MICROPHONES FOR BANDS, STUDIOS AND DIY RECORDINGS

Our mission is clear: to deliver a great sound around the world. This is only possible if we all use better microphones. Easier said than done. In order to get the right equipment to the vast amount of musicians, DJs, producers and sound engineers, it is essential to find an affordable way. After all, these 99% are the ones who play on our cult club stages, who write and record the next underground hit in dark rehearsal rooms and lovingly equipped DIY studios.

Hence, we have made it our mission to develop a range of microphones which offers the right equipment for every requirement, every budget and every musician.

We pursue a clear philosophy: microphones should be available at an attractive price, provide a great sound and do a perfect job. We make no compromises here. Therefore, our microphones do not feature attention-seeking gimmicks. Instead, we are using tried and tested and reliable technology which will optimise your band's budget. We are convinced: in the end, you and your music are the most important things and not the technology.

Our product portfolio ranges from flexible universal microphones for almost any kind of application to the sensitive large diaphragm condenser microphone for professional studios and high sound requirements. Thus, microphones from IMG STAGELINE are used in general applications at smoky club concerts, on festival stages, in small and large home studios, for countless vocals, combo amps and instruments in rehearsal rooms all around the world.

What is it that interests you most about microphones? Jump directly to the relevant topic:

• What makes a good microphone?
• Microphones for stage applications
• Microphones for drums and instruments
• Recording microphones or 'studio microphones'
• Microphones without cables: our wireless solutions
• Your microphone is not loud enough? A microphone amplifier can help
• A brief description of large diaphragms, condensers and other terms
• What does microphone sensitivity indicates?
• What is phantom power?

MUSIC AND SOUND ARE TOO DIFFERENT FOR THE ONE PERFECT MICROPHONE

We believe that there is no such thing as the perfect stage microphone, recording microphone, studio microphone or the perfect vocal microphone. Anyone claiming otherwise cannot be honest or serious about it. However, we also believe that it is unnecessary to have 634 different types of microphones available. It is good to have a choice but it can also make it quite difficult to find your perfect microphone. Therefore, we provide a small selection of products which is nonetheless more focussed and carefully selected.

With categories, you can create an order. Thus, we have roughly divided our product range into vocal microphones, instrument microphones and wireless microphones, fully aware that the division is not always clear-cut. A condenser microphone which picks up a groovy, warm blues guitar live. Just wow! Therefore, nobody should say that condenser microphones are not suitable for stage applications.

MICROPHONES FOR STAGE APPLICATIONS: OUR RANGE OF DM MICROPHONES

For some musicians, the stage is the only real home. Even small audiences can provide a certain kind of dynamics. Combined with the raw and unmasked sound, that is the magic of the stage. Our DM series is made for this environment. It features a resistant and robust design, a high power capability and innovative technologies to prevent acoustic feedback and irritating noise.

DM-3: THE RELIABLE ALL-ROUNDER FOR (REALLY) EVERY BUDGET

We have developed the DM-3 true to the motto 'That is all you need from a microphone'. We had a typical scenario in mind: you are standing on a stage, spotlights directed towards you. While waiting for your cue, the last thing you want to worry about is your equipment. This is exactly why we have developed the DM-3 series. An all-round microphone without attention-seeking gimmicks, maximum reliability, positively simple and functional. The DM-3 and DM-3S are available at an attractive price and provide a powerful sound, too. Yes, also a powerful sound, because it would be highly contradictory to have a penny-pinching attitude here. Thus, our microphones will greatly optimise your band's or studio's budget.

DM-7 AND CM-7: NO NONSENSE, NO FEATURE OVERLOAD - AFTER ALL, IT IS THE BEST SOUND THAT COUNTS

Two microphones, one goal: a high-quality and detailed sound, uncompromising and genuine, suitable for everyone. Because we believe that sometimes we need a microphone which can deliver all these little sound details: a slightly metallic sound when hitting the strings of an acoustic guitar, bone-dry nuances of a thick bass string, the gentle breathing while waiting for your cue. Those are the little details that bring recordings and live performances to life. In order to catch these fine nuances, we have developed the microphones DM-7 and CM-7.

