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Roswell Pro Audio counts many successful engineers, producers, and recording artists among its customer base. See a few of them below.



Devin Townsend

Devin Townsend

“This is a fantastic mic. Small and easy to move around, with a great gain structure and an immediately pleasing tone. Detailed and musical.”

Devin Townsend is a vocalist, musician, and composer. He is known around the globe for his work with Steve Vai, his acclaimed "extreme metal" band Strapping Young Lad, and his many solo projects. His 28th album, Lightwork, was released in November 2022.

Devin needed an unobtrusive, clean, neutrally voiced mic with the versatility to cover his "stacked vocal" technique as well as acoustic guitar. That mic is the Roswell Mini K87.


Greg Wells

Greg Wells

“This mic blows me away.

“We put it up on a great singer, and it immediately not only sounded great, but competed with microphones that I have that cost over ten times what this one cost.

“Check it out. You’ve got to hear it for yourself.”

Greg Wells is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and multiple Grammy nominee, known for his work with Katy Perry, Mika, Adele, and most recently the soundtrack for The Greatest Showman.


Ross Hogarth

Ross Hogarth

“When we put the Roswell Mini K-47s up and had a listen, my house engineer at Sunset Sound and I were stunned (in a good way!). They have a smooth detailed sound, without being overly bright.

“Many new inexpensive mics are brittle and harsh. Digital is quite unforgiving of harshness.

“The Mini K47 is warm, and don’t sound inexpensive. It is a true ‘no-brainer’ for anyone who is looking for a great mic at a great value.

Ross Hogarth is a multi-platinum, multi-Grammy winning producer and engineer. His credits include Van Halen, Keb’ Mo’, the Doobie Brothers, John Mellencamp, Ziggy Marley, and many more. Read more about Ross at his website, Hoax Productions.


Luis Fonsi

Luis Fonsi

“The Delphos has a very present, in-your-face, warm vibe. The other mics I use are brighter, so I like the contrast this warmth provides. It was an amazing discovery I have since shared with other friends in my immediate circle, who have in turn gone on to purchase one.

“The Delphos fulfills what I need in a mic—something with character that I can plug in, turn on and have it already sound good without tweaking and EQing the heck out of the recording to get the best sound. I tend to mix and match mics depending on the mood of the song, and I didn’t have the Delphos when I recorded Despacito. But I’m happy to say that I have used the Delphos on many tracks I will be releasing on my next album. I have used the heck out of it!"

After nearly two decades as a recording artist, and six years after Billboard named him “Leader of Latin Music’s New Generation,” Puerto Rican born, Florida based singer/songwriter Luis Fonsi became a global superstar with the release of “Despacito.” The four-time Latin Grammy winning, three-time Grammy nominated collaboration with Daddy Yankee reached #1 on nearly every Latin Billboard chart, and its music video currently has over 5.7 billion views worldwide.


Phil Collen

Phil Collen

“I haven’t stopped using the Delphos for vocals since I got it. We used it with Jeff Keith’s vocals for Tesla’s last album and Debbi Blackwell-Cook and I used it on the latest Delta Deep album replacing my trusty U87 that I’ve been using for over 25 years."

Phil Collen is the lead guitarist of Def Leppard, and founder of “extreme blues” band Delta Deep.


Xandy Berry

Xandy Barry

“I can’t imagine a better value than a brand new Roswell Mini K87 mic. It is remarkable how 'even this mic sounds on everything from acoustic guitars to drums. The Mini K87 has a neutral, full bodied replication of the U87 that so many companies reach for but somehow fall short of what Roswell has achieved. Every studio should invest in a matched pair of these to add to their arsenal of microphones! The fact that all of this is packed into a portable, easy to position form factor is a huge plus. This is the first time I’ve ever bought a brand new microphone for under $450 and had a 'WOW' kind of moment. Highly recommended!”

Xandy Barry is a multiplatinum songwriter and producer whose clients include Miley Cyrus, Norah Jones, Rihanna, and Slash. His label, Wax Ltd, has served over 1 billion streams on Spotify.


Javier Reyes

Javier Reyes

“I’m completely amazed with how much depth and clarity I get with the Delphos II. It’s absolutely my go-to mic for recording my classical guitar.”

Javier Reyes is a multi-genre wizard on guitar, best known for his 8-string guitar work in prog-metal band Animals as Leaders.


Jesse Zuretti

Jesse Zuretti

“Roswell is a name I’d associate with something out of this world. The Mini condenser kit they sent me - consisting of the K67x and K47 -  is such a game changer, I got rid of my other condensers. How they made such a powerful set of mics so small is beyond me. I am proud to be a Roswell artist.”

Jesse Zuretti is an award-winning composer, currently composing for Riot Games 2XKO (based on League of Legends characters). He’s a member of Metal Blade Records band DAATH, and composer produces for bands like Intervals, Monuments, and Brand of Sacrifice.


Randy McStine

Randy McStine

“I’ve had the Aztec for a short amount of time, and it has immediately transformed my workflow. It cuts through with incredible depth, balance, warmth and clarity. After looking for so long to find a mic to suit my voice, I can finally call off the search.”

