How can you choose the right microphone for vocal recording in a professional setting?

Before you spend money on a game changer mic,try to buy a short and high quality expensive cable first. It will better your sound immediately.

In my experience as a singer, actor and speaker I have used many live mics in on stage settings and also recorded as singer and voice over artist in many recording studios too. The best experiences I’ve had have been first of all a great sounding balanced room that doesn’t echo. On stage I have used both types of mics & as a professional singer for over 30 years I loved the Beyer Dynamic, as well as the Shure SM 58 and 57. Both different & have lovely rich nuances. In the studio as a singer I’ve loved the Sennheiser or Neumann mics and they both sounded clear, warm and beautiful. Getting the right room sound is crucial I agree, and also finding the right mic for your voice. Everyone’s voice is different so try different mics in store.

As a sound engineer, voice over actor and public speaking coach my best advice for this scenarios is not the microphone or even the type of voice. It's the space and the acoustic you can control. It's much better to invest first in some acoustic isolation or try to reduce reverb that just a 5k microphone. Even a "cheap" microphone will work great with this.

The best piece of advice I have for choosing the right microphone for a session is by experimenting with various microphones to know the strengths and weakness of each. Some pick up better for heavy voices, some better for rapping, some better for speaking, etc. Book some time at a local recording studio that has a wide array of microphones and record on various ones so you know first hand what they sound and "feel" like from the performer's perspective. This way you can better advise clients and not waste precious time in session picking the "right" mic. Of course there are industry standards which you should definitely try, but by experimenting you might discover a hidden gem!

If one is a trained vocalist and can modulate the voice according to the requirements whether loud, soft or breathy, one should definitely go for a good condenser microphone if the budget allows. There are pretty good standard condenser microphones available as well. But what I’ve learnt is one should never think everything would happen with a good microphone. Lauv records his sessions sometimes on his mobile and then processes it using a daw. Make use of everything! 😎

I have seen/tried all kinds of microphones, and there are hundreds of possibilities regarding what type of microphone to choose for a vocalist, but what really matters is a proper setup (distance, acoustic in the room, recording technique) in order to stand out when recording vocals.

It certainly depends on the type of music that will be recorded and how many artists are involved. The size of the room also matters. If the music will change, and you are in a smaller space, you should look at dynamic room mics. If it is a larger space, you will need a more sensitive condenser. The Audio-Technica atr2100 or Sennheiser MD 421 are good options for dynamic mics.

Venue & sound person are determining factors. Live recording? Stage? Studio? There are many factors. Consult a SME (Subject Matter Expert) based on your situation. Audio Engineer; professional sound technician; or the like.

For me, the important thing to consider when buying a microphone is to know the tone of your voice, whether you have a warmer tone or a brighter tone. Then consider microphones that are appropriate for your voice, and check the frequency too. You can have a high end microphone but if it doesn't go with your voice, you may wonder what went wrong with the sound. So it's important you know your voice and which part of your voice you want to highlight.

I began with an AKG P220 microphone in my room, about 10ft x10ft. After recording a song, when I play back, I can hear a lot of echo, and unnecessary buzz in the voice. Even guitar rang too much on the bass side. It was because I had not treated my room with soundproof foam. If you're serious about recording vocals, soundproofing is a must.

In today's recording environment, it is harder to control acoustics, so look for mics that have good "room rejection". Some expensive mics from great brands are too sensitive, so they do not perform well in untreated environments. The Shure SM7B does very well in less than ideal settings, although it won't capture as much detail as super sensitive condensers.

It is important to find a mic that is suitable for the spaces I will be recording in. Am I getting a mic for a an insulated professional studio setting or am I taking this mic with me on the noisy road? These are good questions to consider before buying the right mic for my needs.

If I want to enhance my warmer tone (as I naturally am), I would consider something like the Neumann U87 which can enhance the warmer sound. It's frequency range is 20 Hz -20 Khz. It is a condenser microphone so you'll need to phantom it up (48v).

Many mics these days allow you to adjust frequency response patterns so your recording will be more "flat" or slightly enhanced in some frequencies, helping vocals to "cut through the mix" better. But learning to EQ vocals well is preferred to coloring the initial recording.

Technical specs are a key factor to consider when choosing the right mic for one’s purposes, because these specs will have a decisive affect the quality of the whole production. It all depends on the kind of sound intended for a production. For example, different specs are needed for simple video posts on social media than for professional TV, film or music productions.

There are some new players in this space offering great value for money. Rode mics have gotten great reviews as a budget alternative. I have only used them at a limited level, however. I do have an great Austrian Audio mic that is great value for money.

One thing I have found helpful in my chosen career as a record producer, is starting with what you have. There is no need craving for the top of the line gears if you are yet to maximize what you've got now. It is more or less not in the gear but in the heart of the guy behind the gear.

Before you invest in a very expensive mic, make sure you have explored other less expensive options that may actually deliver what you need and more for a lower price. Shop around for an affordable mic that delivers all your needs. Only pay more if the mic you choose is pricey because it provides something that you actually need and is not found in less expensive options. You must be able to justify the expense in the end.

Certainly, testing as many brands as possible is the "textbook" advice on microphone use. This is why professional studios often have a decent lineup of options. In practical terms, however, this not very realistic for many of us. So my advice is to look for your "workhorse" mic of choice that is versatile, reliable and in your price range. I have recorded in some very state-of-the-art studios, and although they have a roster of mics to choose from, it is very rare that they use mics other than their primary flagship vocal mic which is typically a Neumann or sometimes an AKG. Functionality is a greater priority than theory.

Personally recommendation from professionals that you trust is best. I love the Neumann sound and it’s worth investing in this brand and their reputation

As much as possible, keep away from dust and humidity. If not in use for extended period of time, store away your microphone in the box it came in and throw in some silica gel. Also use a mic foam shield. Not only does it prevent the microphone from popping, it also helps keep to prevent dust (you need only dust out the foam shield). Cover the microphone with a cloth while not in use, especially if you know your room can accumulate dust easily.

Look at your recording environment as well as mic specs when making your selection. Sometimes the best mic on paper that gets great reviews, performs poorly in certain room/venue situations. Also consider your other gear. If you have a top rated mic but record with a low quality audio interface, you won't benefit from the superior specs of the microphone.

Read reviews and recommendations about the products. Get advice from people who have used that product. Also, the microphone will depend on your sound system as well, you will need good equipment to go with microphone

I watch many video reviews of various mic types and brands on YouTube. I find these particularly helpful when different mics in the market are compared against each other for sound quality, features, specs, design and price. By conducting this simple research, my choice of mic would be influenced by the knowledge gained from watching these helpful product reviews.