Top 10 Best Microphone Brands You Should Know And Use

There are many microphone brands/manufacturers in the world today. Though there are plenty of microphones to choose from, only a few really cut above the noise and become popular in professional settings.

Be sure to check out My New Microphone's article How Do Microphones Work? (The Ultimate Illustrated Guide)!

The Top 10 Best Microphone Brands Are:

• Shure
• Sennheiser
• Neumann
• Rode
• AKG
• Danish Pro Audio (DPA)
• Electro-Voice
• Schoeps
• Audio-Technica
• Royer Labs
• Blue Microphones

Let's get into each of these brands in more detail to explain why you should know of and use their mics. In doing so, let's also go through their flagship microphones.

I had originally intended to list out the top 10 most popular professional microphone brands, but finding proper data was overly difficult or practically impossible (the exact quantities of mics sold; mics in circulation; and mics actually used in professional settings around the world).

If you're looking for a full list of microphone manufacturers, click here!

For 9 more excellent microphone brands, check out my article Top 9 Best Microphone Brands You’ve Likely Never Heard Of.

Without further ado, let's get into our top 10 professional mic brands you should know about and use.

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Shure

Shure is one of the most popular microphone brands in the world, for sure. This is especially true of their dynamic microphones. At any given music venue around the world, there's a high probability that a Shure microphone will be in use on stage.

Shure's microphones have been used to record countless moments throughout recorded history. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis Presley, to the Grammys and Olympics, to the presidents of the United States.

Shure strives to produce products of unmatched quality, reliability, and durability. Its qualified team is not only made of superb engineers, but also of performers, artists, presenters, and listeners.

Shure has many award-winning microphones that are very popular around the globe. Of all their amazing microphones, the following 3 are likely the most renowned:

• Shure SM57: Introduced in 1965, the Shure SM57 has come to be known as the almighty “studio workhorse.” This microphone is extraordinarily rugged and reliable and sounds great across a wide variety of applications. This inexpensive mic is a go-to for many engineers, whether in the studio or on the stage. On top of that, the SM57 has been the White House standard for every U.S. President since Lyndon B. Johnson.
• Shure SM58: Introduced in 1966, the Shure SM58 has since been widely adopted by musicians across the world. Excellent sound quality and ruggedness make it a global standard for live vocals and a great choice for studio use. The SM58 is the most popular vocal microphone in the world.
• Shure SM7B: The SM7B was originally introduced as the SM7 in 1973 and later revised in 2001 with a larger windscreen. The SM7B features the same Unidyne III cartridge as the aforementioned SM57, but with enhanced features, giving it the title “SM57 on steroids.” This legendary microphone is used in radio programs and podcasts around the world (see Joe Rogan Experience) and was a primary vocal mic in the best selling album of all time: Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Check the price of these Shure microphones on Amazon by clicking the following links:

• SM57
• SM58
• SM7B

The SM57, SM58 and SM7B are featured in many My New Microphone articles, including the following:
• 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones)
• Top Best Dynamic Microphones On The Market
• Top Best Microphones For Podcasting (All Budgets)
• My New Microphone’s Most-Recommended Microphones

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Sennheiser

Sennheiser is a behemoth in the professional audio industry, and its microphones are utilized in professional settings around the world.

Since its inception, Sennheiser has pursued the best possible products in the realm of audio, and this shows in its reputation and products throughout the company's history. When looking for the best microphone for any particular purpose, a Sennheiser microphone is a sure contender.

Sennheiser is a massive international company with nearly 3,000 employees but remains a family-run business. The company ensures it fills its customer's needs with both marketing research and engineering developments.

In 1991, Sennheiser acquired Georg Neumann GmbH (Neumann), which is actually next on our list of the best microphone brands. Though Neumann is part of the Sennheiser Group, it still develops its own microphones under the Neumann name.

