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In this microphone guide we’ll take a look at some of the best studio mics for home recording studio use.

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Quick answer: The Neumann TLM 103 is often considered to the be favorite among professionals, though it’s a little pricey. If you’re looking for a good budget option, take a look at the Audio-Technica AT2035. A great middle-of-the road option that doesn’t disappoint is the AKG Pro Audio C214.

However, if you’re looking for something a little more specialized, like for drums, guitar, or even the inside of the piano, we’ll cover those options in this guide as well.

We’ll also go into what makes each microphone good, their unique qualities, specs, and what others who’ve used them had to say about them. By the end of this post you’ll know exactly what your next microphone should be.

Let’s take a closer look… 🙂

Table of Contents

Find other great studio gear here:

10 Best Microphones for Home Recording – At a Glance

Studio Mic Model	Primary Application	Transducer	Polar Pattern	Freq. Response
1	AKG Pro Audio C214 (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Acoustics, General	Condenser	Cardioid	20Hz-20kHz
2	Audio-Technica AT2035 (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Vocals, Acoustics, Drum OH, General	Condenser	Cardioid	20Hz-20kHz
3	Neumann TLM 103 (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Vocal, Acoustics, General	Condenser	Cardioid	20Hz-20kHz
4	Sennheiser MD 421 II (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Amps, Drums, Speech, General	Dynamic	Cardioid	40Hz-20kHz
5	Shure SM57-LC (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Drums, Amps, On Stage, General	Dynamic	Cardioid	30Hz-17kHz
6	AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Vocals, Acoustics, Amps, General	Condenser	Multiple	20Hz-2kHz
7	Beyerdynamic M160 (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Brass, Strings, Guitar Amp	Ribbon	Hypercardioid	40Hz-20kHz
8	Shure BETA 91A (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Kick Drum (inside, Piano (inside)	Condenser	Half-Cardioid Boundary	30Hz-15kHz
9	Audix D6 (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Kick Drum, Bass Amp	Dynamic	Cardioid	20Hz-20kHz
10	Blue Yeti Pro USB (see price @ Amazon) (overview)	Vocals, Speech, Acoustics	Condenser	Multiple	40Hz-15kHz

The Best Studio Mics

These are the best studio mics for home recording you can get on the market. If you need help making a decision, take a look at the buying guide section of this post.

1 - AKG Pro Audio C214

If you're looking for a studio microphone for under 500 dollars, for the purpose of recording an acoustic instrument (like a guitar) and some other general recording applications like drums, guitar amps, and vocals, check out the AKG Pro Audio C214 studio mic. It was designed to be a relatively inexpensive microphone for professional use. But even though it doesn't carry the heft price tag of the studio microphones I will mention, it generally provides the sort of confident sound that audio engineers and producers need to get good recordings in their studios.

Features & Specs

The C214 studio mic is a large diaphragm condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. As a condenser microphone, it sounds the best when used on an acoustic instrument. The capsule itself provides a quick transient response, meaning really nice details in definition can be heard in the picks and strums of a guitars, as well as slaps and hits on percussion.

It's found its use on recording drum rooms, drum overheads, and even a guitar cabinet as well. The versatility comes from having a fairly flat frequency response, with a slight scoop between 1 kHz to 2 kHz, and a presence peak at around 13 kHz. Plus the ability to apply a -20 dB pad gives you the ability to protect the sensitive capsule from the large dynamic pressure you'd get from a drum or amp. You can also use the high-pass filter to cut away the top end, depending on what you want to record with it.

Finally, vocals are not left out. As a condenser microphone you can expect it to be very sensitive to subtleties of a singer's voice. Some have found that this microphone provides a characteristic 'roundness' to the vocals that it records, while keeping things clear and transparent.

Bottom-line

The AKG Pro Audio C214 studio mic is a great and versatile microphone for home recording. It's a safe middle-of-the-road option if you want to get one general purpose studio microphone without having to spend a lot of money. It's a modern classic that gets constant good reviews. If you're into recording anything acoustic, getting this microphone, for the price, is a no brainer. It brings consistent satisfaction across many applications, making it one of the best studio microphones for all-round usage. A definite recommendation if you haven't got it as yet.

AKG C214 Specifications

• MicrophoneType: Condenser
• PolarPattern: Cardioid
• FrequencyResponse: 20Hz-20kHz
• SelfNoise: 13dB (A weighted)
• LowCutFilter: 160Hz (-6dB/octave)
• Pads: -20dB
• IncludedAccessories: H85 Shockmount, Metal Carry Case

2 - Audio-Technica AT2035

You could possibly consider the Audio-Technica AT2035 studio mic the no. 1 most popular, and probably most sought after, microphone for those building a home studio on a budget. In fact, this microphone can probably be found in every home studio collection, since it's often the 'first microphone' that many producers gets. Not just that, you can find this microphone in many professional studios, as well as used in live settings. These, factor, as well as its other essential qualities, is what allows this microphone to win a place on this list.

Features & Specs

The AT2035 studio mic is a large diaphragm condenser microphone, with a cardioid polar pattern. It's considered a truly general purpose condenser microphone. But being a condenser, you can expect it to do well on sources like vocals, drum OH, and acoustics. That means if you're getting one of these, I'd suggest you get a dynamic microphone as well (I recommend the Shure SM57, which is also in this list). That way, you get the best of both worlds and spend just under 250 dollars, total. That's a great budget buy.

Anyway, the quality of the AT2035 is considered honest, especially for being a budget condenser. Budget condensers are kind of tricky, because of the sensitivity that the capsule has to sound pressure hitting it. There is a tendency for cheaper condenser microphones to come off as overly bright, shrill, and thin, and not in any controlled way. Gladly, the AT2035 doesn't produce too much of an overwhelming lift in the highest frequencies. And in some instances, it captures the warmth of vocals and acoustics very well.

