Best Recording Microphone?
Many people still ask this question but there is no one right answer, sorry but that's the truth. The best recording microphone for vocals won't be the best for acoustic guitar and the best for recording YOUR voice may not be the best for recording MY voice.
For most applications a condenser microphone with a large diaphragm will be your best choice for getting a good clean,warm and full vocal sound.
Adding effects to a bad mic sound later may help a little but there are characteristics in natural EQ inherent to some really nice mics that can't be duplicated later with effects so there is no substitute for having the right mic for the job right from the get go.
Decades ago when I started my recording career there were only kinda expensive vocal mics and very expensive vocal mics. Now there are a good number of good condenser vocal mics that just about any home recording studio enthusiast can afford and that's important because you need a good condenser mic and a good dynamic mic in your studio… if you're recording any vocals and real interments that is.
As someone who has a home recording studio you should have at least 2 microphones:
• condenser mic
• dynamic mic
So what's the difference?
The dynamic microphone is the very first type of mic invented. They consist of a coil suspended in a magnetic field. These aren't particularly sensitive to the highest frequencies but they can take a pounding of louder harsh sounds making them great for things like guitar amps and drums.
The second type of microphone you must have is a condenser mic. The best quality ones are made with a large diaphragm capacitor and these can cost thousands of dollars… fortunately, these days there are some very affordable ones being made specifically for us home studio guys.
A Good Condenser For Vocals…
If you’re recording any vocals at all you can’t afford to skimp out on a good vocal mic. Get one with a nice large diaphragm. This type of mic will give you a quality that can't be reproduced later on in your effects chain.
If you're interested in a good condenser mic at a great price you can check out the very popular AKG Perception 220.
Dynamic Microphones
There are tons of these and we could go on here for days but just get the best work horse of them all…
the Shure SM57… still about $100 and great for so many things in your studio
Read more about the Shure SM57 Instrument/Vocal Mic
