The Best Studio Microphone

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If you plan on using your studio microphone 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, the Shure SM7B is one of the best dynamic microphones to date.

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

It’s one of the best cardioid mics in terms of bass roll-off control making it a favorite for live performances and 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, guitar amps, and screamed vocals while maintaining a clean and clear sound reproduction. 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 mic is the most commonly used microphone in professional recording studios or home studios.

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 can be used as a USB microphone but also has an XLR connection should you want to switch it up.

It’s simple, easy to use, and comes with helpful tools and apps depending on where you plug it in. Just make sure that you use the right power supply for it, especially if you’re using the XLR as it will need phantom power.

Since this microphone features a real-time tone correction, it 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 so you can hear if there were any unwanted sounds that were picked up right away. Said feature is especially useful if you plan on recording vocals.

Pros and Cons of the Shure MV7

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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 is one of the best condenser mics, best omnidirectional mics, and the top studio microphone for recordings and more.

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 maintaining excellent recording quality.

While other microphones can only pick up one polar pattern, have one mode, and have a single output, this great microphone has multiple. It can work either in regular multipattern microphone mode or in dual mode.

Think of the Lewitt LCT 640 TS as multiple microphones rolled into one, making it one of the exceptional studio microphones out there.

However, with so many functionalities, others find this mic to be too complex and pricey. 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

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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.

A growing cult favorite for YouTubers and streamers, the AT2020 has a mix and volume control function that can blend your mic’s signal with pre-recorded audio — a feature that not most USB mics have.

The AT2020 is also one of the best microphones for vocals in this list. As the Audio-Technica AT2020 boasts a medium-weight diaphragm and extended dynamic range and frequency response, it gives off a rich, deep, and crisp sound that makes it a dream for vocal recording.

However, you may need to purchase an isolation mount since the AT2020 is a desktop studio microphone that can pick up noise vibrations if not careful.

Pros and Cons of the Audio-Technica AT2020

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

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

Hence, this large diaphragm mic is one of the best vocal mics in the list that has impressive self-noise level control even without the isolation mount.

Pros and Cons of the Neumann TLM 102

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Sennheiser mics are known for their excellent quality, which is why they’re used by many professionals all over the world. Hailing from the brand is the MD 441-U, a mic that was created as a dynamic mic with the properties of a condenser mic. 

This dynamic supercardioid condenser mic is the pick of popular artists such as Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty. This mic delivers a detailed sound reproduction thanks to its outstanding on-axis directionality and off-axis rejection.

It’s equipped with a bass roll-off switch, a brilliance switch, and five-position switches, offering a full sound. For those who want to record vocals and instruments in a neutral mode, you’d be surprised to find that it has a linear frequency response of 30Hz to 20kHz.

Interestingly, many also claim that the MD 441-U can deliver a sound akin to a large diaphragm condenser mic. This is due to the bucking coil design of the MD 441-U, allowing it to have a low self-noise level while performing at high gain levels.

Pros and Cons of the Sennheiser MD 441-U

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Compared to other ribbon mics that have heavy and fragile bodies, the Royer Labs R-121 ribbon mic has a compact and lightweight yet durable body. It’s so robust that it doesn’t need nor won’t take any damage from phantom power.

Many professionals consider the R-121 as the best recording mic for brass instruments and electric guitars as it offers a classic, full-bodied, natural sound. It has a flat frequency range and can handle high sound pressure levels easily.

The R-121 also has less proximity effect than other ribbon mics. Aside from recording instruments, the R-121 is also great for recording voices as its bipolar pickup pattern can balance two vocalists well.

If you want something classic with a warm sound that’s also natural, definitely add the R-121 ribbon mic to your mic locker.

Pros and Cons of the Royer Labs R-121

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Audio-Technica is a brand that’s well-trusted by many professionals, producing many high-quality microphones and other audio equipment. Aside from the AT2020, another one of the best mics for recording is the Audio-Technica AT2035.

This microphone has a switchable 80Hz high-pass filter and 10dB pad, allowing it to handle high-pressure levels with ease. It provides a smooth natural sound that’s ideal for studio recordings.

The low noise levels of the AT2035 also mean that you can capture detailed sounds without worrying about picking up background noises. It also comes with a custom shock mount and a durable padded pouch.

Best of all, the AT2035 has a price tag that’s perfect for many beginners or those who are just starting to build their home studios.

Pros and Cons of the Audio-Technica AT2035

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Many microphone brands tout their products to be applicable in many recording situations but in reality, only a few mics are true all-rounders. One of them is the AKG C214.

A large diaphragm condenser, the C214 excels in everything, from guitar amps to acoustic music instruments, pianos, and vocals.

The large diaphragm condenser mic C214 has a vast frequency response range, a detailed sound, and ability to handle high volumes. Its versatile sound range is capable of preventing louder sounds from sounding too shrill, offering a solid low-end.

AKG also designed the C214 with an all-metal die-cast body, making it shock- and scratch-resistant. Furthermore, its capsule is protected by a mesh grille and designed with an integrated suspension to reduce mechanical noise and resonance.

If you want a good studio workhorse, the large diaphragm C214 is for you.

Pros and Cons of the AKG C214

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Tube microphones can be noisy but that isn’t the case with the Lewitt Pure Tube. This microphone features its own power supply and an incredible low-noise performance. This mic has a tube encased in a solid and robust body, protecting it from all sorts of danger.

It’s equipped with a cardioid pattern and has a fairly flat frequency response, making it ideal for vocal recordings. Aside from being a vocal mic, the incredibly quiet performance of this mic also works well with acoustic applications such as an acoustic guitar.

The dedicated power supply connects via a 7-pin XLR to the mic but it also includes a converter to the traditional 3-pin XLR to hook it up to an audio interface. It also includes accessories such as a shock mount and a carrying case.

Pros and Cons of the Lewitt Pure Tube

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Starting a home studio can both be daunting and exciting. You’ll need a variety of tools to make the best microphone for vocal recordings, and the most important of all those is a microphone.

Studio microphones can be expensive and if you’re just beginning to build your studio at home, you’re likely searching for a budget-friendly option. The ALABS XLR Condenser Mic is one mic that can pick up clear sound and produce high-quality vocal recordings without hurting the pocket.

Equipped with a 25mm electret capsule inside, this large diaphragm condenser has a cardioid pickup pattern, minimizing background noise. It has a wide frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, allowing it to produce high-resolution audio recordings. 

While it’s not a plug-and-play microphone due to its XLR connection, this ALABS mic is compatible with many sources such as a PC, iPad, tablet, or smartphone. You just need to connect it to an external power source and you’re good to go!

Pros and Cons of the ALABS XLR