Meet the 37th Annual TEC Award Finalists: Microphones - Recording

Elizabeth Dale

The NAMM TEC Committee is honored to present the 37th Annual TEC Awards on June 4, at The 2022 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.

The TEC Awards “recognize the individuals, companies, and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, film, television, video games, and multimedia.” With award categories spanning 21 Technical Achievement, six Creative Achievement categories, and one studio category, the TEC Awards is considered the highest honor dedicated to the pro audio and sound recording industry.

TEC Awards finalists are identified through a three-step process starting with a “Call for Entries.” After the entry period, a panel comprised of industry leaders and professionals nominated eligible products and project submissions that “represent superior accomplishment in their respective fields.” Professionals in the pro audio, live event, and music industry are invited to vote for the finalists in each category, with one taking home the title of “Product of the Year.” Voting is currently open and will close on March 31, 2022.


The category of Microphones - Recording, recognizes microphones and accessories for recording applications.

Audix – A127: The A127 is an omnidirectional metal film condenser microphone designed to “capture the most accurate and purest form of acoustic instruments and sound sources.” This microphone from Audix features a pre-polarized half-inch Type 1 metal film capsule, omnidirectional polar pattern, excellent clarity, detail, and transient response. It is transformerless with low-noise circuitry and features an active driven shield.

Audix A127

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Earthworks Audio – ICON PRO: The ICON PRO is a studio-grade microphone paired with the simplicity of a USB plug-and-play design. The ICON PRO captures studio-quality sound with an “ultra-fast capsule rise time speed of 11.67 microseconds.” The sleek design allows users to skip the hassles of downloading software, drivers or apps, and as the microphone comes ready for use, right out of the box.

Earthworks Audio - ICON PRO

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Samar Audio Design – AL959: Samar Audio Design presents the AL959, a studio microphone built off the acclaimed AL95. The compact and lightweight AL959 “sets a new standard in stereo microphones for live, studio, and home studio situations for all users.” Samar Audio also boasts of the microphone's smooth, extended frequency response and low distortion, all part of the design drawn up by company founder, Dr. Mark Fouxman.

Sanken Chromatic – CUX-100K: This new and super wide range professional microphone is modeled after the popular, omni-mode CO-100K design, but with the ability to change modes with three settings: Cardioid (Far), Cardioid (Near), and Omni mode. Designed for 100k high-resolution, high sample rate recordings, the manufacturer reports that the product is ideal for everything from acoustic guitar to brass, woodwind, orchestral settings, vocals, and nearly everything in between.

Sanken Chromatic – CUX-100K

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TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik – TF11 FET: The phantom-powered TF11 “exhibits a beautifully open and detailed frequency response with an exceptionally fast transient response.” The microphone has high SPL handling and low self-noise making it extremely versatile, portable, and dependable from recording environments ranging from home to studio and stage.

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik – TF11 FET

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Townsend Labs – Sphere v1.5: Townsend Labs continues to improve upon the award-winning Sphere L22 microphone modeling system offering new features suited perfectly for voice-over artists and music producers. Version 1.5 also debuts IsoSphere™: a “patented new technology that helps combat the unwanted effects of poor room acoustics.” The refined user interface presents a more focused design that highlights essential features in an organic way.

Townsend Labs – Sphere v1.5

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For more information about the TEC Awards, including the entire list of finalists, please visit https://www.tecawards.org/. Voting is now open and can be done at http://tecawards.org/vote.