What is the best microphone for studio recording?
Are you looking for the best studio microphone ? Objectively, it doesn't really exist. Or at least, there isn't just one. Indeed, each microphone is unique in its kind.
We can find a better microphone for singing, another to sharpen the sound of an acoustic guitar… In short, we can have a microphone for a specific application.
In fact, the best way to find the rare gem is to try and listen, because everything will depend on what you want to hear. Nevertheless, we have selected the 5 best microphones of this year .
Neumann U87, the best studio microphone
The Neumann U87 remains the best-known microphone to this day. He is considered the king of microphones, a true legend. It is found in almost every recording studio and is part of a better microphone.
If you plan to make a recording in a professional studio , be sure that if this microphone is part of the owner's fleet, he will let you know.
The Neumann U87 microphone produces a very balanced, natural sound with a very tight bass and perfectly controlled highs. It is incredibly precise. Across the entire sound spectrum, you will never find an aggressive or thin sound.
For vocal recording, the Neumann U87 remains the number 1 choice . In the studio, it can be applied to almost all types of instruments and for voice-over recording.
In order to have perfect control of the sound source, it offers three types of directivity: cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional .
For optimal results, we recommend using it with a very good amp. The result will undoubtedly dazzle you.
Neumann TLM 103, very efficient as a studio microphone
Since its release in 1997, the Neumann TLM 103 microphone has enjoyed great success. large diaphragm condenser mic that is popular for different professional recordings.
It also has a very good rating among studio homes. It offers an excellent audio ratio for a fairly low budget.
Neumann designed the TLM 103 primarily for vocal recording. Inspired by the Neumann U87, it has a very low self-noise of 7dB-A and can handle a very high maximum sound pressure.
Like all condenser microphones , it requires an external power supply. It comes with a shock filter, and an aluminum case.
Equipped with a cardioid polar pattern, the model offers optimal reproduction with perfect rejection of sounds coming from the rear and sides. No timbral correction will be necessary, the sound recording is immediately perfect.
Rode NT1-A as a studio microphone
The Rode NT1-A is part of a best studio microphone . It is a large diaphragm electrostatic transducer with cardioid polar pattern. It has a maximum acceptable sound pressure level and average sensitivity. Its particular characteristics give it its versatility.
The microphone's frequency response spans 20 Hz to 20 kHz and its frequency curve remains smooth and uniform. It produces very clear sound without any hiss and without background noise.
It is a lightweight, space-saving microphone that is easy to install even for a beginner. In addition, it offers a very affordable quality/price ratio.
However, during sound recording, we noticed that the sound quality of the microphone lacked warmth and had a bit of “harshness” in the highs. Furthermore, over time, its power cable deteriorates very quickly compared to the microphone.
You can buy the microphone as a set which includes the microphone, a suspension, a pop and dust filter. Rode also offers it as a pair for an impressive stereo effect.
If you are setting up your first home studio, the Rode NT1-A is an ideal choice. If you are a professional looking for quality equipment, this best microphone is for you.
Coles 4038 the best microphone
The Coles 4038 microphone is part of our selection of the best studio microphones . It is a ribbon microphone equipped with bidirectional directivity. The mic has a fairly limited frequency response, but it delivers a perfectly balanced, smooth and natural sound.
It has very high sensitivity and does not suffer from any distortion in high frequencies. It can then capture the sound in the smallest details and with great precision. Furthermore, it offers a soft, thick and natural sound, very easy to equalize if the need arises.
However, the weight of the microphone is still quite heavy. In fact, it weighs approximately 1 kg. In terms of maximum sound pressure, it displays a rather low one: 125 dB. Its bandwidth limit is also quite low: 15 kHz. And to work, the microphone needs an XLR cable adapter.
Coles has equipped its microphone with technology that can erase extraneous noise. This is a very popular technology, especially in a ribbon microphone .
It is a better high-sensitivity microphone which has effectively compensated for the faults that could be criticized for it.
How to choose the ideal microphone for a studio?
To choose the best studio microphone , start by defining the type of microphone you want. For example, you can take into account the robustness, the width of the bandwidth, the maximum admissible pressure, etc.
