Music

Steve Yalikulem

Specialist III

What is the best microphone for recording female vocals under $150?

September 19, 2011 10:41 AM PDT · Flag · 7 answers

Ryan Jameson

Professional I

Audio Technica AT2020 Side Address Cardiod Condensor Studio Mic

There are many reasons for the universal praise the AT2020 has inspired. A-T's renowned quality and consistency standards aare evident in details like it's low mass diaphragm, painstakingly engineered for extended frequency response and superior t... read more...

This thing is pretty darn good and I am happy with it for the MOST part. It picks up vocals rather well and is surprisingly sensitive, especially for the price. Gets nice full tones.
It falls short in one department though: it's hard to get rich full sounds in extreme registers. Like if she's singing really high notes it will record them pretty accurately but without depth. Same with low low notes..... you can hear them okay but the fullness isn't there like it is in the middle range.
That being said I think it's a fantastic deal and you certainly get a lot of mic for the price.

✔ Highest voted answer

Reply · Send thanks · posted 244 days ago · 11 people agree

Lance Reynolds

Specialist III

Shure SM58LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

A standard on stages throughout the world for years, the Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone offers a carefully tailored frequency rise at about 4,000 Hz for smooth as silk vocals that stand out in the mix. Long associated with its unmistakable so... read more...

I have to recommend this mic because it's probably the best thing you can get for under $100. Sm58's are usually used for live performance, but I think you will find it gets a clear, rich, robust sound even in a studio setting.
At the 100 dollar range you won't get a super high quality mic, but the sm58 is always reliable and always sounds good. It's very versatile, too. After you record with it you can go play some gigs with it, too!

Reply · Send thanks · posted 244 days ago · 5 people agree

Richard Edwards

Professional III

Audio-Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone

Designed for critical home projects, professional studio applications and live performance, the AT2035 delivers exceptional detailand low noise. With it's extended low-frequency response, the AT2035 provides rich, full sound reproduction and handl... read more...

Audio-Technica is a great company for anything sound oriented. This mic is an awesome large diaphragm condenser that will record some beautiful sounds for you. Amazing that it's so cheap! Mine was like double this price a year ago :(

Reply · Send thanks · posted 244 days ago · 4 people agree

Abby Sims

Specialist I

AKG PERCEPTION 220 Professional Studio Microphone for general purpo...

AKG PERCEPTION 220 Professional Studio Microphone for general purpose with one inch true condenser large di...

AKG’s Perception microphones have built a strong following among musicians and engineers, proving to be among the best high-value true condenser microphones on the market today. The AKG Perception Series includes the P 120, P 170, P 220, P 420 and... read more...

This is a spectacular mic for female vocals! I can't believe it's so cheap!
These AKG's are very high quality condensers with a large diaphragm for the best possible frequency response. It actually enhances the higher frequencies and makes them sound big and full, not tinny and empty. Excellent for female vocal recording. I can't recommend anything higher than this at your price point.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 244 days ago · 4 people agree

rakesh haridas

Novice I

S&M

Japanese-only double SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this album from the Bay-Area Metal legends, originally released in 1999. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won... read more...

Reply · Send thanks · posted 241 days ago · 1 person agrees

Greg Yonkers

Specialist II

Behringer XM8500 Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid

Few things are more essential to recording or live performance than dynamic microphones. behringer's xm8500 has the crucial features and durability to come through for your sound again and again. dynamic mics have several advantages that make the... read more...

Not sure if you need complete pro level, but I do have this in my home studio. Nice and solid. At it peaks it sounds a little airy, but quite remarkable sound for the price.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 244 days ago · 1 person agrees

Cody Chase

Professional II

MXL V87 Low-Noise Condenser Microphone

Low-Noise Condenser Microphone read more...

I would definitely suggest a condenser microphone for your studio work. There are two basic categories for microphones: dynamic and condenser. Condensers are usually used for studio recordings because they have a greater frequency response and therefore in general record more accurately and will produce bigger, richer sounds than your average dynamic mic. A large diaphragm condenser is ideally what you want to get the richest vocal tones, however these can be expensive.
This is a reasonably priced large diaphragm microphone that will get you pretty nice results. It's no professional studio mic but it is decent, especially if you are new to the process.
Keep in mind Condenser mics do need an external power source, unlike dynamic mics, but usually it can be powered directly from your sound board.
I also wanted to add that this comes with a pop filter (to cover up the hard 's' and 't' sounds) and a shockmount to reduce vibrations... so that's pretty cool.
Have fun and good luck!

Reply · Send thanks · posted 244 days ago · 1 person agrees

Voting Summary

1.	Audio Technica AT2020 Side Address Cardiod Cond...	35% agree
2.	Shure SM58LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone	17% agree
3.	AKG PERCEPTION 220 Professional Studio Micropho...	14% agree
4.	Audio-Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Co...	14% agree
5.	MXL V87 Low-Noise Condenser Microphone	5% agree