The Best Live Vocal Mics - Handheld / Wired (May 2023)

The Highest Rated Handheld Microphones
Sweetwater

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This gear guide is sponsored by Sweetwater and you can click through to their website to read customer reviews, check prices, or make a purchase, however all of the recommendations below have been made by the Gearank team.

There were days when you'd just buy any handheld looking microphone and that was it; that's your vocal mic. Over the years however, more and more vocal microphones have popped up in a market that it's now saturated with different microphones with vastly differing features and responses. It can get quite overwhelming to select a mic these days and defaulting to a specific mic just because of popularity may not be optimal for the kind of vocal sound you want.

By now, many are familiar with the fabled SM58 and a few of you may want to steer into a different tonal direction. Or perhaps you're looking to get your own mic that complements well with your voice. Getting the right vocal mic for you is the most important upgrade you can get as a singer.

We prioritized rating mics that are good for live music vocals, as opposed to ones that are suited to speaking conferences or making announcements over PA systems, and miking instruments. As an added bonus, some of the selected mics are also viable for use with other sound sources like acoustic instruments and amplifiers. Some are also suited for studio use.

This guide is about wired mics (although some can be adapted for Wireless use), so if you need to go wireless then read our Wireless Microphone System Guide.

If you're looking to buy your first good microphone then don't be put off by all the technical jargon - just find one in your price range that is highly rated, like the ones below. Over time as you gain more experience you'll start to understand microphones a lot better and down the track you'll be able to buy higher performance mics with confidence.

If you're still unsure which mic to get, post a question in the comments below and describe the type of music you sing, and other instruments you might want to mic, and I might be able to help you with some personalized advice.

The Best Live Vocal Mics

Author & Contributors

Raphael PulgarRaphael Pulgar

I've been an audio engineer for 20 years specializing in rock and metal recordings. I also play guitar and produce original music for my band and other content creators.

Best Handheld Microphone Under $100

While not exactly the cheapest, most "industry standard" microphones start at this price point. If you do want to look at cheaper options, then see our guide to The Best Microphones Under $50.

Shure SM58 LC

95
GEARANK

95 out of 100. Incorporating 16500+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$99
Shure SM58 LC Handheld Vocal Dynamic Microphone
At publication time this was the Highest Rated Handheld Mic Under $100.

Cons

  • Although good for live vocals, I wouldn't record vocals for release tracks with it

Pros

  • The most rugged and reliable mics I've ever had
  • I've also used them for recording demos and was pleased with the result

Shure launched the SM58 way back in 1966 and the basic design hasn't changed since then.

Although there are a growing number of audio engineers who think it's about time we all moved on to more modern mics, and despite all the advances in microphone design over the last 50+ years, the SM58 remains extremely popular.

These were the first serious microphones I ever had and my bandmates and I put them to good use both at gigs and for recording demos, and I have to say that after the years of abuse we put them through I can't ever remember one breaking down or failing in anyway - these are built to last.

Shure SM Closeup
Although I've talked a lot about using the SM58 for recording demos, they are most at home on stage as a live vocal mic.

We recorded a lot of demos where we used the SM58 on just about everything from snare and toms to vocals and even guitar amps, and for the purpose the mic works absolutely fine. I wouldn't use them for vocals on a release recording myself, but I believe others have done so.

More modern mics don't have the SM58's severe drop between 7 and 8 kHz, but strangely enough this 'deficiency' has become part of the mic's trademark sound. When you sing through one of these you sound like many of the rock stars from the last few decades and I think this is part of the reason why the SM58 still tops the best seller lists at so many music stores.

Some people get confused over the different versions of the SM58 but it's quite simple - this is the SM58-LC which doesn't have an on/off switch, there's also the SM58S which does have a switch, and finally the SM58-CN BTS which has no switch but comes bundled with a mic stand, clip and XLR cable.

If you want that classic rock vocal sound then this is a great mic to get. Even if you out-grow it later it will probably out-last your singing career and you'll find plenty of other uses for it if you get a more expensive mic at a later stage.