Next, directivity should be among the essential criteria when choosing a recording microphone.
Then, in some cases, the quality of the recording intrinsically depends on the accessories that we use. For example, we can use a microphone boom to limit handling noise.
You can also use a pop filter or a windshield to limit plosives. Using additional cables, clamps or suspensions when recording sound can also be useful.
In the end, the microphones we offered are all as good as each other. They are also versatile . However, we must not forget that each instrument requires a particular microphone, a specific set-up to be able to get the best sound.
So be sure of what you want to use it for, in order to opt for a better microphone that will meet all your expectations. This is where the success of your projects will come from.
Which directivity is best for studio recording with the best microphone?
In total, there are four types of polar pattern primarily used in the studio. The choice of directivities will be essentially based on the applications:
Cardioid polar pattern
Cardioid microphones focus on the sound source placed in front of them. As a result, they are almost impervious to sounds coming from the sides and rear of the microphone.
If you point the mic in the right direction, then you will be sure to have very good sound quality. Unwanted noise will then be limited.
The cardioid polar pattern has a few derivatives, mainly the supercardioid and hypercardioid polar patterns.
Use: solo voice and instrument recording .
Bidirectional directivity or figure of eight
This type of polar pattern will pick up sounds from the front and back of the microphone. It will then be almost insensitive to sounds coming from the sides and above the mic.
In terms of application, you can use this directivity to capture the voice of two people who are going to be face to face. Basically, you can record two sound sources at the same time .
Use: duo recording (voice and instrument/two instruments/two different voices)
Omnidirectional directivity
The omnidirectional polar pattern of a better microphone will capture sound at 360°. The microphone will then record all sounds coming from all directions. It can be used as a background mic, or to record orchestras or drum sets. These microphones are capable of providing perfectly balanced sound , regardless of the distance from the sound source and the microphone.
Use: ensemble recording/ambience recording
However, you can also check out the Antelope Audio Edge Go pro microphone . This guide offers you a complete test as well as all the information you need to know about this USB microphone.
What are the other criteria for selecting a studio microphone?
To use the best mic in a studio recording, there are certain points that need to be considered to ensure the audio quality of the production.
The sensibility
The sensitivity of a better mic is the output voltage provided by the mic when subjected to a certain sound pressure. The value indicated corresponds to a frequency of 1 kHz and is expressed in mV/Pa (or millivolts per Pascale).
A microphone that has very high sensitivity will have better performance . The more sensitive a microphone is, the more it will deviate from its own background noise. It will also make less use of the preamp input gains and will then be less sensitive to interference.
The quality and design of a dynamic and condenser microphone differ greatly from that of a condenser microphone and a dynamic mic.
Indeed, the condenser microphone will have greater sensitivity compared to a dynamic microphone. And a ribbon mic will be even more sensitive than a condenser mic.
The breath
Hiss is the background noise generated by the microphone itself. Generally, an excellent quality microphone will generate little background noise.
But in most cases, the background noise of a better mic shouldn't be a problem, as it remains relatively low compared to sound sources.
The response curve or “footprint”
The response curve is a diagram that shows the different frequency responses. If you compare the response curve of a dynamic microphone with that of a condenser microphone, you will notice a big difference.
Already, the curve of condenser microphones will be much wider than that of a dynamic microphone. But in addition, the response curve of a condenser microphone is relatively flat compared to that of a dynamic microphone .
This kind of information can help you choose your microphone. It allows you to determine the area in which the mic will be most sensitive.
Note : Also check out our professional studio microphone guide here , before finding the best microphone for your studio.
How to avoid interference in a recording studio?
To avoid this type of problem, we invite you to position your microphone as close as possible to the sound source.
This will eliminate the need to turn the gain of your audio interface or mixer all the way up to obtain an acceptable recording level . In general, condenser microphones are the least susceptible to unwanted noise such as feedback.
You also need to pay attention to the direction of the microphone. Place it so that it is not directed towards factors causing unwanted background noise. For clear sound recording, you can use acoustic panels or screens.
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