Microphone Techniques: Capturing Everything vs. Shaping at the Source

Recording engineers take different paths when capturing sound—some aim for full-range clarity, while others sculpt tone at the source. At Seahorse Sound Studios, we offer a versatile collection of microphones and gear to suit both approaches, ensuring every session gets the right tools for the job.

For full-spectrum capture, the AKG C414 (CK12 brass capsule) is a studio workhorse, delivering pristine highs and deep lows, ideal for vocals, drums, and acoustic instruments. If warmth and vintage character are needed, the Pearlman U47 offers a rich tube-driven depth, while the Mojave MA37 brings smooth, velvety textures reminiscent of the Sony C37, excelling on guitars, vocals, and room mics.

When shaping the sound at the source, ribbon mics like the Royer R121 tame harsh highs for a mix-ready electric guitar tone, and the Coles 4038 delivers a dark, natural warmth perfect for drums and brass. The EV RE10, a dynamic workhorse, controls proximity effect naturally, making it a go-to for tight, mid-focused instrument tracking. For low-end punch, the AKG D12E captures the weight of a kick drum with precision, while the Neve 1073 preamps add harmonic richness to every signal.

Beyond microphones, a selection of Fender Twin Reverb and Ampeg SVT810 amps provide examples of iconic guitar and bass tones that have shaped countless records. Whether you prefer to capture every detail or craft a signature sound from the start, our studio has the tools and expertise to bring your vision to life.

    • AKG D12 x 1

    • AKG D1000E x 1

    • AKG D1000M x 1

    • AKG D190 x 1

    • EV 635A x 2

    • EV 635 A/B x 2

    • EV RE15 x 1

    • EV RE10 x 1-

    • EV RE20 x 2

    • Sennheiser MD421 x 6

    • Shure SM7B x 2

    • Shure SM57 x 6

    • Shure SM56 x 1

    • Shure SM54 Silver x 1

    • Shure SM87 x 1

    • Shure SM58 x 1

    • Shure 300 x 1

    • Audix F5 x 1

    • Audix F10 x 2

    • Audix D6 x 1

    • Audix MicroD Adx-20 x 1

    • EV N/D 408B2 x 3

    • Nakamichi Cm300 x 1

    • Electret MM 620 x 1

    • Turner u98 x 1

    • Custom 12GA Shell x 1

    • AKG C414 x 1

    • AKG C535EB x 2

    • Aston Spirit x 1

    • Ehrlund EHR-M x 4

    • Mojave MA101 x 4

    • Mojave MA201 x 2

    • Mojave MA301 x 2

    • Oktava 012-01 x 2

    • Oktava 012-012 x 2

    • Oktava MK319 x 2

    • Oktava MK219 x 2

    • Rhode NT5 x 1

    • Rode NT4 x 1

    • Rode NT2A x 1

    • Rode NT1A x 1

    • Rode NTK x 1

    • Rode M3 x 1

    • Rode NT6 x 1

    • Mojave MA37 × 2

    • Mojave MA100 x 4

    • Mojave MA200 x 2

    • Mojave MA300 x 2

    • Mojave MA1000 × 2

    • Pearlman U47

    • Coles 4038 x 2

    • Royer SF12 x 1

    • Royer R121 x 2

    • Royer R101 x 2

    • Beyerdynamic M360 x 2

    • American DR332 x 1

    • Astatic 332-1 x 1

    • Electro-Voice 615 x 1

    • Electro-Voice 664 x 1

    • American D4 x 1

    • Midland 211 x 1

    • B-52 LG-100A

    • B-52 LG-100A

    • B-52 AT-100

    • Fender Tone-Master

    • Rhodes Cab (Master Unit)

    • Rhodes Cab (Slave Unit)

    • Marshall 4 X 12

    • Mills Acoustic 4 X 12

  • Tube Amps

    Ampeg Jet II J-12T
    Fender Champ-Amp
    Fender Excelsior
    Fender Twin Reverb (vintage and new) Fender Princeton
    Fender Pro-Junior
    Fender Hotrod Deluxe
    Fender Blues Deluxe
    Mesa/Boogie Mk. IIb
    Music Man Sixty-Five 112