Sennheiser's product line includes high-quality mics for any practical application, making it difficult only to discuss 3 of the microphones. They are:

• MKH 416: Since its debut in 1975, the Sennheiser MKH 416 has become one of the most legendary shotgun microphones in the world. This RF condenser shotgun mic is highly directional yet natural-sounding, and its humidity-resistant capsule makes it an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
• MD 421: Introduced in 1960, the MD421 (now available as the MD421-II) is a legendary studio and broadcast dynamic microphone. Its rugged build and clean sound have made it a go-to choice for voices in broadcast as well as vocals, guitars, drums, and many more sound sources in the studio.
• MD 441 U: Introduced in 1971, the Sennheiser MD 441U is celebrated as a “dynamic microphone that sounds like a condenser.” That being said, it also has the price point of a higher-end condenser (it’s one of, if not the most expensive moving-coil dynamic microphones on the market today).

Check the price of these Sennheiser microphones on Amazon by clicking the following links:

• MKH 416
• MD 421 II
• MD 441

• The MKH 416, MD 421 II and MD 441 U are featured in My New Microphone's 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones).
• The MKH 416 is featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Shotgun Microphones On The Market.
• The MD 421 and MD 441 are featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Dynamic Microphones On The Market.

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Neumann

All microphone engineers should know of Georg Neumann and his legendary microphone company. These high-end microphones are highly sought after for studio use.

As previously mentioned, George Neumann GmbH was acquired by Sennheiser electronic GmbH. That being said, Neumann as a brand remains alive and well and deserves a spot near the top of this list of the best microphone manufacturers/brands.

For decades Neumann has been the world's leading studio microphone manufacturer. The company has set industry standards and continues to provide top-end studio microphones for professionals around the world. I have never met a professional studio engineer that doesn't either have a Neumann mic or have a Neumann on his wish list.

In the world of microphone manufacturers, Neumann is nearly synonymous with quality and precision. The high price points on Neumann mics are worth every penny for the incredible sound and expert craftsmanship. Of all the Neumann mics on the market, I'd say the following 3 are the most popular:

• U 87: Introduced in 1967, the Neumann U 87 is perhaps the greatest, most used, and most popular studio microphone to ever exist. The U87 has been used on countless hit records, in numerous broadcast studios, and has become a professional standard in the studio for both vocal performances and voiceover work.
• TLM 102: Introduced in 2009, the TLM 102 is Neumann's most affordable large-diaphragm condenser microphone. It's popular in both professional and project studios for its incredible sound, high maximum sound pressure level, and quiet self-noise.
• KM 184: Neumann's KM 184 was introduced in 1993 to replace the KM 84 (1966). The KM 184 is a small diaphragm condenser and is the cardioid version in Neumann's 180 line (the KM 183 being omnidirectional and the KM 185 being hypercardioid). The KM 184 is a popular choice for mono and stereo recording of acoustic instruments and for spot-miking instruments in a larger ensemble.

Check the price of these Neumann microphones on Amazon by clicking the following links:

• U 87 Ai
• TLM 102
• KM 184

• The U 87 Ai, TLM 102 and KM 184 are featured in many My New Microphone articles, including the 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones) (as alternate versions of equally incredible microphones).
• The U 87 Ai and KM 184 are featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Solid-State/FET Condenser Microphones.
• The TLM 102 is featured in My New Microphone's Best Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Under $1000.

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Rode

Australia's finest! Rode is an awesome microphone manufacturer with a well-rounded catalogue of microphones to choose from. Their professional mics range from affordable for the project studio to top-of-the-line for the professional studio and are regularly used around the world.

Rode Microphones are recognized across the world for their high-quality build and sound and amazing prices.

Rode continues to expand its product lines, designing new professional microphones specifically for new and established forms of audio media. Regardless of your microphone situation, Rode likely has a microphone that will perfectly suit your required application.

Though there are plenty of popular and high-quality Rode microphones to choose from, I would argue that the following three are the favourites of Rode customers:

• NT1-A: The Rode NT1-A was released in 2004 as an anniversary edition of the NT1 (1997) although the microphone design was quite different and the NT1-A would end up replacing its predecessor. The NT1-A is marketed as “the world's quietest studio microphone” and with a self-noise of only 5 dBA, that claim is pretty much spot on. Since its introduction to the market, the NT1-A has become a standard studio vocal mic across the world.
• NTG-3: The Rode NTG-3 was introduced in 2008. It is a lightweight RF condenser shotgun microphone, designed for professional indoor and outdoor applications within the film, video, television and production industries.
• Procaster: Introduced in 2009, the Rode Procaster is a large-diaphragm dynamic microphone designed for the broadcast market. It is basically the professional upgraded Rode Podcaster USB mic. The Procaster is reminiscent of the legendary Electro-Voice RE20 (which we'll get to later) and sounds absolutely amazing on vocals.

