A good vocal mic is so important to not only lead singers but any band that wants to sound professional. If you are a back-up singer, running a music venue, creating music in a home studio or running a full recording studio, your choice in vocal mics can make all the difference in how the music sounds.
For most of us there are very affordable vocal mics from companies like Sennheiser and Shure. For the professional front man and lead vocalist, companies like Telefunken are really delivering amazing vocal mics that are providing crisp clear sound that is improving the sounds of vocals for everyone.
Some vocal mics are made by companies like Shure and Sennheiser and some are from lesser known companies like Telefunken but all have some really great vocal microphones. The key is finding the qualities you want for your voice and knowing was the pros and cons are for each microphone. Just because a microphone is expensive, does not mean it’s great or appropriate for your needs and and just because a vocal mic is cheap doesn’t mean it’s garbage, although there are definitely some garbage microphones you will want to avoid.
We reviewed vocal microphones base on durability, sound and price. It’s easy to find the vocal mic brands you are looking for and get the info you will need to purchase the best vocal mic for your needs and budget.
Cardioid mic minimizes bleed which is especially great for live use.
Shock mount reduces handling noise.
Reasons not to buy
Brightened mid range and bass rolloff is great for vocals and some instruments but also not as good for other instruments which keeps it from being the ideal microphone for “all purpose” use.
Our Verdict
If you have some money to spend, there are better microphones, but if you want to stay around or under the $100 mic, this Shure SM58 is tried and true.
Wide frequency response and higher SPL capabilities.
Reasons not to buy
Depending on your budget this might be considered pricey.
Our Verdict
Professional vocalists that I work with that play on some of the worlds biggest stages have sworn by this mic and for me the tones I get out of this mic are warm and full and singing into it feels effortless.
Package Option comes with decent stand and xlr cable
Reasons not to buy
Mic clip takes some adjusting on the package with the stand
Our Verdict
This sennheiser vocal mic package is not necessarily intended for studio use as it is advertised as a live vocal mic as it is good at working with high levels that compete with drums and amps and also rejects feedback pretty well. With that said, I have used it for some home recording and have no complaints with what I get. For the price and the versatility of this dynamic cardioid microphone, it is a great deal. The package option comes with a stand and mic cable which is valuable as well, although the mic clip takes a slight adjustment out of the box to get it to get the perfect fit with the microphone.
Package Option comes with decent stand and xlr cable.
Reasons not to buy
Mic clip takes some adjusting on the package with the stand.
Our Verdict
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Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan is a musician and educator from Philadelphia, PA, an avid archivist of folk and country music, a disciple of Aphex Twin and a fervent supporter of Atlanta trap music. Chris can usually be found tracking keyboards, vocals and lap steel for the upcoming debut of his band The Cobwebs, or in FL Studio working on the next generation of trap sounds. He is conversant with, and writes about, hundreds of genres of music from all over the world.
