Beyerdynamic
beyerdynamic M 201
Best dynamic pencil microphone for capturing loud instruments in the studio.
Capture every nuance with the beyerdynamic M 201, a hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone built for demanding audio environments. This moving-coil pencil microphone excels at recording loud sources like snare drums and guitar amps, delivering a full frequency response from 40Hz to 18kHz. Its robust design features built-in hum compensation to eliminate interference, ensuring pristine sound for both stage and studio. The focused pickup pattern minimizes side noise and feedback, offering exceptional channel separation. Handmade with premium materials, the M 201 is a testament to Beyerdynamic's commitment to quality and durability.
$499.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
269
/ 3337
#269 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
-2%
Below average
Microphone Type
Dynamic Instrument Microphone
/ Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Who it's for
- Engineers seeking precise transient detail for acoustic instruments
- Touring professionals needing gear built for long-term reliability
- Studio recordists tracking in busy or untreated environments
Who should skip it
- Recordists lacking high-gain preamps or signal boosters
- Home studio owners working with limited equipment budgets
- Podcasters or vocalists prone to moving the microphone
Performance breakdown
Off-axis rejection
Hypercardioid pattern isolates sound sources with surgical precision.
SPL handling
Easily captures aggressive snare hits without a hint of distortion.
Build durability
Handmade German construction built to survive decades of studio abuse.
Interference suppression
Integrated hum compensation keeps your signal clean near noisy equipment.
Transient response
Fast moving-coil design captures sharp attacks with impressive clarity.
Positioning versatility
Slim pencil form factor fits into tight drum kit configurations.
Key Specs
Microphone Type
Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Polar Pattern
Hypercardioid
Frequency Range
40 Hz - 18,000 Hz
Output Impedance
200 Ohms
Sensitivity
-58dBV/Pa
Connection Type
XLR
Build Material
High-quality materials (Handmade in-house)
Mounting Type
Clip-on
Features
- Hypercardioid pattern for superior channel separation
- Handles high sound pressure levels with ease
- Built-in hum compensation reduces EMI interference
- Durable, handmade pencil design
- Ideal for loud instruments like drums and amps
- Focused sound pickup from the front
- Easy positioning with included mic clamp
What customers say
Customers consider the beyerdynamic M 201 an indispensable dynamic microphone prized for its exceptional clarity and detailed transient response. Users frequently praise its remarkable accuracy when capturing complex sources like drums and guitars, noting a smooth high-frequency extension that avoids harshness. The hypercardioid pattern offers superior isolation, ideal for busy environments where bleed is a concern. While it needs a quality preamp due to lower output, this is easily accepted given the sonic performance. The consensus is that its superior build quality and sonic neutrality justify the investment, establishing the M 201 as a highly valued workhorse delivering consistent, professional results.
Know before you buy
The M 201 features a tight hypercardioid polar pattern that excels at isolating the snare while rejecting bleed from nearby cymbals. Its ability to handle high sound pressure levels ensures it captures the sharp transients of a drum hit without distortion.
No, the M 201 is a dynamic microphone and does not require phantom power to operate. You can plug it directly into any standard XLR input on your audio interface or mixer.
The hum compensation coil is designed to cancel out electromagnetic interference, such as hum from nearby power supplies or studio equipment. This results in a cleaner signal, which is especially helpful when recording in environments with a lot of electronic gear.
While it is primarily designed as an instrument microphone, its flat frequency response makes it a capable choice for certain vocal applications, particularly for aggressive or loud singing styles. However, it is not a traditional large-diaphragm condenser, so it may lack the 'air' or intimacy typically associated with vocal-specific mics.
The slim, pencil-style form factor is actually a significant advantage for tight setups, such as miking a snare drum nestled between toms or placing it close to a guitar cabinet. The included mic clamp provides enough flexibility to angle the capsule precisely where you need it.
Because the pickup pattern is very focused, you need to be precise with your placement. The microphone is most sensitive to sound directly in front of the capsule, so even small adjustments in angle can significantly change the tone and the amount of room sound you capture.
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