Beyerdynamic M88 TG
Hypercardioid dynamic with a faithful broadcast and live-sound following.
The M88 is one of those mics that has a small but devoted following and not much marketing behind it. It's been in production in various forms since the 60s, and Bonham used one on his kick drum.
It's a hypercardioid, which means tighter rejection at the sides and a small rear lobe — useful for isolating sources on a stage, less forgiving when the singer or speaker drifts off-axis.
Specs
What It's Good For
Kick drum (outside). Sat in the port of a kick, the M88 captures click and weight with very little EQ needed.
Broadcast / podcast. The hypercardioid pattern rejects room noise more aggressively than a cardioid SM7B, which matters in untreated rooms.
Live vocals. Its sensitivity is high for a dynamic, so it cuts through a loud stage without needing the gain that an SM7B asks for.
Where It Falls Short
The hypercardioid pattern punishes singers who can't hold their position. If your performer drifts more than 30° off-axis, the tone change is significant — more so than a cardioid SM58.
It's also more expensive than the obvious alternatives. If budget is the first concern, an SM58 + a bit of EQ does most of the same job.