Best Live Vocal Microphones
Using the best live vocal microphone for your band’s concert will not only make you sound better, it will also be much easier too use than a cheap mic. Too many people try to perform with junky microphones and lose fans because of it. Don’t be that band.
Finding a good live performance microphone comes down to picking one that is right for you sound and your show. You’ll want the right direction, sensitivity, and polarity.
If this is totally over your head, don’t worry about it. We’ve made a list of the top live performance mics and reviewed their pros and cons, so you can find the right equipment for you next live show.
Top 3 Live Vocal Mics
Contents
| Best Live Vocal Microphones | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 |
Shure BETA 87A | Check Price |
 |
Sennheiser e935 | Check Price |
 |
Blue enCORE 100 | Check Price |
Top Microphones for Live Vocals in 2020
This is our full list of the best live vocal microphones to make your voice sound awesome at your next show, concert, and performance.
Shure BETA 87A
When it comes to Microphones, the Shure brand has been consistent in asserting its influence and standing in the microphone industry. It has achieved this with a very wide range of microphones serving an even wider range of users. If there is any brand that is synonymous with microphones, then it has to be Shure.
We are looking at the BETA 87A from this brand. This is a handheld microphone but with a condenser transducer. This is not common in handheld microphones because of the highly increased sensitivity.
To ensure that its sensitivity does not become an issue on stage, it features an internal shock mount that isolates the cartridge from shocks and handling noise. It also has a super-cardioid pickup pattern that is tight and therefore provides a good level of isolation from other sound sources. In addition to this, it includes a bass roll-off that is used to avoid any issues with proximity effect and it also has a built-in pop filter that takes care of the plosives.
With a maximum SPL of 140.5 dB, this microphone will most certainly handle the high level sound energy on most stages with ease.
Pros
- Transducer type – Condenser.
- Polar pattern – Super cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
Cons
Special care has to be taken to manage its sensitivity on a live stage.
Suggestion
If you need a higher level of vocal clarity on stage then you should totally consider this microphone. It will make your vocals sparkle.
Sennheiser e935 Handheld Mic
Sennheiser is a German brand owned by Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG. From the year 1945, this brand has been delivering to the world top quality professional audio products such as microphones, headphones, aviation headsets, telephone accessories and more.
Here, the brand is offering us the e935, a handheld dynamic microphone designed for use in live stage situations. First, it features a rugged metal construction that will stand the rigors of heavy stage handling. Secondly, its cardioid polar pattern ensures that it has a narrow pickup path so that it will mainly pickup only what you want it to.
Another thing that makes this great for live applications is the capsule that is shock-mounted. This means that it has an internal shock mount that ensures that handling noise and stage vibrations do not translate to noise in the audio signal. The same goes for noise from electrical interference which is cut down by the presence of the coil that compensates for such hums.
Considering that this microphone may be used for touring and in varied climate conditions, it is designed to operate with ease in any climate.
This microphone is both a workhorse and a performance-ready gear. When you order it, you will also get a carrying pouch and mic clip.
Pros
- Transducer type – Dynamic.
- Polar pattern – Cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 40 Hz to 18 kHz.
Cons
If you love an on/off switch on your microphone, then you won’t get it here.
Suggestion
This is one microphone that is ruggedly road and performance ready.
Blue enCORE 100 Dynamic Handheld Microphone
As far as microphone brands go, Blue is a newbie. Do not however let this deceive you into thinking that this is a low quality brand. Though this brand may not have as much microphone offerings as some other older brands, it has established itself as a brand that delivers on quality and innovation with its products.
Here we are looking at the enCORE 100, a dynamic handheld microphone that is at home on any live stage. Blue understands that live applications are a different kind of beast from a studio setting, which is more controlled. This microphone therefore offers the perfect isolation from other sound sources with its cardioid polar pattern which provides a tight pickup path. It also features a specially designed capsule mount that ensures that stage shocks, vibrations and handling noise does not get into the audio signal path.
This microphone delivers clarity, speech intelligibility and a rugged construction that makes it perfect for all kinds of live applications. It boasts of delivering studio quality clarity right there on stage.
With this order comes a mic clip and a well-built carrying pouch.
Pros
- Transducer type – Dynamic.
- Polar pattern – Cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 50 Hz to 15 kHz.
Cons
This microphone delivers good value for the price. There’s little to fault here at this price.
Suggestion
This microphone combines performance, ruggedness and affordability in one simple package. If you are on a tight budget, this will serve you well on stage or for other live vocal applications.
Shure SM58S Vocal Microphone
As we end this review, we are closing the curtain with another product from Shure. Like we stated earlier, Shure is one of the very top brands when it comes to microphones.
The product under review is one of the brand’s microphones that have achieved legend status. We are referring to the SM58. This microphone has graced numerous stages and broadcast studios for decades.
Designed as a handheld dynamic microphone, its build is very rugged, an indication of its capacity to weather tough use scenarios. Aside from its durability and ability to take practically anything that may be thrown at it during use, its performance is never compromised even in the toughest of conditions.
Aside from its tough exterior, it also features a built-in pneumatic shock mount system. This isolates the capsule from external vibrations, shock and noise from handling. It ensures that with all the rumbling on stage, the audio signal will remain clean. This is further aided by the internal windscreen and pop shield which prevents plosives and also eliminates interference from the wind in windy conditions.
This is the SM58S which simply differentiates this from the original switchless model.
Pros
- Transducer type – Dynamic.
- Polar pattern – Condenser.
- Frequency response range – 50 Hz to 15 kHz.
Cons
The on/off switch may add a little clicking sound when used during a recording or performance.
Suggestion
The Shure SM58 is a legend so you can expect that it will deliver as promised. This particular model – SM58S adds an on/off switch in case it’s a feature you need.
Behringer Ultravoice Xm8500 Dynamic Microphone
When Behringer came on the scene on the 25th of January 1989, few people took the company seriously. As some of its products began to hit the market, a lot of folks discountenanced them mainly because they were priced in such a way that more musicians could afford them. Today, the story has changed as the brand now stands as a giant in the industry with scores of quality products that are now used by professionals all over the world.
The product in focus here is the XM8500. This is a handheld dynamic microphone that shines best in live vocal applications; though it can also be used in the studio.
Featuring a cardioid pickup pattern, it can be used on stage even in the midst of other sound sources, but will mainly pick from the sound source it is focused on. It has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz which makes it perfect for capturing crystal clear vocals while the dynamic transducer can handle pretty high sound pressure levels with ease.
The XM8500 is designed with a built-in shock mount that isolates noise from handling, vibration and shock from getting to the capsule. This, combined with its rugged build, means that it will easily withstand the rigors of heavy use without losing its performance quality.
Pros
- Transducer type – Dynamic.
- Polar pattern – Cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 5 Hz to 15 kHz.
Cons
It may require quite some boosting to reach optimal volume.
Suggestion
This is a microphone that offers good value at an unbelievable price.
What You Should Get!
This was one of those really fun reviews where the products offered very similar features and values. Well, as is usually the case with microphones, a lot usually comes down to application and personal preference.
In this case, we are looking specifically at microphones used for live applications with a focus mainly on those that will serve best live vocals on stage. Based on this, we looked at all the offerings and it came down to the Sennheiser e935 and the Shure SM58S. Well, as a general use workhorse, the SM58S really has few equals. However, with regards to live stage and particularly vocal use, the Sennheiser e935 edged it out.
Based on the above, we chose the Sennheiser e935 Handheld Mic as our Top Live Vocal Microphone.