The AT2035 features a switchable 80 Hz high pass filter if you want to roll off the bass of your audio source. And there is a -10 dB pad that you can use to protect the capsule from loud audio sources. When you purchase the AT2035, you get a custom shock mount, and protective soft pouch for storage.

Bottom-line

When it comes to the best studio microphones on a budget, the Audio-Technica AT2035 studio mic tops that list. Especially if you're just getting into build a home studio. With the AT2035 studio mic, you get professional grade quality for for a cheap price. More than likely, if you have a home studio, you already have this microphone in your collection, and are either looking for an upgrade or for more options. Either way, all can agree, it's a great 'must have,' particularly if you're new.

Audio-Technica AT2035 Specifications

• Microphone Type: Condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Self Noise: 12dB
• Low Cut Filter: 80Hz (-12dB/octave)
• Pads: -10dB
• Included Accessories: Shock Mount, Microphone Pouch

3 - Neumann TLM 103

The Neumann TLM 103 studio mic is the benchmark of project and home recording studios, as well as professional industry standard studios. It's suitable for recording practically anything, but it shines particularly well when you set it up to work on recording a singer or an acoustic guitarist. This makes this an exception choice for singer-songwriter producers who want the best quality for their money. And is, in fact, the studio microphone of choice by famous artists such as Justin Timberlake and Beyonce. Hence, you can also expect a heftier price for the quality.

Features & Specs

The Neumann TLM 103 studio mic is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, with a cardioid pickup pattern that will minimize the sound of the room to focus on the audio source before it. It has a very low self-noise and a very sensitive capsule that makes it quite suitable for recording acoustic instruments. For a condenser microphone, it is consider a little bit on the bright side, primarily because of how sensitive the microphone is to the higher frequencies. A few don't like that, but others, especially rap artists and broadcasters, love the clarity and definition the sensitivity capsule produces. This makes it excellent at picking up details for clarity the words of a song or speech. It also produces that 'modern sound' that many producers go after these days. However, despite its modern bright sound, it does manage to retain a level of warmth often missing in the typical condenser microphone, which, makes it a lot more natural sounding, and not at all shrill.

Despite the price tag, Neumann considers this their 'low-end' microphone. Neumann is really a 'high-end' manufacturer, and it is true that their microphones can go into the multiple thousands of dollars. The level of quality of microphones that they produce often times allows the sound engineer working with them to use minimal to zero EQing on their recordings. You'd find that this would be the same for you, if you decide to purchase the TLM 103 studio mic.

Bottom-line

The Neumann TLM 103 studio mic is one of the bestyou could get for your home recording or project studio. You can use it to record great vocals, guitars, and other instruments without having to do much 'fixing' in your mixes. The only thing is that the TLM 103 studio mic may require of you, is ensuring that you're recording your audio sources in a properly treated environment. Because it is so sensitive, you'd be surprised how well the microphone will be at listening in on things you don't want in your environment.

Neumann TLM 103 Specifications

• MicrophoneType: Condenser
• PolarPattern: Cardioid
• FrequencyResponse: 20Hz-20kHz
• SelfNoise: 7dB (A weighted)
• LowCutFilter: Flat, 40Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz
• Pads: -6dB, -12dB, -18dB
• IncludedAccessories: Stand Mount, Wood Box

4 - Sennheiser MD 421 II

You can record either speech or music with the Sennheiser MD 421 II studio mic. It's a classic microphone that gives you two settings to choose from, both settings allowing you to go from, say, recording for a podcast, to recording your guitar amp with just the flick of a switch. So the MD 421 II studio mic is a super versatile microphone that can work with many audio sources, but especially shines on sources that a pretty loud and prone to giving other sub-par microphones feedback.

Features & Specs

The MD 421 II studio mic is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. As a dynamic studio mic, you can expect it to handle situations less ideal for condensers, like on drums and amps. The design of the microphone itself is physically rugged, giving a feeling of security-- in other words, it's not too 'delicate' a device to set up. One of the most famous application of this microphone, also, is in broadcasting, and it's also been used for recording backup vocals.

Where the MD 421 II studio mic particularly shines, however, are on recording amps and drums. Pair this with another dynamic, condenser, or ribbon to get a richer sound from your amps. On drums, they are very popularly used on toms. Mainly because they capture the full spectrum of tones produced by a tom better than many other dynamic studio mic. And in addition to the speech and music switch I mentioned earlier, the 5 position bass roll-off switch gives you some recording flexibility, allowing you control over how much bass you want to reach your console or DAW.

What engineers who use the MD 421 II studio mic have much to say in the way of praise for it. Much personal reviews claim that it offers one of the cleanest and fullest sound you can get form a dynamic studio microphone. It has a pretty low end (hence the bass roll of switch) so it's often found used on kick drums as well. The only major complaint is that the microphone clip can be a little cumbersome, requiring sometimes the necessity of tape.

Bottom-line

The Sennheiser MD 421 II studio mic for home studio is a great go-to microphone that can fulfill the majority of needs. It is a highly ubiquitous microphone you literally find everywhere, even in live performances. So if you plan on doing any recorded speech, podcasts, or recording loud instruments or amps, this is definitely one of the best studio microphones you can get for the money as an alternative to the studio condenser microphones on this list.

Sennheiser MD 421 II Specifications

• Microphone Type: Dynamic
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 30Hz-17kHz
• Included Accessories: Mic Clip

5 - Shure SM57

If there is one microphone you should have from this list, it has to be the Shure SM57 instrument microphone. This thing ubiquitous, and you've most likely held one of these things in your hand already, even without realizing it. It's not just popularly used in studios, but on stage. It is a loyal classic that is tough, rugged, and can take a beating. And because it's cheap, your pocket won't suffer for losing it.

