Gone are the days when you have to go to a professional studio to produce a quality type of sound recording.
Today, all you have to do is to purchase the best condenser microphone and you can have a top-notch recording studio right in the comfort of your own home.
These types of microphones usually come with other gadgets and gizmos that would enhance the recording quality.
You can almost always see them in action in Youtube videos of professional gamers (they have the best gaming microphones), artists who do covers of different songs, and vloggers who do voiceovers. People who do podcasts also rely heavily on condenser microphones.
Needless to say, this type of equipment has really a lot of uses. But the question is—what should you buy?
We listed three of the best studio recording microphones that you can ever find on the market, and tell you which one is the best of the best.
Table of Contents
Best Studio Microphone for Vocals – Top Picks
Best Microphone for Recording Vocals – Our Reviews
Best Mic for Vocals: Neewer NW-700
Neewer is a company that focuses on equipment used for film, music, and anything multimedia. Their products ranges from camera lenses, lights, and filters that are of professional quality at a low price.
Features
The Neewer NW-700 Condenser Microphone Kit has a lot of features that will be very useful for any type of audio recording especially songs. Here is a list of its features:
- Cardioid condenser microphone
- Its frequency response is from 20Hz – 16KHz
- Has a 5V required voltage
- Includes a 48V phantom power supply adapter
- Suspension boom scissor arm stand which can be folded
- 5MM to XLR audio cable
- Has an XLR male to female cable
- Ball pop filter
- Has an LED indicator
- Comes with a ball-type anti-wind foam cap and table mount clamp
This microphone set has a lot of great qualities that would make you want to buy it right away. Here are some of its pros:
- It is very easy to set up as it comes with an instruction manual that is simple to follow
- Very cheap for a professional quality microphone set
- Sounds great even without a sound card
- Great customer service
- Crystal clear audio and cancels out noise
It is without a doubt that the Neewer NW-700 Condenser Microphone Kit is a great product for recording songs. However, it still has a few things to improve on. Below is a short list of its cons:
- The table mount clamp is not that stable and wouldn’t stay tight
- The stand tends to be wobbly
- There are times where the microphone would have trouble picking up sounds if you are too far from it
Runner up Best Microphone for Recording Vocals: Mugig Condenser Microphone
Last on the list is from the company Mugig. Mugig is a manufacturer of different musical instruments such as violins, guitars, harmonicas, and even accordion.
Aside from musical instruments, they also have a lot of different accessories like guitar straps, capos, and cables.
Features
The Mugig Condenser Microphone comes from a company that are pros when it comes to music which makes this one of the best microphone to record songs. To know more about this product, below is a list of its features:
- 5V required voltage
- Comes with a portable and adjustable arm stand, pop filter, an anti-wind foam cap, table mount clamp, and an anti-vibration shock mount
- Includes a 3.5mm XLR male to female cable
The Mugig Condenser Microphone has a lot of features that you can benefit from. Below is a list of its pros:
- Worth the price
- Great audio quality
- Beautiful and sleek design
- Very easy to set up
Like any other product, it has some downsides. Here is a list of its cons:
- Does not work with MAC
- The arm stand is not that stable
- The mount is limited to only 2 in. thickness
Next Best Vocal Microphone: Neewer NW-800 Microphone
We have the M. Way Studio Broadcasting Vocal Recording Microphone KTV Mic. It has a high-quality microphone audio cable which is 3.5mm in length. You can also plug it straight to your computer as it has a special computer plug. The microphone head uses electroplating technology.
It has a .5V power supply which has a dual-channel for an ultra HD audio output circuit. It comes in two colors: black and blue.
The size is approximately 155x45x42mm. It comes with the microphone, the BOP cover, a support, an audio cable, and the user manual.
The best thing about the M. Way Studio Broadcasting Vocal Recording Microphone KTV Mic is how it richly captures sound. It can record full-bodied sound from sources that are directly in front of the mic.
The no switch design makes it also convenient to use as you can just plug and play. The build of the shock mount is durable and reduces sound movement.
