A queer microphone company

Our queer identity is at the core of Ohma World and how we make our microphones. We take pride in all that makes us unique, including gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and background. It's no wonder then that our mics reflect these values — they're designed to be expressive and powerful tools. As the people at the helm of this venture, we have found ourselves with an unmistakable product; an ever-flowing joy of mechanical wisdom and queer integrity.

The word "queer" holds two important essences for me. Firstly, it signifies being an other, going beyond the confines of normality. Secondly, it encompasses the straightforward connection to being gay and genderqueer. As an institution and creative force, Ohma encompasses both of these aspects. We breathe in our queer identity and exhale it in everything we do. Our microphones are a manifestation of this, designed with innate queer craftsmanship. They not only deliver exceptional sound quality but also prioritize comfort for people from all walks of life. We reject the notion of a one-size-fits-all product because we believe in representation for all. When you choose an Ohma microphone, we want you to feel a sense of belonging and see yourself reflected in our commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

Celebrating diverse backgrounds and experiences is at the heart of what we do here at Ohma. We strive to make sure everyone can express themselves through their microphone, whether they want something classic or bold and unique. That’s why we offer customizable color options for our microphones — it allows people to make a statement about who they are and what they stand for. It may take a bit more time to produce these unique custom pieces, but it’s worth it. We want our customers to feel like they are creating something that is truly special and reflects their values and identity. Ultimately, we hope that our microphones will help people to express themselves in ways that cannot be contained or understood by any one definition.

We focus on being unique rather than following the crowd, which is why we developed our condenser capsule design. Instead of using popular capsule models, we sought a sound that felt unique, comfy, and distinguishable from the rest. After much experimentation, we found an ideal capsule design that combined warmth with clarity and presence to create a truly unique sound. For those who may not be up to speed, let me shed some light on the subject. Crafting and designing condenser capsules for microphones is no easy feat — it's an art form in itself. Interestingly, many microphone companies choose to entrust this intricate process to external sources, rather than handling it in-house. The fact that we are one of the few companies that still take the time to design and build our capsules (let alone our own capsule design!) is something we take great pride in. It's no easy feat and requires dedication and precision, but it’s this commitment to craftsmanship that makes our microphones stand out. 

We want our customers to be able to customize their microphones in whichever way they see fit. That’s why we offer swappable microphone screens, allowing users to shift through different sounds and appearances using a single microphone body. Each screen not only presents a different striking design but also changes the frequency response of the microphone. We’ve found that this type of customization allows our customers to become “chameleons”, transforming their microphones to fit whatever setting or situation they are in. As someone who identifies as non-binary, the rewarding sense of fluidity the Ohma microphone offers is something I take tremendous joy in. I'm honored to be able to share this feeling with our customers.

Visibility is a powerful tool for any marginalized group, and the queer community in audio engineering is no exception. We felt it was time to create a platform that celebrates queer artistry and all forms of expression, which is why we launched our performance video series featuring queer musicians and artists. Here, they get to customize an Ohma microphone with their own colors and screen type — the same microphone they use to perform in the video.

These days, it’s not enough to create products that solely focus on financial success; people are increasingly looking for products that demonstrate shared values. When it comes to creativity — the tool with which we give life to our art — this sentiment carries even more weight. This is why we strive to create an engaging, inclusive, and welcoming space for everyone. We’ve been so delighted by the positive feedback we’ve received for providing a platform to boost queer visibility in audio. 

To celebrate this year's Pride, Ohma is offering a limited-edition Pride Rainbow Microphone. Featuring Motif screens, the microphones come in both condenser and ribbon options. We are proud to announce that $100 of every Pride Rainbow Microphone sale will be donated to The Trevor Project, a vital organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQIA+ youth. Additionally, we will be donating an additional $50 from every other microphone sale this month. For those who don't need a new microphone, we also have pairs of Pride stud earrings, perfect for showing your support this Pride season.

We are so proud of the Ohma community and all of our allies for standing up and speaking out in support of queer rights. It's this sense of unity that makes us feel truly proud. Be sure to check out our Pride Rainbow Microphone, and join us in celebrating queerness in all its forms!

Happy Pride, everyone!