9 Best Microphones for Recording Vocals

Well, for all you guys who are fed up with your old, broken microphone setup for recording, we have curated a list of the best microphone for recording vocals that will make your recording sessions a lot more smooth. This list will help you understand what suits your needs and make your work more comfortable.

Best Microphones for Recording Vocals

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9 Best Microphones for Recording Vocals

1. Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone

The Shure SM7B microphone is an all-in-one microphone with various features like studio recording, home recording, podcasting, and streaming. The microphone is fantastic for recording vocals in the studio due to the presence of dynamic cartilage with a very smooth wide range of frequency response that helps the microphone produce exceptionally high quality and clean natural reproduction of music and speech. This feature makes it just fits for recording vocals.

This microphone supports podcasts as well as broadcasts. It is found in the highest-ranked podcasting studio in the world. The microphone has air suspension shock isolation and a pop filter responsible for eliminating both breathiness and mechanical noise, respectively. The microphone allows professional live streaming and can capture clean and natural music and speech. This microphone has a professional XLR connection that allows an audio interface making it suitable for recording vocals.

This microphone has advanced electromagnetic shielding that completely defeats the” hum” from the studio equipment or monitor. The microphone also has a cardioid pattern specially designed to reject the voice signals coming from the Axis so that the user can sing and speak at a very comfortable angle; this is an excellent feature making it the best microphone phone recording vocals.

The quality of this microphone is marvelous, with a rugged construction, making it durable. There is a detachable close-talk windscreen with a switch cover plate, giving it a very convenient design. This microphone is specially used for close-up recording and is compatible with various instruments and ASMR audios because of its warm and smooth full-frequency support.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: XLR Connector

Shock Mount: No

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes

Impedance: 150 Ohm

Size and weight: 13.3 x 7.2 x 4.8 inches, 2.03 pounds

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Connectivity Technology: XLR

Recommended use of the product: Streaming, Singing

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Black

Material Type: Metal

Pros

  • It produces high-quality and clean natural voice reproduction of music as well as speech.
  • It provides a professional XLR connection, allowing a better audio interface
  •  It has advanced electromagnetic shielding defeating ” hum” sounds from the studio equipment

Cons

  • It has limited compatibility.
  • They are badly affected by extreme temperatures.

2. Neumann TLM 102 Condenser Microphone

The Neumann TLM 102 microphone is the best microphone for recording vocals. This microphone has a very large diaphragm producing an immaculate and natural sound. The microphone has cardioid external characteristics, so it removes all the sound signals from the off-axis and maximizes the proper access to voice signals. This property of the microphone makes it suitable for recording vocals. The microphone has a maximum sound pressure level of about 144 dB.

This light presence in the microphone boosts above 6-kilo hertz and helps the vocal shine in the mix, which is demanded in a microphone intended for recording vocals. The microphone has low self-noise and hence ignores all the unwanted noise suitable for recording the vocals in the studio. The microphone has very gentle trouble lifting the silky highs. It also has an integrated pop screen which is quite a unique feature.

The microphone never compromises on its sound quality and has a very simple and elegant design. The microphone also has a dynamic range of 132 decibels, and the pickup pattern of this microphone is remarkable. This microphone has a fast transient response, and hence it is an excellent choice for both female and male vocals.

The frequency response of this microphone is fantastic; it is between 20 Hz to 20 kHz. It is based on the acoustic principle of a pressure gradient transducer. The rated load impedance of this microphone is 1000 ohms, which is a good rating. All these features make it perfect for recording vocals, and it is one of the best microphones.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: XLR Connector

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes

Impedance: 50 Ohm

Audio sensitivity: 11dB

Size and weight: 9.8 x 4.6 x 2.6 inches, 7.4 ounces

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Connectivity Technology: XLR

Recommended use of the product: Streaming, Singing

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Nickel

Material Type: Aluminum

Pros

  • It has a large diaphragm producing a very clean and natural sound
  • It has a cardioid polar pattern removing off-axis sound signals
  • It produces a maximum sound pressure level of about 144 dB. 

Cons

  • It is a bit more expensive than other mics.
  • Voice recognition is not much good.

3. AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone

The AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII microphone is among the highest-rated for the best microphone for recording vocals. The microphone has an exquisite metal carrying case and supports a universal shock mount. The microphone offers five selectable polar patterns, which ensure Sonic performance in any application. The microphone has a wide frequency range, allowing the user to capture every nuance of the audio.