It's actually hard to review the the SM57 studio mic, mainly because it's so popular, finding things to say about it seems a little immaterial. But for some reason or another, if you weren't aware of the SM57 studio mic, you'd probably end up skipping this and get something else on this list. This I, and many other pro audio users, would advise against. If you absolutely have to have one and only one microphone for recording instruments, it has to be the SM57 studio mic. Once you get the SM57 studio mic, you can compliment it with a condenser (like the AKG Pro Audio C214 studio mic), a ribbon (Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic), and another high-spec dynamic (Sennheiser MD 421 II studio mic) as you choose.

Features & Specs

Spec-wise, the SM57 studio micis a standard microphone that captures sounds naturally, without much frills or excitement. The 'sound' of the SM57 studio mic is actually so definitive that an audio engineer may bypass a high-end microphone for the sound of the SM57. Or use the SM57 paired with another microphone. It's most popularly used on recording instrument amplifiers (guitars and basses specially) as well as drums (snare, toms, timbales, even the kick). However, it's also VERY popularly used on vocals, especially in live settings.

The SM57 is also a cardioid microphone, so it does a pretty good job at isolating the sound source that it is pointed at. It has a very flat frequency response in the midrange, with a 'carefully contoured presence rise' up the higher frequencies. It's not the most subtle sounding microphone, but it will get the job done. Both on the stage and in your studio.

Bottom-line

The Shure SM57 is a must have for your studio. You can count on it that more than 2/3 of the recordings in your music collection used an SM57. If the pros use this, then you have no reason why you shouldn't have this if you do any instrument recording. Some would even say that the the Shure SM57, despite its price, is the best studio microphone ever made.

Shure SM57 Specifications

• Microphone Type: Dynamic
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 40Hz-15kHz
• Included Accessories: Mic clip

6 - AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII

Do you want a microphone designed specifically for vocal and solo acoustic instruments? The AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII studio mic was created for that purpose. Yet it works excellently when paired with a dynamic on guitar cabinets. So just like the Neumann mentioned above, this makes it practically useful for any sort of audio source. This makes the C414 XLII studio mic also one of the most recommended, most purchased microphones, for anyone looking for pro-grade quality for the money.

Features & Specs

The AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII studio mic is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, with multiple polar patterns. You get to choose among nine polar patterns when using it. So you'd find this a very versatile microphone when applying it to recording your audio sources. This includes omni, cardioid, wide cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-of-8. You can also add more presence to your recordings with its presence boost feature as well, if you feel that your recordings sound too flat. It also has a pad and filter to attenuate the sound reaching the capsule, as well as filtering out high or low frequencies, based on the kind of audio source you're recording. These settings make this microphone one of the few condenser microphones you can safely use with drum. It's also very convenient, as the settings are operated by buttons on the microphone.

Best Recording Microphone For Mac

AKG is a name that you'd probably be very familiar with, either by now, or eventually. They make some of the best gear, from headphones, to studio monitors. And all their gears are designed for profession studio use. So when you purchase the C414 XLII studio mic, you get a low-profile shock mount, a foam windscreen, a pop filter, and a well padded aluminum flight case.

Bottom-line

The AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII studio mic is one the best studio microphones you could buy for the money. It comes at professional price tag, but the value really speaks for itself when you assign it to your recordings. Its most popular buyers in the home studio market tend to be sing-songwriter music producers. Sometimes they are bought in pairs for added flexibility of having multi polar patterns and filter options to combine with your audio source.

AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Specifications

• MicrophoneType: Condenser
• PolarPattern: Omni, Wide Cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardioid, Figure-8
• FrequencyResponse: 20Hz-20kHz
• SelfNoise: 6dB (A weighted)
• LowCutFilter: 40Hz, 80Hz (-12dB/octave), 160Hz (-6dB/octave)
• Pads: -6dB, -12dB, -18dB
• IncludedAccessories: Stand Mount, Shock Mount, Pop Screen, Windscreen, Carry Case

7 - Beyerdynamic M160

The Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic is a timeless classic microphone that originated all the way back in 1957. It's a ribbon microphone, and one of the most popular ribbons on the market. As a ribbon microphone, you could technically use it on many recording sources, from vocals to drums. But sound engineers find that this microphone shines the best on brass instruments, as well as pairing with a dynamic microphone on a guitar cabinet with lots of drive.

Features & Specs

Ribbon studio mics are characterized as having a warm sound that slightly rolls off the high frequencies in favor of the lows. This is the case for the Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic. So if you're recording an overdriving guitar, you're not going to find the need to do a lot of EQing to minimize any 'shrillness' in your recordings. Plus, it uniquely has a hypercardioid pickup pattern, meaning it will record directly the source that you point it at. Many ribbons tend to be figure-of-8, so you'd get a recording pattern in opposite directions instead.

Another great quality you'd probably like about the Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic is that it has an ever so slight presence boost in the upper frequencies. Users have found that this ribbon microphone shines in quality above many other ribbon studio mics because of the very fact that ribbons can, depending upon your sound source, sound a bit muffled. A little bit of presence makes it a more balanced sounding microphone.

Another well known application for the Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic is on drums. The presence boost can really give snare drums that 'snap,' while providing it with the rich color and full bodied warmth you'd want in a mix. In addition to brass instruments, strings, particularly cellos and violins, sound smooth and lush when recorded on the Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic. Since ribbons are highly sensitive, the details are pristine, but you don't have to worry about any possible unpleasant 'screeches' destroying your string recordings.

