2017 Mic Shoot-out: Aston Spirit vs. Telefunken Elam 251, Neumann M149, and Neumann U87

Shoot-out (n): A vocal comparison of microphones examining tonal characteristics. LA-based artist, producer, and engineer Pete Hopkins spends a day at Westlake Audio to conduct an A/B test using state-of-the-art studio microphones such as the Telefunken Elam 251, Neumann M149, and Neumann U87 in comparison with the Aston Spirit, a worthy opponent at a fraction of the price of the other microphones. Westlake Audio is a Los Angeles landmark recording studio, notorious for such best-selling albums as Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Hopkins puts each microphone to the test while recording vocals for his personal rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.“ May the best mic win!