This microphone is suitable for recording vocals because of its linearity and transparency, which gives a neutral yet beautiful detailed sound. The condenser kept you loving this microphone, and it is the heart of this microphone that boots the audio and improves the partial reproduction of the sound. This is what makes it suitable for vocal recordings. It supports nine polar patterns, which is a unique feature. The nine-polar pattern feature is very cool and demands to record.

The five polar patterns consist of the Omni direction, the hyper-cardioid, and the figure of eight patterns. This is a very flexible microphone with three attenuation levels for better recording. The microphone has a very convenient bass filter feature and an overload warning feature.

There are three switchable bass-cut filters that eliminate the wind noise stage vibration and all the other proximity effects for a better audio performance, which is in demand in the best microphone for recording vocals. The microphone has a metallic design with a dye-cast body feature that is scratch resistant and can sustain for a longer period. This feature shows the high durability of the device, making it more attractive for long-term users.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: XLR Connector

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes(hyper-cardioid)

Impedance: 200 Ohm

Basscut filter:160 Hz

Size and weight:11.3 x 9.6 x 5.5 inches, 10.6 ounces

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Connectivity Technology: Wired

Recommended use of the product: Singing, Streaming

Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Figure eight, Hypercardioid, Omnidirectional, and Wide Cardioid

Color: Black

Material Type: Aluminium

Pros

  • It offers five selectable polar patterns for Sonic performance
  • It supports a wide frequency range.
  • It has a bass filter and overload warning feature.

Cons

  • It has a sensitive condenser.
  • At high frequencies, performance degrades.

4. Blue Yeti X Professional USB Condenser Microphone

The Blue Yeti X Professional microphone is one of the coolest microphones for recording vocals. This microphone has an exquisite design with a four-capsule array. These capsules are responsible for capturing sound with clarity. This microphone is widely used in professional streaming, podcasting, and YouTubers.This microphone has a very high-resolution LED metering which helps in visualizing the audio level and adjusting the audio level for the convenience of the user.

The audio level can be more powerful or low, as the user demands. This feature makes it just perfect for recording vocals. This microphone has got four patterns for ultimate versatility. That is, four different pickup patterns are allowed for recording and streaming the audio as required by the users. It has a cardioid mode that is well suited for podcasting game streaming regarding vocals.

The cardioid mode is responsible for capturing the sound directly coming in the front of the microphone and removing the Axis sounds, ensuring that it delivers a full-bodied sound. It has another Omni mod that is responsible for picking up sound equally from all directions of the mic. It is best for situations like recording the vocals in the studio.

It also supports a directional mode that takes sounds from both the front and rear of the microphone, making it ideal for recording purposes or when streaming and interviewing between two people. All these modes of this microphone make it the best microphone for recording vocals.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: USB

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes

Capsules: 4 Condensor

Bit Depth/ sample rate: 24-bit/48kHz

Size and weight:4.33 x 4.8 x 11.38 inches, 2.8 pounds

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Customizable LED light: Yes

Recommended use of the product: Singing, Streaming

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Black

Material Type: Metal

Pros

  • It has high-resolution LED metering for visualizing the audio level
  • There are 4  polar patterns for ultimate versatility that is four different pick-up patterns
  • It is responsible for capturing perfect sound and delivering full-bodied sound

Cons

  • The sound-recorded files are huge in size and hard to process.
  • It has got a sensitive condenser.

5. Rode Complete Studio Kit with the NT1 and Ai-1

The Rode NT1 microphone is a professional microphone for recording vocals. This microphone holds a good rank in the best microphone for recording vocals category. The microphone allows the users to record the sound to the highest professional standard level. It gives silky smooth vocals, which are incredibly natural and transparent with punchy percussion. This microphone has a great and awesome large diaphragm condenser.

The microphone provides top-level, highly professional performances using the microphone. The microphone has an excellent build quality and captures warmth and pristine sound. It is made up of Rock solid construction with very convenient USB connectivity with a PC or Mac. All these features help the microphone deliver the world’s finest professional-level audio, making it one of the best microphones for recording vocals.

It is the most widely used Studio microphone that allows Studio grade shock mount and a pop filter along with good quality cables; this enables the users to set up everything easily and start the recording whenever they want. This microphone has excellent sound quality and great build quality, and the customer service of this brand is very satisfactory.

It is considered a phenomenal purchase at this price. The cables used in the headphone are called durable. The microphone has a superb shock mount making it desirable for recording vocals. It exceeds the expectations of its customer and always satisfies them. It is a value-for-money purchase with outstanding features.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: USB, XLR Connector

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: No

Audio Sensitivity:4.5 dB

Size and weight:18 x 5 x 11 inches,2.2 pounds

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Compatible device: Personal Computer

Recommended use of the product: Singing

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Black

Material Type: Plastic

Pros

  • It delivers the highest professional standard level.
  • It records silky smooth vocals for incredibly natural and clear audio
  • It has got good build quality capturing the warmth and pristine sound quality.