Specifications

  • Type: Dynamic
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Response: 50Hz to 15kHz
  • Impedance: 300 Ohms
  • Applications: Live vocals, also good for live instruments and amps
  • Power Requirements: None

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
Gearank Jason Horton 96/100
Gearspace John Eppstein 85/100
SoundGuys Lily Katz 94/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Shure SM58 Frequency Response Chart:

Shure SM58 Frequency Response Chart

Shure SM58 Polar Pattern Chart:

Shure SM58 Frequency Response Chart

Here's a demo comparing the SM58 to the similar SM57 which Raphael wrote an extended review on here.

Best Handheld Microphone Under $200

In this price range there is a genuine step up in quality compared to those above, so if this is your price range, take a good look at the options below.

Sennheiser e935

96
GEARANK

96 out of 100. Incorporating 1700+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$200
Sennheiser e 935 Vocal Dynamic Microphone
At publication time this was the Highest Rated Handheld Mic Under $200.

Cons

  • I actually have no complaints

Pros

  • Its flat midrange gives it a natural sound
  • Well built - durable

Sennheiser design and manufacture their microphones in Germany and their mics are very well engineered. The e935 is no exception; aimed towards natural sounding vocal captures, the e935 is designed to be relatively flat in the midrange with a slight high frequency boost.

This flat frequency response covers most of the vocal range resulting in very 'natural' sounding vocals. This makes it perfect for vocals that need to sit well with genres like Jazz where vocals need to be as natural as possible.

The e935 has a shock-mounted capsule for low handling noise and a hum compensating coil to reduce electrical interference. It's very solidly built, and while I've only worked with them a few times, they feel like they will last for years.

Sennheiser have earned their high reputation for quality and many owners say the e935 is not only the best dynamic mic in this price range, but equal to the highest rated mics even when compared to the condenser mics it competes with.

Specifications

  • Type: Dynamic
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Response: 40Hz to 18kHz
  • Impedance: 350 Ohms
  • Maximum SPL: 155 dB
  • Applications: Live vocals, some use it for aocustic Guitar Micing
  • Power Requirements: None

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
The Greatest Song Editor 96/100
Gearspace AndyHowell 90/100
Audiofanzine Libertopanik 100/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Sennheiser e935 Frequency Response Chart:

Sennheiser e935 frequency response chart

Sennheiser e935 Polar Pattern Chart:

Sennheiser e935 polar pattern chart

Best Handheld Microphone Under $300

In this price range there is a genuine step up in quality compared to those above, so if this is your price range, take a good look at the options below.

Shure Beta 87A

95
GEARANK

95 out of 100. Incorporating 1050+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$259
Shure Beta 87A Handheld Supercardioid Electret Condenser Mic
At publication time this was the Highest Rated Handheld Mic between $200 and $300.

Cons

  • More prone to feedback than the SM58 (don't cup the capsule)

Pros

  • Quiet operation - low handling noise
  • Fairly solid for a condenser
  • A good condenser to transition to if you're a SM58 user

The Shure Beta 87A is a condenser mic that's built for the stage, with its comfortable handheld profile, quiet operation and noise reduction feature.

Right off the bat, this mic comes with a super cardioid polar pattern that better rejects stage / background noise. In conjunction with its built-in low frequency roll-off feature and pop filter, the Shure Beta 87A also does away with problems like proximity and plosives.

While it's a common assumption to expect condenser mics not to be as reliable as dynamic mics, the Beta 87A is reliable enough to be used by many popular singers and sound engineers. In fact this is often one of the first condensers many bands add to their mic kit when they want to get more sparkle on the high end than the SM58 produces.

A word of warning; although many people get this as a step up from the SM58, you may have to make some technique adjustments because if you cup the mic, like rappers and heavy singers sometimes do, instead of getting a pronounced proximity effect you're more likely to cause feedback.

Some say you can't buy peace of mind, but the Shure Beta 87A comes quite close to it. Get it if you're curious about the condenser mic sound but don't want to stray too far from the Shure house sound.

