BUYING GUIDE - MICROPHONES
Believe it or not, one of the most important and vital purchases you can make regarding live sound, are microphones. The type of microphones you purchase can make or break your sound. You don't have to spend top dollar, but at the same time, knowing what to buy is super important. On this page, we take out the guesswork for you.
**Disclaimer: Yes I know that some of these microphones are off the market & are only available used.
**Disclaimer: Yes I know that some of these microphones are off the market & are only available used.
Kick Drum Microphones
Sennheiser E902 - This is one of my favorite kick drum mics.
It yields a great sound right out of the box, and with minimal EQ needed.
This is the microphone to get. Sennheiser makes so many great products, and
this one truly is exceptional.
It yields a great sound right out of the box, and with minimal EQ needed.
This is the microphone to get. Sennheiser makes so many great products, and
this one truly is exceptional.
Shure Beta 91A - This microphone is really ideal for volunteers who may not have a lot of knowledge about microphone placement. All you have to do is lay it in the kick drum (preferably on a pillow or something soft). No stand needed! Not to mention, it is a great sounding bass drum mic! Some folks will use this microphone in conjunction with another, but it really isn't super necessary; especially for live use!
Peavey 520i - A total sleeper mic great for so many things. Not a lot of people know about this microphone, but it is excellent! This mic yields the perfect old school rock kick drum tone.
Audio Technica ATM 25/LE - The ATM 25 is a great bass drum and bass cabinet microphone. When they first came out, they were very inexpensive, but the word got out that it was a killer kick mic, and the popularity grew. I am a big Audio Technica fan, and for good reason. They consistently put out great products for reasonable prices.
Other Choices - There are some honorable mentions (and I am only doing this because if I don't mention them, someone will say..."what about the xyz mic") - AKG 112 (not the "D" version), Heil PR40, Shure Beta 52, Electro-Voice RE320, Electro-Voice RE-20 (this is a great all-arounder type of microphone) Audix d6, etc etc etc.
Snare Drum Microphones
Shure SM57 - This is a studio workhorse, and for good reason. This is the classic snare drum microphone; not to mention it's cheap!
Audix i5 - This is an alternative to the SM57.
Some folks like it better. Affordable & a solid performer.
Some folks like it better. Affordable & a solid performer.
Sennheiser e604 - This is a very capable microphone for both snare and toms. Something that sets this microphone apart, is that it has a built-in clip which directly mounts to each drum. This keeps microphone stands down to a minimum on a drum set (which is really good news when playing within a drum shield and you have minimum room).
Shure Beta 98AD/C - One of the more expensive microphones in the list, and it certainly is a wonderful snare (and tom) drum microphone. This microphone also comes with a stand/clip (which happens to be much more solid and adjustable than the Sennheiser previously mentioned), and mounts directly on the drum itself.
Josephson E22s - Yea it's expensive, but it's worth every penny. If you have the cash, this is the microphone to get for snare (and for toms too).
Other Choices - Heil PR35, Shure Beta56, EV 635a, EV CO94 (whoa, weird! - yes I know)
Unconvential Choice - Can I just say that I LOVE the Audio Technica Pro37(r)? It is the perfect all around microphone, and is a killer snare drum microphone (and yes, it can handle the SPL).
Tom Microphones
Electro-Voice N/D468 - This is by far one of the best tom microphones out there. It's been out forever and is a proven top choice among professionals for toms.
Sennheiser e604 - I listed this microphone for snare, and it really shines on toms as well! I've done several recording sessions with these microphones as well as a lot of live work with them, and they really let the toms sing through a mix. And again, they feature a built in clip that attaches to a drum to save you from having to use a mic stand.
Sennheiser md421 - This is a classic tom microphone, and for good reason. It is a little pricey comparatively to other tom mics out there though. I would suggest getting a couple of md421's anyway because it is a really great all-round mic. Great for saxophone or trumpet, kick drums (in a pinch), guitar and bass amps, etc.
Shure Beta 98a D/C - Pricey, but a beautiful sounding tom microphone.
Audix D2 - Can be used on various drum sources and makes a very decent tom mic.
*Audix D4, AKG D12, AKG D112, Any of the kick drum mics already mentioned - These are some legit choices for *low toms.