Cons

  • It is a bit more expensive than other mics.
  • At high frequencies, performance degrades.

6. Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The Audio-Technica AT2035 microphone is the best microphone for recording vocals. The reason for calling it the best is the professional-grade recording capacity of this microphone. The microphone is designed for professional studios’ applications and live performances. The microphone has a cardioid polar pattern that reduces the pickups of the sound from all sides and the rear.

This helps improve the isolation of the sound, making it suitable for recording vocals. This microphone has a large diaphragm that helps deliver a smooth, natural sound. The headphone has high SPL handling and a dynamic range with outstanding versatility. It has a custom shock mount providing superior isolation; these features are important when recording vocals in the studio.

There is a switchable 80-hertz high pass filter, an excellent feature that must be in the microphone used for recording vocals. This microphone is highly reliable, and the construction of this microphone is quite durable with high-performance specifications. It is considered a great mic at this price point.

Many of the existing users of this microphone call set the best microphone for recording vocals because of its good streaming vocals. It is a fantastic microphone with a dark metal look which is quite attractive and durable. This microphone has excellent sound quality, and the pickup of this microphone is perfect for recording vocals.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: XLR Connector

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes

Audio Sensitivity:33 dB

Size and weight:9.75 x 9.75 x 2.75 inches,2 pounds

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Connectivity Technology: Wired

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz

Recommended use of the product: Streaming

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Black

Material Type: Metal

Pros

  • It has a large diaphragm which helps deliver a smooth natural sound.
  • It has a dynamic range with outstanding versatility.
  •  It supports an 80-hertz high pass filter.

Cons

  • They are badly affected by extreme temperatures.
  • Voice recognition is not much good.

7. Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone

The Shure SM57 microphone has a special unidirectional dynamic microphone feature, which is recommended for recording vocals. This microphone but cardioid pickup pattern helps isolate the sound and minimize the background noise, making it just perfect for recording purposes in the studios. This microphone is compatible and can be used with recording, drums, guitar, and woodwinds.

It is responsible for delivering consistent vocals without any sound breakers and removing unwanted background noise. This is what makes it suitable for recording vocals. This microphone has a countered frequency response, which gives a clean instrumental and a rich vocal pick-up.

The build quality of this microphone is of professional grade. The laser uniform cardioid pickup pattern in this microphone isolates the sounds produced from the source while recording and reduces the background noise completely. This microphone is highly durable, with a frequency response between 40 to 15 kilohertz.

This microphone is the most versatile microphone available in the market. It can handle sound pressure levels and deliver good audio without distortion. This product can handle close. This microphone maintains the industrial standard and is available at a very fair price. Most users of this microphone call it a must-buy product because of its top quality and professional-grade performance.

Specs/Features:

Connector Type: XLR Connector

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes

Audio Sensitivity:33 dB

Connectivity Technology: Wired

Size and weight:6.19 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches, 10 ounces

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Compatibility: Amplifier

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz

Recommended use of the product: Singing

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Black

Material Type: Plastic 

Pros

  • It is compatible and used with recording drums, guitars, and woodwinds.
  • It has a frequency response between 40 to 15 kilohertz.
  • It can handle sound pressure levels and deliver good audio without distortion

Cons

  • It has a sensitive condenser.
  • The sound-recorded files are huge in size and hard to process.

8. Aston Microphones Spirit Large Diaphragm Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

The Aston Microphones Spirit is one of the best microphones for recording vocals. This microphone has wired connectivity technology and is silver in color. The silver color of this product makes it very attractive, and the microphone is designed and built in the United Kingdom. The microphone supports multi patterns.

The microphone has got waveform missed, which is a unique shock above absorption design filtering out the unwanted background noise and delivering only natural and clear vocals to the audience. This is what makes it the best microphone for recording vocals. The microphone has built-in pop filters made up of stainless steel mesh net technology, which reduces the surrounding noise.

The microphone focuses more on the source sound ignoring the surrounding noise when recording the audio. This is a very highly demanding feature in any microphone intended for recording.

Moreover, the microphone also has a direct-to-stand mounting, which is responsible for ultimate sound isolation when recording vocals. The microphone is made from 100% recyclable material and is environmentally friendly. This is an excellent microphone for home vocal regards. The microphone has good sound with no issues at all. It is the best in this price class. Many of the uses of this microphone call letter spectacular purchase with all positive feedback.

