Best microphones for recording
If you’re just starting to dip your toe in the world of recording audio, or if you’re getting ready to build a full home studio, you need to make sure you invest in the proper microphone. In this list we cover the best microphones for recording—be it instruments, vocals, or YouTube videos.
Editor’s note: this list of the best microphones for recording will be updated as new, noteworthy products are released.
The best microphone for recording is the sE Electronics sE2300
sE Electronics isn’t quite a household name in the world of recording, but this durable condenser mic sounds amazing. Whether it’s being used to record vocals or instruments, the sE2300 produces crystal clear sound due to its neutral-leaning frequency response with a slight boost in the treble range. The presence boost enhances vocal clarity and instrumental resonances by amplifying the frequencies where harmonic frequencies lie.
sE Electronics sE2300
The sE2300 has lots of features, including a two-setting switchable high pass filter, a two-setting switchable attenuation pad, and three switchable pickup patterns (cardioid, bi-directional, and omnidirectional). These settings will allow you to record all varieties of sound, including loud noises, without distortion kicking in. When you purchase the sE2300, you get an attachable pop filter and shock mount, which reduce handling noise and mitigate the plosives and fricatives of speech.
Related: Best XLR microphones
The best recording microphone has a sturdy, all metal build—and it should, considering the cost. It has an XLR input and requires +48V phantom power, so you’ll want to pick up a preamp or interface to record directly to your computer. If cost is an issue for you and you don’t need multiple pickup patterns, the sE Electronics sE2200 will give you almost the exact same specs with just a cardioid pickup for a cheaper price.
What you should know about the best recording microphones
What is frequency response?
The bass roll-off is intentional as a means of combating the proximity effect.
A microphone’s frequency response refers to the range of frequencies that the microphone receives and transmits. A frequency response chart illustrates the particular frequencies that the microphone emphasizes, and those that it attenuates. When looking for a microphone, you want a frequency response that is relatively “flat,” because that means the microphone will accurately record audio. However, sometimes a slight treble boost is beneficial for vocals or instruments because it amplifies the harmonic resonances of these sounds. Additionally, bass attenuation can be beneficial to reduce the proximity effect and low-end distortion.
There are key differences between condenser and dynamic mics
A condenser microphone is more sensitive to sound and therefore typically better for picking up subtleties in studio settings. However, its sensitivity also means it is not ideal for loud sounds such as drums because it is prone to distortion. Additionally, condenser microphones require phantom power, which can be achieved with an interface or preamp.
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Dynamic microphones, on the other hand, are much less sensitive, so they can handle loud sounds without distortion. This often makes dynamic microphones ideal for live performances, but they are also great for studio recordings of loud instruments like drums or bass guitar. Dynamic mics are also good at rejecting off-axis noise, so if you’re worried about picking up room noise in your recording, a dynamic microphone will reduce that problem. Another plus: dynamic mics don’t require phantom power, so you save quite a bit of money there.
What is a polar pickup pattern?
A cardioid pickup pattern can record sound from the front and sides of the unit.
A polar pickup pattern is the shape around the microphone’s capsule in which it records audio. Depending on the use you have in mind for your mic, you’ll want to look for a different pickup pattern.
A cardioid pickup pattern records sound from directly in front of the mic and slightly to the side. This is a good pattern for vocals or close-miking instruments. A bi-directional polar pattern records audio from its direct front and direct back. This is a good pattern for recording something like a lecture, where you need to hear the speaker as well as questions from the audience. An omnidirectional polar pattern picks up sound from all around its capsule, and this mic is a good choice if you’re making full room recordings. There are also hypercardioid and supercardioid mics; these are similar to cardioid mics and are exceptional at rejecting off-axis sound, making them useful for recording things like television show dialogue.
The best recording microphone for instruments is the Shure SM57
If you’ve ever been in a recording studio, it was probably chock-full of Shure SM57 mics. This little dynamic microphone is ideal for instruments, whether you’re miking a live performance or recording.
The capsule of the mic is very small which makes it easy to fit in the crevices of a drum kit or to point right at the driver of your bass guitar amp. You will want to maintain a few inches of distance, though, so as to avoid the proximity effect. The SM57 can handle loud sounds without distortion kicking in, and it has a slight presence boost, highlighting instrumental resonances. Its sub-bass attenuation will ensure that the thud of your kick drum doesn’t overpower other resonant frequencies.