Overhead Drum Microphones
Oktava Mk-012 - Best bang for the buck overhead drum microphones (make sure you get them from a legit dealer because they have been copied by the Chinese before). You can safely purchase them here.
Neumann KM184 - Beautiful sounding microphones for overheads - way pricier than the competition
Shure SM81 - A very respectable microphone for overhead drums, and has been used on countless recordings for this purpose. This microphone really is great so many things other than overheads as well.
Shure KSM27 - Alot of live sound engineer dudes like this microphone for overhead drums. I have heard it in a live setting, and it was a great sounding microphone for overheads. The whole KSM line from Shure is really great.
Audio Technica AT4041 - I've used this small diaphragm condenser for years as an overhead microphone.
Audio Technica Pro37(r) - There's not much this microphone can't do well, and this is no exception & not to mention it is very affordable
Other Choices - Rode NT5, Audio Technica AT4051, Sennheiser e614, AKG 414, MicroTech Gefell M300 - And there are so many more that would take half a day to type out and describe because of the sheer number of condenser microphones that are out there, but any of the above mentioned microphones will do the job.
Electric Guitar Amplifier Microphones
Shure SM57 - Arguably the most widely used guitar amplifier microphone - Affordable too!
Royer R121 - One of the finest microphones for guitar amps - pricier than competition, but well worth it.
Audix i5 - SM57 alternative that is well respected. Some folks tout it as being better than the SM57. It depends on the source.
Sennheiser e609 Silver - Quickly becoming the studio & stage go-to microphone for electric guitar! I am currently using this microphone on my electric. It's not bad, and it gets the job done.
Shure SM7 - One of my favorite guitar amp microphones, and I am certainly not the only one that feels this way. The fist time I ever used this microphone for electric guitar was several years ago at a recording session in Lafayette, Louisiana. When I heard it, I knew it was the right mic for the session. This microphone really excels at so many things, and electric guitar amps are no exception.
I woke up this morning thinking about this list, and it occurred to me that I forgot to mention the EV 635a. It's an absolutely killer guitar amplifier microphone, it's super tough, and it's very versatile.
Piano Microphones
I'm going to suggest all different types of microphones that will be good for pianos. I realize that needs differ. Before you blindly take my advice about a piano microphone, it is important to consider whether you have a grand, baby grand, or upright piano. Also consider the type of microphone I am suggesting, and find out if it will work for your purpose.
In no particular order:
Neumann U87 - This microphone is very expensive, but can do just about anything well, including Piano. Quality through and through.
Shure SM-81 - Studio Workhorse
Audio Technica AT4041 or AT4051
Audio Technica Pro37 for a more budget friendly choice
Rode NT4 for stereo mic'ing without thinking about it
Shure KSM32 - Cardioid. Smooth sounding microphone known to be a great vocal mic as well.
Earthworks PM40 - Insanely cool piano mic'ing system for grand piano. It's pricey at $3000, but if piano is your main instrument, and you have the cash...
Beyer Dynamic Opus 51 (Boundary Mic)
AKG 414 - Killer Piano Microphone. Great for just about everything else as well.
If you can't afford the 414, You could get the AKG C214 (not as nice) at a cheaper price.
Royer R-122 - Great sounding ribbon microphone
Oktava MK-012 - Affordable & Effective
Oktava MK319 - I love this microphone. Rich mid-range from a budget friendly mic. Great for vocals as well in a studio setting.
Also consider a boundary microphone. Crown makes some decent ones, and some of the upper-end AT's are cool too.
In no particular order:
Neumann U87 - This microphone is very expensive, but can do just about anything well, including Piano. Quality through and through.
Shure SM-81 - Studio Workhorse
Audio Technica AT4041 or AT4051
Audio Technica Pro37 for a more budget friendly choice
Rode NT4 for stereo mic'ing without thinking about it
Shure KSM32 - Cardioid. Smooth sounding microphone known to be a great vocal mic as well.
Earthworks PM40 - Insanely cool piano mic'ing system for grand piano. It's pricey at $3000, but if piano is your main instrument, and you have the cash...
Beyer Dynamic Opus 51 (Boundary Mic)
AKG 414 - Killer Piano Microphone. Great for just about everything else as well.
If you can't afford the 414, You could get the AKG C214 (not as nice) at a cheaper price.
