REVIEW IN PRO AUDIO REVIEW MAGAZINE (June 2006)

PLACID AUDIO: COPPERPHONE

Every once in a while (and it’s not very often) a product comes along that is so cool and unique that I’m split between telling everyone I know about it or keeping
 it a secret to never share with a soul. That’s the case with the Copperphone microphone. This unique little beast has become my new secret weapon.

By using components from vintage communications equipment the Copperphone microphone attains that lo-fi sound reminiscent of a telephone or AM radio. 
The rugged dynamic mic has a precision-machined handmade copper capsule. The mic can withstand extremely high sound pressure levels (kick drum/guitar
 amps) with no risk of damage to the diaphragm and it is equally adept for both studio and live settings.

The Copperphone microphone has two sonic characters. The first is smooth clean response with no clipping. In most cases I have found that this is the best
 response for most situations. I have had great results using the microphone in this manner to record vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, strings, and, my favorite,
 banjo. The second character is a static response with constant clipping. This response can be slightly harsh but in many instances it works perfectly. It is
 the sound I’ve typically attained with more aggressive vocals, drums and electric guitars. As a drum kit mic the Copperphone perfectly blends with the other
 drum mics or it can work as the sole sound for the drum kit if that crusty old-school loop sound is desired. In one instance when using the mic on the drum
 kit, one of the first times I used the Copperphone mic, I was running it through my Focusrite ISA-430 MkII (using only the preamp – no equalization or 
dynamics control) and after I soloed the Copperphone for the drummer to hear, the assistant freaked out and ran to the Focusrite to document the settings. He
 wanted to get the setting so he could get the same sound and he thought I had done some drastic processing but, in reality, it was just the sound of the mic.
 That kind of thing has happened so often that I’ve almost decided to start claiming that I’m doing something to make it sound that cool.

I have a pair of Copperphone mics that I have been using for several months now and they are simply fantastic. – Written by Russ Long.