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The Best Vocal Microphone (Beginners Guide)

Choosing the right microphone is very important,

and it may pose a challenge for the newbie producer that just got into music production.

What you’re generally looking for is:

a microphone that can properly and accurately capture an audio signal and provide the best output quality possible.

In this post I’ll walk you through a number of the best vocal microphones that are available on the market that you can use in vocal recording.

There are basically two types of vocal microphones; Dynamic Microphones and Condenser microphones.

therefore we shall focus on Condenser microphones in this article because they are generally the better option when it comes to vocal recording for music production.

We’ll go from the cheaper option down to the expensive options.

AKG Pro Audio P220 Vocal Condenser Microphone

if you’re looking to get a good microphone and you’re on a tight budget the AKG is a good option.

one key element that makes the AKG the go to microphone for most up and coming producers

is that it has a rugged build which makes it great for a variety of applications.

I have personally used this microphone for on stage performances and I must say it works great.

 it comes with a large diaphragm and a serviceable cardiod pick up polar pattern

therefore, this microphone guarantees good quality recording in any studio set up,

its sensitive nature makes it the right microphone for a home studio.

Check it out the AKG P220 on AMAZON !

Audio Technica AT2035 Cardoid Condenser Microphone

This microphone is a great value for money, one of my personal favourites of microphones that have had the privilege of using,

it features a large diaphragm and is great for vocal performances in music studios and in a live environment.

if you’re going for a smooth and natural sounding microphone then this is definitely a great choice.

it is one of the best microphones with a cardiod polar pattern that makes for low feedback and off-axis noise.

Another great feature is the fact that it comes equipped with a switchable 80Hertz high pass filter and a 10db pad that make high sound pressure levels an easy task for the AT2035.

Check out the Audio Technica AT2035 on AMAZON !

AKG Pro Audio P420 Dual Capsule Condenser Microphone

If you’re looking for a highly sensitive microphone that is able to deliver a high quality sound then the

AKG’s P420 is definitely a great choice,

furthermore it is incredibly affordable,

if you’re a beginner and are looking to test the waters with a good microphone this is definitely a great choice.

the AKG P420 is a large diaphragm microphone with multiple pick up patterns (cardiod, omnidirection, figure-8) and it is very versatile for a wide variety of miking applications.

it has a rugged build and it comes with a shock mount and an aluminium carrying case.

this is a great value for your money.

Check it out the AKG P420 on AMAZON !

AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone, Multipattern

AKG has really done a great job on this microphone, this is definitely a great addition to their already excellent catalogue.

the C414 is a versatile microphone that can handle a variety of different sources and has been built with state of the art elements.

furthermore, this microphone comes equipped with 9 polar patterns and

it has become the commonly used in broadcasting, recording studios and stage performances.

if recording with in depth detail was the goal of creators of this microphone,

then it has certainly been achieved.

the presence boost capabilities of this microphone, has allowed for great response.

even when the mix is dense the recordings done with this mic will definitely stand out.

its commonly used in classic music rooms and delivers great work in ambient drum miking aswell.

Check it out on AKG C414 on AMAZON !

Neumann KM 184 MT Stereo Set Condenser Microphone

This is another great weapon in the Neumann arsenal!

this microphone is a great choice because it can handle high sound pressure,

so you’re rest assured that you can pretty much record any kind of vocals.

it is also great for handling the recording of complex instruments that have little nuances that have to be captured.

furthermore, the Neumann K184 is an extremely quiet microphone and has a small diaphragm which makes it useful in recording.

its flat frequency response capabilities make it uniquely ideal for the recording of signals

because the recorded signal will barely be altered with any extra coloration

Check out the Neumann KM 184 on AMAZON !

Neumann U 87 Ai Set Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

if you’re sparing no expense on studio gear, this is definitely a good place to start

the Neuman U87 is an industry standard and classic microphone with the best modern features.

you’ll find it in most modern studios because of the variety in recording that it provides.

it can be used to record vocals, pianos, Tom’s, snares, brass, strings -the list is endless.

equipped with a 10db pre-attenuation pad

plus three selectable polar patterns which are Cardoid, omnidirectional and figure-8.

the Neuman U87 is great for a variety of recording set ups.

it comes equipped with modern circuitry therefore it offers great higher sensitivity and an improvement in the signal to noise ratio.

Check out the Neumann U87 on AMAZON !

Blue Microphones Bottle Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser

this is one of the most iconic innovations of all time.

the blue bottle large diaphragm tube Condenser microphone is crafted with the most care,

it features eight different capsules that are interchangeable ,

therefore you can switch from one capsule to another depending on the kind of tone or pattern you’re looking for,

which makes it a highly versatile microphone, that can deliver warm, natural, and alive sound.

this microphone is one of the very best and top tier microphones on the market right now.

THEREFORE it is definitely worth checking out if you’re sparing no expense on acquiring your studio gear

check out the Blue Spark SL Microphone on AMAZON!

Neumann M149

this dual diaphragm microphone is definitely a great choice and I recommend it,

the Neumann m149 is a combination of a classic tube microphone a completely modern microphone with all the latest features.

a warm sound is what this microphone will deliver for you and you’ll be surprised at how low its self noise is,

pro audio specialists confirm that this microphone has the lowest self noise as compared to any tube microphone on the market.

furthermore, its 9 polar patterns and 7-position highpass filter ensure that you have the flexibility that you need in your sessions.

check out the Neumann M149 on AMAZON!

Telefunken U47 | Tube Condenser Microphone with Authoritative Mid-range and Extended Low-end

if you listen to music that was recorded in the 50s and 60s,

you’ll notice that vocals sound so smooth and well textured.

the Telefunken U47 microphone is a vintage style microphone but with all the modern features.

this is a very classical sounding microphone that can take any recording style to the next level.

any recording technique of both vocals and instruments can be carried out with this mic.

it is well known in the music production world for providing recordings that have

great mid range, with an extension of the low end and an airy high end that

can be heard in most soul music that was released in the 70s 80s and 90s.

Check out the Telefunken U47 on AMAZON !

Studio Projects B1 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

I highly recommend this microphone if you’re just starting out,

because it is a cheap and reasonable option for a newbie or beginner.

just like the Audio Technica AT2035 microphone, the Studio Projects B1 is also a high diaphragm microphone that

  provides a great delivery of quality in a wide varitey of vocal recording applications,

it is suitable for all vocal styles and is also applicable in broadcast and voice over work.

which makes the versatility of the microphone incredibly amazing at a low price.

by design, the large diaphragm m properties of this microphone allows for a relatively low noise ratio.

therefore if you’re looking for a cheap microphone with an expensive sound,

the B1 Projects microphone is your best bet.

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Sources

8 top vocal microphones for stage and studio use – Music Radar

Best microphones for vocals in 2022 | Popular Science

The 8 Best Microphones For Vocals | Musician Nerd

9 Best Vocal Microphones of 2022 – Music Critic

Best Vocal Mics 2022 for Pro Quality Studio Recording – Careers In Music

The Best Vocal Microphone (Beginners Guide)
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