Buyer's Guide: Earthworks Audio

Earthworks Audio is known throughout the industry for producing extremely accurate microphones with ruler-flat frequency response and lightning-fast transient response. Top engineers and acousticians trust their world-class measurement microphones to collect acoustical data and calibrate high-end sound systems, while their specialized instrument and vocal microphones excel at delivering sound so pure and detailed it’s like being in the room. Earthworks even offers a line of broadcast-style microphones that capture crystal-clear speech for podcasters, streamers, and video creators.

Everything Earthworks does revolves around its philosophy of “human-centered audio.” Their goal is to provide creative people with the tools they need to make their dreams come true, whether that means getting the perfect drum sound, streaming live to an audience of thousands, or calibrating boutique monitors in a mastering studio. Earthworks’ product lineup is deep, and there’s a solution for almost every possible need. But which is right for you? Browse the categories below to find the perfect fit.

Earthworks Instrument Microphones

SR30 Cardioid Instrument Microphone

The Earthworks SR30 is an all-purpose small diaphragm cardioid condenser mic that delivers transparent, true-to-life sound on almost any instrument. With a frequency range of 20 Hz to 30 kHz, the SR30 captures the entire audible spectrum plus ultrasonic content which can be useful for creative pitch-shifting. For drum overheads and other stereo applications, Earthworks offers the microphone in matched pairs. They also offer the SR30/HC, a hypercardioid version that delivers a more focused sound with better rejection and greater gain before feedback, making it suitable for live environments.

SR25 Cardioid Instrument Microphone

The versatile Earthworks SR25 provides the same transparent sound, ultra-detailed transients, and cardioid pickup pattern as the SR30, but trades a slightly reduced frequency range for a lower price point. Capable of capturing lifelike sound from 20 Hz to 25 kHz, the SR25 spans the entire audible spectrum with a bit of extra “air” on top. Like the SR30, Earthworks offers matched pairs of SR25s for optimized stereo recording.

DM20 DrumMic

No ordinary clip-on, the Earthworks DM20 DrumMic is a high-performance cardioid condenser mic engineered specifically for recording tom-toms and snare drums. With a frequency range of 50 Hz - 20 kHz, the DM20 captures the perfect amount of low-end for beefy snares and large floor toms without any unwanted sub frequencies that you’d end up filtering out anyway. For live sound applications, the included RM1 RimMount attaches securely to the rim of any drum and features a thick layer of padding to protect the drum while reducing mechanical vibrations transferred to the microphone.

SR20LS Bass Drum Microphone

A sensitive small-diaphragm condenser isn’t the most obvious choice for sticking inside a bass drum, but the Earthworks SR20LS is purpose-built for the task. Capable of handling sound pressure levels of up to 150 dB without distortion, this mic can keep up with even the hardest-hitting drummers. And because it’s an Earthworks mic, the SR20LS responds to transients faster than any other bass drum mic on the market, allowing it to capture all the snap and punchiness you hear when you’re sitting at the kit.

DK7 DrumMic Kit

The Earthworks DK7 is a seven-piece, all-condenser drum mic kit for capturing ultra-detailed drum sounds on stage or in the studio. Featuring four DM20 DrumMics, one SR20LS Bass Drum Microphone, and a matched pair of SR25 cardioid condensers, this package gives you everything you need to mic up a standard five-piece kit. Despite being condensers, these specialized microphones offer excellent isolation and feedback rejection, making the DK7 a fantastic choice for sound reinforcement.

PM40 PianoMic System

Consisting of two small diaphragm condenser microphones mounted on an adjustable crossbar, the Earthworks PM40 is a self-contained solution for amplifying and recording grand pianos. The microphones feature an extended frequency response from 9 Hz to 40 kHz, capturing the entire range of the instrument, including subsonic lows and ultrasonic high frequencies. Mounted on flexible goosenecks that slide along the crossbar, the microphones are freely positionable, allowing you to target any area from bass to treble (toward or away from the hammers), for the ideal tonal balance and stereo spread.

Earthworks Speech and Vocal Microphones

ETHOS XLR Broadcasting Microphone

ETHOS is Earthworks’ professional broadcast microphone, built to capture crisp and detailed speech and vocals for podcasting, streaming, and vlogging. Styled after classic radio microphones, ETHOS features a boom arm-friendly integrated swivel mount for easy positioning. Behind the removable windscreen and protective grille sits a medium-sized supercardioid condenser capsule tuned to flatter the human voice with enhanced presence, gentle proximity effect, and reduced sibilance.