     

    Solid State Amps
    Behringer V-Tone GMX212
    Fender Frontman 212R
    Marshall MG10
    Orange Crush 10
    Roland Jazz Chorus-120
    Sunn Beta Lead Combo
    Teisco Checkmate 66
    Teisco Checkmate 88
    Vox Pathfinder 15R

    • Ashdown

    • Ampeg SVTIII Pro

    • Fender Silverface Bassman

    • Sunn Concert Bass

    • Ampeg PR-410HLF

    • Ampeg SVT610

    • Ampeg SVT810


    • Ampeg SVT-15EN 


    • Ampeg V-412

    • Sunn 2 x 15

    • Acoustic B200

    • Acoustic B100

    • Ampeg BA115HP

    • Fender Rumble 15

    • Innovative Audio Modern Tube

  • Bass Effect Pedals

    MXR Bass Envelope Filter
    Ibanez PUE5B Bass Multi Effects
    Electro Faustus EF115 Superdisruptor
    Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive
    MXR Bass PreAmp
    Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer (vintage and new)

    Chorus
    Fender Starcaster Chorus
    MXR Analog Chorus
    Yamaha CH-01 Chorus
    Boss CE-2 (vintage)
    Ibanez CF7 Chorus / Flanger
    Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble

    Delay

    Ibanez ADL Delay
    Moog MF Delay
    Boss DM-3 Delay
    Boss DD-5 Digital Delay
    Catalinbread CB-3 Belle Epoch
    Deluxe Echo Unit Ibanez DL5
    Soundtank Digital Delay
    Strymon Timeline
    Death By Audio Echo Master
    Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man Echo Chorus/Vibrato
    Red Panda Particle v1
    Chase Bliss Audio Mood

    Distortion/Overdrive

    DOD FX86B Death Metal Distortion
    Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal
    Boss DS-1 Distortion
    Cutec DS-01 Distortion
    DOD FX69B Grunge Distortion
    DOD FX86B Death Metal Distortion
    Electro Harmonix Big Muff
    Proco Sound The Rat
    Yamaha DI-01 Distortion
    Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
    Custom Gray Metal Box
    Yamaha DM-100 Distortion with Modulation
    Audible Disease Fracture FR-1

    Fuzz

    Effector 13 Soda Meiser Fuzz
    Mountainking Electronics Megalith
    Mucky Pup Vintage Fuzz
    Zvex Fuzz Factory Vector Series
    Mountainking Electronics Decomposer


    • Baldwin CW8 (Harpsichord)

    • Berkwirth (Pump Organ)

    • Clarendon (Upright Piano)

    • Fender Rhodes

    • Hammond M3 


    • Optigan

    • Schafer & Sons VS-42 (Upright Piano)

    • Wurlitzer 200A

  • Mono

    • Arturia Matrixbrute

    • Arp Odyssey

    • Korg MS20

    • Korg MS20 mini

    • Yamaha CS-5


    Poly

    • Behringer VC340


    • Sequential Circuits Prophet 12

    • Korg Delta

    • Korg Polysix

    • Oberheim Matrix 6

    • Roland JX=3P

    • Roland HS-60

    • Roland Juno 6


    • Novation Bass Station

    • Moog Voyager

    • Yamaha PSR-47

    • Yamaha DX7


    • Arturia Minibrute

    • Behringer Neutron

    • EMU Systems Orbit


    • EMU Systems Proteus

    • Moog Sirin


    • Oberheim OB6

    • Roland Boutique JU, JP, Vocoder

    • Roland JP-8080

    • Sequential Circuits OB-6

    • Yamaha FB-01

    • Yamaha TX-7

    • Ace Tone FR-2L Rhythm Ace

    • Akai Rhythm wolf

    • Alesis HR-16B

    • Custom Modular Synthesizers

    • Boss DR-202

    • Roland TR-707

    • Roland SP-404

    • Roland TR77

    • Roland TR8-S

    • Sequential Circuits Drum Traks


    • Tama TechStar

    • Yamaha RX-17

Previous

CLIENTS