Specifications

  • Type: Electret Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
  • Frequency Response: 50Hz to 20kHz
  • Impedance: 150 Ohms
  • Maximum SPL: 140.5 dB
  • Applications: Live and recorded vocals and even live broadcasting
  • Power Requirements: 11v to 52v phantom power

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
Audiofanzine JimboSpins 100/100
Gearspace bigmoods 85/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Shure Beta 87A Frequency Response Chart:

Shure Beta 87A frequency response chart

Shure Beta 87A Polar Pattern Chart:

Shure Beta 87A polar pattern chart

Best Handheld Microphone Under $500

These are great mics that are starting to implement more upscale technologies and better build quality.

Beyerdynamic M 88 TG

93
GEARANK

93 out of 100. Incorporating 275+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$499
Beyerdynamic M 88 TG
At publication time this was the Highest Rated Handheld Mic between $300 and $500.

Cons

  • Can feedback at loud volumes

Pros

  • Female vocals sound warm
  • Male vocals sound authoritative with depth

Made popular by Phil Collins, the Beyerdynamic M 88 TG is a Hypercardioid pattern Dynamic microphone designed for rigorous tour usage.

The TG stands for "Tour Group" and is spec'ed with a reinforced basket to withstand rough handling and damage.

Tonewise, the M 88 TG favors a rich low mid and low frequency range without sacrificing higher frequency response. This tends to make female vocals sound warmer while male voices get more authority and depth.

The Beyerdynamic M 88 TG earned its reputation as the "Phil Collins Mic" but that doesn't mean it only suits his particular voice type. The M 88 TG excels with adding weight to thinner voices and authority to deeper ones.

Specifications

  • Type: Dynamic
  • Polar Pattern: Hypercardioid
  • Frequency Response:30Hz-20kHz
  • Impedance: 200 Ohms
  • Power Requirements: None

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
Gearspace monkeyxx 90/100
Audiofanzine JimboSpins 60/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Beyerdynamic M 88 TG Polar Pattern Chart:

Beyerdynamic M 88 TG polar pattern chart

Beyerdynamic M 88 TG Frequency Response Chart:

Beyerdynamic M 88 TG frequency response chart

Best Handheld Microphone Under $1000

These top of the line mics get some of the best tech and build quality that you can find and will find applications both live and in the studio. If you are a singer that is looking to improve and make refinements on your live, or even recorded sound, this is the best range to look at.

Neumann KMS 105

97
GEARANK

97 out of 100. Incorporating 475+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$729
Neumann KMS 105 Handheld Supercardioid Condenser Microphone

Cons

  • Many female pop singers will probably prefer the KMS 104 instead
  • Not suited to metal and hard rock

Pros

  • Very 'natural' sound
  • Works well with a wide range of voice types
  • Excellent feedback rejection
  • Excels at Pop, Rock and Jazz and similar styles

The Neumann brand is very highly regarded for their studio microphones and that reputation carries over into their live handheld mics as well. Michael Buble and Norah Jones are two well known singers who use the Neumann KMS 105 in live concert.

The supercardiod polar pattern of the KMS 105 makes it exceptionally good at rejecting sound from a full 180° behind the mic, so you can have a nice loud and clear mix in your stage monitors (if they sit in front of you). It also uses electronic compensation to control the proximity effect - it has a 120Hz high-pass filter.

Although the KMS 105 works well for most kinds of vocals, Neumann also have the similar KMS 104 (link to Sweetwater) which is optimized for female rock and pop singers.

One drawback is that unless you have a decent PA system with good mic preamps then you won't get the full value out of this mic and you may as well get a cheaper one instead. Also if you're using the Bose L1 which is popular with singer/guitarists, you won't get the benefit of the high-end sparkle this mic is capable of due to the L1 being limited to 14kHz.

The Neumann KMS 105 is best suited to jazz, middle of the road, pop, and acoustic artists where the crystal clear sound can really shine as opposed to heavy metal or hard rock artists where the fine nuances of this mic are lost on stage.

Specifications

  • Type: Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Impedance: 50 Ohms - Load impedance is 1000 Ohms
  • Maximum SPL: 150 dB
  • Applications: Live and recorded vocals + recording acoustic guitar
  • Power Requirements: 48v phantom power

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
Audiofanzine sw80 100/100
Audiofanzine James 80/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Neumann KMS 105 Polar Pattern Chart:

Neumann KMS 105 polar pattern chart

Neumann KMS 105 Frequency Response Chart:

Neumann KMS 105 frequency response chart

Things To Consider When Buying A Live Singing Microphone

On/Off Switch

This might seem like a trivial issue, but it isn't. In general you do not want handheld microphones with switches that can be easily accidentally turned off. Many live audio engineers don't like on/off switches because it's really difficult to trouble shoot a mic drop-out in the middle of a performance and frustrating when you track it down to the singer turning it off. The exceptions are mics that have switch locks so they can't be turned off by mistake, or if you only intend to use them for karaoke where it's better to turn the mic off in between singers.

