Best Microphones For Recording Vocals

Tracking vocals in the recording studio is a unique proposition. Every singer’s voice is different, and each vocal style or musical genre brings its own set of demands. The good news is there’s no shortage of options when it comes to vocal microphones.

With hundreds of mics available, knowing where to start can be the hardest part. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best vocal microphones for recording. From time-tested studio staples to modern standouts, we’ll walk through the options that consistently deliver and help you find the right fit.

C12-Style Microphones
ELA M 251-Style Microphones
U 47-Style Microphones
U 67-Style Microphones
U 87-Style Microphones
M 49-Style Microphones
Sony C800G PAC
Chandler Limited REDD Microphone
Shure SM7B
Soyuz 017 TUBE & FET
AEA R44 & R84
Coles 4038
Manley Reference Cardioid, Reference Gold, & Reference Silver
Modeling Microphones

C12-Style Microphones

Looking to best the Neumann U 47 (more on that in a moment), AKG introduced the C12 in 1953. Although it remained in production for only a decade and just 2,500 units were made, the C12 went on to inspire countless reproductions and imitations. Its reputation was built on exceptional clarity, a natural top end, and a beautifully balanced tonal character. It became a go-to microphone for a number of major artists, including Tom Petty and Michael Jackson, and was even used during the “We Are the World” recording session.

Suggested C12-Style Microphones

ELA M 251-Style Microphones

Originally developed as a modified C12 in a collaboration between AKG and Telefunken, the ELA M 251 is widely regarded as one of the finest all-around vocal microphones ever made. The combination of its Haufe transformer, 6072 tube, and CK12 capsule delivers an extended low end, a detailed midrange, and a silky top end. The result is that classic velvety vocal sound, one that never gets sludgy, thick, or muddy.

Suggested 251-Style Microphones

U 47-Style Microphones

You know you’re doing something right when you’re the go-to vocal microphone for Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Adele, and countless other iconic singers. The Neumann U 47 has a pedigree that runs deep. The legendary tube microphone is highly musical, with a robust low-frequency response, a solid midrange, and an airy top end around 10k. It’s especially effective at adding air and presence to male vocalists with a lower range.

Suggested U 47-Style Microphones

U 67-Style Microphones

As the follow-up to the U 47, the Neumann U 67 had a lot to live up to, but it quickly proved itself as a workhorse across a wide range of sources. Its versatility is key to its lasting appeal, comfortably handling everything from delicate to powerful vocal performances, and it is especially well-suited for female vocalists. The U 67 has a forward, detailed midrange that adds presence and depth, helping vocals sit naturally in a mix without feeling harsh or overly hyped.

Suggested U 67-Style Microphones

U 87-Style Microphones

In 1967, Neumann moved on from the U 67 and introduced the U 87. While it retained the same capsule, the design shifted from tube to FET technology. The U 87 would go on to become one of the world’s most widely used vocal mics, embraced across an enormous range of styles and artists, from Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters to Brian Johnson of AC/DC. While not as colorful as the U 47, it delivers a consistent, forward, and highly reliable sound that has made it a studio staple for decades.

Suggested U 87-Style Microphones

M 49-Style Microphones

Another classic from Berlin, the Neumann M 49 is known for its remote-switchable polar pattern and its silky, smooth character. It's a highly refined microphone with a subtle, deeply natural sound that is full and rich. The M 49 was popular on jazz and pop records in the 1950s and 60s, but perhaps its two most famous vocal uses were on Simon and Garfunkel’s "Bridge over Troubled Water" and Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited.

Suggested M 49-Style Microphones

Sony C800G PAC

The Sony C800G PAC is known for its ultra-clear, forward presentation and unmistakably airy top end. Originally introduced in the early 1990s, it quickly became a defining vocal microphone in hip-hop, R&B, and modern pop, used by artists including Eminem, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. Built around a carefully selected vacuum tube and a large dual-diaphragm capsule inspired by classic European designs, it delivers a sound that is detailed, polished, and extremely present without becoming harsh.

Chandler Limited REDD Microphone

When looking at the Chandler Limited REDD Microphone, you might assume it belongs in the same family as the U 47-style microphones listed above. While the visual aesthetic is similar, there’s something distinctly unique going on under the hood. Chandler Limited developed the REDD Microphone in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, basing its onboard preamp on the classic EMI REDD.47. The result is a microphone capable of delivering a larger-than-life vocal sound with rich coloration that captures a vintage character, while still maintaining its own identity.

Shure SM7B

While it’s become the podcast mic du jour, the Shure SM7B is also widely regarded as a go-to dynamic microphone for vocals. It features a flat, wide-range frequency response, along with onboard bass rolloff and presence boost controls that make it easy to tailor the sound to different vocalists. Whether you’re capturing pop royalty like Bruce Swedien and Quincy Jones did on “Thriller,” or putting it in front of heavy hitters like Metallica, the SM7B remains a reliable, no-nonsense vocal workhorse.

Soyuz 017 TUBE & FET

Soyuz Microphones set out to define its own path in the microphone world, incorporating elements of classic designs while pushing things forward. The brand’s large-diaphragm condensers, the Soyuz 017 TUBE and Soyuz 017 FET, both deliver larger-than-life vocal sounds. The 017 TUBE leans a bit smoother with a rounded top end, while the 017 FET offers a faster, more immediate response with tighter transient capture. Both have become modern standouts for vocal recording and would make strong additions to any microphone locker.

AEA R44 & R84

In the classic era of recording, ribbon microphones were a mainstay on vocals, especially the RCA R44. Crooners like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Perry Como, and Frank Sinatra utilized the microphone, which delivered its signature warm, rich sound with ample low end. AEA's masterful recreations of this mic include the R44C, R44CX, and R44CE, as well as the sleeker, modern interpretation known as the R84.

Coles 4038

If you’re on the hunt for another ribbon microphone that can serve as an all-around star in your mic locker, the Coles 4038 is an incredible choice. While it’s best known as a go-to for drum overheads, brass, guitar amps, and more, it also excels on vocals. The microphone offers a smooth, wide frequency response that handles high-frequency transients with ease, delivering the ultra-smooth character we expect from ribbons without ever becoming too dark.

Manley Reference Cardioid, Reference Gold, & Reference Silver

Manley produces three large-diaphragm condenser microphones, each taking a different approach to tube mic design. The Reference Gold is the flagship, often considered the brand’s no-compromise gold standard, with a highly transparent, detailed sound and minimal coloration. Inspired by the Sony C-37A, the Reference Silver leans more vintage in character with midrange tonality and an extended frequency response. The Reference Cardioid takes the most modern approach, emphasizing clarity and presence, making it especially effective for hip-hop, pop, and rock vocals.

Modeling Microphones

If you’re looking for a vocal microphone solution on a budget, a modeling microphone can be a compelling option. These condenser microphones capture clean, detailed audio and let you apply microphone emulations before, during, or after tracking. That means you can access digital versions of many of the classic microphones we’ve talked about above, while also comparing different models at any stage of your workflow to find the best fit for the vocal.

Suggested Modeling Microphones

If you’re interested in any of the microphones mentioned in this blog or want to learn about more vocal mic options, we're here to help! Contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.

Products in this Article

AKG C12 VR Large Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone

$ 8,649 .00