Microphone Buying Guides

A dynamic mic for recording vocals in a studio? I know we generally think of studio recording as a job for condenser mics, but dynamic ones aren't as rare in the studio as you might think. Of course, you don't want to use just any old microphone. You want a dynamic microphone like the Shure SM7B. What makes this mic so good for recording vocals? And is it a … [Read more...] about Shure SM7B Review (Can A Dynamic Mic Really Excel For Studio Vocals?)

The Audio-Technica AT2035 occupies an important position in the market. It is one of the few good microphones to bridge that gap between cheap and expensive. For studio or home recording, you generally want a condenser microphone. But deciding which one to get is far from easy. After doing a bit of research, it starts to seem like you have to choose between … [Read more...] about Audio-Technica AT2035 Review (Does This Budget Microphone Deliver?)

The Rode NT1-A is extremely popular. A large reason for that is the low price. It is rare to find a condenser microphone selling in this price range. Naturally, this microphone can't compete with much more expensive professional level models. But where exactly does it fall behind? What do you lose by saving money on this mic instead of spending more on a … [Read more...] about Rode NT1-A Review (Great Budget Microphone For Home Recording)

Some mics are perfect for vocals. But they don't do a good job with instruments. Others are great for a specific type of instruments. But they don't capture other instruments well. And let's not even talk about their ability to capture vocals. If you're in a band that performs a lot, this is not much of a problem. You're going to need a bunch of mics regardless, … [Read more...] about AKG C414 XLII Review (Great All-Around Microphone)

If you've seen a lot of live shows, chances are you've seen the Sennheiser e945 microphone in action plenty of times. It is a favorite among professional musicians and has developed a reputation as being tough and durable; as a mic that can withstand even the roughest touring schedule and that can survive the drops and bumps that come with a live performance. Is that … [Read more...] about Sennheiser e945 Review (Is This Dynamic Microphone Worth The Cost?)

The Neumann TLM 103 is one of the best-known microphones on the market. It has made a name for itself as an extremely high quality condenser microphone that specializes in vocals and acoustic guitars, but that can handle just about any type of instrument. Is this reputation justified? In short: yes. This is one of the best microphones available. But not everyone … [Read more...] about Neumann TLM 103 Review: Is This Microphone Really As Good As They Say?

So you wanna be a rap superstar... Sorry, couldn't resist. Cypress Hill were huge when I was in high school. Since you're here, I'm assuming you do want to be a rap star. Or at the very least, record a few tracks for fun. You can't do that without a microphone. But what mic do rappers use? The truth is: that's an impossible question to answer. Everyone favors a … [Read more...] about Best Microphone For Recording Rap Vocals

You need a special kind of mic for a live performance. In studio singing, clarity is the most important feature. But when performing live, you need a mic that can ignore all the background noise and only pick up your voice. This means you want a dynamic microphone. Condenser microphones might sound better, but they are too sensitive for live performances. They … [Read more...] about Best Vocal Microphone For Live Performance

Two types of singers need a microphone for home use: those who want to record a few tracks for fun and those who want professional level recordings. If you just want a mic to play around with and you don't want to spend too much, you might want to check out the best USB mics for singing, instead. They cost a lot less, don't require additional equipment, and are much … [Read more...] about Best Microphone For Singing At Home (And Recording Vocals)

USB microphones might not be right for you. Yes, they are inexpensive and convenient. But they have their drawbacks. The main disadvantage is quality. Sure, some USB mics actually produce great sound quality, like the three below. But most do not and even the best don't come close to an XLR mic. You probably already know this and are just looking for the best USB … [Read more...] about Best USB Microphone For Vocals (Singing Or Rapping)