REFURBISHED - Beyerdynamic M818 STEREO PAIR - XLR

VINTAGE BASS — IN STEREO

The Beyerdynamic M818 brings together two M81 dynamic microphones as a dedicated stereo system.

Produced in Germany during the late 1960s to early 1970s, the M81 is one of Beyerdynamic's particularly substantial instrument and stage microphones of the period: compact, extraordinarily heavy for its size, and built around a thick metal housing that feels closer to a piece of machinery than a conventional microphone.

The M818 takes this unusual microphone and turns it into a complete stereo recording system.

This example is particularly attractive because the system has survived essentially complete, including both microphones, the original accessories and its original hard case. Both M81s are also in remarkably good cosmetic condition and, more importantly, perform extremely well together.

OPTICAL CONDITION:

EXCELLENT USED CONDITION

TECHNICAL CONDITION:

FLAWLESS = REFURBISHED

CONVERTED TO XLR

FITTED WITH NEW INTERNAL ACOUSTIC FOAM

INCLUDED:

2 × BEYERDYNAMIC M81 DYNAMIC CARDIOID MICROPHONES
2 × ORIGINAL MICROPHONE HOLDERS / CLAMPS
2 × ORIGINAL TABLE STANDS
1 × ORIGINAL ADJUSTABLE STEREO MOUNTING BAR
1 × ORIGINAL BEYERDYNAMIC M818 HARD CASE
2 × PROTECTIVE MICROPHONE BAGS

CONDITION & REFURBISHMENT

Both microphones are in excellent used condition.

During close inspection, the original internal acoustic foam was found to have reached the point where replacement was appropriate. Accessing this area of the M81 requires considerable disassembly around the capsule assembly, so both microphones were carefully opened and serviced.

The deteriorated material was completely removed and new acoustic foam was individually cut and fitted to both microphones.

Both microphones were subsequently tested and sound excellent, with remarkably similar sonic behavior between the two units.

The microphones have also been professionally converted from their original connectors to modern balanced 3-pin XLR, making the system immediately usable with contemporary recording equipment.

The deteriorated foam originally lining the hard case has likewise been removed. Instead, each microphone is supplied in its own  protective microphone bag, which sits neatly inside the original case and provides a clean and safe storage solution without exposing the microphones to aging foam.

BUILD & DESIGN

The M81 is an extraordinary little piece of mechanical engineering.

Its housing is constructed from two extremely thick die-cast metal sections. Rather than simply screwing together like a conventional microphone body, the sections meet along a broad flat joint with a spacer between them, almost reminiscent of an engine cylinder head and gasket.

Metal locating pins precisely position the sections when the microphone is assembled.

It is an unusually solution for a dynamic microphone, but used often by Beyer at Heilbrun in Germany. it gives much of the M81's character: extremely rigid, dense and resistant to mechanical abuse.

Even today, picking one up is surprising. It is small, but it feels almost disproportionately heavy.

inside a series of carefully controlled dampers keep the capsule safe and tightly pressed on to the outer shell.

SOUND CHARACTERISTICS

The M81 has a sound that immediately explains why this relatively obscure Beyerdynamic deserves more attention.

It is decidedly bass-capable, with a particularly strong proximity effect at close distances. On a bass cabinet it produces substantial weight and punch without turning the entire sound dark or indistinct.

The low frequencies are large and physical, while the midrange retains the slightly colored character expected from a good vintage dynamic. The upper range is controlled rather than aggressively bright, but there is enough extension and articulation to prevent the microphone from becoming dull.

This makes the M81 particularly convincing on bass guitar cabinets, guitar amplifiers, drums and other sources where body and impact are desirable.

It can also be surprisingly effective on vocals. Used close, the proximity effect creates considerable size and intimacy while the midrange keeps speech and vocals intelligible.

With the M818, that character becomes considerably more interesting: two closely performing M81s allow the microphone to be used not merely as a characterful close microphone, but as a genuine vintage stereo system.

Two beautifully preserved M81s, properly refurbished, modernised for XLR operation and retained together as the complete stereo system they were originally intended to be.

For recording engineers interested in unusual stereo textures, dual amplifier setups, percussion, room configurations or simply a rare complete example of Beyerdynamic's historical microphone engineering, the M818 is a particularly special survivor.

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