The Best Live Vocal Mics for Stage Performance
Tried and tested stage mics for vocals.
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As a performer or even as an engineer, choosing the right microphone for vocals is a crucial aspect of your production. So, without venturing into wireless microphones, we’ve selected some of the best live vocal mics for use on stage.
In this Article:
How to choose the Best Live Vocal Mics
Because the human ear naturally focuses on the vocal frequency range, your vocal sound becomes an essential aspect of your live show. Having the right mic and technique to go with it can be the difference between coming across to an audience as an amateur or a professional.
With this in mind, the job of the vocalist is not the same in every live act. That means what works for your favourite artist or performer might not work for you. When putting together your stage production or tour, it’s good practice to consider the acoustic environment where you aim to perform and the role that vocals play as an instrument within the framework of your music.
Artists such as Billie Eilish, Jay-Z, and Corey Taylor each have their own approach to vocals and stage performance, and their equipment choices differ according to the respective on-stage sound environment.
Having amp stacks and live drums creates the challenge of dealing with a high SPL environment on stage. For this purpose, a supercardioid mic with good off-axis rejection will provide a vocal signal that cuts through while reducing the risk of feedback.
The Best Live Vocal Mics: Shure SM58
The SM58 is the most popular mic in history for many reasons. It’s extremely versatile, with a relatively neutral sound that suits a wide range of vocal styles.
It easily cuts through a dense mix of live instruments and isn’t riddled with feedback in high-SPL situations, provided your gain structure and mic positioning are set correctly.
More than that, the 58 is virtually indestructible, and most of the parts are individually replaceable. Overall, it’s a great value tool for the price and a “must-have two of them” item for any touring act.
The Best Live Vocal Mics: Sennheiser e945
The Sennheiser e945 is a supercardioid dynamic with a rich, natural sound and excellent off-axis rejection. Its ability to project subtle dynamics makes it a perfect choice for acoustic acts and styles of music that use the vocal range extensively.
In addition, the 945 is also suitable for brass or woodwinds as it captures sound with clarity and very little colouration. It does, however, have a high impedance rating of 350 Ohm. This means it prefers to be matched with proper discrete mic preamplifiers.
- More from Sennheiser
The Best Live Vocal Mics: Electro-Voice ND96
If you’re a high-gain vocalist who works with a loud band and stage monitors blaring, the ND96 could be your best choice. The risk of feedback is nullified almost completely by its unique design. What’s more, being a supercardioid dynamic, the pickup region is localized.
The large diaphragm makes it suitable for a wide range of voice types and vocal styles. In addition, the vocal emphasis switch reduces resonant lower-mid frequencies in the vocal range, while boosting the upper-midrange for more presence and bite when you need it.
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The Best Live Vocal Mics: Shure Nexadyne 8
A relatively recent development, the Nexadyne 8 series is a professional range of dynamic stage microphones that use the patented Revonic™ dual-engine transducer technology from Shure. Within the capsule design of the Nexadyne 8, there are two independent active moving coil transducers to capture and correct the vocal signal in its surrounding environment.
In addition, the Nexadyne 8 offers signal optimization through its acoustic design, which results in a cleaner signal that doesn’t require much processing to carry that “finished” sound in the mix. Like the historic Shure stage microphones we know and love, the Nexadyne 8 is built to last, with a die-cast aluminium body and a hardened steel grille.
There is a cardioid and a slightly more sensitive supercardioid model in this series, giving you options for quieter and high-SPL stage environments. Meanwhile, if you are using Shure’s wireless systems, these two capsules are also available in the form of the RPW200/202 and RPW204/206. Get it at Thomann.*
The Best Live Vocal Mics: Beyerdynamic M 88 (2023)
Recently updated, the M 88 is a favoured choice for live music, broadcast, and studio applications. So you may have seen it on stage with Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode or famously, Phil Collins!
The M 88’s magic is that it’s a very high-quality dynamic mic, with a wide, flat response. It responds extremely well when in the hands of a skilled engineer who can sculpt the sound to suit each individual vocalist. If you’re a touring FOH engineer with a good ear, this could be your “swiss army mic”!
Additionally, the M88TG is an incredibly versatile dynamic mic for percussion, brass, and commonly kick drum or bass instruments. Moreover, the hypercardioid pickup pattern and rugged build make it a suitable choice, even in high SPL situations.
- More from Beyerdynamic
The Best Live Vocal Mics: Sennheiser MD 431 II Profipower
Like many Sennheiser microphones, the MD 431 II has a prestigious lineage woven into the history of music performance and recording. The original 431 was introduced in the early 1980s and is designed to bring the high-fidelity sound of the legendary 441 into a handheld format for use on stage.
Using a similar supercardioid capsule to the 441, the MD 431 II uses more advanced electronics compared to its predecessor, giving it a more refined proximity effect and higher overall sensitivity. In addition, the frequency response is also optimized with an enhanced high-frequency range for a stronger presence in the mix and a more polished overall sound.
Because the design comes from the pre-IEM era, it’s excellent for stages where floor monitors are being used, with high gain before feedback and excellent off-axis rejection. Overall, the 431 is an ideal choice for smaller, more intimate concerts, especially with vocal styles like Jazz that rely heavily on tonal nuances. Get it at Thomann.*
The Best Live Vocal Mics: Neumann KMS 105
The KMS 105 is the supercardioid model from Neumann’s esteemed range of high-intelligibility live vocal condensers. From Ariana Grande to Dave Chappelle, it’s been the preferred choice of top-tier stage performers for the way it projects vocal nuances.
Don’t let the posh exterior or the legacy of Neumann studio mics fool you. The KMS series is road-ready and performs excellently in even the most reflective spaces. Yes, it’s pricey, but the mic’s unique filter design reduces plosives, providing a rich, dynamic overall sound.
- More from Neumann
The Best Live Vocal Mics: DPA d:facto 4018
Whether you choose to use it in a wired or wireless configuration, the d:facto 4018 is easily one of the most respected live vocal mics available. Known for their space-age microphone technology, the Danish manufacturer DPA offers two versions of the d:facto, including the 4018V Softboost version with a slight bump at 12 kHz and the completely transparent 4018VL ultra linear version.
These supercardioid condenser microphone capsules are designed to deliver unparalleled vocal clarity, even in stage situations where the level of background noise is not ideal. With its sensitivity and headroom, there is a wide optimal gain range before feedback, and the off-axis rejection separates the vocal signal from unwanted peripheral sound sources.
In addition, the integrated three-stage pop filter provides an excellent system for reducing the impact of sibilance and plosives. As a wireless capsule, there are several adapter options that allow the d:facto to be used with Sennheiser, SONY, Line 6, Wisycom, and Lectrosonics wireless systems. Meanwhile, if you prefer the natural sound of DPA mics but want a more affordable option, try the 2028. Get it at Thomann.*
More about the Best Live Vocal Mics:
- The best vocal effects pedals
- The Thomann Guide to Stage Vocal Mics
- Thomann’s guide to Dynamic mics
- All about microphones
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2 responses to “The Best Live Vocal Mics for Stage Performance”
I would definitely have put the Beta58a on this list as well. I own most of the mics on this list, and all of them are solid choices. But the Beta58a is the most feedback-resistant mic I’ve ever used. I’ve put them through tests and it always comes out on top. And the sound difference between an e935/e945 and a b58a is almost negligible.
I feel like, in this day and age, you can’t gnore the SE V7 as a vocal mic. Granted, it has yet to prove it’s track record, but for the price, it’s a really good vocal mic