Best Dynamic Microphones For Vocals

Dynamic mics are excellent for recording vocals – everything from podcasting to voiceovers to

1)  Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

Shure SM7B: The Quintessential Dialog Mic

While Shure’s SM7B is a first-call mic for many sources, it’s a total rock star dialog microphone. You’ll find this dynamic beauty dangling from broadcast booms in voiceover, ADR, radio, and podcast studios around the world. There are two settings that let you tailor the SM7B to a wide range of voices and applications. Whether you want to bring out the resonance of a deep baritone, tame the brittleness of a high soprano, capture a whisper, or record a gunshot, the Shure SM7B is a must-have part of your rig.

True dynamic versatility

Investing in a microphone can be a bit intimidating, because you never know how well it will perform. With its dual tone controls, the SM7B is exceptionally versatile. This dual-band switchable passive EQ offers low cut and presence boost controls. Flat or with the low cut, the SM7B is an amazing mic for male dialog and vocals, but a switch of the presence boost makes it an excellent choice for bright sound sources and sibilant vocalists. It can also take up to 180dB, which makes the SM7B a top choice for pounding bass drum and full-tilt guitar and bass cabs.

Superior design for superior results

The SM7B’s been around forever, right? So, its components are probably simple. Wrong! This mic’s design has more than spanned the test of time. For starters, there’s an internal suspension and shockmounting system, which eliminates light vibration. Advanced electromagnetic shielding keeps out hum. Top it off with Sweetwater-favorite features such as an integrated swivel mount and a beefy close talk windscreen, this funky-looking mic has a whole lot to offer. And since it features a cardioid polar pattern, off-axis sound is never an issue for your Shure SM7B.

Deeply rooted history in pop music

Beyond voiceover work and podcasting, the SM7B has taken over mainstream music as the microphone of choice. This mic has flattered pop singers from Charlie Puth to Michael Jackson, delivering chart-topping records like Thriller time and time again. And over the years, Shure has only worked to improve the SM7B dynamic microphone — providing an even silkier top end frequency response with their latest 2020 model. Whether you’re a part of the podcast boom or recording your next hit single, our Sales Engineers at Sweetwater can assure you that the SM7B will not disappoint.

Shure SM7B Dynamic Cardioid Microphone Features at a Glance:

• Quintessential dialog microphone with a flat, wide-range frequency response
• Bass roll-off and midrange emphasis (presence boost) controls accommodate a wide range of voices
• Shielded against electromagnetic hum and broadband interference
• Internal air suspension shock isolation virtually eliminates mechanical noise transmission
• Effective pop filter eliminates need for any add-on protection against explosive breath sounds
• Ships with A7WS detachable close talk windscreen
• Yoke mounting with captive stand nut for easy mounting and dismounting
• Classic cardioid polar pattern provides excellent off-axis rejection
• Rugged construction for a lifetime of regular wear and tear

2)  Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone

A Must-have Mic for Studio and Stage!

When you buy a Shure SM57, you’ve got a great dynamic microphone for life. Accounts of its heroic toughness lie at the center of countless music-industry legends, most of which are perfectly true. What’s also true about the SM57 is that it sounds great on a wide variety of sources. A large percentage of the snare drums and many guitar cabinets and vocal tracks recorded in the last several decades owe their sound to the SM57. Try one and you’ll find out why live sound professionals and seasoned studio engineers swear by the Shure SM57 more than any microphone on the planet.

Clear and present sound

From the biggest live stages to the top recording studios worldwide to the presidential podium, the Shure SM57 is one of the most widely used microphones the world over. One of the things that define the Shure SM57 as the quintessential workhorse microphone is its signature frequency response and presence boost. This natural presence boost brings out clarity in vocals, snap in snare drums, and bite in guitar amps. In general, you’ll be able to use your SM57 on anything. In fact, it’s common practice on many live stages to use the SM57 as a default microphone for everything.

Exceptional onstage and in the studio

The sound of the SM57 isn’t the only thing that makes it a fantastic workhorse microphone. Its tight cardioid polar pattern gives you exceptional isolation. In fact, one of the reasons the Shure SM57 is such a popular snare drum microphone is that you can position it to reject the sound of the nearby hi-hat. But the SM57’s stellar off-axis sound rejection is not only great in the studio. Onstage, it’s easy to position the SM57 so that it won’t pick up the sound of the PA, allowing you to get maximum gain before feedback.

Built to withstand serious abuse

Of course, you can’t talk about Shure’s SM57 without mentioning its heroic toughness. There are epic videos on YouTube and countless stories of people running SM57s over with trucks, dropping them from buildings, submerging them in salt water, and burying them in the Earth for months – all without so much as affecting their frequency responses. What that means to you is that the typical day-after-day, show-after-show abuse of any studio or stage is simply not a problem for this mighty mic. The reason you’ll buy another and another Shure SM57 is that you’ll keep finding more places where you can use them.

Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphone Features:

• The most popular dynamic microphone on the planet
• Great workhorse microphone live or in the studio
• Excellent for capturing the sound of virtually any instrument or sound source
• Especially suitable for close-miking of instrument amps and speakers
• Perfect for studio applications
• Natural presence peak brings out extra clarity in vocals and many instruments
• Built to withstand the harshest conditions, wear, and abuse
• For use both as a handheld microphone and with a stand mount
• Tight cardioid polar pattern provides excellent gain before feedback
• MA25D mic clip included

3 ) Shure SM58S Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

The World’s Most Popular Live Vocal Mic!

Shure’s legendary SM58 dynamic vocal microphone is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals — and it’s consistently the first choice of performers around the globe. The SM58 also features a highly effective built-in, spherical filter, which minimizes wind and breath “pop” noise, while its cardioid pickup pattern helps to isolate the main sound source, while minimizing unwanted background noise. Outdoors or indoors, singing or speech — the SM58 is the overwhelming choice of professionals. This is the SM58S, which adds an on/off switch.

Shure SM58S Dynamic Vocal Microphone at a Glance:

• Legendary Vocal Stage Mic
• Rugged Reliability

Legendary Vocal Stage Mic
For over 40 years, when the pros hit the stage, more of them are holding a Shure SM58 than anything else! The cardioid pickup pattern limits interference from other onstage sound sources, and the frequency response is perfectly tailored for vocals, with a brighter midrange and bass roll-off. There’s a reason you see the SM58 on more stages than any other vocal microphone — it just works!

Rugged Reliability
It takes more than being designed specifically for the stage to make a microphone a legend. As much as it’s famous for its sound, the SM58 is famous for its durability. Simply put, this microphone is built like a tank — you can travel with it from gig to gig and rest assured that it will last.

Shure SM58S Dynamic Vocal Microphone Features:

• Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass roll-off
• Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise
• Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
• Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
• Supplied with break-resistant stand adapter which rotates 180 degrees
• Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness and reliability
• Cardioid (unidirectional) dynamic
• On/Off Switch

The Shure SM58 is the world’s most popular vocal microphone!

4 )sE Electronics V7 Supercardioid Dynamic Handheld Vocal Microphone

Great Sound and Built to Last

With the sE Electronics V7 handheld dynamic microphone in hand, you’ll hit the stage with confidence. Its specialized aluminum voice coil offers natural-sounding reproduction of your voice, while simultaneously giving it a crisp, open quality. Its supercardioid design yields excellent isolation from stage noise and delivers massive amounts of gain before feedback. Rumble and handling noise aren’t a problem for the V7, thanks to its integrated shockmount. An internal windscreen prevents winds noise and plosives from ruining your performance. The V7 is built for the stage, with durable zinc alloy construction and a super-tough beveled spring steel mesh grille. The sE Electronics V7 handheld dynamic microphone is built to last.

sE Electronics V7 Handheld Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone at a Glance:

• Specialized aluminum voice coil manifests a crisp, open sound
• Integrated shockmount and internal windscreen ensure top-notch onstage performance
• Heavy-duty metal construction and beveled spring steel grille

Specialized aluminum voice coil manifests a crisp, open sound

By virtue of its custom-developed aluminum voice coil, the sE Electronics V7 lends a crisp, open quality to your voice and instruments but still maintains a natural sound. Enjoy excellent isolation and copious amounts of gain before feedback, thanks to the V7’s superbly built supercardioidcapsule. When we ran the V7 through its paces here at Sweetwater, we were duly impressed by its performance – especially for the price.

Integrated shockmount and internal windscreen ensure top-notch onstage performance

When you take the stage with the sE Electronics V7, you don’t have to worry about handling noise. An integrated shockmount decouples the V7’s capsule, effectively eliminating rumble and other distracting sounds. An internal windscreen reduces unwanted wind noise and plosives. Both red and black windscreens are included, so you can choose which one suits your personal style.

