10 Best Vocal Mics 2020
No matter how talented you are as a singer, the microphone you sing into can either make or break your chance to prove to the audience that you’ve got what it takes.
Based on where you perform and the genre of music you sing (rap, classical, rock, etc.), the microphone that you choose may be different from that of your musician pals.
Have a look at our list below. We compare and contrast brands, prices and types of microphones to help you find the best vocal mic for your needs.
Don’t let the wrong microphone work its way in front of your face. Arm yourself with knowledge about the mics below to choose the right one.
Consider the Following
Before you select a microphone, here are a few things you should consider:
- Match the Mic to the Vocalist. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. Same concept applies when you are shopping for a vocal mic.
If you are serious about singing and want to start recording your vocals, then you need the right equipment to match your voice and singing style. We’ll get more into this below, so keep reading!
- Where You’ll Use It. A big factor in your selection process will be whether you’ll be using the microphone live or in a studio. This will greatly affect your decision.
Other factors tie in here, as well, such as if you are playing with a band or not, volume of music you’re singing with (loud or soft).
Top 10 Vocal Mics Comparison Table
The Right Microphone for You
As we mentioned above, different singers can have different results with the same microphone. Here are a few general tips that can help you narrow down your choices. There will be quite a variation of course since the tone and timbre of each individual differs, but this will at least help you get started.
If you want…
- … more natural sound, opt for a condenser microphone.
- … to reduce nasal sounds, get a mic with a high frequency.
- … something for quite voices, get a dynamic microphone.
Dynamic vs. Condenser Mic
Not sure what the difference is? We’ll tell you:
- Dynamic Mic. These convert sound into electrical energy. This type of microphone has a thin diaphragm attached to a copper coil and when the sound vibrates the diaphragm, this coil will move up and down creating an electric current.
These are the ones that you see singers or speakers using on stage.
- Condenser. This uses a capacitor to convert sound waves into electrical energy and they require power to work.They are much more sensitive than dynamic mics and work best in studios rather than on stage or in concert settings.
We’ve included quite a variety of choices above to help you find the best vocal mic for your needs, but you may need to try some of them out live before you make your final decision.
Check out our three favorites below along with some details about each one.
Top 3 Best Vocal Mic Reviews
1. Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone
The Shure SM7B dynamic mic is a serious piece of singing equipment and ideal for studio use.
For a dynamic microphone, it offers quite crisp and clean sound thanks to the bass rolloff feature that will begin rolling off at around 300 Hz. It has interchangeable frequency response caps for mild and high boosts as well as a windscreen to reduce loud sounds and offer a warmer tone.
This mic is ideal for home studios where you might not have the soundproof room that you need. It helps reduce the hum and interference you may encounter from other household appliances and works great for podcasts or in radio stations if you need a multiple use mic for singing and talking.
2. MXL 770 Vocal Microphone
This condenser mic is surprisingly awesome for the price, with a wide range of frequencies and picks up the high notes very well.
Singers with high voices and rap vocalists do well on this mic, as do hard-hitting rockers. It has a 6 micron gold-sputtered diaphragm (22mm), FET preamp with balanced output, switchable bass cut and 10db pad and it also comes with the shock mount.
Is it the best microphone for recording vocals that exists? Probably not, however considering the quality that you get for this price range, it’s a pretty impressive piece of equipment.
Remember, the microphone is just one ingredient in creating a quality recording.
3. Shure SM58-LC Vocal Microphone
Another Shure makes it in the top three!
For singing on stage, you need a great vocal mic like this one. It has a tailored frequency response for vocals that brighten the midrange and bass rolloff and the cardioid pickup pattern helps isolate the main sound source to minimize background noise. This is extra helpful during live performances when you’re competing against a lot of background noise.
It has a wide frequency response (from 50 to 15,000 Hz) and a built-in wind and pop filter.
Depending on your needs and how much you want to spend, you can upgrade to the version that comes with the cable, one with the on/off switch included and the most expensive version that has a XLR to USB adapter, but if you’re just in need of a standard mic for singing on stage, this Shure is an excellent choice.
