Studio Microphone Reviews

Below are the top 5 studio microphones, each are reviewed and put in rank order.

Shure SM58 Dynamic Handheld Microphone

"Not too good on recording, but EXCELLENT for performers"

Feature:
None. But none needed.

Quality:
Build quality and qual control on Shure products are one of the best. Made in the good ole USA. Shure isn't BSing you when it says that this mic is consistently the top choice of performers around the world.

Value:
Worth the money.

Desirability:
Sex appeal of a mic? It's conventional looking.

Sound:
OK, this isn't necessarily designed for recording, but the SM58 is an industry standard when it comes to performance applications. No mic I know of out there beats the SM58 in overall performance and reliability in performance applications.

Support:
I have dealt with their CS and it is prompt and informative.

Usual Price: $99

Manufacturer: Shure | Categories: Handheld Dynamic Microphones

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Rode NT1A Studio Condenser Microphone

"This mic hears what your ears do"

Feature:
The shock mount is sufficient.

Quality:
Looks great, seems sturdy.

Value:
Not having been able to compare this to anything but a multi-thousand dollar Neumann I sang into in a "pro" studio, I don't feel too comfortable rating the "value" objectively. I'd like to hear the cheaper Marshalls and the slightly more expensive Rodes and AKG's, etc., before I said this was empirically a good deal; but I can say that I feel I got my money's worth.

Desirability:
It's a handsome mic, and Rode has a good reputation.

Sound:
I don't have a whole lot of experience with large diaphram studio condensers, but the NT-1A is pretty sensitive and captures the sound of the voice and the room very naturally. With headphones on, if you turn on the NT-1A, it suddenly seems as though you have taken the headphones off. That can be a good or bad thing depending on your setup. It can be less than optimum for a small "home studio." You really have to isolate the singer with some dampening material around as well, or you will get lots of reflections from the room, and will pick up the whirrr of your electronic gear. But you will have much more control over the sound simply by changing mic position, proximity and the acoustics of the space (via drapes, baffles, etc) than you will with a smal diaphragm or a lesser mic.

Overall:
I can't imagine ever needing anything more "pro" than this one for my home setup. It captures my voice exactly the way I sound, which gives me the perfect starting point to tweak during mixdown. I'm going to have to jury-rig some baffles, though, to minimize the natural reverb of my room and to keep the whine of my recording unit and rack gear (and transformers) from picking up.

Usual Price: $229

Manufacturer: RODE | Categories: Large Stand-Mount Condenser Microphones

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Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

"Possibly the best mic of all time"

Feature:
mic to cord to mixer

Quality:
I have 2 57's that are almost 30yrs old and they sound as good or better than the new ones I have. but even the new ones sound better than any other mic at this price period.

Value:
must have for any musician. I say all giging musicians should own 1 57 and 1 58. and if you have a home studio you probably have a few already and if not buy some.and the last one I bought they were only $70 retail and I would pay $100 if I ever need anymore.

Desirability:
A must have mic.

Sound:
For live instuments this is great Guitar,Drums or even vocals.works equaly well for recordings.

Ease of Use:
plug and play well set your levels

Support:
never had a problem

Overall:
this mic has defined music from Bon Scott's vocals to just a bout every live show you've ever seen these are the mics that get the job done.

Usual Price: $99

Manufacturer: Shure | Categories: Dynamic Instrument Microphones

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Shure Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone

"I am a satisfied owner"

Feature:
The mic included a wind stopper, stand attachment and a nice pouch.

Quality:
I use this mic daily and it is rugged enough to handle the daily wear and tear. I haven not had any problems at all since purchase.

Value:
I feel like this is a very affordable microphone, specifically since it can be used in both live and recording settings.

Desirability:
When you hold it, it has some weight to it... not like a cheap light mic...

Sound:
I have owned this microphone for over 3 years. The Shure Beta 58a microphone has a strong sound in live settings. I donâ€™t need to use much gain and never feel like I am competing with other instruments. This year I started using it to record demoâ€™s for posting on myspace page, www.myspace/pottreeandthereckless. I use the Beta 58a, the M-audio Firewire Solo interface and the garageband that came with my Mac. The combination is a nice budget but high quality set up. This mic is great for someone who wants to invest in a mic that will work well in a live and studio setting under $200 dollars.

Ease of Use:
Plug and Play/Sing!

Support:
Not yet, that is a good thing... quality product!

Overall:
I feel like I will be using this mic for a long time, while I do hope to upgrade to a condensor mic soon for live recording, this mic is helping me record my current ideas with ease and quality.

Usual Price: $159

Manufacturer: Shure | Categories: Handheld Dynamic Microphones

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Audio Technica AT2035 Studio Microphone

"Audio-Technica is now their own most-dangerous competitor!"

Feature:
The AT2035 has an effective shockmount. If you prefer to use it upside-down-style, just make sure it is pressed-in firmly. Somehow, even though the capsule is 24mm (as compared to the old AT3035's 26mm capsule), the sound is slightly "bigger" or "fuller". Just like the AT2020 model has an amazingly big sound for its 16mm capsule, the AT2035 has that characteristic even more. I suspect similar technology/structure/materials here. Obviously, some slight technical advance was made (to my ears).

Quality:
Seems solidly-made.

Value:
TOP-VALUE ITEM in its price range. I would even say...WOW. 1 of these and an ADK Vienna, and you are ready to deal with almost any vocalist, at any time.

Desirability:
IMO, it is the current Tyrannosaus of studio condenser mics under $200.

Sound:
Oops! Audio-Technica may just have made all their other mics under $350 obsolete! ===================================================================== This mic is like a slightly-juiced AT3035 (which I also own), which was already a heck of a mic for the money and very underrated. The sound of the AT2035 is B-I-G, full and crystal-clear. Used with even a cheap preamp, set at proper levels, there is no harshness in the highs to my ears, even with no EQ. This is not a "German-sound" mic with extra "sheen";It is a simpler, "true-sounding" mic with little coloration and fine presence. It makes a quality, contrasting addition to a mic collection that already includes those popular & distinctive ADK, or Studio Projects-type "German-flavor" vocal mics. Compare this to one of AT's somewhat more expensive mics, and the results may surprise you. In my opinion, AT Corp has reason to fear a shootout between this mic and the ones they put out that I won't name in the $200-350 range. But do your own test if you can, and decide.

Ease of Use:
Soft ballad singers who can sing very close-up to the mic without topping meters can sound gigantic--Like you are right in their throat! But even farther back, the mic still sounds big (hint: the closer you can sing to a studio mic without distortion, the "bigger" the voice sounds in the recording, due to proximity effect. Just use the AT2035 with a simple preamp, get the levels right (clear W/low-noise), and definitely use a pop-screen if doing vocals. This mic is best for vocals, various percussion, electric guitar cabs, and acoustic guitar close-miking. I haven't used it with wind instruments so I can't offer anything there.

Support:
N/A

Overall:
I expect lots of years of good use from this mic (for my modest demo/jam-studio), and many happy singers I have yet to meet, but will.

Usual Price: $149

Manufacturer: Audio Technica | Categories: Large Stand-Mount Condenser Microphones

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To buy one CLICK HERE!

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Studio Microphone Reviews

Shure SM58 Dynamic Handheld Microphone

Rode NT1A Studio Condenser Microphone

Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Shure Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone

Audio Technica AT2035 Studio Microphone

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