Bottom-line

If you're the market for a ribbon microphone, or for a microphone for the applications I described above, take a look at the Beyerdynamic M160 studio mic. It's constantly highly rated. It's loved so much that it's been in consistent production for over 60 years. A vintage classic you can't miss.

You can also take a look at some more affordable options if it's outside your buying range.

Beyerdynamic M160 Specifications

• MicrophoneType: Ribbon
• RibbonType: Double Ribbon, Aluminum
• PolarPattern: Hypercardioid
• FrequencyResponse: 40Hz-20kHz

8 - Shure Beta 91A

The Shure Beta 91A studio mic is a specialized microphone with a funny design that makes it great at doing what it's supposed to do: recording the insides of an instrument. Most notably, inside of a kick, or inside of a piano. It's been praised for how accurate it sounds in both applications (or any other application you need to capture the inside sounds of an instrument), because the microphone's high SPL capability (sound pressure level), it can capture the sound of, not only the source itself, but of the loudness of the entire space it is in.

Features & Specs

The Beta 91A studio mic is a condenser boundary microphone. This means that is has a half-cardioid polar pattern. You use this by placing it, literally, against the boundary of the instrument. So for a kick drum, that would meaning letting it sit on the floor of the kick, by resting on a blanket. Of if you use it on a piano, tape it up under the lid of the piano and close it. Everything except the surface that it is resting against with be recorded this way.

The Beta 91A studio mic makes an exceptional a kick drum microphone for three reasons. For one, it has a very great low end response that extends all the way down to 20 Hz, so it will pick up sub bass sounds within your kick. You can always roll off some of the low end (below 300 Hz) with an EQ switch on the microphone. Second, the Beta 91A studio mic has an incredibly flat frequency response. And third, being a condenser microphone that fits inside your kick, you get to capture the initial 'click' of your kick with uncompromising clarity.

When it comes to piano, the flat response means an honest and clear representation of your piano recordings. And being a condenser, it has a fast transient response that captures the subtleties of the hammers striking the strings.

Bottom-line

The Shure Beta 91A studio mic is great microphone. If you have the specialized need of recording the inside environment of an instrument (or room), this is one of the best studio microphones you can buy. But the vast majority of happy users tend to be kick drum sound engineers working on getting the perfect kick drums sounds, whether for studio or live situations.

Shure Beta 91A Specifications

• MicrophoneType: Condenser
• PolarPattern: Half-Cardioid Boundary
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Self Noise: 29.5dB (A weighted)
• Included Accessories: Zippered Carrying Bag

9 - Audix D6

The Audix D6 studio mic is a great studio microphone designed for kick drums. You can also use it on bass amp, floor toms, or a Leslie bottom. In essence, it's a low frequency microphone that can record accurately any instrument which produces powerful bass. And it's suitable for both live stage settings, as well as studio recording.

Features & Specs

The D6 studio mic is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pattern specifically tuned for the kick drum. It has a rather unusual frequency response curve: there's a wide scoop in the middle, with the peaks at both the high and low ends of the spectrum. It's understandable that, as a bass and kick studio microphone, you'd want it to give preference to the lowest frequencies. But the response to the higher frequencies provide more presence (high frequencies) in the kick sound, the frequencies get the characteristic sounds of the thuds and clicks of your kicks to push through in a mix.

As I said, the D6 studio mic is not just great for kicks, but also for bass amps. The unique response curve allows the bass player's slaps, slides, and other characteristic sounds of the instrument to have a place in your mix. And it captures the full bodied roundness of floor toms very nicely. The result of each audio source is a thick and 'beefy' sound, with a lot of character.

The microphone itself is considered smaller than the usual bass and kick microphones, and is relatively lightweight. This is good in terms of finding a position for it in your microphone setup. However, unlike the Shure Beta 91A studio mic, it is directional, meaning you'd have to take care where you point it. However, for this reason it really does a top job at isolating the sound source, ensuring that feedback is minimized to nothing.

Bottom-line

The Audix D6 studio mic is a great microphone for home recording to have if you want to get the best sound for your kicks and bass. You can use it live or in studio, as it can definitely take its beating, and reward you for it.

Audix D6 Specifications

• Microphone Type: Dynamic
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 30Hz-15kHz

10 - Blue Yeti Pro USB Microphone

The Blue Yeti Pro USB studio mic is a great microphone if you just want to quickly and easily plug your microphone into your computer or laptop, without having to go through an audio interface. Like the name suggests, it is a professional microphone that uses a USB connection, instead of relying solely on the standard XLR connectors found on standard pro audio gear. That's because it already comes with a built in microphone preamp and DA converter (digital-audio conversion). That makes this microphone the top choice if you want to do podcasts, and record high quality acoustics and vocals in a personal desktop-workstation personal studio sort of configuration.

Features & Specs

The Blue Yeti Pro USB studio mic is a large diaphragm condenser microphone. The large diaphragm means it's versatile enough to pick up high and low ends with clarity. Low ends of vocals, if you're doing podcasts, sounds great, and the high end response picks up the transients and high frequencies needed to get good acoustic guitar recordings.

There are four polar patterns in total, cardioid, figure-of-8, omni-directional, and XY stereo. You can select these patterns from one of the switches on the microphone itself. The switches control gain, master volume (for headphone jack), and the mute button. The cool thing I just mentioned, which I like, is that you can actually connect yourstudio headphones to this microphone for direct monitoring. Additionally, there is the option of connecting your microphone via XLR cable. So you can actually use it in your home recording studio with your audio interface, after all.

