Vocals are often the focal point of any mix, particularly in genres like pop and hip hop. It’s a cliche but it’s certainly true when I say that the better your audio recordings and in this case specifically your vocal recordings sound, the better they’ll sound in the mixing stage and in the final song. While a lot of factors go into microphone recorded audio sounding its best, obviously one of the biggest factors is the microphone you use. With that in mind, let’s talk the best vocal mic, offering up great sounding options for whatever your budget might be.
What Makes the “Best” Vocal Mic?
Before we get into price points and specific microphones, there are a few extremely important things to keep in mind as they relate to the “best” vocal microphone, or any microphones for that matter:
The “Best” Microphone is Situation Specific
While this may sound like I’m covering for myself here at the top, even when we’re talking vocals specifically, the best vocal mic will likely vary from genre to genre and maybe more importantly vocalist to vocalist.
There’s a reason that professional studios have what they refer to their as their mic locker – an assortment of microphones they can pull out and audition on a vocalist before they begin the project in earnest to find which microphone pairs best with that singer’s unique voice.
For instance, some microphones will exacerbate the sibilance in certain singers or the nasal sound in other singers.
Just as importantly, some microphones are better suited for capturing the bass richness of baritone singers, or alternatively you might want a microphone which is better at contrasting the lower register of a baritone by giving the vocal a bit more brightness during the recording.
I’ll talk more about this when we cover the frequency responses for the mics I’m offering here, but no microphone has a perfectly flat frequency response, meaning every microphone has some blind spots or areas it naturally emphasizes which is why different microphones sound unique to one another when capturing the same source.
This is why it’s nice to deal with a seller who has a generous return policy so that you can audition a couple of your finalists personally to decide which sounds better on your own voice.
More Expensive Doesn’t Mean Better
To piggyback on that last concept, spending more money doesn’t always equate with a “better” microphone.
Listen, I get it – when we’ve got more money to spend on something, we sometimes fall into the trap of assuming we need to spend all or most of it to get the best results, and while that certainly makes sense with the old “you get what you pay for” adage, it doesn’t always stack up in the world of microphones.
One context of this is what I just mentioned; sometimes the best mic for YOUR unique vocal isn’t the one which will cause you to break the bank.
I’ll talk more about that with an example in a moment, but aside from that, sometimes the more inexpensive microphones are just as good as their more expensive competitors.
In the last decade or so, mid-range microphones in that $500-$1000 pocket offer the same level of quality as you can get for some of the far more expensive options which oftentimes justify their prices not for the level of superior quality but for the name associated with it.
The Room Matters
Lastly and as importantly as anything else, where you record is just as important as the microphone you use (just like where you mix music).
If you’ve got unwanted ambient sound or bad room reflections which aren’t being addressed and treated, spending more money on a more sensitive microphone will just exacerbate these issues, potentially trick you into thinking the more sensitive microphone is no good.
In other words, it’s not worth dropping a lot of money on a nice microphone if you’re not going to spend the time, money, and effort to ensure that you’ve addressed where you’re recording.
Best Vocal Mic
With all that said, let’s get into the best vocal mic for every price range from $100-$1000, beginning with the most affordable.
Under $200
We’ll begin with the most entry level price point with a microphone(s) that is still worth your money at the $200 and under price point.
Audio-Technica AT2035 ($150)
The Audio-Technica’s AT2035 gets my vote for best vocal mic under $200.
The AT2035 is a large-diaphragm cardioid polar pattern, condenser microphone.
As I mentioned in my comparison of condenser microphones vs dynamic microphones, condenser are typically better suited for capturing vocals in the studio for their greater sensitivity for better capturing dynamic heavy instruments and performances (like vocals).
The Audio-Technica AT2035 was the first proper microphone I purchased and one which I still use today. It’s come up $25 since I bought mine, typically retailing for $150 if you buy one new, but it’s a still a good price for a reliable microphone.
There’s something to be said that this microphone came out over 15 years ago and, without any updates to its design, it’s still one of the most popular and affordable microphones for vocals, voiceover work, or podcasting.
Frequency Response
The main casualty of microphones on the most affordable end of the spectrum is their treatment of low end, or better said lack thereof.
Most entry level tier microphones are noticeably lacking in their ability to fully capture that sub 200Hz region, leaving vocals and voices captured by these microphones sounding thinner than when captured by their more expensive counterparts.