Randy McStine is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer whose diverse career as a solo artist and sideman has led him to work in Rock, Progressive, Metal, Blues, Singer-Songwriter, Pop, and Ambient music. In 2020, he formed McStine & Minnemann, a power duo with acclaimed drummer and composer, Marco Minnemann. Randy has toured with Porcupine Tree, The Pineapple Thief, and bassist legend Stu Hamm.


Dan Sugarman

Dan Sugarman

“Roswell Pro Audio mics are quickly becoming my weapon of choice. Crystal clear, warm, punchy where you want it, and smooth where you need it! These aliens sure know how to make studio gear...”

Dan Sugarman is a progressive metal guitarist known both for his insane technical chops and the emotional content of his compositions. His work can be heard on three solo records, and with metal horror band Ice Nine Kills.


Mike Poole

Mike Poole

“In my studio, the Delphos has earned its place as a ‘do-it-all’ mic—always at the ready for last-minute overdubs or sketches. Its combination of clarity and warm tone make it great for almost any instrument, as well as vocals. It gets used on practically every session.

“The Delphos is a quality mic that would make a great addition to any studio’s collection.”

Mike Poole is a freelance engineer in Nashville. His discography dates to 1988 and includes productions from Robert Plant, Buddy Miller, Rickie Lee Jones, and Loretta Lynn. Since 2012 he has engineered and/or mixed the music for the ABC/CMT show Nashville.


Abe Lagrimas, Jr

Abe Lagrimas, Jr

“As a professional musician on three very different instruments, drums, vibraphone, and ukulele, I'm amazed at how well the Mini k47s perform when recording these different instruments. They are extremely versatile and have the perfect combination of clarity and warmth. For solo ukulele, I get a beautiful, warm, vintage, and sweet tone with the Delphos II. And I love that this mic can easily adapt in any recording situation by simply switching between the different polar patterns. It doesn't get any better than this.”

Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) winning artist. His versatility across multiple instruments and styles make him an in-demand session player. He has worked with Kamasi Washington, Eric Marienthal, Jake Shimabukuro, and numerous other artists from around the world. He is also one of the leading jazz and solo ukulele players on the scene and maintains a busy schedule teaching and touring.

See Abe's work at AbeLagrimasJr.com.


Neil Citron

Neil Citron

“As soon as I heard the Delphos I knew it would be the perfect microphone for recording my guitar. The sound is open and detailed but not harsh or bright. In addition I found this to be an excellent vocal microphone (I used it on our new Bangtower record).

“I highly recommend the Delphos microphone.”

Neil Citron is a Grammy Award winning engineer and producer, known for his work with Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, and Larry Carlton. He provided music training for the actors in the Tom Hanks movie, That Thing You Do, and taught Meryl Streep how to play guitar for Ricki and the Flash.

Bill Payne

Bill Payne

“I have two of the Mini K47s. I had been told they were excellent mics for the piano. They most certainly are! I’m not a very technical person so I was initially worried about positioning the mics and EQing them. A friend of mine, who is world class engineer, sent me some photos of mic placements. I followed those instructions, made some minor EQ adjustments (mainly rolling off the low end). The mics are beautiful. My piano sounds great. I am very happy.”

Bill Payne is a pianist who, with Lowell George, co-founded the rock band Little Feat. He is considered by many other rock pianists, including Elton John, to be one of the finest American piano rock and blues musicians. Payne has worked and recorded with J. J. Cale, Doobie Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Bryan Adams, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Helen Watson, Stevie Nicks, Shocking Edison, Robert Palmer, Richard Torrance and Stephen Bruton.


Andres Saavedra

Andres Saavedra

“One of the first things that struck me about the Delphos is just how good it sounds by itself with nothing on it. It’s the warmest mic I have ever used, comparable to but even better than the Neumann U87. I just plug it into the pre-amp, bring the gain up and get an amazing sound. It’s also the quietest mic I have ever worked with as far as noise floor is concerned. It creates a magical combination with the UAD Apollo pre-amp. I have $12,000 mics in the studio and haven’t turned them on in years because I have the Delphos.”

Andres Saavedra is a producer, engineer, songwriter, and musician, with multiple Latin Grammy awards (and many more nominations, including "Producer of the Year" in 2015). He is best known for his work with Alejandro Sanz, Luis Fonsi, and Amaury Gutierrez. Follow Andres on Facebook.


Camilo Velandia

Camilo Velandia

I have recorded the Aztec almost every single day since it arrived. I have had amazing results on acoustic instruments and vocals. Beautiful, full body, and a very clear, crisp top end that never gets harsh or fake-sounding. Vocals sound mix-ready right out of the mic. Surprisingly for me, the nine polar patterns have also become a very fun explorative adventure, as they can behave almost as additive or subtractive EQ by switching over a couple notches.

Camilo Velandia is a Latin Grammy winning guitarist, producer and engineer in South Florida. Camilo has worked with artists such as Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Fonsi, Sebastian Yatra, Julio Iglesias, and many more.

