My New Microphone’s Most-Recommended Microphones

This post acts as a reference for My New Microphone's most recommended microphones. The microphones will be listed, followed by the articles in which they are recommended.

Note that this list is not suggestive of the best microphones in the world. Those lists, including the 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones), can be found elsewhere on My New Microphone and are linked to throughout this article.

The microphones in this article are simply those that I've recommended the most in my writing here at My New Microphone. These mics have shown up more than others in my “best microphones for X” type articles. I would like to consolidate the most recommended mics here for my own personal reference and to help you make your own decisions about microphone choice in your work.

Without further ado, let's get into My New Microphone's Most-Recommended Microphones:

• AKG C 414 XLS/XLII
• Electro-Voice RE20
• Rode NT1-A
• Neumann KM 184
• Neumann U 87
• Coles 4038
• Shure Beta 98H/C
• DPA d:dicate 4011
• Royer R-121
• Schoeps MK 4 with CMC 6
• Shure SM57
• Shure SM58
• Blue Yeti
• Shure SM81
• Shure SM7B

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AKG C 414 XLS/XLII

The AKG C 414 XLS and XLII are the modern models of AKG's successful C 414 line. They are both multi-pattern large-diaphragm true FET condenser microphones.

• Debut year: 2009
• Capsule: AKG Brass CK-12 style
• Transformer: N/A
• Transistor: 3059M02020 (complete PCB)
• Polar patterns: 9 selectable
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 23 mV/Pa (-33 dBV/Pa)
• Output impedance: ≤200 Ω
• Self-noise: 6 dBA (20 dB)
• Maximum sound pressure level: 140/ 146/ 152/ 158 dB SPL (no pad/ -6dB pad/ -12 dB pad/ -18 dB pad)

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Electro-Voice RE20

The Electro-Voice RE20 is a top-address moving-coil dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern and no proximity effect due to EV's Variable-D technology.

• Debut year: 1968
• Capsule: F.01U.110.744
• Transformer: Custom
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 45 Hz – 18,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 1.5 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 150 Ω

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Rode NT1-A

The Rode NT1-A is a budget-friendly large-diaphragm electret studio condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 2004
• Capsule: K67-style electret
• Transformer: N/A
• Transistor: Custom JFET inside Rode NT1000 PCB
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 25 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 100 Ω
• Self-noise: 5 dBA
• Maximum sound pressure level: 137 dB SPL

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Neumann KM 184

The Neumann KM 184 is Neumann's product line replacement for its vintage KM 84 mic. It is a solid-state small-diaphragm true pencil condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1993
• Capsule: KK 84 (formerly known as KK 64)
• Transformer: N/A
• Transistor:
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 15 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 50 Ω
• Self-noise: 13.0 dBA
• Maximum sound pressure level: 138 dB SPL

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Neumann U 87 AI

The U 87 AI is the modern version of Neumann's successful U 87. They are both multi-pattern large-diaphragm true FET condenser microphones.

• Debut year: 1986
• Capsule: K870/K67
• Transformer: 90415
• Transistor: 2N3819
• Power supply: Phantom power.
• Polar patterns: Omnidirectional/ Cardioid/ Bidirectional
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 20 mV/Pa (omni)/ 28 mV/Pa (cardioid)/ 22 mV/Pa (bidirectional)
• Output impedance: 200 Ω
• Self-noise: 15/12/14 dBA (26/23/25 dB)
• Maximum sound pressure level: 117 dB (cardioid) or 127 dB SPL with pad engaged

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Coles 4038

The Coles 4038 is a classic vintage ribbon microphone that is still in production today. It has a bidirectional polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1998
• Ribbon: 59.7 mm long x 4.7mm wide x 1.8 micron thin corrugated aluminum ribbon suspended in neodymium magnets
• Transformer: Custom
• Polar pattern: Bidirectional
• Frequency response: 30 Hz – 20,000+ Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 2.25 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 270 Ω
• Maximum sound pressure level: 140 dB SPL

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Shure Beta 98H/C

Shure’s Beta 98H/C (and the wireless WB98H/C) are premium cardioid condenser mics. They are miniature electret condensers that are designed to attach to instruments live.

