Mics - MusicM

Why would you need the best live vocal mic? Well, if we reflect back in the performance history, all the iconic singers who ever existed used a mic at some point no matter how melodic they sounded. The stage is such a hostile space and the last thing to have is the wrong mic for performing. That's why the microphone used has to have superb live vocals features for the audience as well as boost the performer's confidence. Literally, the best live vocal mic should be clear and detailed but not extremely sensitive that it picks other unintended sounds either from instruments or other sources, especially on live stage performance. Also, a mic’s pickup pattern will dictate the kind of stage to use. Knowing the type or a popular mic that you want is just the tip of the iceberg, picking the right brand model with the proper specs is the trickiest part. You’ll attest to the fact that the current market is saturated with a tone of mics making the search extremely overwhelming. So, in today's article, I have reviewed the best live vocal mic to save you the search hassle. Let’s get started. Read Also: Best microphone for vocals The Best live vocal mic Reviewed EDITORS PICK 1. Shure SM58 Specifications Type: Dynamic Polar Pattern: Cardioid Max SPL: 94dB SPL Frequency Response: 50Hz-15kHz Output Impendance: 150 ohms Connector: XLR Sensitivity: -54.5 dBV/ Pa (1.88 mV) On the planet of microphones, no single mic reputation equates to that of the legendary Shure SM58. Since its launch in 1966, the SM58 has thrived to portray reliability, consistency, and excellence in vocal projection handling. Check Price on Amazon Over the years, lots of audio engineers thought that the modern sound has outgrown this mic but the only constant thing the SM58 portrayed is the basic design. Its performance still outmatches most modern mics. Shure Sm58 is a simple dynamic mic that features a detailed tuned frequency response that chops off a low-end roar and pumps up those upper-mid frequencies. This is the reason behind those warm and clear vocals. With the cardioid pattern, the SM58 isolates the main sound source thus will pick close to zero background noise. The spherical wind and pop filter are built-in to cut down breath disruption and plosives. Adding cherry on the cake, the Shure Sm58 is the best mic for a vocalist on a budget. Pros Very Affordable Excellence pickup pattern Reliable and consistent sound Super durable Midrange recording emphasis Plug and play Cons Needs external pop filter for studio recording 2. Sennheiser e945 Specifications Type: Dynamic Polar pattern: Supercardioid Frequency Response: 40 Hz-18kHz Output Impendance: 1000 Ohms (Minimum terminating Impendance) 350 Ohms (Normal Impendance) Connectors: 3-pin XLR Shockmounted Capsule Next on the list with that “OMG FINALLY” factor is the majestic dynamic handheld Sennheiser e945 microphone. It’s engineered to deliver crispy and natural sound with a spicy warm output. Check Price on Amazon And yes, it’s supercardioid, so what proceeds is impeccable. As an audiophile, you’ll enjoy the speaker placed aside while the pure talent comes in the middle and fairly aback. With the supercardioid feature, its rejection is immaculate for modern stage setups. The sound output of the Sennheiser e945 is simply magical. It’s clear, detailed, and doesn’t depend much on the EQ. You get crystal clear highs and lows. The common proximity effects has cleverly been addressed and well compensated by the e935 as much as it depends on the timbre of the vocalist. I find this mic ideal for female and tenor voices. It simply cuts through and completes the sound. For vocalists with a deep voice and don’t want to get boomy, I’ll recommend the Sennheiser e935. The only major difference is the e945 is supercardioid while the e935 is cardioid. Pros Hum-compesating coil reduces line and electric hum Supercardioid polar pattern stops feedback by rejecting off-axis noise Accurate, clear vocals response Super durable (rugged all-metal design) Good for money value Cons Not well designed for bass voices 3. Telefunken M80 Specifications Type: Dynamic Polar Pattern: Supercardioid Frequency Range: 50Hz-18kHz Max SPL: 135 dB Output Impedance: 325 dB Mono Stereo: Mono Connector: XLR Kicking in with a thud with its high-quality stage sound is the Telefunken M80. It’s a handheld supercardioid dynamic mic crafted solely for vocals. Check Price on Amazon It is famous for its wide frequency response and condenser-like performance. Features high SPL capabilities designed to ensure the Telefunken M80 nicely captures the full range from any audio source. I love how M80’s low mass capsule and thin capsule membrane deliver a massive range of emotion for live vocals by capturing every nuance of the performance. The output is well balanced and detailed. Thanks to the custom wound impedance matching transformer, the result is magically delivered no matter where you go. You don’t need an expensive mic to start your studio while you got the Telefunken M80. Pros Excellence sound clarity, low bleed, minimal feedback Super Cardioid mic High SPL capabilities Well-balanced low-end response Very durable Cons Quit pricey 4. AKG D5 Supercardioid Specifications Type: Dynamic