Follow Camilo on Instagram.


Charles Ruggiero

Charles Ruggiero

I absolutely love Roswell mics, especially the "mini" series. They give me so much flexibility in terms of how I can mic my drums. Outstanding build quality, outstanding service, outstanding microphones!

Charles Ruggiero is a Yamaha endorsee, composer, and session drummer in the LA / San Diego area. Two of his jazz quartets have been featured in our Virtual Showroom livestream series; the second show included tracks from Charles' latest solo CD, Drummer. Composer. Follow Charles on Instagram.


Quaz

Jorge “Quaz” Palacio

“The first session I used the Delphos for was when we recorded the trumpets and trombone on Ricardo Montaner’s new album. Horns are particularly hard to mic. They sound one way live but it usually takes a lot of processing to translate accurately on a recording. When I heard the way they sounded through the Delphos, I was blown away. The mic totally captured how the room was sounding organically, but with a depth of character that cut through the mix.

“The mic’s versatility allows me to use it with portable rigs, vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and drums. It has a unique presence on male vocals, achieving great clarity without added sibiliance. It gives me a more authentic tone without having to manipulate the track in the EQ process.”

Jorge “Quaz” Palacio is a Latin Grammy Award winning engineer who worked on Mana’s Best Latin Pop Rock Album, Cama Incendiada. He has worked with Drake, J Cole, Future, Oneill, Jumbo, Mau & Ricky, Ricardo Montaner, Juanes, Shakira, J, Balvin and many others. Currently the studio manager/chief engineer at Miami’s Studio 5020, Quaz has also toured internationally with Roberto Carlos and Julio Iglesias. 


George Noriega

George Noriega

“I was blown away by this microphone from the first time I used it...It’s absolutely comparable to microphones at ten times the cost! Love it!”

George Noriega is an American Grammy-winning, Emmy-nominated songwriter and record producer. He is the owner of Cutting Cane Productions, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Noriega came to prominence in the late 1990s as he helped Latin artists such as Ricky Martin, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez cross over into the English pop music market.


Alejandro “Mosty” Patino

“For me, what makes Delphos a great microphone is that it gives amazing character on a recording, especially on the vocals, that I can’t find on any other mics—even those that are double and triple the price. It gives me special textures in the whole frequency range, a sense of both ‘naturality’ and vocals that feel supernatural. The Delphos delivers a perfect vocal that sounds how you would hear it if the person was in front of you singing in your ear. It allows me to create big vocals that are smooth, not boxy, boomy or invasive in the mix. I have never found a mic that can give me the smooth high end the way the Delphos can.”

Alejandro “Mosty” Patino is an in-demand producer, mixer, engineer and songwriter based in Medellin, Colombia. His work with Sky on J Balvin’s anthem “Ay Vamos” (1.5B views on YouTube) earned a Latin Grammy in the 2015 Best Urban Song category. He has also worked with Reykon, Maluma, Piso 21, Yantel, Zion & Lennox and Dasoul.


Supa Dups

Supa Dups

“I tested the Delphos with the Neumann U87ai, and the Delphos was right up there with the U87 but less than one-third the cost.”

Dwayne Chin-Quee, better known as Supa Dups, is a Jamaican record producer, a drummer, and selector based in Miami. He has worked with Drake, Michael Franti, Mary J Blige, Eminem, and more. Follow Supa Dups on Instagram.


John Escobar

John Escobar

“I have used the Mini K47 and Delphos on a ton of sessions ranging from pop to orchestral. On all sorts of instruments—drum sets, electric and acoustic guitars, grand pianos, brass, strings, and vocals. Each time, the Roswell mics not only produce clean and detailed recordings, but also lend a warmth to the track that is very pleasant. At this point its common to see my Roswell mics next to mics 2 to 4 times the price. They have really become part of my go-to toolkit in the studio.”

John Escobar is a Producer/Engineer, Educator and a multi-instrumentalist. His credits include work with artists such as Highly Suspect, Larry Coryell, Sarah Jarosz, Joshua Bell, and many more. He is a faculty member in the Music Production and Engineering department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Read more about John at his website, EscobarMusic.


Randy George

Randy George

“I love the Delphos! I wasn’t really prepared for how amazing it sounded. I highly recommend it!”

Randy George is a multi-instrumentalist from Denver, CO. He is best known as the bassist in two progressive rock acts, the Neal Morse Band and Ajalon. He has also performed and recorded with Adrian Belew, Rick Wakeman, Jordan Rudess, Steve Hackett, and Paul Gilbert. Contact Randy through Facebook.


Casey McPherson

Casey McPherson

“I really prefer the Delphos over the typical Neumann sound; it delivers a warmer, truer vocal for me that fits perfectly in the mix with very little tweaking—none of that sizzling high end bump that’s unnecessary. I plan on using this mic almost exclusively at the moment for my vocals.”

Casey McPherson is a singer/songwriter from Austin, TX. He is the frontman for Alpha Rev, and the frontman for the Portnoy/Morse supergroup Flying Colors. Hear Casey and his Delphos microphone on the new Roine Stolt / Marco Minnemann / Tom Brislin / Daniel Gildenlöw record, The Sea Within.