The Blue Yeti Pro USB studio mic is actually the upgraded version to the standard Yeti, which costs about 100 dollars less. The difference between the two is that the standard version lacks the XLR connector, and the Pro version can run digital audio input of up to 24-bit and 96 kHz to 192 kHz audio. The standard version can only input digital audio of 16-bit and 48 kHz. Otherwise, they are pretty much identical. If you prefer the cheaper version, you can check it out at this Amazon link.

Bottom-line

The Blue Yeti Pro USB studio mic is a beautiful microphone with a retro look that produces professional level quality, and in a convenient package. It minimizes the need for a lot of gear, and can sit right on top of your desk to record vocals, speech, or instruments. Best for podcasters and if you just want to record some acoustic guitar or other instruments.

Blue Yeti Pro USB Microphone Specifications

• Microphone Type: USB Condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz

Studio Microphone Buying Guide

Choosing the best studio microphone for home recording can be tricky business. Yet, it's one of the most important decisions you'll need to make. Microphones are your 'ears' in your studio -- it's on them you rely to transmit performances into successful sound recordings.

But there are so many different kinds of microphones. And each kind of microphone is designed specifically for a certain kind of audio source.

Add to that the various qualities that exists, and brands, and you'll be spending hours on the internet and on gear forums hunting down for the opinions of others.

That's why this guide compiles all the best microphones to choose from into a list of 10 easy choices, arranged by type, audio source, and from high end to low budget.

Now, let's talk about the type of studio microphones in this guide.

Microphone Types

There are three different kinds of microphones:

1. Condenser
2. Dynamic
3. Ribbon

The majority of home studio recording microphones fall under the first two categories that I've listed above: Condenser, and Dynamic.

However, there will be a few cases where you may find a ribbon microphone preferable. For instance, do you play brass or reed instruments, or plan on recording sax? This is when ribbon microphones are the most often recommended for a home studio. And there's another popular use for a ribbon microphone as well...

But before talk about that, let's investigate how each microphone works.

Condenser Microphones

The condenser microphone is often the go-to microphone for beginner home studio owners. Mainly because they would've read somewhere that condensers provide 'the best sound quality.'

This is an erroneous assumption.

A condenser microphone does pick up very high-quality recordings, especially in the higher frequencies, because of the way it is designed.

How condensers are made...

The condenser microphone consists of a small capsule which houses a tiny electrically conductive membrane. The membrane is placed very closely, without touching, to a metal plate. The space between forms what is called 'capacitance.'

As sound is picked up by the capsule, the tiny membrane vibrates due to the air pressure around it. So the distance between membrane and plate changes rapidly, changing the capacitance. This causes an electrical signal, and this signal is what your DAW or amp recognizes as sound.

High-quality vs Right-quality

Because of how tiny and sensitive the membrane is, condenser microphones are excellent for recording the most sensitive variations in sound, all the little overtone shimmers, with pristine detail. These mics could pick up a pin drop at a distance.

However, because they use very tiny membranes, they can also be easily damaged in extreme sound environments, like loud drums or basses.

That is why, even though condenser microphones are great for high-quality home studio sounds, they are also poor choices in some other instances.

Another consideration... Power

Condenser microphones are also what you call 'active microphones' because they require external power, or, 'phantom power.'

However, most audio interfaces will come with a mic preamp, so this wouldn't be anything to worry about, since, in most cases, you'd need an audio interface if you're planning on using a microphone.

Read: Best Audio Interfaces for Home Studio

Use condenser microphones on...

You should use condenser microphones to record the following:

1. drum rooms, overheads (usually a matched pair), hats, and cymbals
2. acoustic guitars
3. acoustic instruments
4. vocals

Dynamic microphones

Dynamic microphones are often the best go-to microphones for on-stage use. They're durable and can withstand some abuse. Not only that, they are able to record the most extreme sound dynamics that would otherwise damage the condenser microphone.

However, while they make for the best studio microphones for extreme dynamics, they are less sensitive and responsive to the higher frequencies. With notable exceptions (like recording rap vocals or rock vocals) dynamic microphones are not generally used in the studio for recording vocals and acoustic instruments.

Also, unlike the condenser microphone, they don't require phantom power. That's because the diaphragm in the microphone can generate enough power to send an audio signal to your mixer or DAW. Think of it like a reverse loudspeaker. As sound air vibrations reach the small diaphragm, it moves a coil through a magnetic field, causing an electrical signal to be generated.

Use dynamic microphones on...

You should use dynamic microphones to record the following:

1. drums (kicks, snares, toms, and timbales)
2. instrumentamps (electric and bass guitar)
3. vocals (rap and aggressive rock vocals)

Read related guide: Best Mics for Drums

Ribbon microphones

They are not as often used, but they are the best studio microphones for certain applications. Let's talk them.

Ribbon microphones are named after a thin ribbon that is excited by the velocity of the air that comes in contact with it. So, they don't work by air pressure surrounding the microphone pick-up, like in the condenser or dynamic.

Ribbon microphones then are highly sensitive, and should be used with care, as they will break very easily. However, in exchange for their delicacy, they reproduce with unparalleled clarity the warmth of an instrument or voice, whereas condenser microphones may, in some cases, be a little too bright.

Use ribbons on...

You should use dynamic microphones to record:

1. brass
2. strings
3. guitar amplifier (paired with a dynamic)
4. vocals

Pairing a ribbon mic with a dynamic is a very popular option for electric guitar amplifiers.

Dynamic microphones have a way of attenuating the higher-frequencies, while still being highly sensitive to them. This results in a warm sound. When combined with the dynamic microphone sound, there is full bodied sound that no one microphone can capture from an amplifier cabinet.

On electric guitars this is perfect. Especially on overdriven guitar playing.