However, you need to use an external sound card for it to perform high-quality. It comes with a wind muff that helps to distort noise. But when you come in contact with the wind muff itself, it would definitely capture the scratching sound.
Best Condenser Mic for Vocals: ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone BM-800
Lastly, we have the convenient Zingyou Condenser Microphone Kit. It has a microphone that is a BM-800, a pop filter, a shock mount, an anti-wind foam cap, a suspension scissor arm that is adjustable, a stand power cable, and a sound card.
It has a ratio that is set to a high signal-to-noise which means that there is less distortion while in the recording process. It is also designed to prevent unwarranted pop noises due to the unique, protection system that can provide singers with a clear and plosive-free vocal performance. It also comes with a detailed “how to assemble” video and a user manual.
It prides itself with its thin material diaphragm or (sometimes called a capsule) which provides an accurate representation of what you want to record. This type of design makes it easy to do so as the product wind muff detects vibrations, and when engaged, it sends a signal to the output, and finally, the sound waves come in full momentum.
This product delivers on microphone quality. However, it does require a lot of trial and error for the product to work the way you want it to function. It is highly professional, so you really should take more time to educate yourself to properly set it up.
You also need to buy different accessories for you to be able to use it with a mobile device. In most instances, it would not work.
ZealSound Condenser Broadcast Microphone
The G-Touker Professional Studio Recording Condenser Microphone is left on the sidelines as it cannot compete with the other two condenser microphone giants. This type of microphone is just a bit better than recording from a mobile device. So why would you spend money on a sub-par product?
G-Touker Professional Studio Recording Condenser Microphone
Another kind of condenser microphone is the G-Touker Professional Studio Recording Condenser Microphone. It is equipped with a cardioid microphone head.
It also has a built-in noise cancellation professional audio decoder chip. You can pair it with most devices as it is compatible with Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
It also comes with a tripod stand and dual-layer filter paired with a Y-type splitter. It has an adjustable stand, an anti-spray sponge, a 1× 3.5mm headset splitter adapter, and a user manual.
Although this is the simplest condenser microphone in this list, it does not suffer in comparison as it also captures crisp and clear sounds. Its best attribute is that it is very handy. You can plug it with almost any gadget that you would want to record with.
You also do not have to worry about downloading separate software as there is no need for it. It does not need any software for this product to be installed correctly.
It actually eliminates any desktop noise. The voice quality is also slightly improved due to its soft and clear voice output. You can get away with just using this set alone as you do not need to purchase a phantom power supply.
The biggest flaw of the G-Touker Professional Studio Recording Condenser Microphone is probably its microphone.
The microphone that it has fails in comparison with studio-grade microphones. Yes, it can still record properly and capture clear sounds. But you can find something better.
It is not the most professional condenser microphone out there. If you just need something that is a bit better than straight up recording from a mobile device or personal computer, you would like this microphone. But for professional videos or podcasts, it is a so-so product. The G-Touker is currently unavailable, but this one is a decent alternative.
This plug and play microphone is definitely a good choice for recording vocals. Here are more of its great qualities that would surely convince you to buy this right away:
- Great audio quality
- Easy to set up and comes with all the necessary cables to work
- The adjustable that comes with this set is sturdy and easy to store
- Does not take a lot of space
- It is also great that it comes with an adapter so you’ll be able to use headphones with this microphone especially when you are recording on your phone or tablet
This professional condenser microphone from G-Touker has a lot of great qualities. Unfortunately, like any other product, it is not perfect. Here are some of its cons:
- Not compatible with Apple MacBook and you would need a usb sound card to make it work
- It can be a bit hard to put the microphone on the stand because the cord is not detachable
The Buyers’ Guide To The Top Mics for Vocals
For any type of multimedia, whether YouTube videos or podcasts, recording is definitely the important part.
Audio quality must be high especially when you are recording songs. Your listeners should be able to hear each note, lyric, and rhythm clearly for them to truly enjoy your song.