Check the price of these Rode microphones at select retailers by clicking the following links:

• NT1-A
• NTG-3
• Procaster

The Rode NT1-A is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones)
• 12 Best Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Under $500
• Top 12 Best Microphones Under $1,000 for Recording Vocals
• Top 10 Best Microphones Under $500 for Recording Vocals
• Top 20 Best Microphones For Podcasting (All Budgets)
• The NTG-3 gets a shout-out in My New Microphone's Top Best Shotgun Microphones On The Market.

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AKG

AKG is an often overlooked microphone manufacturer and, at the same time, a mainstay in many mic lockers. Their many microphones see use in any practical miking situations around the globe.

For decades, AKG has been designing and manufacturing top-of-the-line professional audio equipment. AKG has become a name that has amassed a worldwide reputation for performance, reliability, and service.

AKG has developed microphones with leading-edge industrial design, innovative electronics, and world-class acoustics for all practical applications.

The most notable microphones from AKG include the following three:

• C 414 B-XLS/XLII: The AKG C 414 B-XLS/XLII microphones were introduced in 2004 as the next generation of AKG's C line of microphones. Their predecessors include the legendary AKG C 12 A (1962); C 414 comb (1971); C 414 EB (1976); C 414 EB-P48 (1980); C 414 B-ULS and C 414 B-TL (1986). The B-XLS/XLII versions are improved with superior technology and improved sound. These microphones are the most versatile on the market today and are in plenty of professional studios and on plenty of studio wish lists around the world.
• D MK II: The AKG D112 MK II was introduced in 2015 as the replacement for the original D112 (1986). Both these microphones are standard kick drum microphones in the audio industry.
• C 451 B: Released in 2001, the AKG C 451 B was a replacement for AKG's legendary first FET condenser mic, the C 451-C (1969). The C 451 B is a popular studio microphone due to its incredibly flat frequency response and natural sound.

Check the price of these AKG microphones on Amazon by clicking the following links:

• C 414 B-XLII
• D112 XLII
• C 451 B

• The C 414 XLII and C 451 B are featured as alternates in My New Microphone's 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones) and Top Best Solid-State/FET Condenser Microphones.
• The C 451 B is one of My New Microphone's Best Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Under $500.

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Danish Pro Audio (DPA)

DPA microphones are expensive high-end mics that are used around the world in a wide variety of applications. For DPA, it's all about creating the best products possible, which, no doubt, makes them a mic brand worth checking out.

Morten Stove and Ole Brosted Sorensen founded DPA Microphones. They took what they had learned at Brüel & Kjær, which had made the most well-known and accurate measurement microphones in the world, and turned these designs into the clearest, truest pro-audio microphones you can purchase today.

All of DPA's microphones sound incredible in their specialized applications. The three I'd like to mention here are the following:

• d:vote 4099 (Instrument Mic): Introduced in 2009, the DPA d:vote 4099 is an industry-leading line of instrument microphones. DPA has developed a natural-sounding microphone that sounds amazing even when close-miking instruments. The 4099 mics come with a plethora of different mounts to attach to any instrument that requires miking.
• d:dicate 4006 (Omnidirectional Mic): Introduced in 1982, the DPA 4006 was the first iteration of what was originally a Bruel & Kjaer measurement microphone. The 4006A we know and love today is a remake that was released in 2001. This superb omnidirectional mic was original designed to work with a 130v PSU but has since been adapted to work with standard 48V Phantom powering. This microphone is one of the cleanest sounding mics on the professional market today.
• d:screet CORE 6061 (Lavalier Mic): Introduced in 2018 in direct response to feedback from the theatre, film and television industries, the DPA 6061 is one of the smallest high-end pro audio microphone capsules on the market. This lavalier sounds incredibly clean and natural and can be concealed very easily.

