Placid Audio Copperphone

$275.00 to $350.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (8)

1 Review

Find out who is using Placid Audio Copperphone

9 wishlisted

21 saved

Page last updated Jun 11, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated June 11, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

$275.00

View Deal

5.0 (13)

$325.00 3 available New

$250.00 1 available Used

View Deal

5.0 (4)

$350.00

View Deal

Average Price: $300

Standard/Professional

$100

$401+

Price Tier

In the Condenser Microphones category, Placid Audio Copperphone is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Placid Audio Copperphone". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Jun 8, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Step into the world of vintage sound with the Placid Audio Copperphone, a distinctive condenser microphone that bridges the gap between past and present. This microphone is a favorite for musicians and producers who seek a unique, nostalgic audio character. Designed to emulate the lo-fi sound of old AM radios and megaphones, the Copperphone delivers a signature tonal quality that is both gritty and warm, making it a standout choice for creative studio sessions.

Handcrafted in the USA, the Copperphone is built with a rugged metal housing that not only looks striking but is designed to last. It features a cardioid pickup pattern, ensuring focused sound capture while minimizing background noise. This microphone is particularly popular for adding a vintage vibe to vocals, drums, and guitar amplifiers, allowing artists to explore a range of creative possibilities. With its unique frequency response, the Copperphone is an excellent addition to any studio where character and individuality are prized.

Key Features:

Emulates vintage lo-fi sound, reminiscent of AM radios and megaphones
Handcrafted in the USA with durable metal construction
Cardioid pickup pattern for focused sound capture
Unique frequency response tailored for creative studio applications
Ideal for vocals, drums, and guitar amplifiers
Provides a distinctive tonal character for music production

Product specs

Brand	Placid Audio
Model	Copperphone Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
Finish	Copper
Year	2003 - 2022
Made In	United States
Categories	Microphones
Electronics	Analog, Solid State
Microphone Type	Dynamic
Polar Pattern	Cardioid
Wired/Wireless	Wired

FAQs

What is the primary use of the Placid Audio Copperphone microphone?: The Placid Audio Copperphone is designed to deliver a vintage, lo-fi sound, making it ideal for creative recording applications where a unique character is desired, such as vocals, drums, and special effects.
What type of polar pattern does the Placid Audio Copperphone have?: The Placid Audio Copperphone features a cardioid polar pattern, which helps isolate the sound source by minimizing the pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, making it suitable for focused recording environments.
How would you describe the sound signature of the Placid Audio Copperphone?: The Copperphone is known for its distinctive, midrange-focused sound with a pronounced vintage character, often described as having a "telephone" or "AM radio" quality, which is perfect for adding texture and uniqueness to recordings.
Is the Placid Audio Copperphone suitable for live performance?: While primarily intended for studio use, the Copperphone can be used in live settings to achieve a distinct lo-fi effect, but users should be mindful of its specific sound characteristics and the potential need for additional sound reinforcement.
Does the Placid Audio Copperphone require phantom power?: No, the Placid Audio Copperphone is a dynamic microphone and does not require phantom power to operate, making it easy to integrate into various recording setups without additional power requirements.

Videos

Add video

Future Shock Studios

Placid Audio Copperphone Test/Review

Future Shock Studios

The Placid Audio Copperphone Reviewed at Edgewater Studios

Placid Audio

Norah Jones and the Placid Audio Copperphone

Placid Audio

Copperphone Mic Review WITH AUDIO - My Favorite WEIRD Mic

GaragebandandBeyond

Acoustic Guitar Recorded With The Placid Audio Copperphone

Placid Audio

Video Review: Placid Audio Copperphone Mic

Live2PlayNetwork

Placid Audio Copperphone

Datachoir Sounds

Mic Shootout at Vintage King with Warren Huart - Placid Audio Copperphone

Placid Audio

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Delivers distinct "old-time" and lo-fi audio effects
Perfect for achieving Tom Waits or Howlin' Wolf vibes
Offers unique sounds not easily replicated with plugins
Solid build and visually striking design
Versatile for effects on vocals, guitars, and drums
Blends well with other microphones in recordings
Ideal for live performances needing a telephone effect
Provides an authentic approach to retro soundscapes
Adds unique character and texture to recordings
Encourages creative experimentation with audio effects

CONS

Somewhat limited in application as an effects mic
Requires EQ adjustments for precise sound control
Not suited as a primary microphone for most users
Internal noise may be noticeable without proper EQ adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Placid Audio Copperphone.