Geoff Neal

“The Mini K47s have such a great balanced top end. They are my go-to mics for drum rooms and acoustic guitars.”

Geoff Neal is a Staff Engineer at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles.


Sammy Sagawa

O-Sam “Sammy” Sagawa

“When considering what is important in the field of ‘Stage Sound,’ we would usually recall components such as loudspeakers, audio mixing consoles, and microphones. Many of them have been remarkably changed with time and technical advancement. However, some of them have not experienced significant changes for well over 50 years—such as microphones. Converting air vibrations into electrical energy, these magic products embody our imagination.

“The Mini K47’s potential can be easily understood from its directivity, durability, and operability. By just watching its nominal frequency response chart, we can clearly imagine its ideal applications. I think this is a really honest microphone. Whether it is a voice, ambient sound, or instrument, you listen to the original energy that sound has and contents you want to convey, and direct the microphone to the source—then the reward comes to hand without any coloration.

“I think it is genreless far from conceptualization such as ‘for recording’ or ‘for stage sound.’

“You can also find imaginativeness and craftsmanship everywhere. I think this microphone surely has properties that make it a secret weapon for sound artisans.”

O-Sam “Sammy” Sagawa is a sound engineer who is active in various fields including hall management and operation, musicals, sound effects, stage sound planning, operation and recording.


Colin Liebich

Colin Liebich

“The Mini K47s are wonderfully musical and robust.”

Colin Liebich is a product specialist and engineer at BAE Audio, and proprietor of Plastic Dog Recording in Los Angeles.


Jonas Hammerschmidt

Jonas Hammerschmidt

“I was convinced in a split second. The Mini K47 has quickly become our most used microphone. Especially when I was inexperienced in recording, the K47 made my life easier because everything sounds good with it. The mic is indispensable, especially for string instruments such as banjo, mandolin, and dobro.”

Jonas Hammerschmidt is a musician, multi-instrumentalist and composer. His band, Danjo, creates music in the genres of Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass. Jonas and Peter Milde founded a studio in Freiburg called MudWall Studios, which produces audio and video of sessions and live performances.

How to customize your microphone

The Roswell Custom Shop Mic Builder lets you choose many cosmetic options, plus circuit mods, additional features, and packaging options.

Start here: Custom Shop Mic Builder

Usage notes:

  • The tools allows the design of single microphones and matched pairs. If you wish to order two different single microphones, place each order separately; we will combine shipping and rebate excess shipping fees.
  • Allow 3 business days for manufacturing. These mics are necessarily built to order.
  • See below for more detailed information on the circuit modification options for each model.

Cosmetic Options for the Mini K series

Custom finish options for these mics are produced in relatively small quantities. We are not able to guarantee availability of any color. If you see something you like, buy it soon, because it might not be stocked again.


Packaging Options for the Mini K series

The standard Mini K mics include our famous Cutaway™ shockmount (a design we pioneered in 2016, which has since been copied by at least three larger companies), and an upgraded flight case.

We also offer the "LC Edition," a simpler and smaller package designed to accommodate tighter budgets. The LC Edition mics do not include our Cutaway shockmount or flightcase; they ship in a cardboard carton with a heavy-duty swivel mount.


Circuit Modifications for the Mini K series

Mini K47 / Mini K87 Options

"High Output" Mod   "High SPL" Mod

We designed the standard Mini K47 and Mini K87 with headroom to accommodate a wide range of sources, from voices to drums. But if you would only ever record voiceover, classical guitar, foley, or ensembles, we can provide a higher-sensitivity circuit optimized to capture every nuance of these quiet sources. 

We can optionally install an internal switch into these mics to provide a 10dB pad (non-capacitive, low distortion). This would likely only be needed for recording very loud sources, such as horns, or if you wish to artificially lower the mic's output in order to hear more of the preamp's contribution to the sound.

Mini K47x / Mini K67x Options

"High SPL" Mod aka "Pad Switch"   "High Output" Mod (K67x only)

Matched pairs of the Mini K47x and Mini K67x come with this upgrade by default. We can add it to single mics by request. The mod adds an internal pad switch, which provides a 10dB increase in headroom.

We designed the Mini K67x to accommodate moderate-volume sources: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, percussion. If your applications include very quiet sources (nylon string guitar, voiceover, etc), we can make two changes to the circuit to optimize the gain staging. We strongly recommend also choosing the pad switch option for these mics.

The Mini K "Mixed Pair" Bundle

Mini K Mixed PairThe Mini K Mixed Pair delivers sonic diversity in a box: it includes two different Mini K microphones, bundled into a compact stereo flight case and sold at a discounted bundle price. This Custom Shop option has become so popular that we made it configurable and orderable directly from the website. Click here for Mini K Mixed Pairs.