The best way to record great audio is to use the right vocal microphone. There are a lot of great microphones today that are professional-grade yet very affordable. To help you with your shopping, we have listed the best microphones for singing recording & vocals.
Which Should You Buy?
It all boils down to what you are going to use it for. If you need the highest quality of microphone to detect even the most silent of whispers, go for the Zingyou Condenser Microphone Kit. It already adjusts the tone of the sound to provide you with the best sounding audio as well as being one of the best microphones for recording vocals on computer.
It is mostly used by artists who record instruments or vocals.
So it is proven to give you that clear sound. Accuracy is the key with the Zingyou Condenser Microphone Kit. The setup is worth it once you hear your recording—as expected from top-notch professional equipment. On the other hand, if you are just after doing voice-overs or simple podcasts the Neewer NW-700 is a great choice.
It might not be as professional as the Zingyou Condenser Microphone Kit, but the recording quality of the former is also superb. It has a noise-canceling function and records sound pretty well. No need to learn much of the technicalities as it is very easy to set up and install.
How to choose the best microphone for vocals
Whether you want to be a professional singer, voice actor, or podcaster, you need to invest in the right microphone. If you are wondering about the best type of microphone for vocals, then you have found the right page. To find the right mic, you have to understand the following factors.
Budget
Not all microphones that suit your budget will be the right choice. However, it is always better to decide how much money you are willing to spend on a professional microphone.
The good thing is that there are a lot of new brands releasing high-quality microphones at a lower price. Some of them are really cheap yet still sound great enough for beginners. Some can even pass as professional microphones. It’s okay to buy cheap microphones if you’re not going to use them too often or if you are just starting with your home studio. Types of Microphones
Before you choose the brand, you should choose the type of microphone that will work best for you. There are typically only 3 kinds of mics for vocals, but new advancements in technology have resulted in another type becoming available.
Accessories
As well as knowing what is the best type of microphone for recording vocals, it is also important to know what accessories you should have in your studio.
Computer
You could buy a computer dedicated only to recording audio, but it will be really expensive. Again, if you are just starting and testing the waters, use the laptop that you already have for now.
A DAW/Audio Interface Combo
You will need some software for recording, editing, and mixing your music and vocals on your computer. This is called a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) while the thing that connects the computer with your other recording equipment is called an Audio Interface.
Headphones
A single pair of headphones is enough for a home studio since you are recording by yourself. Two of the standard designs to consider are closed back and open back headphones. The first type lets you hear isolated sound for tracking while the second one lets you hear high-quality sound for mixing.
How to plan your studio before you start recording
A great audio track is made during the recording stage. The quality and clarity of the voice are equally, if not more, important as the quality sound of the instruments in making a great track.
It is not easy to rectify poorly recorded vocals in the mixing stage. It has to be polished from the start. So, aside from the right kind of preparation, you also need to have the right equipment. What are those, you ask? Let us help you out.
Recording a vocal track in your own home may seem like some task, but follow these helpful tips, and you will be recording great vocals in no time!
What to Think About Before Deciding on a Microphone
Before you even think about what microphone is best for vocals, you need to remember that the recording won’t sound good without adequate preparation, no matter how amazing your equipment set-up is.
Setting aside the actual music production – if you’ve come this far, you’ve probably already got some lyrics penned down, a rough mix ready, your grandfather’s ukulele clutched to your heart.
A key aspect of getting the recording stage done right is doing it in the right room.
Essentially, the best room to record a vocal track in is a dead one. A dead room is one that ideally has:
- A lot of soft furnishings
- Isn’t near any windows, and,
- Doesn’t have many harsh surfaces like a kitchen.
- Somewhere in a bedroom or a living room would work best.
This is because larger rooms with harsh surfaces can cause reverb, which isn’t particularly desirable in a vocal recording—it muddles the vocals, making them harder to hear and in turn pushing them back in the mix when you want them to be front and center. Going back to that funeral parlor, some rooms can simply be too dead to get a good recording. Too much absorption can distort the sound and make the vocals sound muffled.
