beyerdynamic M 160 Dynamic Double-Ribbon Microphone (Hypercardioid)

With its iconic looks, unparalleled precision engineering and unique double-ribbon hypercardioid design, the beyerdynamic M 160 has remained in a class of its own for over six decades. First introduced in 1957, the M 160 was the secret weapon behind some of the most legendary sounds of the classic rock era, from Jimi Hendrix’s incendiary guitar tones to John Bonham’s larger-than-life drums on “When the Levee Breaks.”

Updated with modern design cues for the 21st century, the current iteration of the M 160 retains the same warm, silky character that has made it a studio go-to for nearly 70 years. Renowned for its ability to effortlessly smooth out harsh sounds, this award-winning mic is a classic choice for drums and guitar cabinets—but it’s versatile enough to handle everything from vocals and horns to acoustic guitars and strings. If you’re looking for that undefinable “it” factor in your recordings, the beyerdynamic M 160 just may be the missing link in your mic locker.

Hand-Built in Germany With Unparalleled Precision

The M 160 is hand-built in Germany using only the highest-quality time-tested components for a sound signature that has remained virtually unchanged since 1957. Each mic begins with two wafer-thin pure aluminum ribbons, hand-stamped for maximum flexibility and placed with millimeter precision. Everything from the custom-designed transformer to the ultra-sturdy grille is crafted in-house, ensuring that beyerdynamic’s exacting standards are met along each step of the way. The result is a ribbon mic that delivers rich, detailed sound with plenty of warmth and character. Reflecting the superior craftsmanship and rigorous testing that each M 160 undergoes, your mic comes with documentation that includes its own individual frequency response curve.

Double-Ribbon Design for Pristine Audio Detail

The dual-ribbon motor of the M 160 is a unique innovation designed to deliver excellent sensitivity and extremely high fidelity. The mic’s hand-wired ultra-low-mass ribbons provide super-fast transient response, allowing you to capture high-impulse sources like hi-hats and snare with precision. With a warm, true-to-life sound and a well-balanced frequency response, the M 160 is characterized by an authoritative low end, detailed midrange and silky highs that make it suitable for a wide variety of applications. Use it to preserve the delicate details of a fingerpicked guitar, the woody resonance of a violin or the huge room sound of a thundering drumkit.

Hypercardioid Pattern for Focused Sound Capture

While most ribbon mics feature a figure-8 polar pattern, the beyerdynamic M 160 boasts a unique hypercardioid pattern that focuses on sound sources directly in front of the mic while rejecting off-axis noise. This highly directional polar pattern makes the M 160 well-suited for close-miking guitar cabinets, as well as capturing sources like vocals, acoustic guitars and brass. It also offers excellent channel separation when multi-miking drums, tracking multiple sources in the same room or working in live scenarios. When paired with the figure-8 M 130 ribbon mic, the M 160 is perfect for mid-side recording, offering flexible and forgiving stereo sound.

Smooth Tone That Softens Harsh Sounds

While the M 160 is versatile enough to excel in a variety of scenarios, it’s perhaps best beloved for its extraordinary ability to soften harsh sources—especially drums and electric guitars. It precisely reproduces the quick transients of cymbals without shrillness, allowing for well-balanced recordings when used as an overhead, hi-hat or room mic. The M 160’s warm mid-high range and high SPL handling also make it ideal for capturing cranked guitar cabinets in rich harmonic detail. And with a smooth presence boost at around 4kHz, the M 160 has the ability to make drums, guitars, vocals and more jump out of the mix and command attention. It’s perfect for a sound that’s powerful yet precise, assertive without ever becoming overbearing.