Dynamic vs Condenser

If you go back 20 years or so you would usually only find Condenser mics in recording studios, and mainly only Dynamic mics on stage - particularly for vocals. This was largely because condenser mics were very fragile and prone to feedback. But times have changed and advances in microphone design have meant that Condenser mics that are specifically designed to be hand held are now capable of delivering 'studio quality' results at live shows. Dynamic mics typically have a lower frequency range but sound 'warm' whereas condensers typically have a much higher frequency range and tend to sound 'brighter'. Condenser mics typically require their own power supply to work properly - either from a battery or phantom power supplied by a mic preamp or mixing desk. Dynamic mics are generally still a bit sturdier than condenser mics, but if you look after your microphones well then this shouldn't be much of an issue. If after reading this you're still unsure which type of mic would be best for you, then get one of each and spend time singing through both of them until you find which type suits your vocals.

Polar Pattern

Cardioid polar pattern This is which direction(s) a microphone absorbs sound from. For singing live you generally only want microphones that accept sound from directly in front while suppressing sound that comes from the back or the sides - this is to reduce problems with feedback coming from your stage monitors or front of house speakers. Most microphones used in live performance have a Cardioid polar patter, or a variation of that, to help prevent feedback. The image on the right is an example of a cardioid polar pattern.

Frequency Response

Frequency response is measured in Hertz (Hz). Each microphone has its own characteristics in terms of which frequencies it emphasizes or de-emphasizes. An ideal microphone has a flat response across the entire range of frequencies it responds to, however that is only found in high-end mics. That said, some mics have their own idiosyncratic frequency responses which give them a signature sound musicians have come to really love in certain styles of music - the SM58's classic rock vocalist sound is a great example. If you have a high pitched voice then you might want to be careful using a mic which emphasizes the highs because without proper EQ'ing this could lead to your singing sounding harsh. If you have a low register and you really want to emphasize that then you might look for mics that are strong below 200Hz. If you know your vocal characteristics well then you'll find the frequency response charts to be quite helpful. If all this sounds a bit too technical leaving you uncertain, then get a microphone that is often used in the style of music you perform and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Proximity Effect

When you get very close to any kind of directional mic, one with anything other than an omnidirectional polar pattern, you will notice an increase in volume of the low frequencies. This can make your vocals sound 'warmer'. Typically cardioid dynamic mics have the strongest proximity effect and you see it put to good use live often by male singers and rappers. Some manufacturers supply data on the proximity effect of their microphones and when they do you'll see an extra line showing it in the frequency response chart for the mic.

Impedance

Without getting too technical, impedance can be best thought of as the amount of resistance an electronic device has to electric current flowing through it. A microphone should only be plugged into equipment that has the same or a higher impedance rating otherwise you'll get a loss of signal. Most handheld mics are low impedance (below 600 Ohms) so they generally don't have any issues when used with 'pro' sound gear. If you're unsure about the equipment you'll be using your mic with, such as a low-cost 'consumer' karaoke machine, then it doesn't hurt to check to make sure the mic you want to buy has the same or a lower impedance than the system you're going to plug it into - you can check the manuals or specification sheets of both devices to make sure.

Max SPL (Sound Pressure Level)

This indicates the maximum volume, measured in decibels (dB) you can expose a mic to before it starts having problems like distortion. Very few people can sing loud enough to ever worry about this, but if you're also going to use your mic on amplifiers or loud instruments like drums, then you should opt for a mic with a high Max SPL. If you're unsure how loud something is then you can measure that with an SPL meter - I have an app on my phone that does that which is accurate enough for this purpose, alternatively you can buy hardware SPL Meters (link to Sweetwater) which tend to be more accurate. Speaking sound pressure level, our ears aren't meant to handle too much of them, hence the need for Ear Plugs in very loud stages and venues.

