This week, I’ve been doing some vocal recording sessions and I’m loving it! Today, I’d like to talk about 4 proven microphones you can use to record great vocals. Not only that, but I’ll also offer some alternatives if those I’ve listed are unavailable to you or a little out of your price range.
So without further ado, here are my “go to” microphones…
Neumann U87
Yes, I’m starting with a $3,000 microphone! Here are the three reasons I often use a U87:
1) A lot of studios have one. If you’re renting a studio for your project, then the likelihood of them having a U87 is pretty high. I very often travel to record talent and sometimes they’re bouncing around the world from project to project. The one constant I’ve found is that it’s not hard to source a good studio with a Neumann U87 in a multitude of different cities worldwide. This really helps with consistency of sound. The same can be said for a lot of different microphones, but if you can use one of this quality, then why not?
2) Reliability. It’s rare that a Neumann U87 will give you bad results. The only time I’ve found this to happen is when the sound source itself is not very good and the same result would be achieved using any other microphone. If you’ve got top talent and a great song, I find that the U87 is by far one of the most reliable microphones you can use to achieve a quality sound quickly.
3) Versatility. It sounds fantastic on all sorts of different voices. You can save a lot of time by going straight to the U87 and skipping the shoot-outs with other microphones.
Two alternatives I’ve used:
AKG C414 B-XLS ($1000) – I’ve listed why I use it below…
Rode NT2-A ($399) – I’ve listed why I use it below…
Shure SM7B
The SM7B is another industry standard microphone. Here are the most common ways I use it:
1) Voiceovers & Podcasts. If you’re recording a voiceover for a video or you’re running a podcast in a room that doesn’t have any form of acoustic treatment, then a dynamic microphone like the SM7B is your friend. You’ll hear a lot less of the room and a lot more of the talent due to the quality of rejection of off-axis sound and electromagnetic hum (computer monitors etc.).
2) Vocals in a big live room. If I want to quickly record vocals or a voiceover in a large room and don’t have access to an isolation booth or time to set up/access baffles I’ll use an SM7B for the same reasons as above.
3) Full band recording. If I’m recording a full band or a number of vocalists at once, I know that the SM7B will give me a great vocal sound if I need to minimise bleed from the rest of the band members.
Again, most studios will have one or two of these and if you’re in the market for a home studio microphone, I think this is a great investment.
Two alternatives I’ve used:
Shure SM58 ($99) – If it’s good enough for Bono, it’s good enough for you too! (pun intended)
Shure SM57 ($99) – This is not just for instruments. You can use it on vocals too, if you’d like.
Rode NT2-A
I’ve recorded hundreds of voice sessions using this microphone. While it’s not a U87, it does share a lot of similarities and depending on the voice, it can sound just as good in my opinion. Like the U87, it has the extra added benefit of being a multi-pattern microphone.
However, it can also be really unsuited to some voices. If you’re buying this for your own project studio and you’re recording just your own vocals, you could easily figure out whether it suits you before investing. If you’re in a studio setting, then simply try it on your voice talent and see if it works. If not, swap it out!
A cheaper alternative I’ve used:
Audio Technica AT2020 ($99) – This microphone can be a powerhouse if it suits the vocalist. It is not a multi-pattern mic like the U87 and not in the same league but it does a great job as a cheap cardioid condenser.
AKG C414 B-XLS
In one of the studios I worked in, this microphone was permanently set up in an isolation booth as the main vocal mic. It was the main microphone because it was the only one available!
So, even though I had to make it work, there was nothing to complain about. This microphone is excellent.
As with the NT2-A, the C414 will give you great results most of the time. The only slight issue I’ve had with this microphone is that it can be quite unsuited to some voices that naturally have a lot of top end.
A cheaper alternative I’ve used:
Audio Technica AT2020 ($99) – Same reasons as I’ve listed above!
So that’s it… 4 proven microphones I use time and time again and some more affordable alternatives.
Now, I know microphone choice is subjective, so I’d love to hear about your “go to” microphones.
Leave a comment and let me know what you use and if you have any more suggestions for great budget alternatives!
professional sounding mix every time...
A great allround Mic is also the NT1A (but only cardioid). It´s great for vocals, guitar, drums, all acoustic instruments to. It´s without noise. And you can blend out the room and fannoise (mic placement). It´s cheaper than NT2A. With the voices it´s like you say from NT2A. Allmost it works great. And a little EQ does the rest.
Thanks Gerd. Yes, I’ve heard great things about the NT1-A. Personally, I’ve only used it once or twice, so I can’t comment about its versatility. That’s the main reason why I didn’t recommend it. Great to hear your perspective on using the microphone more extensively. Thanks again for sharing!