beyerdynamic M 88 (2023) 4-stars Reviews

Excellent update of a classic. Singers, try this mic!

Beyerdynamic recently updated all their "M-series" mics. The M88 now gets a different grille from the previous M88TG model, all other M-series have only cosmetic changes.

Beyerdynamic have essentially gone back to the older M88 design and I think it's a success. Instead of the coarse steel mesh with foam pop filter, the new M88 has one coarse and one fine steel mesh and no foam. That means its pop filtering against plosives is less effective, but it has given the mic back some extra clarity for vocals. It needs a HPF against pops though. There is more handling noise than more modern vocal mics but again the HPF mostly fixes it.

I'm a live sound engineer using my own mics. I've used M88TG's for years as a drums and instrument mic, or for vocals on a mic stand for guitar, keyboard etc players who sing. But with this model I now give it to the lead vocalists to use and I can't believe how good it is! Being hypercardioid it is possible to get feedback if the rear of the mic points at the monitor wedges, but I find it's no more than a cardioid 58.

It has a MUCH better vocal sound than a 58! The critical vocal midrange is so much better with this mic. At first you worry it will be too much then you realise it's because with other mics you have to cut so much just to protect against feedback. I get a louder, clearer, more natural voice sound with the new model M88 with less EQ and very good feedback rejection. It has a neodymium magnet for a strong signal output so you need less gain than most dynamic vocal mics, 58 included.

I would buy these for every singer if they were not so expensive! It is also well known how good the M88TG is for kick, snare, toms, guitar, bass cab, brass, woodwinds and more, I'd say the new model is even slightly better. Hypercardioid pattern has excellent feedback resistance if used properly, though less experienced singers might need to work on their mic technique - it's less forgiving than a cardioid and has strong proximity effect. I prefer to simply compensate with EQ and advise the singer to sing so close they're touching it.

I used these as a kick mic at the start of my career 30+ years ago then I didn't have them until I bought my own M88TG's in 2022. Now the new model has an even better sound for vocals. If using it for kick drum then definitely buy the WS59 wind screen to protect it.

The new/old grille design has a "cap" held on with 3 screws, unlike the 1-piece mesh of the M88TG. On old models these sometimes came out and the grille fell apart, I will have to watch out for that. It still has the heavy brass handle, coil and humbucking coil. Build quality is first class as always from Beyerdynamic. The new case is nice but the mic clip is all plastic, IMO needs a brass insert for the thread where it attaches to a stand.

I was using some pretty good condenser vocal mics for lead vocals but from now on this is my first choice. I will still use condensers for some soloists but only on certain gigs, this worked so well in front of a loud rock band I couldn't believe it. Highly recommended!