You need to find a room that has the perfect balance of enough absorption to prevent any significant reverb or resonance.
The next thing you can do to prepare your room for a recording session is put up some acoustics.
- Now, you don’t need to break the bank to improve the acoustics of your chosen room, but if you’ve got acoustic panels, you can assemble yourself a little vocal booth.
- If you don’t, however, that’s fine. You can use things you would regularly find in your home to dampen the reverb.
Everyday items such as
- Mattresses
- Duvets
- Heavy curtains
- Or even larger pillows
- Anything that would absorb as much sound as possible would be great.
You could test this out by screaming into the material: the more it absorbs, the better. With those materials, again assemble it around the vocalist or behind their head if surrounding them in it isn’t possible.
Finally, you need to know where to place that microphone you’ve spent an age looking for. There are a few basic rules you should follow:
- Don’t place the mic in the center of the room.
- Don’t position it near any walls, windows, or other reflective surfaces.
- Ideally, the best position for the microphone would be off to the side of your chosen room, but not so much to the side that it’s effectively cuddling in the corner.
So, what kind of microphone is best for vocals?
Since you’ll most likely be using a mic that falls under one of the two categories, the best from each of them are:
The Shure SM58 is a dynamic mic that you’ve probably seen your favorite singers using during their live stage performances. It’s a great all-around microphone with its resistance to feedback, design, and durability.
For a great condenser mic, try the Rode NT1-A. It, too, is a great basic all-rounder that produces high-quality sound and would be a great addition to your home studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of mic is best for vocals?
Condenser mics are usually considered better for vocals. They have better accuracy because of their lighter diaphragms. You will almost always find a condenser mic in a recording studio. The Rode NT1-A is a great example of this.
Dynamic mics are better for louder sounds and external environments (such as on stage). Dynamic mics use a wire coil mechanism, which amplifies the signal received at the diaphragm. This implies a lower output as well. If you are looking for a great dynamic mic, try the Shure SM58.
Why do singers hold the microphone so close to their mouths?
Live performances are full of ambient noise. Keeping the lips close to the mic improves the singer’s volume, amplifies the lower notes, and reduces distortion.
Secondly, the singer needs to have a good idea of the distance between the windscreen and the mouth, and one good way to do so is to “kiss” the mic.
Does a microphone change your voice?
Indeed yes. Microphones do alter your voice, no matter how good a mic you use. But that’s not the only reason that your voice sounds different when using a mic. The way you speak is different from the way you hear yourself.
As far as mics go, there are many reasons why a mic alters your voice: It could be because of their frequency response (range of frequencies that they can pick up), their polar pattern, the way you have placed them, how far you are from them and how sensitive they are to sound.
What is a good starter microphone?
Many great mics will serve a beginner well. For example, the Rode NT1A, Shure SM58, and the Blue Yeti are all great options. It is important as a beginner to understand the budget you are willing to spend vis-a-vis the quality you expect from a mic.
If you are just starting and will be practicing at your home, a simple USB mic or dynamic mic should be enough to record your first tracks. As you move along your journey, you can opt for more high-end condenser mics.
Is a USB Microphone Good for Recording Vocals?
Absolutely. The Blue Yeti is a good USB starter mic for vocals.
Our Verdict
Regardless of what you end up starting with, what’s important to know is that you’re probably going to make some mistakes on the way no matter how many guides you read. What’s important is you take each experience as an opportunity to grow, and enjoy the content you create while you do it!
Overall, the best microphones above have their own special qualities. They are all great options if you want to start recording songs or vocals. It would only depend on what you need and what your preferences are.
You’ll be able to get started recording vocals relatively quickly with the Cad U37 – as it currently offers the best value.
Best Studio Mics was started by a husband and wife team who love the sound and the technicals behind recording it. Both are professional theatre artists, one with a stage management background and one more on stage. One also has experience in film and television work and the different audio requirements of that arena.