This is because the highest frequencies would be 'tamed' a little, guarding your recordings against being too 'shrill' and 'raspy,' while a dynamic will give your guitar the power to cut through in a mix.

This is achieved by placing a dynamic microphone up close (usually hanging over the amp onto the grill), and a ribbon at a distance, like around 6 inches.

Read related guide: Best Ribbon Mics for Cheap

Microphone Polar Patterns

Studio microphones are often categorized by their 'polar pattern.' This simply refers to the direction the microphone is 'listening' to. This is a very important aspect to consider when making a choice in what microphone you should get.

Cardioid Microphones

Cardioids are the most popular option because these studio microphones pick-up sounds directly ahead of them, limiting the number of ambient sounds to the sides and practically none behind the microphone.

These are best for general purposes and can be used to record any sound source, given that you want to limit the amount of sound you get from the room.

Supercardioid and Hypercardioid Microphones

These microphone patterns are just like the Cardioid, but even more extreme, with hypercardioid being the most narrow in direction.

You can set these up across the room, and point them directly at an instrument, and they will do a good job of silencing all other sounds but the sound of that instrument alone.

Omnidirectional Microphones

Like the name suggests, these will listen in on sounds coming from all directions. Omnidirectional microphones are great if you want to capture the sound of an instrument as it sounds within a room.

Figure-of-8 (or Bi-directional) Microphones

Figure-of-8s pick up on sounds equally at the front and back, rejecting the sounds coming from the sides.

This can be good in circumstances where you'd like to record two vocalists or acoustic guitarists at the same time from one microphone source, by having them face each other with one microphone between them.

Figure-of-8 microphones are often mostly used to capture perfect stereo recordings using two common techniques you may try: The blumlein stereo miking technique and the mid-side technique.

Boundary (or Hemispherical) Microphones

Boundary microphones are essentially omnidirectional microphones that have a half-space polar pattern. So sometimes they are called 'half-cardioid' for that reason. They are usually placed on a surface, whether on the wall on the ground (although they can be mounted on a stand), and pick up everything above its receiver.

They are good for phase canceling, and so have been found very useful as room microphones. However, in a home studio, boundary microphones are often the best studio microphones for recording the insides of an instrument. Particularly inside of kick drum, or under a piano lid.

Multi-Pattern microphones

Finally, there are multi-pattern microphones. These microphones give you the advantage of switching between different polar patterns. Many professional condenser microphones will have this option built into them.

USB Microphones

There is another kind of microphone on this list that is not often suggested for home studios, but may be most suitable for a certain kind of user.

USB microphones are relatively new developments. But they offer an advantage. With traditional studio microphones, you have to plug them into an audio interface with microphone preamp in order for them to work with the digital audio workstation within your computer or laptop.

With a USB microphone, you can plug it directly into your computer's USB port, since it comes with its own built-in preamps and analogue-to-digital converter.

Should I buy a USB microphone?

USB microphones are most suitable for podcasters who use their home studio for spoken word recordings. But you'll find that many acoustic guitarists and and singer-songwriters are satisfied with its ease of use and ease of setting up.

Moving forward...

Now that you have a proper understanding of the various types of microphones that exist, you're in a better position to select the best mic for your home studio.

Best Recording Studio Microphone

Final Thoughts

As you would've realized, getting the best studio microphone isn't so simple a task. but if you started with the information in this guide, you would've come to realize and understand the different kinds of microphones necessary for each recording application, and therefore made your appropriate choice. This would made you microphone decision far easier than it would've been otherwise.

So hopefully, you were able to identify what exactly you needed. Then, reading each of the microphones in this list, you would've made a choice that is suitable for your setup.

Otherwise, if you're reading this out of curious, feel free to chime in on your thoughts. Do you have any of these microphones? Did your microphone make the list? And if you are pretty familiar with studio microphones yourself, what do you think is the best studio microphone based on your own knowledge and experience... and why?

Finally, please feel free to share this post with anyone you think will find this information useful!

How we came to these results

This is the result of hours and weeks of combing through the internet. Data was aggregated from forums such as Gearslutz.com, Reddit’s r/WeAreTheMusicMakers thread, product reviews, and buyer reviews from pro audio owners. Customer ratings from Amazon.com and other pro audio sites were used to determine which studio microphones per category and price range was the best rated, and had the most ratings, and then compared that against forum reviews, user testimonials, and personal experience (where applicable).

How to choose the right audio and recording equipment for your home studio or mobile rig to match your ambitions, budget and music.

Music recording used to be something that was only done by professionals in large studios full of expensive equipment. To learn the trade, a person generally needed to enroll in a specialized program or apprentice in a studio, giving them access to this equipment. And if musicians wanted to put their songs on record—even just to make a passable demo recording—they needed to shell out some pretty serious dough to buy studio time.

In recent years, that has all changed.

The ever more powerful consumer devices we use—such as laptops, tablets, and even smartphones—are now capable of powering a low-cost recording setup that virtually any musician can afford. With a few well-chosen pieces of recording gear, just about anyone can set up and operate a fully functional home or mobile studio. And that means aspiring producers can get plenty of hands-on experience right in the comfort of their own homes.

This guide will cover some of the most important recording equipment you’ll need to build a mobile or home studio and give you some recommendations for equipment that’s great for starting out. Additionally, you can always browse the complete collection of recording gear at Musician’s Friend for more ideas.

Table of Contents

Computers and iOS devices for recording
Recording software and apps
Audio interfaces for recording
Microphones
Headphones for recording
Studio monitors
Studio subwoofers
Audio recorders
Recording packages
Recording desks—a place to put it all
Call us for more advice

One great thing about building a home or mobile recording studio is that you can start with just a few essential pieces of gear, then add or upgrade as you develop your skills and want additional options. This guide will cover the most important pieces of recording equipment: computers, audio interfaces, microphones, headphones, and studio monitors.

