Best vocal microphones money can buy

No matter what level of studio you operate or what styles of music you work with, it’s critical to have at least one solid microphone that can handle vocals. Vocal microphones come in as many varieties as the voices you’ll be recording.

Some work are more tailored for male or female vocals. Some have a fairly neutral frequency response. Others can offer some pretty drastic EQ curves – normally in the high-midrange and/or high end.

An important thing to keep in mind is that if you’re building out your mic locker, keep the type of capsule that is housed within the microphone in mind. We live in the “golden age of gear”. There has never been a wider selection of microphones available on the market.

Even though there are so many options to choose from, there are really only three main types of capsules used in condensers – K67, K47, and CK12. A lot of the mid-priced condensers on the market today are all designed on the K67-style capsule, often manufactured in China.

Of course, the location of manufacture matters much less than the overall quality. But many engineers keep adding large-diaphragm condensers to their collection not realizing they’re essentially buying the same microphone over and over.

This is a lateral move, as they all share the same general sonic characteristics. If you’re truly looking to augment your collection you need to do your homework. Find microphones that offer a different type of capsule, or at least different EQ curves. Having a varied locker will diversify your results, ensuring you’re ready for anything your sessions might throw at you.

If you only have the budget for one microphone it can be difficult to find the right one to cover all of your bases. I tried to lay out a wide variety in this list. These are some of the best vocal microphones for the human voice – in all its varieties.

Best vocal microphone overall: Neumann U87 Ai

If ever there was a “holy grail” microphone, this is it. One of the best microphones of all time, there might not be a more ubiquitous studio staple.

Originally introduced in 1967, by the middle of the next decade you couldn’t walk into a studio without seeing at least a handful of them on every source you can imagine.

The U87 Ai was introduced in 1986, and is still in production today. Its design marks an improvement over the original, with a lower noise floor and a higher output level.

Neumann has had such a profound impact on the microphone world that even the clones, copies, and kits have adopted the easily-identifiable housing, despite whatever circuit lives inside.

While it doesn’t offer every polar pattern, it does feature the big three – cardioid, omni, and figure-8. It also has a switchable high-pass filter and 10dB pad. It’s by no means cheap, but the level of sonic detail and clarity is truly breathtaking. Frequently copied, but never replicated.

Best vocal microphone under $1,500: AKG C414 XLII

There’s no denying that the AKG 414 is one of the best all-around condenser microphones. It really shines on vocals, working equally well on a male or female voice.

It’s also as versatile as it is valuable. With nine polar patterns to choose from, making it perfect for any vocal arrangement from leads, backgrounds, even gang vocals.

The frequency response is fairly flat, with a slight dip in the mids and a slight bump in the high midrange. It also offers a high-pass filter at 150Hz or 75Hz, and a pad at 10dB or 20dB.

AKG’s pride and joy is one of the best microphones, truly built to accurately capture source material without too much coloration.

Best vocal microphone under $1,000: LEWITT LCT 540 S

The 540 S is designed to be a vocal microphone, but it sounds great on anything you point it to. It’s a full 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range fixed cardioid design, and offers crystal-clear sound with a stunning amount of detail to pick up every nuance of the human voice.

Two pads knock off -6dB or -12dB, and high-pass filters at 80Hz and 160Hz eliminate unwanted low end. It’s great as a stereo pair too. Perfect-match technology provides accurate stereo imaging that’s ideal for recording drum overheads, piano, or acoustic guitar.

Best vocal microphone under $500: Shure SM7B

The SM7B seems to have a mystique about it that causes a lot of confusion. As far as dynamic microphones go, there might not be a better choice for tracking final vocals.

It has amazing off-axis response while still maintaining punch and clarity. It might not have the silky top end of a large-diaphragm condenser, but with low cut and presence boost controls you can tailor the tone for any voice.

There is also a mellower transient response, even for a dynamic. This makes it perfect for aggressive musical styles like heavy metal and rap. Also great for voiceover, you’ll find this dynamic as one of the best microphones for professional broadcasting applications.

Best vocal microphone under $400: Audio-Technica 4040

Audio-Technica offers a number of great sounding, affordable large-diaphragm condenser options. The 4040 is the perfect marriage of sonics and price point.

It’s a FET cardioid-only design that can handle up to 145dB SPL, meaning you can track even the most aggressive vocal styles without introducing microphone distortion. It might be fairly light on features, but includes a useful 80Hz high-pass and 10dB pad.

The EQ curve is also pretty interesting, being hyped around 6.5kHz and 11kHz without becoming overly harsh, though the top end can be a little unpredictable – which is not really an issue when used with the human vocal register.

Best vocal microphone under $100: Shure SM58

You simply can’t have a conversation about vocal microphones without bringing the venerable SM58 into it. A staple of stages and studios the world over, it has proven to be essentially indestructible while providing the ideal frequency response for the application.

It’s got the accentuated midrange common in most microphones designed for vocals, but has a steep cutoff at 15kHz allowing it to brighten without initiating harshness. Pair it with a really nice preamp and for studio applications you might just end up using the SM58 on your final takes.

FAQ

What makes a microphone “best” for vocals?

The best vocal microphone should deliver clear, natural sound that captures the unique tonal qualities of a singer’s voice. It should also minimize unwanted background noise and handle dynamic shifts without distortion.

What should I look for in a studio vocal microphone?

For studio use, microphones with a detailed, warm sound and a wide frequency response are preferred. Large-diaphragm condenser microphones are especially popular because they capture subtle nuances, breath, and vocal texture with accuracy.

A versatile studio mic should work well across a range of vocal types and styles, and ideally offer features like multiple pickup patterns for added flexibility.

What makes a good microphone for live vocals?

Live vocal microphones need to be durable, reliable, and resistant to feedback in loud environments. Dynamic microphones are often favored for live use because they’re less sensitive to ambient noise and can withstand rough handling.

A good live mic should provide a clear, present vocal sound that cuts through the mix without becoming harsh or distorted. It should also offer strong off-axis rejection to minimize bleed from other instruments on stage. This makes it easier for sound engineers to maintain a balanced mix.