Check the price of these DPA microphones on Amazon by clicking the following links:

• 4099
• 4006
• 6061

• The DPA 4006 and 4099 are listed among My New Microphone's 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones).
• The 4006A is featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Solid-State/FET Condenser Microphones.

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Electro-Voice

Electro-Voice is a big player in loudspeakers and live sound systems but also has an impressive line of microphones. EV's microphones are definitely worth knowing about and trying (particularly their RE line).

Electro-Voice is an industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing professional audio equipment, including microphones. Their passion for sound quality is uncompromising in their efforts to produce best-in-class sound reinforcement solutions.

Electro-Voice is one of the few companies of their size to design all components in‑house and have numerous patents on industry-leading microphones.

Of all Electro-Voice's superb microphones, I'd say the following three are the most popular:

• RE20: Introduced in 1969, the Electro-Voice RE20 quickly became an industry standard for both broadcast and music applications. This world-renowned microphone features EV's patented Variable-D technology, which virtually eliminates the proximity effect while maintaining the RE20's cardioid polar pattern. Today, you'll often see the RE20 in radio shows, podcasts, and in the studio on a variety of instruments.
• RE320: The RE320 was released in 2011 and has since gained great popularity. Its unique “Dual Personality” switch basically makes the RE320 two mics in one: one position provides a lively yet natural tonal response for vocals, electric, and acoustic instruments; the other position delivers a curve designed specifically for kick drums.
• 635A: The 635A was first introduced in 1965 and is still manufactured today. In its prime, the 635A was the most popular news-gathering microphone in North America and is remains a classic to this day.

Check the price of these Electro-Voice microphones by clicking the following links:

• RE20
• RE320
• 635A

The famed RE20 is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones)
• Top Best Dynamic Microphones On The Market
The RE20 and RE320 are featured in the Top Best Microphones For Podcasting (All Budgets)

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Schoeps

Schoeps is a solid microphone brand that specializes in modular condenser microphones. Their “mix-and-match” philosophy makes many of their mics extremely versatile while maintaining their pristine quality. Schoeps may put a dent in your pocket but are definitely worth checking out and using if you have the opportunity.

Schoeps Mikrofone is a family-run business that has earned a reputation as one of the world's finest microphone brands. The small team of 50 develops breathtaking original microphones and manufactures all critical components of these microphones in-house.

Schoeps has long been a pioneer in the professional audio industry. They are a customer-focused company, and their customers have come to expect exquisite quality in Schoeps microphones, which combine razor-sharp transparency and stunning authenticity in simple yet elegant designs.

Though Schoeps is perhaps best known for its modular condenser microphones and preamps, I figured I'd give 3 different microphone types as great examples of Schoeps' high-quality mics:

• Colette MK 4/CMC 6: The Colette series of Schoeps module microphones was first introduced in 1973. Since then, the modules have been consistently upgraded and supplemented. The MK 4 is Schoeps' best-selling capsule and has been relied on for years as a reference mic and in a variety of recording situations. The CMC 6 is Schoeps' most popular modern mic amplifier. Together, these modules yield a one-of-a-kind microphone with pristine sound quality.
• CCM 5: The CCM series of Schoeps mics was introduced in 1994. This series presented the smallest ever “true” studio condenser microphones (without electret elements), with a fully balanced output. The uncompromising CCM 5 offers two selectable directional patterns (cardioid and omnidirectional), but uses only one membrane, allowing for a full response that is maintained to the highest audible frequencies, which is unusual for a switchable-pattern microphone.
• CMIT 5U: Introduced in 2005, the CMIT 5U is a high-quality shotgun microphone that is designed without the usual drawbacks of most shotgun mics. The CMIT 5U has considerably smoother off-axis response than any previous design, there are no distinct side lobes of sensitivity, and the polar pattern is consistent up to the highest ends of its full frequency response. 

Check the price of these Schoeps microphones by clicking the following links:

• MK 4 / CMC 6
• CCM 5
• CMIT 5U

• The Schoeps MK4/CMC6 combo and CMIT 5 U are both featured in My New Microphone's 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones).
• The MK4/CMC6 combo is rated as one of the My New Microphone's Top Best Solid-State/FET Condenser Microphones.
• The CMIT 5U is listed in My New Microphone's Top Best Shotgun Microphones On The Market.