Applications

This gear guide is primarily focused on microphones for singing live. Some good live vocal mics can also be used for other applications such as recording or miking some kinds of instruments and/or amplifiers. Typically a good live condenser microphone will also serve you well for recording vocals or even acoustic guitar (see our acoustic guitar mic recommendations here). Good dynamic mics will sometimes work well for miking amplifiers both live and for recording. If you also like to record at home, getting a versatile mic that can serve multiple applications will allow you to get more bang for your buck.

Power Source - Phantom Power

Dynamic microphones usually don't require any power to work but Condenser mics do. Some of them take batteries and others need phantom power. Most live mixing desks these days do provide phantom power, but not all do. If your mic requires phantom power and your mixing desk doesn't provide it then you'll need to get a mic preamp or a vocal effects processor to provide the power. Vocal processors also give you access to different Vocal Effects, including formant shift and Vocoder.

Note that for Dynamic Mics you can get a device like the Cloudlifter CL-1 to boost the mic's signal, but they in turn usually require phantom power to operate.

Best Handheld Vocal Mic Selection Methodology

The first edition was published in 2016.

We first scoured the US market for sub-$1000 popular and highly rated wired handheld microphones (wireless mics are in a separate guide) including both dynamic and condenser models.

This is such a huge category, and so competitive, that we ended up with 79 microphones on our 'short-list' to produce ratings for. We collated over 58,900 product ratings, reviews and forum discussions which we fed into the Gearank Algorithm to produce the rating scores out of 100 that you see above - that's a 20.2% increase in rating sources over the previous edition.

Finally, we selected the highest rated mic in each of the price brackets above to recommend. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.

About the Author and Contributors

Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.

Lead Author & Researcher

Raphael PulgarRaphael Pulgar

I've been an audio engineer for 20 years specializing in rock and metal recordings. I also play guitar and produce original music for my band and other content creators.

Contributors

Alexander Briones: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Shure SM58 Review, Editing and Illustrating.

Media

Main/Top Image: Created by Gearank.com using photographs of the Shure Beta 87A, Shure SM58 LC, Sennheiser e935, Neumann KMS 105 and Beyerdynamic M 88 TG.

Videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.

The individual product images, frequency response charts and polar pattern charts were sourced from their respective manufacturers' websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation, except for the additional Shure SM58 photo which was taken by Daniel Barnett.

Comments

People typically use Overhead

People typically use Overhead Condenser Mics in these situations - we haven't published a guide specific to that topic yet.

I can't really advise you on mounting options because that's highly dependent on the way specific venue is laid out and what kind of rigging or trusses are already in place. It might help if you can get someone with experience in sound reinforcement installations to have a look at the venue and advise you on your best options.

You have presented

You have presented information for excellent comparison and decision making.
My voice is bluesy, old and well worn... but interesting. I use a Voice Live 2 for stage performance and come through 2 Bose L1-2s' with Tonematch. I cover everything from Stephen Still's Black Queen to post bop jazz while playing electric and acoustic guitar. Can you recommend a mic to replace my Sure 58. I have a good budget.

Although the Bose L1 systems

Although the Bose L1 systems don't provide phantom power, the Voicelive 2 does so you can use a condenser mic - the Neumann KMS 105 sounds like it would be a good fit based upon the styles you cover.

Great page, a lot better than

Great page, a lot better than the similar ones I've seen.
I'm torn between the e935 and e945 to replace the SM58 I use live presently. I sing lead but also playing guitar, I tend to be all around the microphone at times. I get away with that for the most part with a SM58, but being more of a tenor I'm looking at the 900 series. Would you say the the e945 is not the right choice for me or is more forgiving than I've read about?

Thank you for your kind words

Thank you for your kind words Steve - we do try to work hard on our research.

The e935 and e945 are relatively close together in terms of specifications but the e935 is about $50 cheaper.

The main difference between the two for you to consider, based on what you said about being 'all around the microphone at times', are the different polar patterns of the two mics. The e935 has a Cardioid polar pattern while the e945 is a Supercardioid mic. This, combined with the fact that the e935 is the slightly more sensitive of the two, means the e935 is more forgiving when off-axis than the e945 is.