Features and functionality

0 0

The Copperphone's carbon mic design offers a limited frequency response, ideal for blending as a secondary mic for a lo-fi or vintage sound.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

A ribbon mic is suggested as a more versatile alternative at a similar price point, offering flexibility with added effects.
Source
0 0

It's noted that modding an old rotary telephone to use as a mic provides a similar lo-fi sound to the Copperphone.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Copperphone excels when heavily compressed with pumping settings, adding a distinctive character to recordings.
Source
0 0

The Copperphone is particularly praised for its "old timey radio" sound, excelling on drums, guitars, and bass for a vintage effect.
Source
0 0

The Copperphone's unique sound is often compared to unconventional mic setups, like using a CB radio with an XLR out for gritty vocal effects.
Source
0 0

The Copperphone's built-in copper echo chamber naturally distorts sound, making it ideal for vocal distortion without pedals, minimizing feedback in live settings.
Source
0 0

Often used as a secondary mic on guitar amps to enhance midrange frequencies, adding a unique tonal character to recordings.
Source

Build quality

0 0

Features a rear-ported design into a hollow resonant chamber, mechanically filtering the sound to accentuate upper mids while reducing lows and highs.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Despite its $300 price tag, it's noted for providing a unique sound profile that's challenging to replicate with effects processors alone.
Source

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

jimmarchi1

40997

over 5 years ago

5 stars of bad bad sound that's so cool

when it must sound crappy why not start with the microphone? The copperphone soudns screwy as hell. Weird internal resonances.... weird. It sounds a bit retro lofi but also not in a familiar way really because its so unique anyway. Its like the sound of an alternate timeline circa 1920 maybe. I should use this more. First ran into one of these while meeting with a producer in the early days of Under Your Bed. He had a few of them set up for an upcoming session with a trashy garage band. I really liked where he went with that stuff too although I really didn't wind up liking him. No names named here.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

Artist usage

Add artist

Jack White

Singer, Guitarist

The White Stripes

Verified via Placid Audio

On the official website of Placid Audio in the section Users, Jack White is the first name to appear on list.

Alex Lifeson

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Verified via YouTube

at 0:37, a Placid Audio Copperphone can be seen in a stand/holder slightly below and behind (from Alex's point of view, from ours its in front) of his main microphone & stand. It also can be seen at 0:49.

Michael Shuman

Singer, Guitarist

Queens of the Stone Age

Verified via YouTube

One can see Michael's Copperphone at around 2:17-2:20 in this video of Queens of the Stone Age performing Millionaire.

Peter Buck

Guitarist

R.E.M.

Verified via Placid Audio

On the official website of Placid Audio in the section Users, Peter Buck is on the list

Snoop Dogg

Rapper, Music Producer

Tha Eastsidaz

Verified via Placid Audio

On the official website of Placid Audio in the section Users, Snoop Dogg is on the list

Kevin McKeown

Guitarist

Black Pistol Fire

Verified via YouTube

In this Clip of Black Pistol Fire playing "Speak of The Devil" at about 0:48 seconds in Kevin can be seen using this mic for a extreamly cool distorted voice.

Norah Jones

Singer, Guitarist

Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones

Verified via YouTube

Used for vocals on The Fall (in tandem with a Telefunken Ela 250), as stated in this February 1, 2010 Electronic Musician interview with Jones, producer Jacquire King and assistant engineer Brad Bivens and as featured in this January 5, 2015 video by Placid Audio.

Demos for The Fall began at Jones’ Manhattan home studio in May 2008, with engineer Tom Schick manning her custom Neve console (with 1073 modules), Otari 2-inch 24-track MTR- 90, and a sumptuous collection of vintage tube mics (Neumann M 49, U 47, and Telefunken ELA M 250).

(...) [Jones:] I love the M 49 and I also used a Telefunken ELA M 250 on my third record [2007’s Not Too Late]. It depends on the type of song and the way I am singing for which one sounds better. I love the 49 ’cause it gets all the grit and warmth, but sometimes it can sound a little too muffled if I am singing a certain way. Then the 250 gives some nice high end and a lot of air. And I like to be close to the mic to catch all the nuances.

(...) [King:] And Norah has an ELA M 250 mic and a U 47; then we chose the 250 paired with a Placid Audio Copperphone. It’s basically an old pay phone telephone voice element in a custom copper enclosure. I put that right next to the 250. It has a very frequency limited, old time gritty, edgy sound and gave the vocal a little more texture. Sometimes I leaned heavier on background vocals to give them a different texture and separate it from the lead vocal.