Our dynamic microphone DM-7 ensures a neutral sound and maximum sound fidelity during a live performance. This will particularly be helpful for getting the most from your vocals. The distortion-free sound allows you to get a very objective impression of how your vocals are developing over time.

The condenser microphone CM-7 delivers a top-quality sound and is therefore also suitable for studio applications.

DM-9: IRRITATING NOISE IS YESTERDAY'S NEWS

In 1980, AC/DC already knew that 'Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution'. That was 40 years ago and should finally be reflected in sound engineering. You have got no idea what we are getting at? Okay, here is the explanation: the highlights of the microphones DM-9 and DM-9S include an innovative Active Handling Noise Cancelling technology which considerably reduces handling noise. For this purpose, the DM-9 series features a Humbucker coil for minimising electromagnetic interference and thus ensuring a clear sound without acoustic feedback.

If you like holding microphones in your hand, you will love the DM-9.

MICROPHONES FOR DRUMS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS ON STAGE AND IN THE REHEARSAL ROOM: THE ECM SERIES

A reliable microphone is often enough to pick up an instrument. The drums are an exception because they are basically a combination of several instruments. Especially if you want to add more of a stereo sound to the recording, there are special requirements to be met by the microphone. In this case, you not only need high-quality microphones, you will need a lot of them. In order to achieve this without great expense, we have put together two sets. These include microphones, microphone holders, clamps to attach to the rim and are specifically optimised for drums:

That is not enough for you? Our ECM-270 is available separately and can be used with almost any instrument. The design with a cardioid back electret cartridge allows you to directly pick up the sound source as well as the ambient sound, the room atmosphere so to speak.

RECORDING MICROPHONES OR 'STUDIO MICROPHONES': OUR ECMS SERIES

The condenser microphone is the classic one for recording studios.

During product development, we have asked musicians and bands for their opinion and they wanted mainly two things: an easy-to-use tool with a warm and broad sound. This was the basis for designing the ECM series and our new ECMS series. Good recording always starts with the microphone. In addition to the notes you play, there are so many little details in your sound which ensure that the song is alive and kicking. No matter whether the swinging of a bass string, the snarling fuzz of an electric guitar or the fine vibrato of your voice: you will need a high-quality microphone which is able to capture all of these acoustic details. Our new ECMS series provides just the right microphones. All the ECMS models are large diaphragm condenser microphones which have especially been designed for three fields of application:

1. Recording studio
2. Ambitious home recording
3. Podcasts with high-quality standards (for podcasters, we also provide a recording bundle)

ILJA, BASSIST OF THE BAND HIRSCH EFFECT ABOUT THE ECMS-70:

THE ECMS SERIES IN ACTION WITH THE BOYS FROM THE BAND HIRSCH EFFECT:
 

MICROPHONES FOR PODCASTS AND STREAMING

No matter whether Urban Gardening podcasts or streaming on Twitch: more and more consumers are becoming content creators themselves and produce their own media. However, they need the right equipment to do so. To save you from tedious research and search for individual parts, we have compiled a recording set which allows you to get started straightaway: the PODCASTER-1 for real plug-and-play.

OUR BUNDLE FOR SONGWRITERS

We have also developed a bundle for ambitious songwriters. If you want to record something spontaneously, the focus is on maximum flexibility. Our new recording set is set up quickly and thus perfectly suitable for recording vocals and acoustic guitars. We wanted a set which allows studio quality in the smallest space with just the right equipment. The result is our SONGWRITER-1:

DYNAMIC OR CONDENSER? BREAK WITH EXISTING THINKING PATTERNS ABOUT MICROPHONES

We believe that the times when condenser microphones were solely used as studio microphones and dynamic microphones were solely used for live performances are over. There could very well be good reasons to use a dynamic microphone as a studio microphone or recording microphone. And if you like the warm sound of a condenser microphone, you should definitely try one at a live performance.