And given that the e935 is closer than the e945 to the frequency response of the SM58 that you're already used to, I'd say save the $50 and get the e935.

In live sound the best mike

In live sound the best mike to use depends on the speakers your using A Shure sounds great through d+b, JBL, Cerwin-Vega, etc., but a sennhieser sounds better through EV and QSC stuff. Is the SM-58 the best sounding mic? Maybe, maybe not, but, it's the sound you hear most often in a professional concert system and therefore it's the standard you measure against.

Thank you for the in depth

Thank you for the in depth reviews! I recently purchased a Telefunken m80 and have been very impressed! It sounds as good, maybe even better, than my Sennheiser md431ii, which I love. And at a far less price point!

I'm looking to pick up a high-end condenser as well. I have a KMS105, but it is way too feedback prone and not exactly the tone I'm looking for. I play through a Bose L1 Model 2, with a Bose Tonematch mixer. I use reverb, compression, and a little bit of delay on my vocals, and I sing generally pop-rock & country. In your opinion, would the Earthworks sr40v be a worthwhile investment being used through my Bose PA system? Thank you very much!

I'm surprised you have a

I'm surprised you have a feedback problem with the KMS 105 going through the Bose system because that microphone's response is fairly flat across the ranges that usually cause problems like 1kHz and 2kHz and the Bose system is meant to be designed to prevent feedback.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use the Earthworks SR40V with the L1 Model 2 - just bear in mind that this PA system maxes out at between 12 kHz to 14 kHz, which is 6kHz below most people's hearing range, while the SR40V has a relatively flat response all the way past the top of the hearing range of most people.

Although the high end of the Earthworks SR40V won't be used by the Bose system, you will have those frequencies available when you use the mic for recording.

Thank you for the excellent

Thank you for the excellent informative article. I am looking for a mic suitable for jazz vocals; preferably something that isn't harsh sounding but will produce a clear sound. Thank you for any advice, and for your incredible research.

There are many different

There are many different vocal styles involved in Jazz so it's hard to provide specific advice based on what you've said.

Some Jazz singers make great use of the Proximity Effect and I've heard stunning performances using old SM58s.

To avoid sounding 'harsh' get a mic that doesn't emphasize the higher frequencies too much (look at the frequency charts for each mic above) - EG in your case I'd avoid mics like the SM86.

Excellent work, this is by

Excellent work, this is by far the best review detailed to the core. Thank you so much, and keep it up.

Thank you for the encouraging

Thank you for the encouraging words Daka - please tell your musicians friends about Gearank.com

Thank you for this amazing

Thank you for this amazing article. I have been singing for a long time. My voice is compared often to Joni Mitchell, Ricki Lee Jones. The most important part of my voice is really hearing the quality within it. It is not super powerful and I have excellent pitch so a mic that picks up the nuances and clarity of my voice is really important. Without thinking about the price range, what mic would you suggest? Thank you very much!

With the proviso that it's

With the proviso that it's impossible to give perfect advice without hearing you sing first, it sounds to me that your are a candidate for the Earthworks SR40V.

One important thing to note however, is that the quality of a mic like this is wasted when used with lower quality PA systems - but if the rest of the gear you use is good, then this mic with shine.

This is by far the most

This is by far the most research-based article I've found. Thank you for sharing your expertise! I'm a female vocalist looking for a mic that will allow me to sing live with my naturally soft-medium volume voice and will be able to pick up otherwise unheard nuanced inflections. My sound is much like Christy Nockels. Any suggestions would much appreciated! Thanks!

It sounds like you want a

It sounds like you want a good condenser mic like the Sennheiser e965, Shure KSM9, or Neumann KMS 105/104. Just be aware that although these mics will pick up "otherwise unheard nuanced inflections" they will also highlight imperfections too, but if you can sing as well as Christy Nockels that shouldn't be a problem for you.

Very glad you mentioned that

Very glad you mentioned that there are counterfeit mics out there. I had the misfortune of buying a counterfeit Shure SM58 (it certainly was not Shure's fault) off of an online auction site. Great advice you offer to buy from a retailer you trust. Great article all around.