Custom Options for the Delphos II / Colares

Cosmetic Options

Pictured, left to right:

  • Roswell Colares, standard Metallic Copper finish
  • Custom Shop "Metallic Gray" finish
  • Custom Shop "Stealth" finish (satin black with black chrome grille)
  • Custom Shop "Metallic Green" finish
  • Roswell Delphos II, standard dark blue finish

These grille and finish options are available independently. Contact us to request your favorite combination.

Circuit Modifications

The Delphos II has won praise from hundreds of artists and producers for its neutral and musical sound. If your application requires a brighter or darker frequency curve, we can build to that spec. Every Delphos II is hand-tuned in our shop, so we can voice this model to meet your needs.

Although the Colares was designed to provide effortless harmonic saturation, we have complete control over the amount of saturation in the circuit. If your application requires the Colares' clarity without any harmonic color, we can tune the circuit accordingly. 

The amount of attenuation provided by the pad switch in these mics is easily changed, if you prefer more or less than the standard 10dB. Similarly, the rolloff frequencies for the two filter options in the Colares can be easily adjusted.

Roswell Pro Audio Microphone Reviews

Our microphones have been praised by the best and best-known reviewers and publications in the pro audio industry: Tape Op Magazine, Paul Vnuk of Recording Magazine, Barry Rudolph, Rob Tavaglione of PSN, Sound On Sound, and many more. You might also be interested in artist testimonials.


Mini K67x Review - Geoffrey Knecht (Tape Op Magazine), June 2024

Past trauma has taught me that effective musical multi-tools are typically too good to be true. The Mini K67x is a notable exception.

The Mini K67x has become my go-to for tracking guitar and vocals...

Download a PDF of the full review here.


Aztec Review - Rob Tavaglione (MIX Magazine), October 2023

The Aztec is a mic with a personality -- an eminently likable one -- but with an attitude and response that more often than not solves problems.

Read the full review here.


Aztec Review - Paul Vnuk (Recording Magazine), July 2023

It can sound a tad anti-climactic, saying a mic sounds good on anything, but Aztec is one such mic and then some. The kicker is this, just as the Mini K models are less than $500 mics [but] compete with mics twice their price, so it is here. I tried Aztec alongside some mics that I had on hand ranging from $5000–$7000, and it absolutely held its own in sonics and depth -- and I do not say that lightly.

Read the full review here [PDF].


Mini K67x Review - Paul Vnuk (Recording Magazine), August 2022

A pair of these mics should be on your shortlist. The Roswell Pro Audio Mini K67x is one of those rare affordable, mid-priced mic options with a unique sound that performs well beyond its price bracket.

Read the full review here [PDF].


Mini K87 Review - Eli Crews (Tape Op Magazine), May 2020

I love this mic. I love its price. And I love its accessories. I've been telling everyone who will listen to buy a pair of them. My prediction is that Roswell will sell a ton of them because when you make something this good, people notice.

Read the full review here.


Performer Magazine, Apr/May 2020

Mini K87 Review - Chris Devine (Performer Magazine), Apr/May 2020

It's a fantastic workhorse condenser that exceeds expectations.

Read the full review here.


Mini K87 Review - Paul Vnuk (Recording Magazine), February 2020

If you want forward color, pick the Mini K47. If you want neutral with a touch of richness, go with the Mini K87. The best part is still the mini-price of the new Roswell Mini K87—at $399 street, I might recommend a Mini K87 pair, or a Mini K47/87 combo, possibly before I’d consider a single $800–$900 mic. Seriously, these mics sound that good.

Read the full review here.


Mini K47 Review - Mark Davie (AudioTechnology), February 2020

Roswell has used its DIY heritage to carefully sync a K47-style capsule with a transformer less circuit in a way that doesn’t sound shrill, but instead has a tendency to bring out the power in your instruments.

Read the full review here.


Sound On Sound, Feb 2020

Mini K87 Review - Paul White (Sound On Sound), February 2020

This is a very capable studio microphone that combines a natural sound with just a little gentle flattery, and it can be obtained for a very sensible price.

Read the full review here.


Delphos II Review - Paul Vnuk, October 2019

It has the clear neutral tonality of a classic solid-state mic, with a detailed yet nicely smooth top end. Every studio needs a mic or two with this kind of sound and style.

Read the full review here.


Barry Rudolph / Music Connection, 2019-06

Delphos II Review - Barry Rudolph, May 2019

Immediately, my singer remarked how great he sounded on the Delphos II. It has a forward and warm sound that is clear without being excessively bright.

Read the full review here.


Tape Op

Colares Review - Tape Op / Adam Kagan & Eli Crews, January 2019

EC: If I can hear the space the singer is in—I favor slightly live rooms over dead spaces for recording vocals–and all of their micro-dynamics are intact, then I develop an emotional relationship with the vocal performance that I just don’t get if there isn’t enough detail. The Colares delivered this detail in an extremely impressive way. I feel like the only other microphones that have given me as much detail as the Colares cost five to ten times as much.

AK: The Colares’ price puts it squarely in a niche above the entry-level fare, but well below its intended competition. In fact, in the $1200 to $4000 price range we could use more microphones with the sonic and build quality of the Colares.

Read the full review here.


