This book is great for people who love audio, but it's also something that students learning about recording and production actually need to have. Learn and discover what these microphones were used for and see what previous engineers knew so that they could have certain instruments sounding more perfect on these mics.

Elliot Scheiner, multiple Grammy and Emmy Award-winning music producer, Foo Fighters, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, Queen

The Goddess of Microphones has written a new book along with Chris Johnson about. . . microphones! You need it whether you are a professional, amateur, or just curious. I started reading it and couldn't stop – what an amazing journey. The pictures are worth a thousand words, and the words are glorious.

Frank Filipetti, multiple Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, and mixer; Carly Simon, Barbara Streisand, Vanessa Williams, George Michael, Korn, James Taylor

After creating the widely acclaimed book, Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Music Recording Techniques, Sylvia Massy and Chris Johnson have provided a new, inspiring, and informative book about microphones from around the world. Their passion and dedication are apparent with every photograph, every story, and every anecdote throughout this book.

Matt Wallace, music producer, Faith No More, Maroon 5, O.A.R., The Replacements, Train

Nobody knows more about microphones and their uniqueness than Sylvia Massy! I am forever learning from her.

Niko Bolas, music producer, Neil Young, Warren Zevon, Steve Perry, Melissa Ethridge, KISS

For over a century, microphones have captured the sounds of history and culture on Earth, in orbit, and in space. In this extraordinary book, Sylvia and Chris have captured the allure of vintage microphones and why these gadgets continue to mesmerize.

Michael Pettersen, Corporate Historian, Shure Incorporated

Sound – its character, timbre, physical environment, and spatial placement – is perceived through the lens of a microphone. Each microphone type embodies unique variations, and nearly every microphone of a given type exhibits its own individual character – some subtle and minute, others dramatically pronounced. In some cases, distortion and artifacts are so profound that the microphone itself appears to make a distinct musical statement. As one's eyes are the windows to one's soul, so microphones are the gateway to the life, the lace, and the filigree of recorded sound.

George Massenburg, inventor of the Parametric EQ, multiple Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, mixer; Earth Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat