The Best Studio Microphone

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Making waves since 1925, Shure started off as a one-man company that sells radio kits and components to radio stations. With a rich history and many years of experience in developing microphones and audio electronics for broadcast stations, Shure has achieved legendary status in said industry.

Known to be the go-to and do-all mic for many in the industry, the Shure SM7B is arguably the best studio mic to date. An extremely versatile mic that picks up cardioid patterns, the Shure SM7B can be applied for vocals, instruments, streaming, broadcasting, and content creation use.

Its bass-roll off control and mid-range emphasis allow vocals to come off as clean, clear, and crisp may the setting be in a recording studio or for a live performance. This studio microphone can also be used as a dual-mic amp setup as it’s able to clearly pick up distorted instrument sounds and screamed vocals without much mud, boom, or muffles thanks to its built-in pop filter and built-in internal “air suspension”.

The versatility and durability of the Shure SM7B make it a favorite microphone for many, including world-famous artist and performer, Michael Jackson, who used the original Shure SM7B when he recorded his vocal takes for the song “Thriller”.

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If you plan on using your studio mic for various applications with differing requirements, the Shure SM7B may be your safest and best choice. Hailed as the “go-to and do-all” mic in the industry, this studio mic was originally designed for radio broadcasts.

Its bass-roll and mid-range emphasis allow vocals to come off as clean, clear, and crisp each time, making it an ideal studio mic for applications wherein the audio quality of “speaking” or vocal tracks need to be properly enunciated and heard.

With its excellent bass roll-off control, this is also a favorite studio mic for live performances as it’s able to do vocal isolations that will accentuate a raw and natural sound. May it be used for pop, rap, or rock vocals, this dynamic cardioid mic is a favorite of many recording artists including the likes of Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, and Metallica.

Packing a mid-range emphasis with presence boost control, this can be used as a dual-mic amp setup that can clearly pick up distorted instruments and screamed vocals while maintaining a clean and clear quality. However, its self-noise level can be a bit too much, making its sound pickup “too quiet” for some.

Looks familiar? You may have seen it in some behind-the-scenes clips of your favorite recording artists in the recording studio or in ASMR videos on YouTube as this studio mic is the most commonly used microphone in the professional or home studio.

Coming from the manufacturer of the renowned Shure SM58, this model is almost certain to be one of your best options.

Pros and Cons of the Shure SM7B

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A great entry-level microphone that beginners to intermediate users can easily plug and play regardless of the application. 

Meeting various requirements, the Shure MV7 remains versatile while maintaining a friendly budget. It’s simple, easy to use, and comes with helpful tools and apps depending on where you plug it in. 

Since it features a real-time tone correction, this dynamic cardioid microphone saves time that would have been spent on post-production or equalizing the recorded audio. It even has a built-in headphone, which allows for direct mic monitoring while recording.

Pros and Cons of the Shure MV7

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The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a condenser microphone that is perfect for podcasts, streaming, and gaming use since it’s built for a USB connection. This studio mic boasts a medium-weight diaphragm and extended frequency response, which gives off a rich, deep, and crisp sound for vocals.

A growing cult favorite for YouTubers and streamers, the Audio-Technica AT2020 has a mix and volume control function that can blend your mic’s signal with pre-recorded audio.

Since the Audio-Technica AT2020 is a desktop studio mic, you have to pay extra attention to its placement to prevent noise vibrations and unwanted sound source pickup.

Pros and Cons of the Audio-Technica AT2020

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The sound reproduction of the AKG C636 is ideal for live studio sessions or intimate live settings as it is able to reproduce vocals to a tee and reject feedback. Giving off a very clean sound, this condenser microphone has a high frequency range with excellent off-axis attenuation.

This sleek condenser microphone is easy to the eyes as it is easy to hold and carry for a long time because it weighs light. Despite it being a handheld microphone, its ability to reject feedback and noise is impressive due to its double-shock suspension system.

Pros and Cons of the AKG C636

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The Neumann TLM 102 is a vocals specialist mic that will give you a clean and clear voice quality across the frequency range. This large-diaphragm condenser microphone is versatile enough to pick up vocals, acoustic guitars, and brass instruments in a cardioid pickup pattern.

Perfect for vocal applications like clear singing, speech, streaming, and podcasts, the Neumann TLM 102 gives off an airy but woodsy broadcast-like warm sound due to its upper mid, rich low end, and low-mid ranges.

With a wide-range frequency response, this is a go-to mic for artists of the blues and jazz genres. This large-diaphragm condenser microphone also has a built-in pop shield that can also pick up brass instruments without drowning out vocals.

However, it is on the pricier side as the Germany-based company, Neumann, designed this studio mic with multiple vocal applications in mind without sacrificing aesthetics and its compact size.

Pros and Cons of the Neumann TLM 102

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The Rode NT1 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone ideal for vocals and instrument applications wherein you would want to create a classic vintage sound finish. It’s also the perfect mic for people who are looking to do some post-processing work after recording.

This condenser microphone needs to be placed strategically and carefully when it’s beside a sound source that can be too loud as it lacks a pad. If you put it beside guitar amps or drums, it can give you a less than desirable sound.

It is however able to impressively produce minimal external vibrations due to its custom Rycote Lyre suspension system, dual-layer stainless windscreen, and low noise level down to 4.5dBA, making it an excellent low noise mic that can be placed in drum overheads or on pianos.

Pros and Cons of the Rode NT1

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One of the leading brands for microphones, Neumann is a Germany-made studio mic that has over 50 years of studio credentials. With that said, the Neumann brand is almost synonymous with expensive microphones, but given the resulting quality, it is totally understandable.

The Neumann U 87 AI MT is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that gives clear and balanced sounds. Its flat frequency response makes for a strong and crisp vocal presence end result, but is also versatile enough to record anything from an acoustic guitar to drum overheads, which makes it another favorite for recording artists to use in the studio or vocal booth.

It can pick up multiple polar patterns as it packs a switchable low cut and attenuation pad, ideal for vocal applications such as podcasts, broadcasting, speaking, and recording vocal tracks. It has a deficient low noise level so recording rock vocals are welcome here.

Pros and Cons of the Neumann U 87 AI MT

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A lesser-known studio mic that is seen as a hidden gem by those in the inner circle of the industry, the TZ Audio Products Stellar X2 is a condenser microphone perfect for vocal applications. It gives a smooth and warm sound to the sound source and audio signal it picks up as it packs a frequency response in the low midrange.

Considering its affordable price, this condenser microphone gives an impressive midrange in its ability to soothe down high-pitched and sibilant sounds.

Pros and Cons of the TZ Audio Products Stellar X2

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A large-diaphragm dynamic range microphone, the Electro-Voice RE20 excellently counters proximity effect even when recording up close, which makes it a favorite for vocal applications like voice-overs, broadcasting, podcasts, and streaming.

Designed to give more focus to vocals by including a bass tilt-down switch to attenuate bass, guitar amps, and other loud sound sources, this studio mic is perfect for those who are looking to highlight their vocals. 

Ideal for recording vocal styles that will also sound intimate but whisper-like, the Electro-Voice RE20 is the preferred mic of Thom Yorke, vocalist of Radiohead.

Pros and Cons of the Electro-Voice RE20

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The Lewitt LCT 640 TS is deemed as the ‘innovative mic’ as it is extremely versatile in applications, pickup patterns, and outputs. A dream for those who are looking for multiple uses but have varying requirements, this multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser microphone is a mic rolled into one.

May it be recording a person playing an acoustic guitar in a studio, a live performance of a singer belting out, or a streamer in a home studio, the Lewitt LCT 640 TS can adjust accordingly.

While other microphones can only pick up one polar pattern and have one mode and a single output, this studio mic has multiple. It can work either in regular multipattern microphone mode or in dual mode. The microphone’s backlit logo will indicate which mode you are on so you are guided accordingly. 

However, with so many functionalities, others find this mic to be too complex and difficult to use. It is important to take note though that you are paying for the functionality of a bunch of other microphones in just a single mic.

Pros and Cons of the Lewitt LCT 640 TS