Landing a record deal requires a great demo. If you are an aspiring rap artist you need to be able to record studio-quality vocals.
But, what kind of mic do rappers use to capture every syllable? Rap is different than recording a classic vocal track. You need a microphone that can pick up the fast and detailed words as clearly as they are said in the room.
Rappers’ lyrics must be clear as a bell for the listeners to appreciate their message and music at the same time.
That is why they need a proper rap microphone that will help them deliver a great performance, whether live or recorded.
With so many choices out there it seems easy to choose but, only a few mics on the market can handle rap vocals.
Here, we give you the list of the best performing and recording microphones for rappers on the market.
Table of Contents
Top Mics for Rappers / Recording Rapping Vocals – Comparison Table
Best Microphone for Rapping – Our Reviews
The Best Mic for Rap Vocals: Shure SM58-S Microphone
It can be confusing to understand what kind of mic rappers use because both condenser and dynamic mics can be used for different purposes.
For live performance, a dynamic microphone is preferred. The most trusted dynamic mic is the Shure SM58. This mic has been popular since it was first released, so many rappers and singers still prefer it over the latest brands.
The Shure SM58 is the best in almost every aspect of performing live on stage, and it’s very affordable too.
This dynamic mic features a unidirectional pattern for isolating the sound and decreasing the background or crowd noise. Meanwhile, its frequency response is high enough for live performance.
It is 50 to 15, 000 Hz, covering your whole vocal range while rapping.
Overall, this mic is great for a variety of vocal styles. Should you want to switch from rapping to singing, this mic has you covered.
Durable as ever, you can use this microphone for years to come, bringing it to your gigs anywhere.
Best Cheap Mic for Rapping: Audio-Technica AT2020
Just starting out?
Audio-Technica has you covered with their budget-friendly AT2020 microphone. This is a popular choice for beginners in the rap game because of its affordable price and quality output.
Despite being inexpensive, you can expect to get a powerful, natural, and clear sound using this.
Like any condenser microphone, this one also connects via XLR wires. This means that you will have to get a separate interface to power it. It also has a cardioid polar pattern for isolating the sound and eliminating noise.
Meanwhile, the mic has a wide frequency response ranging from 20 to 20 kHz, which happens to be the range just right for recording rap vocals.
If you are setting up your home recording studio and working on a tight budget, the Audio-Technica AT2020 won’t let you down.
Runner up Best Mic for Rapping: Audio-Technica AT2020Rode NT1KIT Cardioid Condenser Microphone
If you have a bigger budget for buying a condenser microphone, then you should step up to the Rode NT1-A. This mic works well for rap vocals as it is versatile and able to cater to all kinds of rap songs.
Reviews say that it can record really loud sounds without distortion or hiss. Thus, it will capture your every word and verse during recording. Meanwhile, you will also like the fact that it produces warm and clear sounds.
The construction of this mic is top-notch. It can last for years if you know how to take care of it.
The diaphragm is gold-plated while the body is nickel-plated. As well as recording vocals, this mic is also good at recording musical instruments.
Read our in-depth review of this awesome microphone here.
AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
The AKG C214 is a mid-range mic that is a favorite among rap artists. It is also outstanding for recording musical instruments, so you do not have to buy a separate mic.
Aside from this, it also has an SPL that is as high as 156 dB, so you can expect that your rap recordings will be powerful and warm. Plus, you can even add a bass-cut filter for a different effect.
This mic is well built with a solid and all-metal body.
You can find out a ton more about this great option in our full review here.
Rode NTK Premium Tube Cardioid Condenser Microphone
When you are ready to get professional, the Rode NTK is the top of the line.
The best of all the microphones for recording rap is created by Rode NTK. However, this microphone is really expensive.
Many professional recording studios have this mic because it is great at picking up lower frequencies. So, if you have a low voice, this is a good mic to invest in, but prepare to spend a lot of money on it.
If you are just setting up your studio, then you know you need a separate phantom power supply for a condenser mic to work. So, to offset the higher ticket price of the Rode NTK, the manufacturer included everything you need in the case.
Price tag aside, this microphone is the best for producing a clear and smooth sound that will get your demo heard.
Best Mics For Recording Rap Vocals – Buyers Guide
Your Vocal Style and Music Determines Your Best Bet
At the end of the day, the type of mic rappers use only matters if your rap is well recorded. The best idea to make sure you have the most quality track you can get is to try out a few different microphones to record your rap first.
Since the microphones we have suggested aren’t budget breakers you can afford to try more than one at a time. The best prices we have found for all of our suggestions were on Amazon and you can find some other recommended mics below. Use the chart above to find the best prices on our top 5 mics that rappers use.
Looking for more information about how the type of microphone affects recording – read our FAQ below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do rappers use to record vocals?
You will need a variety of equipment to record rap vocals, including:
1. A high-quality mic (we have suggested some great ones in our article)
2. An Audio Interface to connect your XLR mic to your computer and boost the signal.
3. A music production software for editing your output
4. A good recording environment that absorbs the reverbs from your voice
5. A digital audio workstation (DAW), or software for producing and recording music
6. A lot of practice!
What MIC do professional rappers use?
Professional rappers prefer condenser mics, which produce sound more clearly. Below are the top mics that professional rappers use:
1. Shure SM58-S: Best overall
2. Audio-Technica AT2020: Budget-friendly
3. Rode NT1KIT: High end
All of these mics are good for rap professionals, who need a mic that can pick out each word of the lyrics as clearly as possible so that the audience can appreciate the message.
Is SM7B good for rap vocals?
While we consider the Shure SM58-S as the best mic for rap music, the Shure SM7B is also another good option for rap artists.
This might be surprising to some of our readers because the SM7B is a dynamic mic, and these are generally not used for studio rapping. However, dynamic mics like this one have a few advantages: they are better suited for stage use (because they don’t pick up ambient noise), and it’s also priced relatively less than condenser mics.
How loud should I record rap vocals?
This is a matter of preference. Ideally, you should adjust your mic to the decibel level of your voice, not the other way around. You will anyway increase/decrease the loudness later on.
That said, -10 to -7db FS is a good place to start with if you prefer to sing less loudly.
How to set up microphones for recording rap vocals?
You can follow the below steps for recoding rap:
1. Set up your recording room with acoustic foam
2. Decide how far you need to stand from the mic – 4 to 6 inches for a calm delivery, or 10-16 inches away for more aggressive styles
3. Use a vocal compressor and equalizer to tighten the output and lose unnecessary frequencies
Conclusion
We hope you have found our round up of the best rapping microphones practical while helping narrow your search.
Recording your own rap, you would need a proper microphone to record it so that the lyrics would be rich and easy to decipher. You can’t just rely on any microphone because it will not be able to capture your rap vocals clearly which is why it is important to invest in a high-quality one.
Thankfully, there are microphones out there that offer high quality as well as an affordable price tag.
However, all of the ones listed above are still great options. They have their own advantages and disadvantages so it will be up to you to decide which one will fit your needs. Once you have decided on a microphone to get, you will have great fun recording your own rap.
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.