That’s where the AT2035 stands out.
With a tiny 1-2dB drop around 80Hz but otherwise negligible attenuation in the body of the vocal in that 100-200Hz range, the AT2035 is relatively flat and faithful for capturing the main spectrum between 100Hz-2000Hz:
As you can see, there are some small bumps in the 2-7k region and it also has a bit of an inherent boost to bring out more of the natural “air” of the vocal between 10-15k, making it shine on vocals in particular for this reason.
You’ll also see from the visual representation of the AT2035’s frequency response above that there’s an optional roll-off.
This refers to a high pass filter switch on the back of the AT2035 which, when engaged, automatically rolls off frequencies below 80Hz, filtering out noise and saving you time from having to EQ later (though you should still absolutely include a high pass filter when you EQ your vocal).
In addition to the filter switch, there’s a 10dB cut switch on the microphone itself for when you’re miking a louder source.
AT2020 vs AT2035
If you take a look at the AT2035, you’ll likely see its cheaper little brother, the AT2020 advertised in the same space.
Retailing at $100, the AT2020 is $50 cheaper and accounts for this difference by comparatively lacking in a few areas.
For one, the 10dB cut as well as the 80Hz high pass filter switches are absent on the AT2020.
More importantly, whether you’re using this microphone for vocals or voice work/podcasting, the tradeoff in frequency response isn’t worth the $50 in savings as you can see in this graphic measuring the AT2020’s frequency response:
As you can tell, there’s a much bigger dip in the sub-100Hz, 80Hz region in particular. This is what I was referring to in terms of the usual affliction of microphones at this price point, or the thinness in body on the low end.
This makes the voice sound thinner and less powerful with whatever you’re using this microphone for, vocals or otherwise, so much so that I can’t recommend it. Spend the extra $50 and get an excellent and versatile entry level microphone which is well ahead of its peers in the AT2035.
Under $500
Let’s jump up to the next price point, or everything under $500.
I’ve got to mention this first microphone simply because of its ubiquity, particularly in the podcasting world. If you’ve ever watched video of a recorded podcast or any kind of table talk show, you’ll instantly recognize the Shure SM7B ($399) which is something of the standard for podcasters due to its treatment of the body of the voice:
It’s worth referencing this microphone for its ubiquity alone, and while it’s great for voice work due to its ability to bring out richness and body in the voice (something very important in the world of talk radio, voiceover work, etc. as I described in my explanation of the proximity effect with microphones), its relative weakness on the top end doesn’t make it the best choice for vocals (the dotted line represents the frequency response on with the presence boost engaged):
One exception might be for rap vocals when you want a lot of power in the low end, low mids, and mids in particular. Just make sure you’ve got a preamp which has enough gain to support this one as this is a notoriously quiet microphone (incidentally there’s a version of it which comes with a built in preamp for a 28dB gain boost).
Back to the point, even with its optional presence boost, I’m not sold on the SM7B as a vocal mic.
Getting right up on it for voice over work, broadcasting, and podcasting is another story, but we’re dealing strictly in vocal mics here, so let’s move on to a better option for the same price.
Rode NT2-A ($399)
The Rode NT2-A is my pick for the best vocal mic under $500:
Let me preface my praise for the Rode NT2-A by clearly stating that if you ALREADY have an AT2035, it’s not necessarily an appreciable difference to upgrade to a Rode NT2-A (or any of the microphones in this section) to take the place of your AT2035 for vocals.
That said, if you want to add another microphone to your arsenal for some multi-microphone recording, the Rode NT2-A is a great companion to the AT2035, and yes, I would certainly recommend using this mic for vocals over the AT2035 if you had both.
One reason I mention the idea of adding this to supplement an existing microphone is its ability to support multiple polar patterns.
In addition to the standard cardioid (meaning it’s sensitive to what it’s pointing at and omits everything behind it), the Rode NT2-A offers the ability to record in Omni (meaning all directions), and Figure-8/Bidirectional.
The latter is important if you want to record with the mid side mic technique which is an excellent option amongst the many acoustic guitar recording techniques I’ve covered, giving you naturally wide sounding acoustic guitar:
Incidentally that’s the one of two main reasons I initially got myself a Rode NT2-A, and I can attest that it’s a great option for instrument recording and acoustic guitar in particular, as well, but we’re focusing on vocals here.