Royer R-122 - Great sounding ribbon microphone
Oktava MK-012 - Affordable & Effective
Oktava MK319 - I love this microphone. Rich mid-range from a budget friendly mic. Great for vocals as well in a studio setting.
Also consider a boundary microphone. Crown makes some decent ones, and some of the upper-end AT's are cool too.
Vocal Microphones
Shure Beta 87 a/c. - My pick for lead vocals in a live situation - The "a" version has a tighter pick-up pattern. This would be great for loud stages. The "c" version is a cardioid microphone which would be better if you are running in-ears. First time I used a Beta 87, I noticed a big difference right away compared to what I had been using (an SM-58). Yea it's twice the price, but twice the quality too! Very articulate and cuts through a dense mix easily.
Shure SM-58 - Background Vocals & Lead Vocals - This is the live stage standard for a reason. Sounds decent, and is inexpensive.
The Audiox OM Series - Pretty killer beans. Some folks like them better than Shure. I think this is subjective. I toured on the road for 7 years with a cheaper OM-2. It was pretty tough and sounded fine. The OM-3 or the OM-5 would be what I would pick if I went the Audix route again.
The Audio Technica AE Series - Higher priced option, but sounds really great!
Shure SM-58 - Background Vocals & Lead Vocals - This is the live stage standard for a reason. Sounds decent, and is inexpensive.
The Audiox OM Series - Pretty killer beans. Some folks like them better than Shure. I think this is subjective. I toured on the road for 7 years with a cheaper OM-2. It was pretty tough and sounded fine. The OM-3 or the OM-5 would be what I would pick if I went the Audix route again.
The Audio Technica AE Series - Higher priced option, but sounds really great!
AFFORDABLE LARGE DIAPHRAGM MICROPHONES
Yes I realize that some of these are actually electret - so technically not large diaphragm even though they are in a large diaphragm body format.
Rode NT1a - Affordable. Quiet. Sounds more expensive than what it really is.
Audio Technica 4033, 4040, 4047, 4050 - Classic studio microphones.
Rode K2 & NTK - Both large diaphragm microphones. The NTK is the cheaper of the two. K2 is super smooth and extremely versatile.
Shure KSM32, 44, & 27 - the 32 is a great vocal & acoustic instrument mic, 44 is more expensive but features multiple polar patterns, and the 27 is a favorite drum OH mic.
AKG 414 - Sounds great on just about anything.
Mojave Audio - MA200 and the MA50 (cheaper).
Warm Audio - They are now making copies of expensive microphones. WA14 and the WA87 comes to mind.
CAD - m179 - Super affordable & a lot of bang for the buck.
Audio Technica 4033, 4040, 4047, 4050 - Classic studio microphones.
Rode K2 & NTK - Both large diaphragm microphones. The NTK is the cheaper of the two. K2 is super smooth and extremely versatile.
Shure KSM32, 44, & 27 - the 32 is a great vocal & acoustic instrument mic, 44 is more expensive but features multiple polar patterns, and the 27 is a favorite drum OH mic.
AKG 414 - Sounds great on just about anything.
Mojave Audio - MA200 and the MA50 (cheaper).
Warm Audio - They are now making copies of expensive microphones. WA14 and the WA87 comes to mind.
CAD - m179 - Super affordable & a lot of bang for the buck.
Most Versatile Mic Award goes to:
The Audio-Technica Pro37 is the absolute most versatile microphone. It does anything well. It's actually one of my favorite electric guitar amp microphones, but is equally great on a variety of stringed instruments. I have also used it for drum overheads and snare as well. Yes, it can handle the high db's.
An honorable mention is the Rode M3. I use it for just about everything. Its a total sleeper mic that doesn't add anything that's not already there, and not to mention that it's well made.
An honorable mention is the Rode M3. I use it for just about everything. Its a total sleeper mic that doesn't add anything that's not already there, and not to mention that it's well made.
Wireless Microphones
I'll keep this simple. Buy right, and you'll only buy once. Anything mid-priced and above from Shure or Sennheiser will give you many years of great service with no headaches.
**Just So You Know - I am not in any way affiliated with any companies mentioned. My selections on what the best gear is, is from direct personal experience with said items. I have nothing to gain by recommending any piece of gear, other than the piece of mind knowing you'll be getting reliable stuff that works.
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