We’ll also cover some additional audio gear that can expand your studio to be just what you want it to be.

Computers and iOS devices for recording

Nowadays, most recording setups are based around computers. At one time, it was best to use a high-powered desktop computer for the job, but now, technology has advanced enough that even mobile devices like smartphones can get the job done. And laptops are commonly used as the central unit of a full-scale home studio.

For those who want to create a mobile studio, iOS devices (iPads, iPhones, and the iPod touch) are a great option. There is plenty of gear built specifically for these devices, which makes it easy to plug right in and get started. Learn more with our extensive selection of iOS buying guides that focus on various iOS users from DJs to guitarists.

There are hundreds of apps available to do everything from simply tuning your guitar to creating full-fledged compositions using your iOS device. A good place to get started learning about them is with our Top 10 Music Apps to Help You Make Better Music.

With an iPhone tucked in your pocket and a little extra gear, you can do some serious sound capture. Portable USB mics offer a big step up in sound quality over your phone’s internal mic. And there’s a rapidly growing category of smart phone-friendly devices ideal for nailing everything from a fleeting guitar riff to a complete composition.

When it comes to laptop or desktop computers, many models will work for your recording needs. You might be able to get started with the computer you’ve got at home now. However, if that model is more than a few years old and it’s beginning to seem a bit sluggish, it may be time to consider an upgrade.

While the cost of a Mac computer is typically a bit higher than a Windows PC with similar specifications, many musicians and recording engineers prefer Macs for their reliability, ease of use, and build quality. These Apple computers have a good reputation for handling recording gear well, without creating any unwanted surprises. The vast array of software that has been designed to function seamlessly with the Mac operating system is a big plus.

For an affordable option in a Mac computer, beginning recording artists might consider the Mac Mini—a small, desktop box that connects to an external monitor and delivers all the features musicians love about Macs.

Featuring the OSX operating system, a speedy Intel processor, and plenty of RAM for multitasking power the Mac Mini is your most affordable option for bringing a Macintosh computer into your home studio.

One further advantage of Macs is the fact they come with GarageBand, a basic but easy-to-use recording application with which you can create surprisingly polished music. Read on to learn more about the software to capture and edit your music.

Recording software and apps

Without audio software programs, computers don’t do a whole lot to help you record and mix music. The software that musicians and engineers use for their music production is commonly referred to as a digital audio workstation (DAW) program, and there are a lot of different DAW options to choose from. Ranging from more basic programs such as Ableton Live 10 Intro to Pro Tools—the choice of most professional studios—there is a DAW program that will match your music, budget and skills. For a complete selection of program options, browse the Musician’s Friend selection of DAW software.

Most digital audio interfaces (explained in the next section) often include some basic software that should be suitable for most beginners to create near-studio-quality recordings. Those looking for something a little more powerful—with tools to help compose, edit, mix, and arrange music—might consider a software package such as Image Line’s FL Studio, an end-to-end music production program that’s both highly-regarded and affordable enough for beginners.

FL Studio 20 Producer Edition features a variety of user-friendly features, building on Image-Line's 20 years of development.

Check out our 6 Top DAWs Rundown for more great DAW choices.

Audio interfaces for recording

If you’re using a computer as the center of your recording studio, you need a way to plug in the microphones and other gear you will be recording with. This is where the digital audio interface comes in. Beyond simply offering the types of connections you’ll need, the digital audio interface processes the sound you’re recording and converts it to digital data so your software can work with it. The good news is that most interfaces with USB connectivity are compatible with all the major DAW software titles that work with Mac and Windows computers‹but double-check to be certain.

When looking at audio interfaces, it’s important to find one that has all the connection types you’ll need. You’ll also need to make sure it’s compatible with the type of computer or device you’ll use to record with. So be sure to check the product descriptions for these details.

Built to handle the needs of anyone who records vocals and instrument together, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface delivers a sweet-sounding preamp and instrument input at a great price. The latest edition improves on the excellent sound of the original with a more even gain structure that makes balancing your mixes easier. The instrument input has been upgraded to handle the hottest pickups. Reduced latency means you’ll perform more confidently and be able to run your favorite plug-ins in real time.

If you need more inputs to record vocals and instruments simultaneously, the very affordable Tascam US-16x08 audio interface allows to you to connect up to 8 microphones and 4 instruments while offering the convenience of USB connectivity.

Read our Audio Interface Buying Guide to learn more about all the options available to match your recording needs and budget.

Microphones

A good microphone is one of the most important items in the beginner’s recording setup, as it makes a big impact on how a recorded voice or instrument will sound. To get started, you likely only need one quality microphone that you can put to use recording lots of different sound sources. So you will want to pick a versatile model that sounds good recording a wide range of frequencies.

There are two types of microphones you’ll work with most often: dynamic mics and condenser mics. While dynamic mics are more rugged and often preferred for live performances, condenser mics usually have a better frequency response range and sensitivity, so they’re often the go-to for studio recordings. Many condenser mics require what’s called phantom power, supplied by an external preamp or interface. Be sure to read specs carefully to make sure your rig will provide any necessary power. For on-the-go recording, USB microphones get their juice from the host computer or interface, making them plug and play. Similarly, if you¹re using a tablet or smartphone for audio capture, then an iOS-friendly mic is the way to go.

Condenser microphones tend to be more costly than dynamics, but in recent years, many good-quality, lower-cost models have become available. The MXL 3000, for example, is a great, multi-purpose condenser microphone that includes a shockmount and a pop filter.

