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It’s a question that’s been asked zillions of times by musicians all over the globe. What is the best microphone for live vocals? It seems pretty straightforward, too. If you’ve ever asked me in the past for my take on the best microphone for live vocals, you’ve always consistently heard the same exact answer as the one we’ll reach here. For my money, it’s the Shure SM58, and always has been. That’s the only live vocal microphone I will ever fully endorse without reservation.
Of course, that’s just my opinion. An opinion shared by countless other musicians—probably a majority of them, in fact. But it’s an opinion nonetheless. And it’s worth noting that quite literally no one on planet Earth enjoys listening to me “sing”. I can play a bunch of instruments decently well, but my vocals? Run. Run quickly.
Rather than writing a totally dull article Shure should be paying me for (but won’t), let’s go the “listicle” route. We’re going to list ten live vocal microphones, and explain why each of them is remarkable. And then you can figure out for yourself what is the best microphone for live vocals, based on what you yourself think qualifies that. Sounds fair, right? Great! So let’s do it!
What is the best microphone for live vocals, and why is it the Shure SM58?
There are some items and products in the world that nearly everyone just sort of agrees to love. For musicians, that list includes things like the Fender Precision bass, the Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum, the Sony MDR-7506 headphones, K&M stands, and Mogami cables.
Shure has quite a few microphones that make that list of beloved music gear, too. The SM57 for instrument recording, the SM7B for broadcasting and vocal recording, and as countless drummers will attest to, the SM81 for drum overheads. Though of those mics, only the SM57 can match the legendary Shure SM58 in popularity.
Why do so many people swear by the SM58? Simply put, it’s a beast, coupling excellent sound quality with legendary durability. And when I say “durability”, I mean the SM58 can take a lot of abuse. I’ve seen them fully submerged in pitchers of beer, dropped out of windows, and worse. The video below shows them getting thrown into the ocean and run over by a truck. And even with all that happening, you can plug it in and get a (usually) clean signal.
The SM58 sounds great and can stand up to all manner of abuse while gigging and touring. Hence it being the industry standard for stages around the world, and widely regarded to be the all-time greatest live vocal microphone.
- Manufacturer Page: Shure SM58
- Typical price: $99.00
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 15,000 Hz
Sennheiser e835
As much as we all love the SM58, it’s not the only microphone on the block. And if you’re willing to trade in some of that acclaimed durability for a different sonic profile, it’s definitely worth looking at some other mics. So let’s move on to another legendary live vocal microphone—the Sennheiser e835.
My recording space is practically carpeted with Sennheiser logos. I personally use one e902 in my kick drum and another on the bass cab, the e604 on my snare and on each of my toms, and the e609 on guitar amps/ cabs. And if Shure stopped making the SM58 tomorrow, the Sennheiser e835 would probably be my next choice as a live vocal microphone.
You probably can’t chuck an e835 from the roof of a hotel and expect it to work, but it definitely sounds a bit better than the SM58 to my ear. This mic has a brighter, crisper sound that really shines on rock, pop, and country vocals. You simply can’t answer the question what is the best microphone for live vocals without mentioning the Sennheiser e835.
- Manufacturer Page: Sennheiser e835
- Typical Price: $99.99
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz to 16,000 Hz
Audix OM2
While not as prevalent as big names like Shure or Sennheiser, Audix is a brand that makes some really solid microphones. Founded in California in 1984 and now based out of Oregon, Audix has an ever-growing legion of supporters thanks to the excellent sound quality and competitive ruggedness of their mics.
The Audix OM2 is competitively priced, and nearly as durable as our top pick. And it sounds incredible, too—a tight pattern, a lovely natural tone, and excellent feedback rejection for louder stages. If you’re looking for better sound quality than the SM58, but you want something a bit tougher than the e835, the Audix OM2 is worth considering. Some people will very happily say this is the best microphone for live vocals, the Shure entries here be damned.
