Running a professional recording facility can be a challenge, because unlike a home studio, you’re not choosing gear solely for your own use, you are also anticipating the needs of your clients.
Perhaps nowhere is this juggling act more evident than assembling a microphone cabinet for professional studio use. Certain vocalists, for example, will only position their lips in front of a microphone they have used before or demand a certain level of perceived quality. Guitarists, drummers and bassists can get “possessive” about specific mics that have enriched their sound in previous recording sessions. From acknowledged studio workhorse mics to models with extra mojo, a good assortment of microphones will have you well prepared for any scenario.
For this guide, we’ve selected some of the most popular pro studio microphones to help you build a great mic collection. However, if you want deeper dives on any mics you are already considering, or are seeking recommendations for the newest and coolest models, contact the experts at Guitar Center Professional for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
Great Studio Condenser Mics
Excellent Dynamic Mics for Pro Studios
Exceptional Ribbon Mics for Pro Studios
A Full Microphone Cabinet
Great Studio Condenser Mics
From a pricing standpoint, professional-quality condenser microphones span from seductively easy to acquire to models that are frighteningly expensive. However, price alone doesn’t determine a condenser’s ultimate value in your mic cabinet. Here are some terrific options costing a few hundred dollars all the way up to many thousands.
Lauten Audio LA-320
Why We Picked It: The ability to switch from a vintage tube to a contemporary tube in a single mic.
Key Features:
- Ability to switch between circuits makes it effectively two mics in one
- Switchable high-pass and low-pass filters
- Comes with power supply and shockmount
Shop Now: Lauten Audio LA-320 Tube Condenser Microphone
The accessibly priced Lauten Audio LA-320 offers a twin-tone design that lets you choose between the warmth and coloration of a vintage mic and the clarity and presence of more current models. The signal path includes a dual-triode vacuum tube, USA-made JFET and a vintage-inspired output transformer.
Manley Reference Mono Gold
Why We Picked It: A readily available, easily replaceable tube makes maintenance incredibly easy.
Key Features:
- Diaphragm film tensioned by hand
- 12AX7WA tube is easily replaceable
- Enhanced high-frequency response
Shop Now: Lauten Audio LA-320 Tube Condenser Microphone
With its multi-pattern large-diaphragm CK12-style American-made capsule, wide frequency range and accurate transient response, the Manley Reference Mono Gold is designed to capture nuanced, musical recordings with a degree of accuracy that is unsurpassed.
Neumann U 87 Ai
Why We Picked It: The U 87 is such a studio standard that many singers and players demand it.
Key Features:
- Gold-sputtered diaphragm
- -10dB pad allows for SPL up to 127dB
- Includes shockmount
Shop Now: Neumann U 87 Ai Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
One of the most revered studio microphones of all time, the Neumann U 87 Ai delivers a natural, balanced tone that makes it a great choice for almost any source. This versatile mic offers three polar patterns (cardioid, omni and figure-8), produces low self-noise and delivers a clean, uncolored signal.
Sony C-100
Why We Picked It: Expanded high-frequency response adds a huge amount of "air" to recordings.
Key Features:
- Dual-element capsule (condenser and electret condenser)
- 136dB maximum SPL
- More than 113dB dynamic range
Shop Now: Sony C-100 Condenser Microphone
The Sony C-100 is a two-way condenser microphone with an extra-wide frequency range of 20Hz to 50,000Hz. The C-100 utilizes some of the same design concepts found in the revered C-800G, with excellent reproduction for vocals and acoustic sources. Features include switchable polar patterns, low-cut filter and -10dB pad switch.
TELEFUNKEN TF47
Why We Picked It: The TF47 builds on some of the most in-demand mics of all time.
Key Features:
- All brass K47-style capsule
- New old stock 5840W vacuum tube
- Comes with power supply and shockmount
Shop Now: TELEFUNKEN TF47 Tube Condenser Microphone
The TELEFUNKEN TF47 is inspired by two of the most legendary mics in history—the Neumann U 47 and Neumann M 49. With full, deep bass and smooth highs, the TF47 shines on any source that needs some extra presence.
Warm Audio WA-47
Why We Picked It: Get classic tube mic sound at a fraction of the usual cost.
Key Features:
- Emulates sonic signature of Neumann U47
- Nine polar patterns
- Comes with power supply and shockmount
Shop Now: Warm Audio WA-47 Tube Condenser Microphone
Yet another mic inspired by the classic Neumann U 47—which hasn’t been manufactured in decades—the sub-$1,000 Warm Audio WA-47 is a tube, large-diaphragm condenser with tons of vibe. It has one of the most distinguishable mid-forward sounds, which is part of its appeal to so many engineers, artists and producers.
Excellent Dynamic Mics for Pro Studios
As far as microphone acquisition budgets go, dynamic mics seldom soar up to the multi-thousand-dollar level that greets some condenser models. But even if you’re spending “mere” hundreds to purchase a bevy of dynamics, you should ensure value, versatility and reliability. Here are our recommendations for fabulous, pro-studio-quality dynamics.
Electro-Voice RE20
Why We Picked It: The RE20's classic looks and big sound make it a versatile, go-to choice.
Key Features:
- 45Hz–18kHz frequency range
- Internal shockmount
- Bass roll-off switch
Shop Now: Electro-Voice RE-20 Dynamic Microphone
The large-diaphragm Electro-Voice RE20 is one of the definitive mics for recording kick drums, bass cabinets and other low-end source sounds. It features Variable-D technology for minimal proximity effect and a humbucking coil design to guard against line hum. Keep it handy for recording podcasts, as the RE20 is a renowned broadcasting mic. Dig deeper into the RE20.
