The 10 Best Vocal Mics For Recording Tracks in 2024

The best microphone for you depends on your specific vocal style, recording environment, and of course - your budget. We’ve picked out a few of our faves for you to choose from.

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Best microphones for recording vocals

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There are numerous different factors that come into play when choosing and buying equipment for your music - especially as an independent musician. Are you sharing equipment with other musicians? Are you using your microphone to perform live or to record with? Do you prefer a certain brand? How much cash do you have set aside for this purchase? What type of mic do you need?

Our list of vocal recording microphone options has all budgets and experience levels covered. Let's get into it.

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1. IK Multimedia iRig Stream Mic Pro

Price: $169.99

Takeaways: A classic all-rounder.

Best for: Recording on the move.

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First up is IK’s Multimedia iRig Stream Pro mic. Coming in at a very reasonable $169.99, the all-in-one iRig model is everything you need to carry out recording tasks wherever you are. Just plug into your phone or laptop and away you go. 

‍Great for recording vocals, instruments and podcasts. A solid all-rounder to kick us off.

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2. Neumann U87 Ai

Price: $3,295 (official stockists vary)

Takeaways: For professional performances at the highest level. Option for musicians with bigger budgets or backing.

Best for: Studio use.

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If you’re considering something more high-end and splashing out on recording your vocals, you’d be in good company choosing the Neumann U87 Ai. Considered by many to be the world’s best vocal mic - used by the likes of John Lennon and Bruno Mars - the U87 offers amazing voice accuracy making it a favourite among both recording artists and professional audio engineers. 

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Offering awesome sound reproduction, its switchable polar patterns allow for versatile recording techniques, making it ideal for a wide range of singing styles.

With all of these famous supporters, it’s unsurprising that the U87 Ai does come with a hefty price tag. But if you are looking to release a spotless record and have the budget to splash out on the very best piece of kit, this may well be your perfect vocal mic. You could also consider sharing or renting out the mic to other musicians, a great way to reduce your recording costs.

3. Rode NT1

Price: $249

Takeaways: Boosts your overall studio sound and set up. Built for capturing detailed speech and vocals.

Best for: Recording vocals and podcasters.

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The Rode NT1 is a perfect choice for those wanting to boost their studio’s overall sound quality. Specially designed for capturing detailed vocals, the NT1 also excels in recording drums & percussion, piano, guitar and capturing speech - making it an ideal microphone for podcasters too. 

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Hailed as the world’s quietest studio condenser microphone, the NT1 also comes equipped with a studio-grade pop filter and shock mount to really level up your studio. The NT1 also looks pretty cool in our opinion.

4. Audio-Technica AT2020

Price: $99

Takeaways: Best suited for artists with unique vocals. Ideal for home studio use.

Best for: Home studio use.

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The Audio-Technica AT2020 offers musicians impressive performances without having to break the bank. Providing a smooth and natural sound with a wide dynamic range, the AT2020 condenser is perfect for vocalists who want to showcase their unique tonal qualities - with Billie Eilish even using this model to record some of her early tracks.

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This condenser mic is also a popular choice for podcasters and home studio enthusiasts, thanks to its excellent sound isolation and low self-noise.

5. AKG C414

Price: $1,319

Takeaways: Studio-grade mic loved by industry experts. Expensive but elite experience.

Best for: Recording studios.

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Another option for those willing to invest more cash into their vocal recordings is the AKG C414.

This studio-grade condenser microphone offers a wide range of tonal options and has been engineered purposefully for recording exceptional vocals and acoustic instruments.

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Providing outstanding versatility for capturing vocals in different settings, the C414 provides exceptional sensitivity and a transparent sound signature, making it an industry favourite amongst recording engineers and vocalists alike.

Basically, you’re getting what you pay for. The C414 will capture the very best sounds, but may only be an option to those sharing equipment with other musicians or with a bigger budget set aside for vocals. 

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6. Shure SM57

Price: $99

Takeaways: Durable and reliable recording mic.

Best for: Recording vocals and instruments.

A highly popular model and favourite amongst recording musicians is the Shure SM57. At home in any acoustic environment, the SM57 is used in recording studios across the globe and can also be used on stage to boost instruments if required. 

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Paired with the Shure shock-mount system, the SM57 is a durable mic which provides exceptional pickup and performance.

7. Behringer TM1 Condenser Microphone

Price: $129

Takeaways: Great product for musicians on a budget.

Best for: Professional yet affordable recording.

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Offering you professional-grade recording on an independent musician budget, the Behringer TM1 mic is a great choice for artists looking for the best of both worlds. 

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Made up of the best studio features on the market, the TM1’s heavy-duty shock mount reduces any unwanted rumble and ensures a long lifetime of recording the best quality sounds.

8. AKG P120 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Price: $99

Takeaways: Strong entry-level recording option.

Best for: Recording a range of vocals and instruments.

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AKG’s P120 model is a really strong contender for the best entry-level recording mic. Its affordable price and impressive performance make it a good choice for any solo musician looking to record their voice and/or a range of different instruments. 

The versatility of the P120 makes it ideal for day-to-day use in home DIY studios. 

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9. MXL 990

Price: $129

Takeaways: Classic mic choice for home studio vocalists. Amazing value, complete with custom shock mount and accessories.

Best for: Home studio use.

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The MXL 990 remains one of the music industry’s most innovative recording microphones. Designed for home studio use, the 990 was the first high quality condenser mic to be readily available to musicians, with its FET preamp and large diaphragm producing a truly professional sound quality in both digital and analog recordings. 

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The 990 continues to astound musicians and engineers with its smooth high end and tight, solid low & midrange reproduction. A classy choice. 

10. Aston Spirit

Price: $399

Takeaways: High performance mic for both vocals and instruments. Mid-range price but offers huge versatility.

Best for: Recording studios.

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The final mic on our list is the Aston Spirit. Another high-performance and versatile option, the Spirit allows users to select from Omni, Cardioid or Figure-of-Eight polar patterns, perfect for using across different instruments and of course - vocals.

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The Spirit is built to capture great detail within high ranges, but doesn’t result in the harshness that some condenser microphones can sometimes produce. 

Whether you decide to invest in one of the studio-grade professional set ups or go for a more affordable option is entirely up to you and depends on your goals and the stage of your career. Personal preferences and requirements of course outweigh other factors, but this guide should have helped you shortlist a few potential vocal microphone options. 

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