Top 10 Home Studio Microphones

What is the Best Microphone for you and your Home Studio?

I am going to be going through my top 10 home studio microphones. It seems like an easy thing to be able to just pick a mic and start recording but its actually a huge investment in your future music career. I didn't really know much about microphones before I started producing, I also realised that I have a higher frequency than most in my vocal so the microphone needs to be set up correctly or I can sound like a child! Anyway, here my top ten:

1. NEUMANN TLM 103 - The Vocal Mic

This is one of the best Microphones in the market at the moment for home studios, this is bit on the pricey side but the quality is amazing. If you are planning on doing complex singing, samples or fast tempo rapping this microphone will capture every flick and move of your voice. It has a really low level of self  noise, so it captures even the faintest of peeps. The microphone works with a transformer less output stage meaning that the sound is recorded direct and clean straight from the acoustic sound. I used this mic to record ISLA, Blessed by Angels, you can really hear the clear vocal but still have depth and dynamic. This is a great microphone for vocal, acoustic and general voice over work. Please see below links to Amazon giving the price range between $1099.95-1650 depending on accessories. 

2. SHURE SM7B CARDIOID DYNAMIC MICROPHONE - The All Rounder Mic

Ok, so I need to admit I'm bias when it comes to this mic, as this is the one that I use for my everyday music vocals and instruments. The great thing about this microphone is the adjustable function at the bottom allowing you to tailor your recording for each vocal or instrument. As I mentioned i have quite a high pitched voice so I can up the bass on my vocal to balance this out. Its really easy to use and comes with a larger pop filter allowing smooth recording of instruments or for those belters out there this will pick up the best vocal with no clipping if set up correctly. If you want a video on youtube for this microphone, how to set up and adjust etc, let me know and il get that up for next week! Its the best all rounder microphone in my opinion, ranging between $350-600 depending on the accessories. 

3. SENNHEISER MD 421 II - The Producer's Mic

As a producer, primarily I spend a lot of time creating samples to use in my beats but I also love to add my own backing vocals and harmonies. I feel like there is a certain extra depth that you ca create from a live sample in your beat than digital presets or other samples you may by. This way you can really make innovative new music. This is THE microphone to record live instruments, in particular drums, bass guitars and acoustic, as this has a five positioned bass control giving it the ability to process high sound pressure levels, giving you a fully dynamic recording. This is also good for large group recordings, if for example you have 3 backing singers you could record them all on one mic without them being distorted. The great thing about this microphone is that as you build your home studio you can buy 3  microphones for the same price as the Neumann TLM 103, allowing more sound coverage in your sampling. Click below For singular and the 3 pack mics on Amazon.

4. RODE NT1A MIC PACKAGE - The People's Mic  

Rode have been a supporter of new music since the beginning and have always provided high quality affordable microphones. I chose this over the Rode K2 Condenser because of the additions you get with the package. If you are a rapper and only need your mic to record bars this is the one I would recommend. The quality of the microphone is amazing and adds a brightness to the recording which makes it really easy to EQ. If you have a high pitched or bassy voice, this will not do our voice justice, but for the majority of people this will enhance your voice in recordings. It also is great for guitar acoustic recordings and a lot can be achieved with this package. you may have seen this mic being used as it is quite popular, I have a couple of mates that use this microphone and some of my first bars were recorded on this mic! 

5. SHURE SM57 MICROPHONE - The Musician's Mic

Yes I'm Shure! They do make great mics! If your an artist on the go, get this mic! its really durable, versatile and brilliant recording quality. The Shure SM57 can be used without a stand or pop filter, although I would use a stand wherever possible. Its a very dynamic microphone able to capture hi and low frequencies with fluidity, as well as taking very loud sound and processing it without breaking apart. Its particularly good for piano and guitar players as it records a really key focused sound. I know people who will also just record both guitar and vocal in one on this mic with a good result, the recording may require a little more mixing and mastering. But its worth it if you can capture the essence of that musical moment. 

6. AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII - The True Mic 

I have heard a lot about this microphone, its is able to record a really organic, natural and true recording of instruments and vocals. Its a really great home studio microphone especially if you have a unique vocal style, for instance if your voice is of a high or low frequency, this mic will not add any filter or brightness like the Rode, but will give you a warm, natural, soulful sound. Also it looks crazy sick! you can also use this mic on stage as it have a good stabiliser and will make you look like a G!

7. MXL 770 - The Best Budget Mic

Sometimes money needs to be saved and it is not possible for everyone to afford $1000+ mics. The MXL 770 is a great little budget microphone under $100 giving you high quality secure vocal recordings but also good for capturing instruments such as pianos, strings and brass. Its really easy to use and perfect for a beginner to be able to get clear, crisp sounds due to the mic sensitivity and sturdy structure of the mic. The only issue with the mic is they level of sound sensitivity can mean that you pick up some wind or dead sound. I would recommend buying a pop filter with this mic to get the most out of it. 

8. SHURE SM58 VOCAL MICROPHONE -  The Classic Mic

This is classic microphone thats been around since the 1960's, but to Shure's credit it has stood the test of time with its iconic lolly pop shape design. It is the perfect mic for live artist, recording vocals and speech, podcasts and instruments. The Great thing is that Shure are able to give you their usual quality of sound within a great price bracket, under $100. The classic SM mic gets updated with every new model and its innovative designs and updated features makes it a real compliment to an artist. 

9. AUDIO-TECHNICA AT2035 - The Balanced Mic

A really good home studio mic and can really make your recordings sound like they have been done in a professional studio. The key to this mic is they neutral frequency response, giving the high end a very gentle boost adding a hint of brightness, and the low end a smooth, jazzy bass sound. It is also very affordable on the lower end and comes with the shock mount and has a good rep for reducing any pop that may occur in your recording. 

10. BLUE YETI MICROPHONE - The Modern Mic

I know what your thinking, this cannot be a great mic if its being connected with USB! It may surprise you! The advancements in this kind of technology is impressive and this mic is not only versatile, easy to travel with but gives you some high sound quality. It is probably more suited for podcasting, but is also great as a field mic with the ability to pick up far of sounds with its built in gain function. It you are looking for a budget microphone with more scope that just vocal recording this is the mic to give you the most functionality. 

And there is it my top ten Microphones, although its really my wish list of microphones! You will need an interface to use most of these so I will do a blog for interfaces in the future, next week I will be looking at the best Home Studio Monitors. Regardless of equipment you can start with your phone, I have many artist reach out to me with phone recording which is amazing to hear the quality people are able to get. Whichever mic you decide to buy make sure you research the best one for you and always read the instructions so you don't ruin your equipment. 

Thanks for reading my blog this week! Sorry it was a little late! 

Stay Woke and Conscious!

Nila Fenix