For those recording with an iOS device, the BLUE Raspberry Studio USB/iOS Microphone is another good option. This quality condenser mic can plug right into your iOS device from which it also draws its power and can record a wide variety of instruments and vocals with great results. It also comes bundled with some great software from brands like PreSonus and iZotope.

There are also many dynamic microphones suitable for the beginning studio setup. The Shure SM58 is a good choice for vocals and will also serve double duty in live performance.

The Shure SM57 is a fixture in just about every pro recording studio for capturing instruments and vocals and is often used in both live and recording settings to mic guitar amp speakers.

Take a look at the Musician’s Friend huge collections of condenser microphones, dynamic microphones or iOS microphones for more options.

The Blue Spark SL Microphone provides classic, transparent sound and plenty of versatility, with a high-pass filter and -20dB pad, making it capable of accomodating loud vocalists, instruments or amplifiers with ease.

To learn much more, read our expert Microphone Buying Guide.

Headphones for recording

When you listen back to your recordings, you want the sound to be as accurate as possible so you know what you want to change in your mixes. A good pair of studio headphones is often the most cost-effective option for beginners. Closed-back headphones are essential when you’re recording vocal or instrumental parts over existing music tracks. Their sealed design prevents pre-recorded sound from leaking into the microphone as you monitor the backing track(s) while overdubbing new parts of the music.

Studio headphones vary greatly in price. When you’re just starting out, there’s no need to break the bank. Plenty of good, accurate models are available within an affordable price range. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Studio Headphones are both highly rated products that deliver good accuracy at a beginner-friendly price.

Browse the Musician’s Friend collection of studio headphones for more great options.

Learn much more about choosing the right pair with our Headphone Buying Guide.

Studio Monitors

The best way to get accurate playback is through speakers specifically designed for the job. These speakers, referred to as studio monitors, come in different designs for different listening environments. In large studios—where the monitors might be positioned some distance from the recording engineer—mid-field or far-field monitors would be most appropriate, as they are designed to produce an accurate sound at a distance.

Near-field monitors, on the other hand, are designed to be positioned directly in front of a listener, so they are the best kind to use in small home studios.

Dig deeper with our Studio monitor buying guide.

Studio Recording Mic For Mac

For a beginning recording engineer, a small set of near-field monitors designed for desktop use are a good option, as they fit take up little space while delivering an accurate representation of your recording. Mackie's CR3 montiors and JBL’s 305P MKII monitors are both strong options in this category.

The Mackie CR3 multimedia monitors aren’t much larger than standard computer speakers, but they are built for great sound.

View more options for studio quality playback in the Musician’s Friend collection of studio monitors.

Can you mix using just headphones? Check out our tech tip!

Studio subwoofers

Adding subwoofers for studio monitoring is not always a necessity for recording beginners. However, by adding a more accurate response at low frequencies, subwoofers can enhance the results of your mixes, no matter what type of music you are recording. Of course, if you are planning to record bass-heavy music, such as hip-hop, a subwoofer might be a more essential consideration.

The Yamaha HS8S Powered Subwoofer has an 8” driver that can accurately reproduce the deeper frequencies of bass and drums and is a fantastic match for their HS series studio monitors. If you're looking for more options, browse the Musician’s Friend studio subwoofer collection.

To learn much more, read our Studio Monitors Buying Guide.

Audio Recorders

With all the talk of digital audio workstations and computer-centered recording we’ve been doing, you might think a computer is an absolute necessity to get anything recorded. That certainly isn’t the case. In fact, there are some excellent standalone recorder options that provide great portability, extensive features, and excellent ease-of-use for very reasonable prices.

For a full-scale, all-in-one music recording solution that doesn’t at all rely on your computer, the Tascam DP-24SD 24-Track Digital Portastudio is complete, mobile, and affordable. Or, if you want a straightforward device for on-the-go field recordings, the Zoom H2n Handy Recorder is a perfect fit. You can view all of the different options available in the Musician’s Friend selection of audio recorders.

The Zoom H6 Handy Recorder is a complete six-track recorder in a pocket-sized package.

Recording Packages

Although there aren’t a whole lot of components in a basic recording rig, it still can seem like a lot of work to make sure you are picking the right tools that will all work together well. As an alternative to making individual selections, you may want to consider a recording package. At Musician’s Friend, we’ve created carefully chosen gear bundles that take the guesswork out of deciding what will work together best. These packages also save money on your total purchase price versus buying the separate components.

Take a look at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack or the incredible value of the PreSonus AudioBox iTwo Studio bundle. Or you can browse through all of the different recording packages from Musician’s Friend.

Focusrite's Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack offers a complete and budget-friendly introduction to home recording with all the essential gear you need to begin capturing your music.

Recording desks—a place to put it all

Usb Microphone For Mac

While an ordinary desk or tabletop might be sufficient to house your beginning home studio, you’ll probably find yourself accumulating gear that can pose a placement challenge. Desks, tables and workstations specifically designed for studio use can be a big help where it comes to routing cables and placing gear and audio/video monitors in the right spots.

At Musician’s Friend you’ll find a huge selection of studio-friendly desks and workstations designed to make your recording work more comfortable and ergonomic. From small workstations designed to hold just the basics to larger desks that can house a full-blown studio’s gear, you’ll find the right one in our selection.

The On-Stage Stands Workstation is a good choice for the beginning studio, providing surfaces to hold your audio monitors, computer display and keyboard, and other recording gear. It can be assembled in two different ways to match your workspace and preferences.

Call us for more advice

Usb Studio Microphone

After reading this guide, if you’re still not sure which gear is right for you, we invite you call to one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gear Heads at (877) 880-5907. We’ll help you find the perfect gear to get your recording studio up and running.