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Description
The Sony ECM-50 is a professional-grade condenser microphone designed for studio recording applications. Ideal for capturing vocals and instruments with precision, this mic is favored by musicians and sound engineers alike for its versatility and reliable performance. Its compact design makes it suitable for a variety of setups without compromising on sound quality. The ECM-50 is engineered to deliver clear and natural audio reproduction, making it a staple in any recording studio.
With its omnidirectional pickup pattern, the ECM-50 ensures that sound is captured uniformly from all directions, providing a balanced and accurate representation of the audio source. This feature makes it particularly effective in environments where you want to capture ambient sound or when the mic needs to pick up multiple sources simultaneously. Whether you're recording a podcast, conducting an interview, or capturing the intricate nuances of a musical performance, the ECM-50 offers the fidelity and clarity you need.
The microphone is also designed to minimize handling noise, allowing for more flexibility during recording sessions. Its durable construction ensures longevity, even with regular use, making it a reliable choice for both amateur and professional setups.
Key Features:
- Professional-grade condenser microphone
- Omnidirectional pickup pattern for balanced audio capture
- Compact and durable design
- Ideal for vocals, instruments, and ambient sound
- Minimizes handling noise for clearer recordings
- Suitable for studio and field recording applications
Videos
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Sony ECM 50 Vintage Lavalier Microphone
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sony ECM-50.
Setup and maintenance
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Electret capsules lose charge over time, diminishing sensitivity; replacement capsules are unavailable due to discontinued manufacturing.
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Mods and upgrades
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Adding a Triton Audio FetHead Phantom preamp may boost the Sony ECM-50's output, although it risks amplifying noise from an already weak signal.
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Comparisons
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Alternatives to consider include other lavalier mics, such as dynamic Shure models, which may offer more cost-effective solutions.
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Artist usage
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According to Rumours producer Ken Caillat, an ECM-50 was used to record guitar on "Dreams" and "Silver Spring". This is stated in his book Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album and this August 2007 Sound on Sound interview, respectively.
Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album (April 10, 2012)
I opened up the mics, a Neuman 414, an AKG C-451, panned hard left and right, and my little Sony ECM-50, taped to the front of Lindsey’s fine guitar.
Sound on Sound, August 2007
"Take 'Silver Springs' [the B-side of 'Go Your Own Way']. I taped this Sony ECM50 lavalier mic onto Lindsey's Fender Strat, which was kind of a crazy idea because no sound would be coming out of there. However, I noticed, when he would sit around and play in the studio, that I liked the sound of the high frequency that comes off the strings — it's hardly a note, but more of a second-octave, third-octave harmonic thing. So I taped the ECM50 on there and he was actually playing the part through his volume pedal, meaning that when he plucked the string and opened up the pedal you'd hear this 'wah' sound', while preceding that there would be the little glassy clink of the ECM50. Then we ran the pedal sound through the Leslie and had a delay on that, slowing his part down — he was actually going to double that part, but then when he heard the delay he started playing along to it and that changed the whole tempo of the song... You wouldn't have had that in the Pro Tools world, where there's no credibility given to putting some space into the songs. Back then, you'd put echo on there and create space, and you were painting a portrait while you were going."
In Vol. 4, No. 5 (the September/October 1973 issue) of Recording Engineer / Producer (a.k.a. R-e/p) magazine, an interview with MGM Recording's Ed Greene mentions that Sinatra used the Sony ECM-50 for part of Magnavox Presents Frank Sinatra, which promoted the album Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back.
The hand microphone that we ended up with was a Neumann KM -83, believe it or not, an omni microphone. I hated to use the word "omni" around people who weren't really technically oriented because right away they said, "Omigod, that'll never work!" But, in fact, it worked very well. We must have tried 15 or 18 microphones and came down to about 5 that we tried on the show. I originally shied away myself from an "omni" just because you have to work it a little closer. But in this case, being the professional that he is, Mr. Sinatra worked it just beautifully. On the segment of the show that required a lavalier we used an electret Sony ECM-50, also an omni, because its sound closely matched the KM-83.
Album Usage
The Sony ECM-50 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sony ECM-50, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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