Pro Sound News

Colares Review - PSN / Rob Tavaglione, January 2019

During months of testing, I tried the Colares on a wide range of sources and found its versatility outdone only by its ability to specialize..Yes, the Colares can be exceptionally colorful and “character driven,” and that’s what makes it special—but with its unique pad, it can be an entirely different, neutral and “invisible” mic, which makes it really valuable. Its ability to express both personalities well makes the Colares a secret weapon mic, one worthy of being toted around in that travel case, able to handle just about anything thrown at it. It’s $1,259 direct from Roswell and worth every penny.

Read the full review here, or download the PDF here.


Ask Audio

Colares Review - Ask•Audio, November 2018

The Colares is well-deserving of its position as the new flagship of the Roswell line; its clarity, presence, and vintage character stand up to both vintage mics and modern reissues, and its take on the classic Ela M 251 puts it in excellent company.

Read the full review here.


Barry Rudolph / Music Connection, 2017-11

Colares Review - Barry Rudolph, October 2018

My very first test was for a male singer singing and playing acoustic guitar at the same time. I recorded without EQ and just a little low-ratio compression. The results were remarkable! I got the presence and size I usually acquire from multi-thousand dollar vintage tube microphones.

Read the full review here.


Recording Magazine, 2018-10Colares Review - Recording Magazine, October 2018

We were very pleased to see that the Colares was pictured on the cover of this issue. Here is an excerpt from the review:

I would recommend it as a great mic for adding boldness and harmonic excitement to any source in a mix that you want to highlight. I loved it on drum overheads; blended in with the rest of the up-close kit pieces, it gave the cymbals and even the snare and toms a nice saturated sound, rather than just brightness and sizzle.

On vocals, the phrase that comes to mind is “larger than life.” The saturation circuit is perfect here, as a singer can lean into the mic and add a bit of harmonic excitement that should make for an equally exciting vocal performance…especially since it can be controlled by their own proximity and volume level in a very organic way.

What I loved most about this mic is that it starts with a classic big clean sound, then takes it into new sonic areas. It’s a truly unique beast in a zoo of me-too clones—exciting to use, experiment with, and discover new sounds.

Download the full review here [1.8MB PDF].


San Diego Troubador, 2018-01Delphos Review - San Diego Troubadour, January 2018

Considering that this mic can handle any and every task placed before it…not just ably but admirably, brings me to the simple conclusion that if you could only afford to own just one mic…the Roswell Audio Delphos is that mic.

Download the full review here [114KB PDF], or see it online here.


Pro Sound News, Apr 2017

Mini K47 Review - PSN / Rob Tavaglione, January 2018

A Mini K47 is a useful addition to any mic locker, but I can especially recommend one (or a pair really) for those just building their mic collections. They’ll find the kit to be durable, the mics sonically flexible and the tonality “mix ready” with a ready-to-go sound that requires little help…Roswell scores again!

Read the full review here, or download the PDF here.


Audio Producer News

Delphos Review - Audio Producer News, December 2017

It is a classy looking microphone with a classy, clear, and balanced sound to match and it would legitimately earn its spot in my mic collection any day…The Delphos is undoubtedly a winner—a no-brainer alternative to a U87 or any other microphone of that style. I don’t want to send this one back.

Read the full review here.


Barry Rudolph / Music Connection, 2017-11

Mini K47 Review - Barry Rudolph, November 2017

So I'm recommending getting a pair of Roswell Pro Audio Mini K47s! I always suggest (if possible) buying pro audio gear in pairs and matched microphones are no exception. A great choice for drum overheads, vocals, electric guitar amps or acoustic guitars, the Roswell Pro Audio Mini K47 sells for $299 MAP individually or $699 MAP for a closely matched pair!

Read the full review here.


Professional Audio Magazine, 2017-09

Delphos Review - Professional Audio, September 2017

[The Delphos] stands out with its unique, warm, and punchy sound full of character. In addition, it offers a best-in-class finish with lots of attention to detail. For those of you looking for a distinct sonic signature off the beaten path of the microphone mainstream, the Delphos should be a sound investment.

Read the full review here.


Pro Sound News, Apr 2017

Delphos Review - PSN / Rob Tavaglione, April 2017

Long story short, the mic seems to excel at just about everything. It really is flexible and versatile enough to earn the ellusive “one mic good enough for everything” moniker of flexible excellence…

I have discovered an affordable, versatile, non-colored, do-it-all microphone to capture most anything under the sun.

Read the full review here.


Tape Op Magazine, Jan/Feb 2017

Delphos Review - Tape Op, January 2017

I’m really, really impressed with the Delphos. It’s a fantastic workhorse mic that shines in a variety of situations, and its price puts it within reasonable reach for most studios and recordists. The Roswell Delphos should easily earn a place even within the most well-stocked mic lockers.

Download the full review here [1.6MB PDF], or see it online here.


Music Connection, 2017-01

Company Feature - Music Connection, January 2017

Roswell’s mics provide a distinctive sound and a performance level normally associated with far more expensive devices.