ICON and ICON PRO Streaming Microphones

Designed specifically for creators, musicians, and working professionals, Earthworks’ ICON Series microphones excel at capturing high-quality speech and vocals—and they look great doing it. ICON features class-compliant USB connectivity, giving you access to Earthworks’ legendary clarity and detail with no audio interface or drivers required. ICON PRO connects via XLR and provides extended frequency response and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Both mics are housed in an attractive stainless steel body with an integrated Triad-Orbit swivel mount for attaching to a mic stand, boom arm, or the included desktop stand.

SR314 Handheld Vocal Condenser Microphone

The Earthworks SR314 is a high-performance handheld with a retro-futuristic stainless steel grille that’s sure to steal the show. The cardioid condenser capsule inside boasts an extended frequency response with a slight proximity effect below 100 Hz, remarkably flat midrange performance, and sculpted high-end for extra presence and “air” without any harshness. Ideal for vocalists who want a natural, open sound, the SR314 pairs well with acoustic instruments and reasonable stage volumes. Earthworks also makes the SR5314 and SR3314 capsules Sennheiser wireless microphone bases.

SR117 Supercardioid Vocal Condenser Microphone

The Earthworks SR117 is an affordable and less flashy alternative to the SR314 that blows typical dynamic vocal mics out of the water. Under the protective metal grille and foam windscreen sits a supercardioid condenser capsule that captures maximum depth and detail while offering excellent off-axis rejection and gain before feedback. These characteristics make the SR117 an excellent choice for singers with softer voices who need to cut through a loud band on stage.

FW730 and FW730/HC FlexWand Cardioid Condenser Microphones

Designed for choir recording and sound reinforcement, Earthworks’ FW730 and FW730/HC FlexWand microphone systems consist of a small-diaphragm cardioid (or hypercardioid) condenser mic mounted on a flexible double gooseneck stand attached to a sturdy floor-standing base. The stand consists of a telescoping main section that extends the reach up to seven feet, followed by a flexible gooseneck, a long rigid section, and a second gooseneck at the end for precise positioning. With huge reach, sturdy constructions, and signature Earthworks transparency, these specialized systems are the ultimate solution for choir recording.

Earthworks Measurement and Room Microphones

M50 Omnidirectional Measurement Microphone

Earthworks’ flagship measurement microphone is engineered to capture sound with extreme accuracy in both the frequency and time domains. With an extended frequency response stretching from 5 Hz all the way up to 50 kHz, the Earthworks M50 captures a broad spectrum of infrasonic, audible, and ultrasonic information. Its omnidirectional capsule features an extremely light diaphragm that responds to transient information that other microphones miss, making it a true scientific instrument. All M Series microphones undergo rigorous acceptance testing to comply with ANSI and IEC 61094 standards, and each mic includes its own individually measured calibration chart and electronic calibration file.

M30

Like its big sibling the M50, the Earthworks M30 is built for capturing acoustical data with extreme accuracy. Featuring a slightly reduced (but still massive) frequency response, the M30 is capable of capturing infrasound and ultrasound from 3 Hz to 30 kHz. Also like the M50, the M30 comes with its own individual calibration chart, which provides its measured open-circuit sensitivity and the frequency response curve, as well as an Electronic Calibration File for use with acoustical measurement software.

M23/M23R

The most accessible model in Earthworks’ measurement mic lineup, the M23 is nonetheless a highly capable instrument suited to acoustical measurement as well as studio recording. Just like its cousins, the M23 captures subsonic information down to 3 kHz, although the high-frequency response is limited to 23 kHz. The M23R is a reference-grade variant with a tolerance of just ±0.5 dB across the frequency range, as well as a slightly higher sensitivity rating of 36mV/Pa (two mV/Pa more than the M23).

QTC50 Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone

The Earthworks QTC (Quiet Time Coherent) Series includes three high-performance omnidirectional condenser mics that excel at capturing quiet and loud sound sources at high sample rates with extreme detail and phase accuracy. The specifications for the QTC50 and QTC30 are similar to their M Series counterparts, while the QTC40 features a range of 3 Hz - 40 kHz. As they are meant for studio use and not measurement, the QTC Series microphones undergo slightly less rigorous testing and do not include individual calibration data. All are available as matched pairs.

TC20 Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone

More affordable than the QTC line yet still meeting Earthworks’ high standards for sound quality, the TC20 is a fantastic choice for recordists who need a pristine room mic without breaking the bank. With a frequency range of 9 Hz - 20 kHz and a maximum SPL of 150 dB, the TC20 excels at capturing loud sound sources clearly, such as drum kits and amplifiers. It also features a shorter barrel than the M and QTC Series mics, making it slightly less acoustically optimized but easier to position during sessions.

If you are interested in Earthworks Microphones for your studio, we're here to help! Please contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.