- Manufacturer Page: Audix OM2
- Typical Price: $99.00
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 16,000 Hz
Shure Beta 58A
Die-hard SM58 loyalists looking for the next step up should consider it’s flashier cousin, the Shure Beta 58A. Not only does it sound better—it’s got tighter pickup and enhanced clarity—it’s also outrageously durable. In fact, many would argue the toughened grill and internal shockmount make it more durable than the SM58.
So why isn’t the Shure Beta 58A even more popular than the SM58? Why isn’t this our #1 choice for the best microphone for live vocals?
Well, it’s nearly double the price, for a start. And the SM58 has been rocking stages since 1966. By the time Shure released the Beta 58A in 1989, the older 58 was already ubiquitous throughout the world of live sound. Is it better? Yes, definitely. Will it ever match the popularity of the SM58? Probably not. And given that sizable price gap, we can’t recommend it as the best microphone for live vocals, at least not for most everyday musicians. But it certainly deserves a spot on our list!
- Manufacturer Page: Shure Beta 58A
- Typical Price: $189.00
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 16,000 Hz
Electro-Voice ND76
The Electro-Voice ND76 is a great microphone, particularly because it isn’t trying to be great. And by that, we mean it’s reliable, durable, and sounds great, without getting overzealous in one aspect or another. You just plug it in and forget it’s there.
It’s not as durable as the Shure mics listed earlier, but a tough grill and a shockmounted capsule make it quite durable. It doesn’t have the brightness of the e835 or the natural clarity of the OM2, but it’s surprisingly detailed and clean. And while it doesn’t quite throw out feedback like the OM2, its use of humbucking coil guards make it virtually noiseless all the same.
See what we mean? The ND76 is an all-around dependable workhorse that balances things out quite nicely. It’s a microphone you don’t need to think about, and that’s enough of a perk to earn it a spot on our list.
- Manufacturer Page: Electro-Voice ND76
- Typical Price: $135.00
- Frequency Response: 70 Hz to 17,000 Hz
Beyerdynamic TG V70d
Germany’s fabled engineering precision applies to pretty much everything, and microphones are certainly no exception. The Beyerdynamic TG V70d is a cleverly-designed microphone that sounds utterly gorgeous.
The TG V70d has a beautiful low end and a crisp sound higher up. And like the OM2, the TG V70d has a hypercardioid pickup pattern that helps it cut through noisy stages like a warm knife through equally-warm butter.
It’s a great microphone, but is the sound quality worth that hefty price tag? That’s debatable, especially given it likely won’t hold up to the rigors of constant gigging or touring quite like the other mics here. Still, if you can afford it, this is easily one of the best-sounding mics on our list of the best microphones for live vocals.
- Manufacturer Page: Beyerdynamic TG V70d
- Typical Price: $219.99
- Frequency Response: 25 Hz to 18,000 Hz
AKG D5
When you see the AKG badge on a microphone, you probably think of the legendary C414 condenser, or the ever-popular D112 kick mic. I personally adore their cheaper mics, too—I’m using an AKG P170 on my hi-hats, and I pop a P120 on acoustic guitars, too.
All of that is to say AKG makes great mics. And the AKG D5 is no exception. And it’s honestly a bit surprising its so often overlooked, given the brand’s studio and stage pedigree. The D5 has arguably the strongest midrange presence of any mic on this list, with excellent clarity as well. And it might just be the most feedback-resistant mic on our list, too. If that extra $50 doesn’t scare you off, it’s worth checking out.
- Manufacturer Page: AKG D5
- Typical Price: $149.00
- Frequency Response: 70 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Audio-Technica AE6100
Audio-Technica is another of my personal favorite microphone brands. I will gladly argue with anyone on Earth that the AT4040 large diaphragm condenser punches way, way, way above its weight and outclasses many of the microphones offered at two or three times its price point. And I’m using AT4041SPs for overheads, too, with zero complaints. Oh, and we can’t forget those awesome ATH-M50x studio cans. They’re one of those brands I just instinctively trust.
