What is the best microphone for studio recording?
Looking for the best studio microphone? Objectively, there isn’t really one. Or, at least, there isn’t just one. In fact, each microphone is unique.
You can find a better microphone for singing, another for picking up the sound of an acoustic guitar… In short, you can have a microphone for a specific application.
In fact, the best way to find the perfect one is to try and listen, as it will depend on what you want to hear. Nevertheless, we have selected for you the 5 best microphones of this year.
Neumann U87, the best studio microphone
The Neumann U87 remains the most famous microphone to this day. It is considered the king of microphones, a true legend. It can be found in almost every recording studio and is part of a better microphone.
If you are going to record in a professional studio, be sure that if this microphone is part of the owner’s inventory, he will let you know.
The Neumann U87 microphone gives a very balanced, natural sound with a very held low end and perfectly controlled highs. It is of an incredible precision. On all the sound spectrum, you will never find an aggressive or fine sound.
For voice recording, the Neumann U87 remains the number one choice. In the studio, it can be applied to almost any type of instrument and for voice-over recording.
In order to have perfect control over the sound source, it offers three types of directivity: cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional.
For best results, we recommend that you use it with a very good amp. The result will undoubtedly dazzle you.
Neumann TLM 103 as a high-performance studio microphone
Since its release in 1997, the Neumann TLM 103 microphone has been very successful. It is a better large diaphragm condenser microphone that is very popular for various professional recordings.
It also has a very good rating with home studios. It offers an excellent audio ratio for a fairly low budget.
Neumann designed the TLM 103 primarily for voice recording. Inspired by the Neumann U87, it has a very low self-noise of 7dB-A and can handle a very high maximum sound pressure.
Like all condenser microphones, it requires an external power supply. It is delivered with a shockproof filter, and an aluminum case.
Equipped with a cardioid directivity, the model offers optimal sound reproduction with perfect rejection of sounds from the rear and sides. No timbre correction is necessary, the sound is immediately perfect.
Rode NT1-A as studio microphone
The Rode NT1-A is part of a better studio microphone. It is an electrostatic transducer with a large diaphragm and a cardioid directivity. It has an acceptable maximum sound pressure level and medium sensitivity. Its special characteristics make it versatile.
The frequency response of the microphone ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and its frequency curve is smooth and uniform. It produces a very clean sound without any hiss or background noise.
It is a lightweight, space-saving microphone that is easy to set up even for a beginner. In addition, it offers a very affordable price/performance ratio.
However, during recording we noticed that the sound quality of the microphone lacks warmth and has a bit of “harshness” in the high frequencies. By the way, over time, its power cable deteriorates very quickly compared to the microphone.
You can buy the microphone in set which includes the microphone, a suspension, a pop filter and a dust filter. Rode also offers it as a pair for an impressive stereo effect.
If you are installing your first home studio, the Rode NT1-A is an ideal choice. If you are a professional looking for quality equipment, this is the best microphone for you.
Coles 4038 the best microphone
The Coles 4038 microphone is part of our selection of the best studio microphones. It is a ribbon microphone with a two-way directivity. The microphone has a rather limited frequency response, but it offers a perfectly balanced, smooth and natural sound.
It has a very high sensitivity and no distortion in the high frequencies. It can therefore capture the sound in great detail and with great accuracy. By the way, it offers a soft, thick and natural sound, very easy to equalize if the need arises.
However, the weight of the microphone is quite heavy. It weighs about 1 kg. In terms of maximum sound pressure level, it is rather low: 125 dB. Its bandwidth limit is also quite low: 15 kHz. The microphone requires an adapter for an XLR cable to operate.
Coles has equipped its microphone with a technology that can erase unwanted noise. This is a very popular technology, especially for a ribbon microphone.
It is a better high-sensitivity microphone that has effectively compensated for any shortcomings it may have.
How to choose the ideal microphone for a studio?