The best recording microphone for instruments has a durable metal build, and comes with a swivel stand adapter for easy placement as well as a zip carrying bag. Shure products have unique Pneumatic shock mounts, which are internal devices that help reduce handling noise. The cardioid polar pattern also means that the mic is good at rejecting off-axis sound. The SM57 is a dynamic mic with an XLR connection, so you won’t need phantom power, but you will need a USB interface for recording into your computer. Anyone miking all of the drums in a drum kit individually, will need a USB interface with several ports so you can plug all of the mics in.
Shure SM57 acoustic guitar sample:
You shouldn’t use the SM57 for recording vocals because it doesn’t have any sort of internal pop filter, so you might end up with plosives and fricatives (P and F sounds) in your recording. If you like Shure and are recording vocals, go for the Shure SM58.
The Rode NT1 is the best microphone for recording vocals
If singing is your main game, you should definitely check out the Rode NT1. This microphone has a neutral-leaning frequency response, so it’ll reproduce your vocal sound almost exactly how live listeners hear you. However, this means you need to have skills in the mixing department, if you want to give your voice any effects in post processing (e.g. low-pass filter or treble boost). Another notable thing about the Rode NT1: low self-noise, so you don’t need to worry about any electrostatic noises in your recording. This is due in part to its internal shock mount.
The Rode NT1 is a condenser microphone that takes +24V or +48V phantom power, and it has a cardioid polar pattern. The best microphone for recording vocals has an all-metal build and comes with an attachable shock mount and pop filter. The mic has an XLR input so it requires a USB interface to be able to record into your computer.
The Rode NT1-A has a fairly flat response perfect for recording vocals or plenty of acoustic instruments, but the response is not quite as flat as the Rode NT1.
The Rode NT1-A is very similar to the NT1, the main difference being that the NT1-A has a slightly less-neutral frequency response. Some may refer to this sound signature as “colored,” meaning that it subtly amplifies treble frequencies to highlight vocals and instrumental detail. Whether the sound of the NT1 or the NT1-A is better is really a matter of preference.
Rode NT1 speaking sample:
Rode NT1 singing sample:
YouTubers should get the Blue Yeti X
The Blue Yeti X is a durable USB condenser microphone, which means you can just plug it into your computer for easy voiceovers. While any serious mixer will tell you that USB mics aren’t as good of quality as XLR mics, the Yeti X is one of the best USB mics out there. One reason this is the best recording microphone for YouTube is because the USB connection prevents you from needing to invest in an interface or preamp, and you can save that money for investing in a good video camera.
The Yeti X comes attached to its desktop stand and it makes for an easy and attractive mic to have in your videos. You may want to invest in an external pop filter or windscreen though. This all-metal mic has four polar patterns, including cardioid, omnidirectional, bi-directional, and stereo, making it extremely versatile. The Blue Yeti X isn’t great for recording instruments just because it’s bulky and hard to position.
The Blue Yeti X has a lot of fun features including customizable LED lights, LED metering that tells you when you are peaking (being too loud), an adjustable gain knob to fix peaking issues, and if you have a Windows PC, VO!CE recording software with built-in vocal effects. If you want to have a sports announcer sound for a segment in your YouTube video, for example, this software will do that for you. Unfortunately, it is not available for MacOS.
Get the Yeti X for a plug-and-play, hassle-free experience.
If you’re wondering about how the Blue Yeti X compares to the older Blue Yeti model, the Yeti X has a higher bit rate, so you’re afforded more wiggle room for edits in post production. Additionally, the Yeti X has more features than the Yeti, such as LED metering, and the VO!CE recording software, thus making it more expensive.
The Shure SM58 is cheap and versatile
I know what you’re thinking: Two Shure mics in one list? Yeah. They’re awesome. While the Shure SM58 may not be advertised primarily as a recording microphone, it’s a great mic for live and studio settings. Its frequency response is designed to limit the proximity effect by attenuating bass frequencies. So, one of few things you shouldn’t use the SM58 for is recording bass guitar or kick drums because they will be deemphasized.
The Shure SM58 has a Pneumatic shock mount that limits handling noise, and its cardioid pickup pattern makes it great for recording vocals and rejecting off-axis sound. Additionally, its bulbous capsule acts as a pop filter, but you may want to install an external one anyways to further limit plosives and fricatives.
Shure SM58 speaking sample:
Because the SM58 is dynamic, it doesn’t require phantom power, and it can handle loud outputs before distorting audio. It has an XLR input, so you’ll need an interface to adapt it for recording into your computer. This mic is all-metal and durable, and is definitely a mic you’ll want in your mic closet.
Why you should trust SoundGuys on the best recording mics
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