audiobriefs
7:27in productionCh. 1 · Discontinued/ 7:27 · ceiling 15 min
Microphones & preamps

Beyerdynamic M 88

This microphone is obsolete — not outdated, but officially retired.

The Beyerdynamic M 88 TG - 90 years edition is a discontinued dynamic microphone. It has been replaced by the M 88 TG. It is no longer sold.

Chapters & takeaways4
  1. 0:39
    Discontinued

    It is no longer available for purchase.

  2. 1:56
    Replaced

    The M 88 TG has taken its place.

  3. 3:06
    Legacy Only

    Its value is archival, not functional.

  4. 4:00
    Out of Stock, Permanently

    You cannot buy it new.

Worth your time?

No. The brief is enough.

1/ 5
What works
  • audio/microphones-and-preamps
  • audio/studio-and-recording
  • audio/studio
What does not
  • audio/daws-and-software
  • audio/dj-gear
  • audio/effects-and-pedals
  • audio/guitars-and-amps
Use it if
  • audio/microphones-and-preamps
  • audio/studio-and-recording
  • audio/studio
Skip it if
  • audio/headphones-and-hi-fi
  • audio/keyboards-and-organs
  • audio/synths-and-drum-machines
The written brief1 min read

What it is and what it was built for

The Beyerdynamic M 88 TG - 90 years edition is a discontinued dynamic microphone built to commemorate a milestone.

How it works, in terms a player would use

It is a dynamic microphone. It requires no power. It connects directly to a mic preamp or audio interface input.

What it does better than anything else

It does better as a historical marker: it signals the transition to the current M 88 TG model.

What it does badly

It does badly as an object of current use: it is no longer sold.

What people made with it

No recordings, artists, sessions or genres are named in the source material.

Who should use it, and who should not

No one should use it now. It is discontinued. The standard M 88 TG has superseded it.

Is it worth your time

It is not worth your time if you are looking for the M 88 TG - 90 years edition: it is discontinued and has been replaced by the standard M 88 TG.

Same bench · Microphones & preamps4 of 55
9:43
Beyerdynamic M 160Beyerdynamic · 1957The Beyerdynamic M 160 is a hypercardioid ribbon microphone introduced in 1957. It uses dual 15-mm aluminum ribbons suspended between alnico magnets, rotated 90° to achieve end-address directionality. It softens strident sound sources without dulling transients. It was used by Eddie Kramer on Jimi Hendrix’s vocals and amplifier and by Andy Johns on John Bonham’s drums for 'When the Levee Breaks.' It remains in production after over six decades.
9:43
Beyerdynamic M 160Beyerdynamic · 1957The Beyerdynamic M 160 is a hypercardioid ribbon microphone introduced in 1957. It uses dual 15-mm aluminum ribbons suspended between alnico magnets (later neodymium), rotated 90 degrees to achieve end-address operation and a highly directional pickup pattern. It softens harsh characteristics of strident sound sources. It has been used in broadcasting, live concerts, and studio recordings — notably by Eddie Kramer on Jimi Hendrix and Andy Johns on John Bonham’s drums for 'When the Levee Breaks'. It remains in production over six decades later.
9:22
Daking Mic Pre IVDakingThe Daking Mic-Pre IV is a 4-channel solid-state analog preamp with minimal controls and no colouration. It amplifies cleanly and intensely—revealing rather than refining the source. Its design prioritises workflow over flavour.
9:07
Neumann KM 54NeumannThe KM 54 is a rare, discontinued large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone. It has a fixed cardioid pattern and requires its own unique power supply. It is fragile and unsuitable for live use. It delivers a warm, wide vocal tone — ideal for capturing subtlety — but lacks the clarity of newer Neumann tube mics. A reviewer used it successfully on vocals for themselves and a client. It resembles the AKG C12 in sound and appearance.
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