To choose the best studio microphone, start by defining the type of microphone you want. You can for example take into consideration the robustness, the bandwidth, the maximum pressure allowed…
Secondly, directivity should be one of the most important factors when selecting a recording microphone.
Then, in some cases, the quality of the recording depends intrinsically on the accessories we use. For example, we can use a microphone pole to limit handling noise.
You can also use a pop filter or a windscreen to limit pops. Using extra cables, clips or suspensions when recording can also be useful.
At the end of the day, the mics we’ve offered are all equally capable. They are also versatile. However, it should not be forgotten that each instrument requires a particular microphone, a specific set-up to get the best sound.
So be sure of what you want to use it for, so you can choose the best microphone for your needs. This is where the success of your projects will come from.
Which directivity is best for studio recording with the best microphone?
In total, there are four types of directivity that are mainly used in the studio. The choice of directivity is based on the application:
Cardioid directivity
Cardioid microphones focus on the sound source in front of them. As a result, they are almost insensitive to sounds coming from the sides and rear of the microphone.
If you point the microphone in the right mode, you will be sure to get very good sound quality. Unwanted noise will be limited.
The cardioid directivity has some derivations, mainly the supercardioid and hypercardioid directivity.
Usefulness : voice and instrument recording in solo.
Bidirectional directivity or figure of eight
This type of directivity will pick up sound from the front and rear of the microphone. It will then be almost insensitive to sounds coming from the sides and above the microphone.
In terms of application, you can use this directivity to capture the voice of two people who are going to be face to face. Basically, you can record two sound sources at the same time.
Usefulness: duet recording (voice and instrument/two instruments/two different voices)
Omnidirectional directivity
The omnidirectional directivity of a better microphone will pick up sound at 360°. The microphone will then record all sounds from all modes. It can be used as an ambient microphone, or for recording orchestras or drum sets. These microphones are able to provide a perfectly balanced sound, regardless of the distance between the sound source and the microphone.
Usefulness: recording together/recording the atmosphere
However, you can also discover the Antelope Audio Edge Go pro microphone. This guide offers you a complete test and all the information you need to know about this microphone.
What are the other requirements for selecting a studio microphone?
To use the best microphone in a studio recording, there are a few things that must be taken into consideration to ensure the audio quality of the production.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a better microphone is the output voltage provided by the microphone when subjected to a certain sound pressure. The value given is for a frequency of 1 kHz and is expressed in mV/Pa (or millivolts per Pascal).
A microphone that has a very high sensitivity will perform better. The more sensitive a microphone is, the further it will deviate from its own background noise. It will also place less strain on the input gains of the preamp and will be less susceptible to noise.
The quality and design of a dynamic and condenser microphone differ greatly from those of a dynamic microphone.
A condenser microphone will be more sensitive than a dynamic microphone. And a ribbon microphone will be even more sensitive than a condenser microphone.
Breath
The breath is the background noise generated by the microphone itself. Usually, a microphone of excellent quality will generate little background noise.
But in most cases, the background noise of a better microphone should not be a problem, as it remains relatively low compared to the sound sources.
The response curve or “fingerprint
The response curve is a diagram that shows the different frequency responses. If you compare the response curve of a dynamic microphone with that of a condenser microphone, you will notice a large difference.
First of all, the curve of a condenser microphone will be much wider than that of a dynamic microphone. But in addition, the response curve of a condenser microphone is relatively flat compared to that of a dynamic microphone.
This kind of information can help you in your choice of microphone. It allows you to determine the area in which the microphone will be most sensitive.
Note: See also our professional studio microphone guide here, before finding the best microphone for your studio.
How can I prevent interference in the recording studio?
To prevent this type of problem, we suggest that you position your microphone as close as possible to the sound source.
This eliminates the need to turn up the gain on your audio interface or mixing console to get an acceptable recording level. In general, condenser microphones are the least sensitive to noise, such as feedback.
You should also pay attention to the microphone’s direction. Place it so that it is not directed at factors causing unwanted background noise. For a clean sound pickup, you can use acoustic panels or screens.
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