• Debut year: 2002
• Capsule: Custom
• Transformer: N/A
• Transistor: Custom JFET
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: –56 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV/Pa)
• Output impedance: 150 Ω
• Self-noise: 31 dBA
• Maximum sound pressure level: 155 dB SPL

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DPA d:dicate 4011A

The DPA 4011A is a small-diaphragm electret pencil microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1992
• Capsule: MMC4011
• Transformer: N/A
• Transistor: Custom FET in DPA MMP-A PCB
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 10 mV/Pa (-40 dBV/Pa)
• Output impedance: <200 Ω
• Self-noise: 18 dBA
• Maximum sound pressure level: 159 dB SPL

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Royer R-121

The Royer R-121 is one of the world's most famed ribbon microphones. It has a bidirectional polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1998
• Ribbon: 2.5-micron, 3/16”x1.75” offset aluminum ribbon
• Transformer: Custom
• Polar pattern: Bidirectional 
• Frequency response: 30 Hz – 15,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 3.16 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 300 Ω
• Maximum sound pressure level: 135 dB SPL

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Schoeps MK 4 with CMC 6

The Schoeps modular MK 4 capsule with the CMC 6 amp is an excellent small-diaphragm pencil condenser mic with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1992
• Capsule: modular Schoeps MK 4
• Transformer: N/A
• Transistor: Custom
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 13 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 35 Ω
• Self-noise: 15 dBA (24 dB)
• Maximum sound pressure level: 132 dB SPL

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Shure SM57

The Shure SM57 is a studio workhorse moving-coil dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1965
• Cartridge: Shure R57 (Unidyne III)
• Transformer: Shure 51A303
• Polar pattern: Cardioid 
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 15,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: -56.0 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV)
• Output impedance: 150 Ω (310 Ω actual)

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Shure SM58

The Shure SM58 is the industry-standard live vocal microphone. It is a moving-coil dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1966
• Cartridge: Shure R59 (Unidyne III) (RK143G grille)
• Transformer: Shure 51A303
• Polar pattern: Cardioid 
• Frequency response: 50 Hz – 15,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: -54.5 dBV/Pa (1.85 mV)
• Output impedance: 150 Ω (300 Ω actual)

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Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti is the most popular USB microphone in the world. It is a multi-pattern tri-capsule small-diaphragm USB condenser microphone.

• Debut year: 2009
• Capsule: Custom tri-capsule design (14mm diameter)
• Polar patterns: Omnidirectional, bidirectional, cardioid, stereo.
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 4.5mV/Pa
• Output impedance: N/A (16-bit digital output)
• Self-noise: No spec given.
• Maximum sound pressure level: 120 dB SPL
• Sample rate: 48 kHz
• Bit depth: 16 bit

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Shure SM81

The Shure SM81 is a small-diaphragm pencil microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 1978
• Capsule: Shure R104 (capsule + grille)
• Transformer: Custom
• Transistor: Custom in PCB
• Power supply: PS1A (optional)
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 5.6 mV/Pa (–45 dBV/Pa)
• Output impedance: 150 Ω (85 Ω actual)
• Self-noise: 16 dBA (19 dB)
• Maximum sound pressure level:
  800 Ω load: 136 dB SPL (146 dB SPL with pad engaged)
  150 Ω load: 128 dB SPL (138 dB SPL with pad engaged)

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Shure SM7B

The Shure SM7B is a moving-coil dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern.

• Debut year: 2001
• Capsule: RPM106 (Unidyne III) with Humbucking coil
• Transformer: N/A
• Polar pattern: Cardioid 
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 16,000 Hz
• Sensitivity rating: 1.12 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 150 Ω

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