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Audio-Technica

Though best known for their headphones, Audio-Technica also boasts a wide line of excellent consumer and professional-grade microphones.

Audio-Technica makes up a worldwide group of companies devoted to designing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing problem-solving audio equipment. One major sector of this audio equipment is microphones, and AT is a leading manufacturer of microphones for practically all applications.

Audio-Technica boasts numerous industry awards for its microphones, and their mics are accepted as standards around the world. Some Audio-Technica microphone installations include the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and the U.S. presidential debates since 1988; the Grammys award shows; Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies; World Cup Soccer; NFL Superbowl; and countless other big-time shows and events.

Like all the manufacturers on this list, I could name plenty of Audio-Technica microphones the deserve recognition. However, to name my top 3, they are:

• AT2020: Introduced in 2004, the Audio-Technica AT2020 is an affordable large-diaphragm condenser microphone that performs well above its price point. The AT2020 has become Audio-Technica's most popular microphone for its stellar quality-to-price ratio and excellent sound.
• AT2035: The AT2035 was introduced in 2008 and sounds similar to but slightly more present than the aforementioned AT2020. They are both large-diaphragm electret condensers and make for great studio mics on a budget.
• AT897: Audio-Technica's AT897 was released in 2004 as part of the Broadcast & Production series. This short shotgun microphone is an excellent choice for video camera mounting and general field recording.

Check the price of these Audio-Technica microphones at select retailers by clicking the following links:

• AT2020
• AT2035
• AT897

The AT2020 and AT2035 are both featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Microphones For Podcasting (All Budgets) and Top Best Microphones Under $150 For Recording Vocals.

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Royer Labs

Royer may be the least known microphone manufacturer on this list. Guitarists privy to microphones will likely know of the legendary R121, but Royer Labs makes many high-quality ribbon microphones that sound absolutely stunning.

Since its inception in 1998, Royer Labs has nearly singlehandedly brought ribbon microphones back to popular demand worldwide. Royer Labs has a dedicated team determined to impart warmth, realism and musicality into the digital recording process. They do so with industry-leading innovation in ribbon mic technology.

The following 3 ribbon microphones are likely the three most popular from Royer Labs:

• R-121: Royer's first mic was the R-121 and was introduced in 1998. This passive ribbon microphone is the flagship mic of Royer Labs and has become a legendary microphone around the world for its smooth, natural sound and wide applicability. The importance of this microphone in the renaissance of ribbon mics is unquestionable.
• R-122 MKII: The original R-122 was introduced in 2002 as the first-ever phantom-powered ribbon microphone. The R-122 MKII (released in 2015) is an improvement upon its original model, providing an amazingly clean and natural sound with a superb output level. The R-122 includes an attenuation pad and high-pass filter.
• SF-12: Introduced in 1998, the Royer SF-12 is a stereo ribbon microphone with two ribbon diaphragms set up in a Blumlein pair. This modern ribbon design has no audible diffraction effects or cavity resonance and sound absolutely incredible by itself or among other microphones.

Check the price of these Royer microphones by clicking the following links:

• R-121
• R-122 MKII
• SF-12

• The R-121 is featured in My New Microphone's 50 Best Microphones Of All Time (With Alternate Versions & Clones) and Top Best Passive Ribbon Microphones On The Market.
• The R-122 MkII is featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Active Ribbon Microphones On The Market.

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Related Questions

What is the best brand of wireless microphones? Both Shure and Sennheiser make excellent handheld wireless microphone systems and are considered the best brands of wireless microphones. As for wireless lavalier microphone systems, Sennheiser is the best brand on the market, though DPA also makes high-end lavs without transmitters/receivers.

For more information on wireless microphones, check out my article How Do Wireless Microphones Work?

What is the best on-stage microphone? The Shure SM58 has become a legendary microphone for its on-stage use as a vocal mic and could be considered the best on-stage microphone. However, many other microphones would fare better depending on the situation and instrument/sound source being miked.

For all of my microphone recommendations, check out my recommended gear page!