Heavy-duty metal construction and beveled spring steel grille

Built from durable zinc alloy, the road-ready sE Electronics V7 can withstand serious punishment. Its spring steel mesh grille is dent- and corrosion-proof. And, courtesy of the grille’s beveled edge, this microphone won’t roll around when you set it down. Rest assured that you’ll be using the V7 for years to come, thanks to its high-quality components, including a gold-plated XLR connector.

sE Electronics V7 Handheld Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone Features:

• Specialized aluminum voice coil offers superb sound reproduction
• Supercardioid capsule yields excellent isolation and massive amounts of gain before feedback
• Integrated shockmount eliminates rumble and handling noise
• Internal windscreen prevents wind noise and plosives from ruining your performance
• Both red and black windscreens are included to suit your style
• Beveled edge keeps the mic from rolling around when you set it down
• Gold-plated XLR connector ensures a solid, reliable connection
• Durable zinc alloy construction
• Includes a carrying pouch, swivel mic clip, and thread adapter that fits nearly any mic stand

The sE Electronics V7 is a great-sounding, budget-friendly handheld dynamic microphone.

 

5) Audix OM2 Hypercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

Quality Workhorse Mic for Vocals!

An all-around great mic for vocals and a wide range of instruments, the OM2 handheld dynamic mic features a VLM type-B capsule which gives you warmth in the lower mid-bass and a slight boost in the midrange. Features a proprietary anti-feedback design for great handling, and it’s built to last!

Features:

• Handheld Dynamic
• Hypercardioid pattern
• 140dB SPL
• Proprietary anti-feedback design
• Durable scratch resistant spring steel grille
• Black E-coat finish
• Gold-plated contacts
• VLM Very low mass diphragm
• Reduced phase shift
• Superior transient response
• Pouch & clip included
• Application specific microphones
• Individually tested & hand assembled
• Highest levels of gain before feedback
• Exceptioanl off-axis rejection

6) Sennheiser MD 421-II Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

One of Sennheiser’s Best!

One of Sennheiser’s most popular microphones! It’s the MD 421-II’s versatility that has made this mic so widely acclaimed. Its ability to handle high pressure levels makes it a natural for guitars and drums, but that’s just the beginning. The MD 421-II’s full-bodied cardioid pattern and five-position bass control mean it’s an excellent choice for most instruments, as well as group vocals or radio broadcast announcers. One listen and you’ll know why it’s a classic.

A cardioid mic for a host of applications!

The MD 421-II is one of the best-known microphones in the world. At Sweetwater, we’ve found that its excellent sound qualities enable it to cope with the most diverse recording conditions and broadcasting applications.

Feedback rejection and bass roll-off

The MD 421-II’s cardioid pattern offers outstanding feedback rejection, making it an excellent choice for live situations or recording environments where bleed from other instruments may be an issue. And the five selectable bass roll-off settings control proximity effect, so you can use the MD 421-II in close-miking situations and still get clean, clear response with no unnatural bass boost.

A sturdy, reliable mic

The MD 421-II has a glass composite housing and hardened stainless steel basket for rugged and durable performance in the studio or onstage. The sound inlet basket is refined steel for capsule protection. When you consider the lifetime performance and versatility of this mic, it’s easy to understand why the MD 421-II is world renowned for quality and value!

Sennheiser MD 421-II Features:

• Glass composite housing and hardened stainless steel basket — rugged and durable
• Five-position bass roll-off switch — compensates for proximity effect
• Frequency response 30Hz–17kHz
• Effective feedback rejection
• Clear sound reproduction
• Acoustic components enclosed in inner chassis — reduced sensitivity to dust and humidity
• Internal bass tubes help deliver accurate low-end response
• Handles exceptionally high sound pressure levels
• Mic clip included

7 )Sennheiser e 825-S Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

Value-packed Vocal Mic with Privacy Switch

With its voice-flattering pickup and silent privacy switch, the German-made Sennheiser e 825-S is an outstanding choice for the singer and public speaker on a budget. Its rugged metal housing and internal damping keep the e 825-S quiet in the hand — an essential for any handheld mic. Meanwhile, this microphone’s hum-canceling coil and feedback-fighting cardioid polar pattern prevent embarrassing stage noise from distracting your listeners. Unique to the e 825-S is its Silent On/Off switch, which allows soloists and emcees to mute their own channel between uses; the switch can be locked in the “On” position for performance convenience. A relatively flat frequency curve from 100hz to 2.5kHz, followed by a subtle sibilance boost, keeps vocals sounding natural and intelligible through a PA. Whether you’re new to the stage or a longtime performer, you’ll find the sound and features you need in the Sennheiser evolution e 825-S from Sweetwater.

 

Sennheiser e 825-S Handheld Dynamic Microphone Features:

• An unbeatable value for vocalists on a budget
• Performance tailored to singers and speakers
• Silent On/Off switch lets users discretely mute their own channel
• Rugged metal housing with internal damping neutralizes handling noise
• Cardioid polar pattern reduces stage feedback and off-axis sound
• Hum-canceling coil rejects RFI interference
• 80Hz–15kHz frequency response
• Includes a mic clip and travel pouch
• Made in Germany