This is awesome! Thanks for

This is awesome! Thanks for posting! I am a little annoyed that Neumann KMS 105 and an SM58 are tied...that's crazy. But still an excellent overview

Thanks for the feedback Jeff.

Thanks for the feedback Jeff.

One thing that's important to know about Gearank scores is that you can't use them to compare different products or similar ones that are in very different price brackets. When people review and rate the SM58 they're only rating it for what it is and not comparing it to more expensive options like the KMS 105 - we explain this in a bit more detail in How Gearank Works.

Wondered why you did not

Wondered why you did not include Telefunken M80? These are exceptional live mikes. Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent were using them last time I saw them. I immediately purchased one and have had numerous positive comments every time I use it. Folks liked it better than Neuman 105 through a Eureka Pre and QSC through Klipsch professional.

At the time when this guide

At the time when this guide was published the Telefunken M80 didn't have a high enough Gearank score to be included.

It has received more online feedback and reviews since then so I processed its Gearank score today and made it available in our public Music Gear Database.

Based on it's Gearank score of 91 it would have a reasonable chance of being included if we reprocessed this category and updated this guide today.

Hi Ricardo - our guides aren

Hi Ricardo - our guides aren't intended to be a list of every product available but rather they're meant to be as useful as possible and give a very good overview of the category.

I decided to include the Shure SM86, which is a condenser mic, instead of the Shure Beta 58A which is a dynamic mic.

Both mics have similarly high ratings - here's the Gearank score of the Shure Beta 58A.

Excellent write up and very

Excellent write up and very useful from beginner level to pro ones. Great job and really appreciate your effort.

Thank you very much Napoleon

Thank you very much Napoleon - comments like yours inspire us to work hard at providing the best research and advice we can.

Please suggest the best live

Please suggest the best live gig mic for soft and hard rock genre. Should it be condenser or dynamic?

Traditionally rock bands used

Traditionally rock bands used dynamic mics however with the improvements in live condenser mics in recent years many are now using condensers.

If you're unsure which type of mic will work best for your vocalists then use the kind your favorite rock bands use.

Hey matthieu, thanks heaps!

Hey Matthieu, thanks heaps! very useful article. I am playing in a sort of blues rock band and I sing with a low register the other singer is a mid register singer and we are looking for a nice vocal mic which is crisper and more lively than the sm58s we have been using. .What would your picks be? Our budget is around $200-$300, cheers!

If you want to stick with a

If you want to stick with a dynamic mic then a good step up from the SM58 is the Sennheiser e945.

However, if you'd like to transition to condenser mics then the Shure Beta 87A is a popular one to move to from the SM58 for a more lively and crisper sound.

Thanks for all the time and

Thanks for all the time and effort put into this. Always grateful when I find pearls like this on the web.

Thank you Matthieu, I really

Thank you Matthieu, I really appreciate that. Don't forget to tell your friends about Gearank.com!

I really appreciate the

I really appreciate the effort. Well,I am a professional singer. My styles are mainly R"n"B,Blues and Soul. Although, I do these styles in real gospel. My challenge however is, I find it hard recording with the usual large condenser mics just standing in front of me. I want a handheld studio condenser Mic. I want that lively feeling I do have while on stage when in the studio. I shall be going to the studio soon for recording and I want to go with my own mic. Please, I really need your help and recommendations. Thanks a lot.

Usually you want to avoid

Usually you want to avoid holding a microphone in your hands when recording in order to avoid introducing handling noise.

If you're absolutely determined to hold a mic while recording then go for the best you can afford that performs like a studio condenser and has low handling noise.

You didn't say what your budget was, but if you can afford it then the two best options would likely be the Earthworks SR40V and the DPA d:facto II.

Thank you for this very

Thank you for this very informative and helpful article. Nice layout and easy to read. I hope you don't mind me linking your page from a karaoke forum that I frequent. This topic often comes up so I thought your article will resolve some questions.

Thanks AZNguy. Please feel

Thanks AZNguy. Please feel free to mention this on the karaoke forum if it will help the members there.

Thank you Dan - many many

Thank you Dan - many many hours went into the research for this guide, glad you like it!

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