Polar Pattern: Supercardioid Output Impedance: 600 ohms Sensitivity: 6 mV/Pa (-52 dBV) Self Noise: 18 dB Frequency Response: 70Hz-20kHz Connector: 3-pin XLR If you made it this far, it will be a failure not to mention the great AKG D5 Supercardioid mic. The D5 is perfectly tailored for lead and backing vocals even with the noisiest stage, the sound output is still tremendous. Check Price on Amazon The general craftsmanship of the AKG D5 is just outstanding. The mic feature supercardioid polar pattern designed to deliver max gain before feedback. Pick a mix of your choice and this mic’s sound is still crisp. The D5 engineers boast for introducing the first ever mic whose diaphragm thickness contrasts across the diameter. With the dual shock mount, the mic will remove any mechanical noise and offer a smooth response during live performance. If you need a vocal mic that will deliberately project pristine sound to your audience, then the AKG D5 got your back. Pros Frequency fully optimized for vocals Mounted shock transducer element ease handling and cable noise Excellence overall sound output Cuts through the mix with ease Super durable, rugged design Cons A bit noisy when handling Could be more detailed 5. Beyerdynamic TG V50d Specifications Type: Dynamic Polar Pattern: Cardioid Sensitivity: -2.6 mv/Pa (-52.5dB) Impedance: 600 Ohms Mono/Stereo: Mono Frequency Responses: 50Hz-17kHz (close), 80Hz-17kHz(distat) Connector: XLR If you have been to several gigs, chances are you’ve come across the Beyerdynamic TG V60d microphone. It’s a dynamic mic equipped with a wider frequencies response tailored to deliver warm and lively vocals to the audience. Check Price on Amazon The TG V50d enjoys the unique Beyer sound called the Sound Channeling Technology (SCT) that the company has been refining for decades. This feature simply slashes on resonance and delivers max feedback rejection. So, you get to enjoy your monitors and receive detailed sound on the front house. It’s equipped with a switch to allow you to pick a desirable version depending on your ideal application. This switch is attached to the grip and is easily locked. And it’s super noiseless. The Beyerdynamic TG V50d is designed for sound engineers who enjoy their sound thriving above everything else- where the ambient noise from the environment is completely eliminated. Pros Excellent sound quality Very durable/ rugged Affordable Comes with a mic clamp and storage bag Sound Channel Technology hance no unwanted resonance/ feedback Cons Poor at rejecting plosives 6. Shure Super 55 The Shure Super 55 is a famous dynamic mic that will immediately grasp your attention with its fancy look. It simply revolutionizes the mics industry with an ergonomic finishing proving audiophiles need not settle for the basic designed mics. Check Price on Amazon The Super 55 is keenly engineered to manage high sound while delivering minimal distortion. It's forged for vocals as well as recording live applications delivering clarity and detailed sound. This mic features a uni-directional polar pattern and a frequency response designed solely for speech clarity and offers natural vocals. Cut the long story short, get the Shure Super 55 and enjoy an astonishing sound quality and clarity that’s hardly found in a mic within its price range. Pros Fancy and stylish look Super durable Excellent sound capturing No Phantom power supply needed Very Affordable for its price range Cons Quite sensitive to popping Picks lots of background noise 7. Audio-Technica AE5400 Specifications Type: Condenser Polar Pattern: Cardioid Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz Impedance: 150 Ohms Noise: 14 dB SPL Max SPL: 147 dB (157 dB w/Pad) Connector: 3-pin ZLRM-type Audio-Technica mics are famously known for designing high end mics that are budget-friendly and the AE5400 is no different. The particular mic got the looks combined with excellent performance. Check Price on Amazon The AE5400 is a handheld condenser mic with a sleek aluminum chassis that feels firm and nice grip. Comes with a large diaphragm and a-10 attenuation pad with a low-frequency roll-off switch. You get a custom transformer plus an anti-shock feature to allow low self-noise clocking 14 dB. The reason why this mic is ideal for stage sound. It offers a rich warm sound yet umph enough to cut through the mix. With the multi-part grille, say goodbye to the plosives and unnecessary noise. Ultimately, this mic is a beast when it comes to stage performance. Pros Crisp highs Cuts through the mix Excellent performance on studio vocals, amplifiers Large diaphragm thus good for studio Cons Lots of users say it tend to break when dropped several times That’s it Gone are the days when you could buy any microphone and jump on the stage ready to perform. With the modern sound setup, sound engineers need to get the proper mic for vocals. The selection process is defiantly challenging and will take you forever before you land into the right vocal mic. That’s why in this article, I went ahead of you and endured the excruciating “torture” so that you don’t. The above vocal microphones were well researched and picked without any bias. I hope you enjoyed the content and good luck picking your ideal mic.