Heil Sound PR 40
Why We Picked It: The versatile PR 40 can be a studio's "secret sauce."
Key Features:
- 28Hz–18kHz frequency range
- 148dB maximum SPL
- Includes Heil mic clip
Shop Now: Heil Sound PR-40 Large-Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone
The cardioid, end-address Heil Sound PR 40 is a great choice for everything from vocals to bass drums and toms, to guitar and bass cabinets. With its wide frequency range and high volume handling, it’s a flexible mic that can be deployed for studio, broadcast/podcast and live performance duties.
Neumann BCM 705
Why We Picked It: It's one of the coolest looking mics we know.
Key Features:
- 20Hz–20kHz frequency range
- Removable grille
- Internal foam screen
Shop Now: Neumann BCM 705 Dynamic Studio Microphone
The hypercardioid Neumann BCM 705 features an internal shockmount and pop filter to provide exceptional isolation from ambient noise and plosives. A slight presence boost in the 2kHz to 9kHz range makes the BCM 705 a good choice for clarity when tracking vocals.
Shure SM7B
Why We Picked It: It has been used on countless hit albums.
Key Features:
- 50Hz–20kHz frequency range
- 180dB maximum SPL
- Includes shockmount
Shop Now: Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone
The prolific Shure SM7B is known for its signature warmth and smooth tone. It features a cardioid polar pattern, bass roll off, midrange control and internal air-suspension shockmount. Go for the Shure SM7dB if you want to add a built-in active preamp with 28dB of clean gain.
Shure SM57
Why We Picked It: If you could only have one mic, this would be it.
Key Features:
- Incredibly tough and versatile
- 40Hz–15kHz frequency range
- 149dB maximum SPL
Shop Now: Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphone
The Shure SM57 is the go-to mic for guitar amps, snare drums and more. It rocks a cardioid polar pattern and integrated pneumatic shockmount, and is made to take abuse from the occasional errant drum stick.
Shure SM58
Why We Picked It: The classic handheld dynamic vocal mic, bar none.
Key Features:
- 50Hz–15kHz frequency range
- 126dB maximum SPL
- Intergrated spherical wind and pop filter
Shop Now: Shure SM58 Dynamic Handheld Vocal Microphone
The cardioid Shure SM58 is an industry standard for vocals and speech, and it’s one of the most popular studio mics for good reason. It’s affordable, sounds great and is built for the demands of being regularly used, dropped and knocked over—session after session after session.
Exceptional Ribbon Mics for Pro Studios
Ribbon microphones typically offer organic and serene audio without the coloration imposed on signals by some condenser and dynamic mics. Excellent when used as room mics or paired with more sonically hyped microphones for blending options, today’s ribbons don’t need to be coddled like their ancestors from the 1930s and ’40s.
AEA KU5A
Why We Picked It: Durable and tough, while maintaining all the warmth and richness you expect from a ribbon.
Key Features:
- 135dB maximum SPL
- Seven-layer windscreen
- Switchable high-pass filter
Shop Now: AEA KU5A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone
The supercardioid AEA KU5A can capture everything from intimate vocals to raging amp and drums. The switchable high-pass filter not only rolls off low-end frequencies, it activates a “near-field” mode for optimal response when close miking instruments or recording singers who “eat” the mic.
Royer R-121
Why We Picked It: Released in 1998, the R-121 single-handedly sparked a ribbon-mic renaissance.
Key Features:
- Figure-8 polar pattern
- 30Hz–15kHz frequency range
- 135dB maximum SPL
Shop Now: Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone
The Royer R-121 “hears” sound sources very much like the human ear, delivering natural and organic textures that typically only require minimal touches of EQ. It’s an extremely musical mic that doesn’t fear being positioned on guitar amps, used as drum overheads or set in front of horn sections. Speaking of drum overheads—and other stereo miking applications—you can get two ribbons and save a few bucks with the Royer R-10 Matched Pair.
sE Electronics Voodoo VR1
Why We Picked It: Charts best extended high-frequency response in affordable passive ribbon mics.
Key Features:
- Figure-8 polar pattern
- 20Hz–18kHz frequency range
- 135dB maximum SPL
Shop Now: sE Electronics Voodoo VR1 Ribbon Microphone
The sE Electronics Voodoo VR1 is a nicely priced, passive ribbon microphone that is best known for capturing excellent recordings of acoustic instruments and guitar cabinets.
Shure KSM353
Why We Picked It: Super-rugged construction, high-volume handling and excellent transient response.
Key Features:
- Figure-8 polar pattern
- 30Hz–15kHz frequency range
- 146dB maximum SPL
Shop Now: Shure KSM353 Ribbon Microphone
The Shure KSM353 features a durable build and custom transformer that stops RF interference in its tracks for clean recordings with improved noise performance. The KSM353 can also work under extreme sonic conditions, thanks to the company’s proprietary Roswellite technology that toughens up the ribbon’s resilience and durability with high-tensile strength and shape memory beyond conventional foil ribbons.
A Full Microphone Cabinet
The microphone collections of successful pro studios are chock full of options. From dynamic mics that get the job done, to tube mics for vintage vibe and condensers that produce shimmer and airiness, the more varieties at hand in your mic cabinet, the more opportunities to blow minds and craft thrilling soundscapes. Once again, remember our studio experts at Guitar Center Professional, who can help ensure there are no gaps in the critical diversity of your mic assortment.