The BerZerker from Extinct Audio is a low noise ribbon microphone aimed at recording voices, but it can be used for pretty much anything. Inspired by an obscure 1940s ribbon microphone made by Birmingham Sound Reproducers (BSR) – used by the likes of Billie Holiday – the sound is somewhat vintage in character, but with modern output levels and extremely low noise for a passive ribbon microphone. The BerZerker gives voices a larger-than-life sound, perfect for jazz queens and rock gods of all eras.

The BerZerker’s body and yoke are incredibly consistent thanks to the high pressure zinc casting process. Both halves of the body are truly symmetrical whilst the grill fins are elegantly tapered. The yoke mirrors the bottom curve of the microphone body perfectly. This means we can offer the BerZerker in matched stereo pairs.

Featuring internal high frequency baffles to improve bottom end response and reduce sibilance and pops, the BerZerker sounds most natural around 6 to 12 inches away from the sound source, which makes it perfect for vocals.

In old Norse legend, Berserkers were fearsome warriors who wore bear skins and ate magic mushrooms to sustain them in battle. Our BerZerker is rather better behaved! With the looks of the microphone being inspired by the old BSR microphone, the name BerSerkeR seemed an obviously choice. Zinc casting gave us the name BerZerkeR.

• Output impedance = 300 ohms at 1KHz
• Directional Pattern: Offset figure-8.
• Frequency range*: <30 Hz – 15 kHz @ ±3dB. (excludes proximity effect)
• Sensitivity: -50 dBv/Pa
• Self noise (thermal): -131 dBV at 20ºC (20 kHz bandwidth)
• Signal to noise (1kHz at 1 Pa): 81 dB.
• Proximity effect: Strong
• Electronics: Passive. No power required
• Output configuration: Transformer balanced
• Output Connector: XLR3, Pin 2= +ve, Pin 3 = -ve, Pin 1 = Ground
• Weight: 1200g approx (microphone only). 2000g with box.
• Size: 220 x 90 x 60 mm approx. (microphone). 340 x 190 x 100 mm boxed.

“The Berserker sounds absolutely wonderful on everything I’ve tried it on, male or female, softly spoken or angry screamers! It’s gorgeous, thank you.” Ross Orton

“I love my Berserker, it‘s one of the best sounding and smoothest mics for vocals I‘ve used so far. Congrats on this one!” Christoph Brandner

“The Berserker, needs to be listened to in order to really grasp the beauty of it. So, it looks stunning in photos, it’s even more awesome in person and when you listen to it you feel mesmerised. This is not an ad, this is just the opinion of a very happy customer of this (almost) one of a kind wonder. Thank you!” Simone Coen

“This thing (Berserker) is amazing. “ Flat Black Studios

“Loving ours (Berserker), bit of a modern classic!” Ibibio Sound Machine