Read the full feature here [522KB].
Ask Audio

Delphos Review - Ask•Audio, January 2017

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with the Delphos…You’ll get a clear, concise, and lightly colored result, regardless of the source…It’s wonderful to find a mic that has a vintage voice without the vintage price…If you want a mic that sounds uniquely delicious and unlike anything your competition has in their mic locker (yet), you’ll certainly want to check out the Delphos.

Read the full review here.


Mini K47 Review - San Diego Troubadour, January 2017

I received a matched of pair of Roswell Mini K47 condenser mics and used them constantly for a couple of weeks on a wide range of sources: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, drums, percussion, and accordion. I’m here to tell you that it has been and will remain my studio’s go-to mic for the foreseeable future.

Download the full review here [262KB PDF].


Recording Magazine, 2016-12

Delphos Review - Recording Magazine, December 2016

If you read many of my reviews, you’ll know I’m very cautious about saying a microphone bests or goes toe to toe with mics twice its price, but the more I use it, the more I think Delphos is one such mic. It stands comfortably alongside many $1500–$1800 mics in my collection, and it looks as classy as it sounds!

Download the full review here [2.1MB PDF].


Recording Magazine, 2016-05

Aurora Review - Recording Magazine, May 2016

(The Aurora was a predecessor to the Delphos, sold briefly in 2016 but significantly upgraded to create the Delphos.)

Due to its neutral fullness, the Aurora can be used on pretty much any source you choose with little concern or issues. Its smooth yet natural top end puts it squarely in the “this could be your only microphone” and/or “workhorse” category.

The Aurora is a brilliant complement to the Mini K47 and a truly exceptional all-around mic.

Download the full review here [1.8MB PDF].


Professional Audio Magazine, 2016-04

Mini K47 Review - Professional Audio Magazine, April 2016

The fine resolution and the good transient response (particularly for a large diaphragm condenser) of the Mini K47 indeed yield an expensive, high-quality sound. In this respect, this affordable microphone can take on rivals that would typically cost at least twice the money. That’s quite an accomplishment.

From the lowest string of an acoustic guitar up to the highest note of a female singer, from a long, sustained swell to an abrupt, percussive strum on the guitar strings—the Mini K47 manages to capture all these signals with confidence, graceful contours, and a natural liveliness. As such, a single Mini K47 could well be the ideal “one fits all” solution for just about any vocal or voiceover talent, as well as acoustic instruments that would call for a close-mic application.

Download the full review, in its original German, here [536k PDF], or the English translation here [826k PDF].


Sound On Sound, 2016-04

Mini K47 Review - Sound On Sound, April 2016

You get a big vocal sound but without any obvious coloration—the flattery is subtle. Moving the mic far enough away to lose the proximity effect reveals a well-balanced sound that still retains plenty of weight. Definitely a mic for your shortlist.

Download the full review here [1MB PDF].


Tone Report Weekly, Dec 25, 2015

Mini K47 Review - Tone Report Weekly, December 25, 2015

For a condenser mic, this is incredibly warm. It really captured the detail of each clip, and brought forth a bit of high end sparkle to each tone. On all fronts it really succeeded where most condensers fail: adding color and smooth high-end detail to even the most basic of guitar tones.

Download the full review here [3.9MB PDF].


Tape Op Magazine, Sept-Oct 2015

Mini K47 Review - Tape Op Magazine, September 2015

[On drum overheads,] the pair of Roswells delivered quite a meaty sound. The toms spoke in a lovely manner, the “air” I look for on the snare was there, the imaging (using ORTF configuration) was great, and the cymbal articulation was wonderful. The Mini K47 is a perfect choice for recordists who want the full picture of the drums in their overheads. As I listened to playback, I kept being reminded of the nice thickness you hear when using ribbons on overheads, but the Mini K47 tracks didn’t have that “squishy” sound that ribbons can impart. I think the Mini K47 would also work great as a room mic because of its ability to tame the splashy sound of a brighter room.

The Roswell Mini K47 is one of the best utility mics I’ve used. It sounds great on a number of sources, fitting them perfectly into a mix. It takes EQ well (when needed), and it seems happy to do anything you ask it to do. $299 for a mic of this quality is beyond fair—it’s a steal.

Download the full review here [222k PDF].


Recording Magazine, September 2015

Mini K47 Review - Recording Magazine, September 2015

The Mini K47 is an impressive debut for Roswell Pro Audio. It is not just one of the best entry-level mics money can buy, it is also one of those workhorse mics that will find use in a mic locker forever, regardless of whatever other microphones one owns.

Download the full review here [807k PDF].

A Thought Experiment

On the day that you finish your Recording Arts degree, a wealthy uncle offers to support your new career. He offers to buy you either:

  • three identical ultra-premium condenser mics worth $30,000, or
  • a 15-piece mic collection including a variety of dynamics, ribbons, pencil mics, and a bunch of large condensers with different sonic profiles. They're good mics from reputable brands, all together worth $5000.

The only catch is that if you take the three expensive mics in hopes of selling two of them to finance the purchase of something else, your uncle will make you record and mix his next three albums of original washboard compositions, using only a lav mic and an iPhone.

So you consider the options. Those three premium condenser mics would probably be great on vocals. Well, one of them would be, on at least some vocals. Could you use the other two on high-gain guitar cab? kick and snare? brass instruments? Maybe, maybe not.

The point of the thought experiment is that all the different sounding sources that might wander into your studio will very likely benefit from different-sounding microphones. Said another way, you won't have many great recording sessions if all of your microphones sound the same.

What is Sonic Diversity?

A well-rounded mic locker embraces the idea that varied sources need varied microphones. Whether you're recording a singer/songwriter, rock band, audiobook narration, or an orchestra, you need the right tools for each of those sources.

Honestly, even if all you ever record is vocals, you'd still need a couple different-sounding microphones, because every voice is different.

Having the right mic for any source is the core idea. Sonic Diversity means you've built versatility into your mic locker, enabling you to artfully record every source in the room.

Roswell Pro Audio meets that need by providing a series of affordable, distinctly voiced microphones, each designed to capture a specific sound. We have borrowed from the last 70 years' worth of capsule and circuit development, and a decade's worth of our own R&D, to design problem-solving tools that cover a huge range of sonic colors and textures. Read more about those, below.

If you'd like to learn more about microphones, and about Sonic Diversity, see Roswell founder Matthew McGlynn's presentation at the Univ. of Michigan's Audio Symposium:

 

Boutique Performance on a Budget

Our "Mini K" product line is unique in the industry. All the design, assembly, testing, and tuning happens in California. The audio circuits employ a combination of vintage and modern through-hole components selected for their contribution to the final sound of the mic. Capsules are tuned and tested to meet strict specifications. Roswell microphones are built in small batches, not imported by the pallet-load from foreign countries.

The microphones are small, easy to position, and "point and shoot" simple to operate.

Each Mini K microphone is bundled with our proprietary Cutaway shockmount, which holds the mic securely via threaded interface, isolates the mic from stand vibrations, and thanks to its open front cage, allows positioning close to a source.

mini K47The Mini K47 uses our "K47" capsule. The transformerless circuit provides clean transient response, high sensitivity, and very low noise. The capsule voicing adds color and midrange presence to the source. This model is a favorite on vocals, guitar cabs, piano, and drum overheads.

Legendary pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat has a pair on his piano in his home studio. The band uses Mini K47s on overheads on their groundbreaking 2021-2022 tour, as well.


mini K87The Mini K87 uses our specially tuned "K87" capsule and a circuit designed to be fundamentally transparent without losing all character. This is a genuine workhorse mic that has found fans for voiceover, vocals, and acoustic guitar, although its neutral tone allows it to be used on nearly any source in the studio.

Following a Virtual Showroom livestream, LA session bassist Mike Gurrola and jazz sax player Ralph Moore were both so impressed by the clarity and articulation of the Mini K87 that they both chose one for their home studios.


Mini K67xThe Mini K67x uses a proprietary capsule design, nominally a 34mm K67 type although with a tuning that is unique in the industry. We have coupled this to a single-stage JFET/transformer circuit tuned to create even-order harmonics to complement the source. This mic has become an instant best-seller because it delivers the sound of high-priced vacuum tube mics at a fraction of the cost. Customers love it on vocals and guitars, and it has already earned album and tour credits on more diverse sources such as drum room, sax, and guitar cab.

One of the first Mini K67x we made ended up winning a vocal shootout for the upcoming Triumph tribute record -- against several mics that cost 3-4 times more -- and went on to be used on sessions for the upcoming Tenacious D record, and the Super Mario Bros movie.


Mini K47xThe Mini K47x is sort of a hybrid of the Mini K47 and Mini K67x. We crafted a new K47 capsule to provide a slightly less colored upper mid response, and a new transformer to optimize the mic's voicing. Customers have loved this mic on voices, piano, guitar, and drum overheads.


The Mini K47 KD is a dedicated kick drum / floor tom mic, developed at the request of endorsees for close miking of high SPL sources. We designed a new circuit to minimize distortion, and reduced low-frequency filtering, to craft a mic that provides deep bass extension and upper midrange clarity. It excels at both internal and external kick placements, and is a favorite for closed (non ported) bass drums, where it captures fantastic tone without sounding click-y or artificial.


Large-Body Mics Add Features

Roswell Delphos IIThe Delphos II is a three-pattern microphone with switchable pad. It is a sonic sibling of the Mini K87, in that it embraces neutral tonality and accurate transient response. Customers describe this as a desert-island mic; its deep versatility finds a use on every session.


Roswell Colares

The Colares is our "big vocal" microphone. The rich harmonics and open top end add texture and sheen. The mic's unique dual-purpose pad switch defeats the saturation circuit, providing a cleaner, more modern sound when desired. A three-way HPF allows sculpting of the low frequency right at the mic.


Roswell Aztec

The Aztec is our first tube microphone. Based on the ElaM 251, the Aztec captures the clarity and tone of the finest surviving mics of the 1960s, without high-frequency hype or harshness. It provides 9 polar patterns, pad, and high-pass filter.