The Audio-Technica AE6100 lives up to the company’s reputation, delivering a beautifully bright, present tone that’s perfect for articulate singers and spoken word projects. The downside? While Audio-Technica is known for making incredibly competitive gear at unreasonably low price points, the AE6100 is priced out of contention for some everyday music artists. And it may not be as durable as some of the other entries here. You’re definitely getting what you’re paying for, but it’s difficult to bring expensive mics like this into dive bars.
- Manufacturer Page: Audio-Technica AE6100
- Typical Price: $189.00
- Frequency Response: 60 Hz to 15,000 Hz
Heil Sound PR 35
Heil Sound has a rich history of innovation going back 50 years. Bob Heil opened his music store in Marissa, Illinois in the 1960s, and went on to build some really top-flight microphones. The Heil Sound PR 35 is expensive—it’s actually the second-priciest on our list. But it has an almost condenser-like tone, and a level of clarity and detail that isn’t matched on this list otherwise.
The Heil Sound PR 35 is also the most aesthetically-pleasing entry here, with options for black, chrome, or gold finishes. It’s a beautiful- sounding and looking mic, but the steep price point means we don’t really know how durable it is, given nobody wants to drop one.
- Manufacturer Page: Heil Sound PR 35
- Typical Price: $239 (black finish), $349 (chrome or gold finish)
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz to 18,000 Hz
Aston Stealth
The first time I ever saw the Aston Stealth in a Sweetwater listing, I chuckled. It looked like a really small small diaphragm condenser. It wasn’t until I saw one in person that I realized the white background of the online listing failed to give you any sense of scale. It’s not small at all. In fact, it’s huge compared with anything else on our list.
Imagine sticking a can of Four Loko on a mic stand. That’s actually a pretty apt description—the Four Loko can is 8.1″ by 2.7″, and the Aston Stealth is 7.72″ by 2.28″. The Four Loko can weighs 1.6 pounds, while the Aston Stealth weighs 1.52 pounds. Though that’s where the similarities end, of course. Whereas one of these products leaves you incapable of remembering using it, the other is impossible to forget.
The Aston Stealth is almost four mics in one, with four distinct voice settings developed by—get ready for it—120 engineers, producers, and musicians. And you can put a dust cover on that Cloudlifter of yours, because the Aston Stealth can automatically detect phantom power and use it to boost on it own. It’s literally insane.
The million-dollar question is whether the sound quality and spit-take-grade features are worth the hefty price tag. And again, it’s a big mic—it’s more at home in the studio than on the road. So if you’re wondering why a mic with all of these incredible features isn’t ranked #1, well, that.
- Manufacturer Page: Aston Stealth
- Typical Price: $319
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
The best microphone for live vocals: There’s a clear winner, but only subjectively
We’ve mentioned the Shure SM58 so many times in this article I wouldn’t be surprised if Google thought we were trying to cheat our way to the top of search results (we’re really not, Google!). It’s just the best microphone for live vocals, plain and simple. It’s affordably-priced, durable, and sounds great.
Having said all that, the best microphone for live vocals is whichever mic suits your needs the best. If you’re less worried about durability and more concerned about tone, clarity, presence, etc., the best microphone for live vocals might be something else on this list … or maybe it’s not on this list at all. Though we hope that’s not the case, of course. We do try to be thorough!
If you’ve been gigging for a while, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve used at least one of the mics on this list. And there’s an almost equal chance that you’ve used that aforementioned Shure mic that we should probably stop carpet-bombing this article with mentions of. But if you’re new to gigging or touring, we hopefully did a pretty good job of walking you through the most established and notable options out there.
And hey, if you are new to gigging/ touring—we’re guessing quite a few of the people finding this article might be—here are some more useful Parlor City Sound guides you may want to read (or just bookmark for later). And if you’re gigging or touring in the Greater Binghamton/ 607 region, be sure to drop us a line so we can write about you!
More guides for gigging musicians:
- Making an electronic press kit: Why your band needs an EPK
- How to record a demo in great, inexpensive ways
- How to write a fantastic band setlist for any gig
- Should you pay to play gigs? What you need to know about this scam
- Do bands make money? How your band can earn revenue
