use with a standard mic stand, along with a padded case that provides secure storage and transport for both the microphone and its clip. Used in combination with the beyerdynamic M 130 and its figure-eight polar pattern, the M 160 can also be employed in an MS (mid-side) configuration to produce detailed stereo recordings with a distinctive sense of depth and separation.
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