Specs/Features:

Shock Mount: Yes

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes(multi-polar pattern)

Compatibility: Speakers

Connectivity Technology: Wired

Stand: Yes

Size and weight:10 x 5 x 4 inches, 1 pound

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Ecofriendly: Yes

Recommended use of the product: Singing

Polar Pattern: Multi-pattern

Color: Silver

Material Type: Metal

Pros

  • It supports multi-polar patterns.
  • It has a shock above absorption design filtering out unwanted background noise
  • It has a built-in pop filter made up of stainless steel mesh net technology 

Cons

  • They are badly affected by extreme temperatures.
  • The sound-recorded files are huge in size and hard to process.

9. Rode NTK Large-Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone

The Rode NTK microphone is one of the best microphones for recording vocals. The reason for being called the best product is its large diaphragm tube condenser giving professional-grade recording features to its user. It has a 1″ large capsule that is gold plated with two triode hand-graded valves. The microphone has a very dynamic range with ultra-low noise delivery of sound to the audience.

This microphone has electronic circuitry with a very sensitive transducer responsible for an ultra-wide dynamic range of recording experience. It is highly compatible and can be used with various acoustic instruments like drums, guitars, pianos, etc. Engineers with audio-acoustic engineering and durable metallic design decide on the microphone.

This microphone is the best purchase with an upgraded large diaphragm tube. It has good all the best features at a very potential cost. This microphone has got a compelling vocal and stunning design. Many of the current users of this microphone call it a dream microphone. It has got outstanding features with crystal clear sound recording features.

It is worth buying, and the performance of this microphone is unbeatable. This microphone is fantastic, and it is also said that the customers get more than what they are paying for. All these features make the microphone an excellent purchase and suitable for recording vocals.

Specs/Features:

Shock Mount: No

Cardioid Polar Pattern: Yes(multi-polar pattern)

Impedance:200 Ohm

Size and weight:26 x 6 x 13 inches, 14.2 pounds

Battery type: Lithium Ion

Compatible: Speakers

Water resistant: Yes

Recommended use of the product: Streaming, Singing

Polar Pattern: Unidirectional

Color: Silver

Material Type: Metal

Pros

  • It has a dynamic range with ultra-low noise delivery of sound.
  • It has an upgraded large diaphragm tube. 
  • It has a feature with crystal-clear sound recording features.

Cons

  • It has limited compatibility.
  • It is a bit more expensive than other mics.

Comparison Table

Name of the MicrophoneCardioid Polar PatternShock Mount
Shure SM7BYes, it supports a cardioid polar pattern.No shock mount feature present 
Neumann TLM 102Yes, it also offers a cardioid polar pattern.Shock mount feature is available 
AKG Pro Audio C414 XLIIIt has got a hyper-cardioid polar patternShock mount present offers isolation
Blue Yeti XIt has cardioid mode It has shock mount feature
Rode NT1No, it does not have a cardioid modeIt has shock mount feature
Audio-Technica AT2035Yes, it supports a cardioid polar pattern.The shock mount is present
Shure SM57It has got a cardioid pickup patternThe shock mount is present
Aston SpiritIt has got a multi-polar pattern Yes, it has shock mount 
Rode NTKIt has got a multi-polar patternShock mount is not there

Frequently Asked Questions

What steps can I take to eliminate the unwanted noise in my studio while recording?

Any of the microphones listed above use a pop shield which prevents the background noise to damaged actual sound from the source.

What should the maximum amount be spent buying the best microphone for recording vocals?

The maximum amount spent buying the best microphone must be under $ 250. Spending more than this amount on the best microphone for recording vocals is not worth it.

What type of microphones must be used for recording vocals?

Microphones with dynamic mics and large diaphragm condensers are suitable for recording vocals.

What is the most crucial factor when choosing the right microphone for recording vocals?

The microphone must have a shock Mount and pop filters. These two features are a must to have the best microphone for recording vocals

Conclusion

Thus all the above-listed microphones are the best for recording vocals as they have the required features for a better recording experience. The presence of shock Mount and pop filters giving sound isolation while recording is one such feature that is highly demanded in the best microphones for recording vocals.

It is not only the features that attract the customers to buy these best microphones, but the durability and excellent design of the microphone attract a large number of people towards the product.

Not only for recording but microphones are used for several other activities like anchoring, karaoke and more! Let us tell you about some best karaoke microphones. Click here to know more: Top 10 Best Karaoke Microphones in 2023

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