The other main reason I personally got a Rode NT2-A is because I have a deeper baritone range singing voice, so I wanted a microphone which would complement that both in bringing out the deeper richness of my vocals while adding a touch of natural sparkle on the recording.
Incidentally, despite owning more expensive microphones, this is STILL the microphone I use on my own vocals simply because it pairs with it so perfectly with my unique voice between the balance of warmth and presence.
Ultimately, I love this microphone for punchy, crisp, and clear vocals which admittedly is that modern sound a lot of musicians and producers will be looking for.
It skews a bit better than the AT2035 for capturing the warmth and fullness of the body of the vocal while, similar to the AT2035, it shines on the top end to bring out the presence of a vocal like the SM7B naturally doesn’t:
Aside from the obvious play you’ve got above 2k and that 5-6k pocket, you can see those two little 1-2dB bumps around 175Hz and 500Hz which you should pay attention to on anything you record with it.
You may like one or both, or you may want to control one or both with a little dynamic EQ.
Once you get used to recording something you’re familiar with using any microphone (like your own voice, for instance), you learn its quirks and can even have an EQ template setup to expedite the process.
I especially like the Rode NT2-A for pop vocals which especially benefit from that sheen.
Combine this microphone with a talented and gifted vocalist against the backdrop of a neutral, well treated room and you’ve left yourself little work to do in the mix in terms of EQ, just be aware of nasal or sibilant leaning singers and use my respective guides on how to EQ a nasally voice and how to treat vocal sibilance.
It’s also a very quiet microphone in terms of self noise, even coming in at roughly half of the self noise that the AT2035 produces (6dB versus 12dB).
Lastly, the Rode NT2-A also has finer options when it comes to its high pass filter and gain cut controls, at 80Hz or 40Hz (as well as flat) and -5dB and -10dB (as well as no cut) , respectively.
Warm Audio WA-47jr ($299)
I want to give an honorable mention at this price point to the Warm Audio WA-47jr for anyone looking for a flatter alternative.
The 47jr generally has the reputation of being one of the flattest microphones at this price point for capturing the most authentic recordings of the audio you feed into it:
Outside of a tiny premature dip in the lowest of the mids, the WA-47Jr. gives you a ton of bang for your buck in the form of a relatively flat and faithful microphone and an ultimately versatile one you can get a lot of use out of.
You’ll note that outside of a little 2dB bump at 4k, the WA-47jr actually backs off a bit in the presence range of the vocal before giving you a little air in the 11-14k region.
This makes the 47jr great on vocals where you aren’t looking for that matched sparkle on the high mids or that presence range that you’d get out of the Rode NT2-A. Again, it comes down to the voice you’re capturing, not to mention personal preference.
With that in mind, you could also argue it’s more versatile than the Rode NT2-A for recording instruments when you want that flatter response, though it’s certainly debatable (and a simple search online will show that people certainly do debate it).
It’s worth noting this microphone is $100 less on average than the NT2-A and also has cardioid, omni, and Figure-8/Bidirectional polar patterns, not to mention a 10dB cut and 70Hz high pass filter.
Under $1,000
Lastly, if you’ve got a larger budget in your search for the best vocal mic, let’s set our final price point at $1,000 and below.
Warm Audio WA-47 ($949)
I mentioned the little brother just now, let’s take a look at its big brother in the Warm Audio WA-47 – my pick for the best vocal mic under $1000:
At $949, we’re admittedly squeezing just about every dollar of value and then some out of this budget, but the microphone is worth many times its price.
Warm Audio has earned a very good reputation for themselves in the relatively short time they’ve been creating gear, and one of their passions is chasing the sound of vintage equipment for a fraction of the price.
In this case, the Warm Audio WA-47 is a tube condenser microphone which is channeling the sounds of the Neumann U 47, a mainstay and one of the most popular vintage microphones of the 60’s (Sinatra, The Beatles, and many more popularized or better said mythologized this microphone).
While an authentic Neumann U 47 from that era will cost you tens of thousands of dollars or a modern version from Neumann themselves retails for roughly $4000, Warm Audio delivers a very comparable sound and design which audiophiles swear by for a fraction of the price at just under $1000.
This is an excellent microphone for anyone interested in a what you hear is what you get sound; it’s immaculately flat and as such makes EQing anything you capture with it a breeze.
In other words and true to their name, the microphone delivers a much warmer if not darker sound without inherently supplementing that top end. This is exactly what a lot of producers and musicians will be looking for, and you can throw any instrument at it with excellent results.
The sound is driven by a 5751 vacuum tube, making the WA-47 much heavier than the other microphones we’ve covered, so it requires a sturdy stand, not to mention its own included old school looking “brick” power supply:
The power supply comes with a handle and a cable to go from the mic to the supply which in turn then connects to your preamp with another XLR cable (not included). You also get a shock mount and very pretty wooden case to store/admire it in.
Again, the WA-47 emulates the warm tube driven sounds of the U 47 – THE microphone on countless award winning and best selling records for acoustic guitar, instrument amps, overheads, and most notably, vocals.
Whether or not Warm Audio succeeded, what is clear is that Warm Audio delivered an excellent sounding vocal microphone which has a number of applications in your studio in addition to vocals.
The WA-47 has a much fuller sound than its little brother (the WA-47jr), sort of a missing piece which makes for more balanced vocals which sit just right in the mix:
As with any microphone at this price point worth said price, the frequency response has virtually zero dropoff, here until you get to roughly 40Hz. You could even mic a bass amp with this thing and get excellent results.
Sometimes I’ll supplement this microphone in the mix with a little high end excitement saturation to add a touch of spark (as I will with other flatter microphones in this price point when I want a more modern sound) – it’s that good otherwise on the rest of the vocal to warrant it.
It’s well worth noting that while its little brother in the WA-47jr and several other microphones we’ve covered have had 3 polar patterns, the WA-47 has NINE polar patterns, from true cardioid in the middle to picking up more 360 degrees the more you turn to the left or more front and back for exquisite Figure-8 recording the more you turn it to the right.
This setting is kept on the power supply, keeping the microphone itself relatively cleaner looking.
Not only is this an excellent go to vocal mic for anyone wanting to capture virtually any genre, but this microphone will become THE serious workhorse in your own studio setup.
Neumann TLM 102 ($749)
Speaking of Neumann since I mentioned the famous U 47 from Neumann from the 40’s and beyond, I have to give a shout out to the TLM 102, their sub $1,000 microphone in the studio condenser department before you hit the 103 in the PLUS $1,000 category and go from there (this even includes their modern day answer to their own classic U 47, again, retailing around $4000)… but I digress.
When you get in that $500-$1000 price point for the best vocal mic, you will see a lot of mentions of the 102 (if not recommendations for a used 103).
While Neumann has a lot of excellent options if money is virtually no object, the TLM 102 is a bit TOO flat for my liking on MOST vocals.
It has more clarity than the Shure SM7B, but it’s got that same kind of profile which makes it excellent for voice recording, albeit at nearly twice the price of the Shure:
I’d give this one the nod over the WA-47 if I was strictly recording rap vocals, as well, but if you’re looking for something with a little more authentic clarity while still delivering a solid low end and warmth, not to mention an authentic and faithful reproduction of whatever you’re recording.
Ultimately the versatility and edge on vocals makes the WA-47 the winner.
Audio Technica AT4050 ($699)
After using the AT2035 for a decade plus, I also have to give a nod to the beautifully rounded Audio Technica AT4050.
As you can tell from its frequency response, there’s little give or take anywhere between 100-5000Hz:
With a much fuller low end than the 2035, it’s got a similar tiny boost in the 6k presence and 10k airy frequencies, essentially making it a more complete version than the 2035 (though no one ever referred to it that way).
Unlike the 2035, it features the typical three polar patterns we’ve been covering here in cardioid, Omni, and Figure-8/Bidirectional.
It also features switches for engaging a 10dB pad/cut and a 80Hz high pass filter.
I love this microphone and find it requires less of a “kiss” on that high end, but what can I say, I preferred the sound of the WA-47 in a shootout, but I can fully recommend this microphone for an appreciable difference in money at being $250 cheaper.
One last reminder that the best vocal mic is in the ear of the beholder and will vary both due to preference as well as the voice and genre you’re recording.
Still, these are all excellent microphones, and you’d do well to record vocals with any of them, so grab one and get to making some great music!