TWO REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TEST A DYNAMIC MICROPHONE IN THE STUDIO

1. LESS BACKGROUND NOISE

Yes, condenser microphones are great because they capture and provide a very clear reproduction of vocals and instruments. These microphones are sometimes able to even pick up acoustic subtleties which their dynamic counterparts cannot. This is often required because with the details and ambience, the sound appears to be more realistic. However, it can also lead to problems. Live recordings in the studio can be more challenging with these microphones, especially if the acoustics in the home studio are not perfect and there is a lot of sound interference.
Dynamic microphones usually provide a more powerful sound and thus are more convincing, especially when picking up the sound of certain instruments or genres. The reduced susceptibility to feedback can also be a tremendous advantage in studio applications. At the end of the day it simply means: just try it out.

2. HIGH RELIABILITY

Dynamic microphones can survive extra high volume levels without any loss in quality or functionality. A microphone can sometimes be exposed to very high sound pressure levels, even if it is only due to a brief operating error. With condenser microphones, this may cause damage whereas with dynamic microphones, this is rather unlikely.

Compared with condenser microphones, dynamic microphones have a much longer service life. They are almost indestructible. Dust, dirt, vibrations? Dynamic microphones usually remain unaffected by it. Dynamic microphones contain much less electronics. Thus, they can also handle small amounts of liquid. Of course, your studios and recording bunkers are by no means dusty, dirty or damp, are they?. Nevertheless: it may be useful for studio applications, if you can rely on a microphone which is able to withstand a minor accident.

MICROPHONES WITHOUT CABLES: OUR WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

Wireless microphones used to be very expensive and thus were rarely found on small club stages. Today, wireless microphones have become an essential part of the freedom many musicians want to feel. We are combining wireless microphones with matching receivers for practical wireless sets which are reliable and suitable for any stage size.

The advantages of wireless microphones for musicians:

• On small stages, no more cables to restrict the mobility of yourself or your band colleagues.
• Cables are possible breaking points. It will happen eventually. Wireless transmission, on the other hand, is safer, particularly in small rooms.

An example from our wireless portfolio: TXS-2402SET

MICROPHONE BASICS: THIS IS HOW A MICROPHONE WORKS

A microphone is basically a transducer: your speech or your singing consists of sound waves. A transducer has to convert these sound waves into electrical signals. These electrical signals are then transmitted to a speaker using other devices. The speaker is the reverse microphone which converts the electricity back into sound waves and outputs the sound. Thus, a microphone allows to transport and control sound by means of electrical waves. The challenge is to lose as little acoustic information as possible when converting the incoming sound or sound signal. This may work like this (using a standard dynamic microphone, for example):

1. The sound waves meet a lightweight and movable diaphragm in the microphone.
2. This causes the diaphragm to vibrate. Technical experts call it the receiver principle.
3. A coil is firmly attached to the diaphragm which is also set in motion by the vibration of the diaphragm.
4. The voice coil immerses into the magnetic field of the microphone's permanent magnet.
5. The movement of the coil in a constant magnetic field generates voltage which is called electromagnetic induction. This is how electrical signals are created from sound waves which we perceive as sound at the end of the signal chain. Technical experts call it the transducer principle.
6. Therefore, the electrical signals created are the electromagnetic conversion of the sound entering the microphone and can thus be processed by all other components of the signal chain (mixer, amplifier, etc.).

WHAT IS PHANTOM POWER?

Phantom power is a remote power supply, i.e. a form of external power supply. You will often find phantom power in condenser microphones or in active DI boxes. Condenser microphones feature an active circuit because the condenser in the microphone needs to be supplied with power. Therefore, they need a remote power supply. A dynamic microphone does not need this because it has no active component. It features a vibrating diaphragm which does not need any additional electronics to operate. It is called phantom because it is invisible. Many mixers, by the way, have built-in phantom power.