|

the best microphones for home studio.

We’ve long been introduced to the magnificent wonders of a microphone. You may know about the first microphone from reading How CDs work, but let’s not go over the technicalities. Today, we’ll show you the best microphones you can buy for recording your lovely vocals.

Microphones are used in a wide range of audio recording devices, from those used for communications to those used for music, vocals, speech, and sound recording. This tool can be used on their own or built into things like headsets and phones.

And, like any other aspiring artists or music producers out there, you also might get confused about finding the right microphone to fit your needs for your vocal tracking. Microphones are deemed essential in every recording studio, that’s why professional studios have added a lot of them to record everything from bass drums and guitar cabs to pianos and drum kits.

However, it’s important to know that there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution when it comes to vocal mics. Since voices are different, one should keep in mind that they should have a different kind of microphone provided. As acoustic environments are also different, the best recording microphones will vary among these kinds of factors.

With that in mind, our goal is to help you select the finest vocal recording microphone you could ever find in the market. So please, keep on reading!

Neumann TLM102

Regarding studio recording microphones, Neumann’s entry-level TLM 102 is fantastic in every way. It also happens to be the most expensive microphone in this roundup – given that Neumann made it.

Buy here

This simple XLR cardioid microphone can pick up sounds from 20Hz to 20kHz. Up to 12 dBA of noise is coming from inside, and the sound is really powerful and smooth. This makes it great for recording vocals, as well as acoustic and electric guitars and drum overheads. This mic can record sounds without them being harsh or crackly because it has a small boost in frequency between 6kHz and 10kHz. The frequency range it could handle was up to about 6kHz. And even though it was carefully put together, it can handle noise levels that go up to 144dB without cracking.

Rode NT1

The Rode NT1 and its slightly cheaper sibling, the NT-1A, are truly both strong contenders in today’s mic market. Both are excellent large diaphragm condenser mics, but the NT1 can win anyone’s heart because it is such a fine mic, with a smooth and flat frequency response that faithfully reproduces any source material. The NT-1’s flatter response means that it should theoretically work better with a wider variety of voice types, and it also has unparalleled silence.

Buy here

With a claimed 4.5 dBA noise floor, this 1-inch cardioid condenser from Rode is said to be the quietest of its kind. It’s delicate, so don’t jangle any pins, and keep the studio quiet. The studio microphone comes with a high-quality XLR cable and a shock mount with a pop filter (model SM6). Moreover, it can also withstand the vocal range of up to 132 dB if you can go further.

If you need a mic that can handle pretty much any situation, go for NT1. It’s about $40 more expensive than the NT1-A, but it’s much more flexible, durable, and easy to set up.

Audio Technica AT 2035

The Audio-Technica 2035, a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser, is priced between its cheaper AT2020 sibling and the more expensive AT2050, which offers selectable polar patterns. There are also low-cut filters and -10dB pad switches, both of which are improvements over the AT2020. The -10dB pad switch is also useful when being used to loud sound sources like a guitar amp or when singing close to the mic.

Buy here

In terms of audio quality, the AT2035 is truly superb. Its frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz makes it suitable for use with not only vocals but also acoustic and electric guitars. For musicians who can’t afford a million different microphones, this is a great option.

Aston Origin

The Aston Microphone is a 127dB SPL-handling, 20Hz-20kHz XLR cardioid large-diaphragm condenser microphone. It has a high pass filter (80 Hz) to cut down on bass when you get up close and personal with the mic and a 10 dB pad switch for high-octane singers. And to put it mildly, the look of this microphone is pretty much…interesting. You’ll first notice the 1-inch capsule inside its flexible, wave-shaped mesh head. This microphone’s classic factory aesthetic is a unique and stylish alternative to standard studio microphones.

Buy here

Moreover, a mesh knit pop filter made of stainless steel is concealed beneath that. While this does a good job of reducing plosives and sibilance, we still recommend using an external filter, despite what Aston claims. Apart from that, a vibration-tumbled stainless-steel chassis that is extremely difficult to scratch adds to its funk.

Shure SM7B

A legend in the podcasting world, it’s not surprising to see the Shure SM7B microphone being used by your favorite podcaster. And while it’s obvious that it is widely accepted in the podcasting community, does that acclaim also extend to the realm of audio recording? Of course!

The Shure SM7B is a high-quality professional microphone in every inch of its build. It’s a mic that you can latch onto a boom or a microphone stand. Its frequency range of 50 Hz to 20 kHz and a regular waveform.

Buy here

For optimal vocal results, we suggest that you shouldn’t be more than six inches away from the mic. And because it is a cardioid-pattern mic, it only hears sounds very well from the front, even if they come from a slight angle, but not from the back.

Takeaway

In conclusion, buying microphones are among the most important thing you need to do for you to complete your ideal professional studio setup. Whether you’re a veteran or still a novice in the world of recording, choosing the best tools for your profession must start at the very beginning and should gradually improve according to your developing skills.

In picking the ideal microphone for you, you need to make sure that you’re buying a great deal out of what you’re willing to spend from your pocket. Apart from the price, do take note of its performance and durability – to make sure that the mic you’re buying can withstand any test it must take and can last for a long, long time.

Similar Posts

guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments