Ocean Way Microphone Collection

Included Mic Models

OW-47
For over 70 years, the Neumann U 47 has stood the test of time as the ultimate studio mic. Allen Sides has acquired — and sold — more than 400 U 47s, and the OW-47 is based on his favorite, serial number 2679. The OW-47 expertly emulates the original mic’s large condenser K47 capsule and a VF14 tube, giving you the same mind-blowing detail and legendary sonics for acoustic instruments and vocals.

OW-12 #1
Released in 1953, the AKG C12 is almost always Sides’ choice as a drum overhead. It’s also his prefered mic for lush, breathy vocals. One of the most complex and intricate large-diaphragm condenser capsules ever made, the OW-12 #1 emulation is an exacting model of this classic, even capturing its classic 10 kHz-ish “bump” and high-end sheen and sparkle without accentuating sibilance.

OW-12 #2
This AKG C12 is warmer and smoother than #1, highlighting the varying flavors of this classic, as it could be custom-tuned at the AKG factory to achieve different sensitivities and frequency response curves. The OW-12 #2 captures this favorite, the same one Sides’ used to record Frank Sinatra’s vocals on his 1984 album, LA is My Lady, as well as the all-star choir for 1985’s "We Are The World."

OW-49
Based on the Neumann M 49 — a slightly smoother, less-colored sounding U 47 due to a more transparent headbasket — the OW-49 faithfully emulates this late-’50s Ocean Way favorite. This mic has been used to track vocalists from Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand to Phil Collins and Joni Mitchell.

OW-269
The Neumann M 269 was designed for the German broadcast market and is a variation of the Neumann U 67, using a AC701k tube instead of an EF86 and offering a variable pattern switch. Notable artists that recorded with the M 269 at Ocean Way include Kenny Loggins, Little Richard, Alanis Morissette, and Johnny Rivers.

OW-800
Allen Sides and Ocean Way were involved in the very early development of the famed Sony C800G mic, and Sides was given two C800G prototypes for listening tests. The OW-800 emulation captures the prototype’s slightly warmer character than a production C800G. Notable vocalists that have recorded with this mic include Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, and Brian Setzer.

OW-50
The Neumann M 50 is a very unusual omnidirectional small-diaphragm condenser mic that features a capsule mounted on a plexiglass sphere. This design produces a nice high-frequency rise and an off-axis response which becomes more directional at higher frequencies resulting in the sound the M 50 is known and loved for. The OW-50 model is based on the earlier M 50a variant with serial number 294. Allen Sides chose this as the best M 50 specimen in his collection, as many famous movie scores have been recorded at Ocean Way Studios using this mic including E.T., Superman, 1941, Jaws II, Star Trek, Taxi Driver, and countless others.

OW-K53
Released in 1953, the Neumann KM 53 is an end-address small-diaphragm condenser that uses the Telefunken AC701 subminiature triode tube. The KM 53 has an omnidirectional capsule derived from the M 50, but has a very different sound due to the body configuration. The OW-K53 emulation, when set to an omni pattern, is based on a KM 53 from Allen Sides’ personal collection and captures the original’s unmatched transient response.

OW-K54
Introduced in 1954, the Neumann KM 54 is a cardioid, end-address small-diaphragm condenser, and utilizes the Telefunken AC701 subminiature triode tube. The OW-K54 model, when set to a cardioid pattern, is based on Sides’ favorite KM 54, and sports an amazing transient response. At Ocean Way, the KM 54 has been put to great use recording acoustic guitar and strings for the likes of Larry Carlton, Ry Cooder, Yo Yo Ma, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, and Eric Clapton.

OW-55
The Sony C-55P might just be the most underrated mic of all time. Allen Sides has said it’s one of the best microphones he has ever used, and at one point Ocean Way owned about 30 Sony C-55P mics! Especially wonderful on acoustic guitars, Sides has used the Sony C-55P on virtually every album he's recorded that has a stereo acoustic guitar. A cardioid small-diaphragm condenser, it’s unique in that the capsule swivels 90° inside the headbasket so it can be used as either side-address, end-address or any point in between. The OW-55 model emulates the sound of the C-55P in Sides’ prefered side-address mode, but also allows for other capsule orientations.

OW-K3A
The RCA KU-3A, sometimes referred to as a 10001, is an extremely rare cardioid ribbon microphone from the 1940s. The microphones were reportedly hand-built in Hollywood, California by RCA technician, Charles Gant, specifically for the motion picture industry. The OW-K3A emulation faithfully captures the original’s fixed-cardioid design and smooth, very controllable off-axis response.

OW-57U3
The now ubiquitous Shure SM57 was introduced in 1965 and utilized the relatively new Unidyne III capsule which had first been used in the Shure 545. A fixture on guitar amps and snare drums, their sound has slightly changed over the years, with some preferring the older US-made SM57s. The OW-57U3 emulation is based on a US-made version from the late ’60s.