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 * How to Choose the Best Microphones for Home Recording


HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MICROPHONES FOR HOME RECORDING

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Home Recording Mobile Recording Studio Recording Musicians


HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MICROPHONES FOR HOME RECORDING


Home Recording Mobile Recording Studio Recording Musicians

From basement studios to bedroom producers, making music has been transformed in
recent years. Shure has created a guide to the best microphones for home
recording.

Here’s a truth for you: No one needs to go to a recording studio to make amazing
music. With the right gear, you can now do it all wherever you feel most
creative.

Artists like Taylor Swift and Doja Cat have recorded entire albums at home. Some
of the most successful producers in the business – Skrillex, Nosaj Thing, Y2K –
make tunes that slap solely on their laptops.

And yeah, recording from home is convenient, but it also makes artistic sense.
Your home is where you feel most comfortable. It’s where you can immediately
capture your creativity. And thanks to the latest tech, it can sound just as
professional as a $1,000-a-day studio.

That said, there are a few things that are good to know before you start. Like,
which home studio microphones are essential to have. And that’s where this guide
comes in. We’ve broken it down into bite-sized chunks according to what you want
to record. But here's an even quicker list of essential mics for home recording:

 * THE SM58
 * THE SM57
 * THE BETA 52A
 * THE PGA181
 * THE KSM137

VOCALS

Even if you’re recording entirely with virtual instruments in Logic, Ableton or
Reaper, you’ll still need a quality vocal mic. But luckily with these it’s all
about the feel, and what works well with your voice. And you know that better
than anyone else. Click here for a deep dive on vocal mics.

THE SM7B – You’ll recognize this mic right away – it’s the one all the YouTubers
use, because it sounds so smooth and warm. Rap, rock – you name it, the SM7B
does it all. If you think your voice sounds a bit harsh on other mics, or you
just want that classic sound, this is the one for you.

PRO PICK: THE SM7B

 

THE SM58 – Not everyone feels comfortable singing into a mic on a stand.
Sometimes it feels more natural to hold it in your hand. And if that’s the case
for you, then try an SM58. This legend has delivered the same warm and natural
sound for decades. Clearly, and unquestionably, this is the G.O.A.T. of vocal
microphones.

THE SM58

 

THE PGA27 – For vocalists with a delicate sound – think Billie Eilish – then a
PGA27 is a perfect choice. It will pick up every intimate moment in your
performance. Then when people listen to your tracks, it will sound like you’re
singing only to them.

THE PGA27

 

THE MV7 – The MV7 is a fantastic option for getting a high-quality vocal track
down without an audio interface wherever you might be. This mic plugs straight
into your laptop or smartphone, so you no longer have to compromise your sound
when you’re recording at home or on the road.

THE MV7

 

ELECTRIC GUITAR & BASS

A lot of people just plug their instruments straight into their laptops – and
that’s fine, up to a point. But if you want an authentic sound, you’re going to
want to play your electric guitars and bass out loud. And when you do that,
you’ll need a mic that can capture the performance. That’s what will separate
you from the crowd.

THE SM57 – This mic can basically do everything – you can even sing into it, if
you want (Kurt Cobain did). But it’s at its best when recording guitar amps and
snare drums. It has a crisp feel that’s perfect for when your playing gets wild,
and it won’t ever break. Buy one of these and it’s yours for life.

THE SM57

 

THE BETA 52A – To get really deep sounds you need a specialist mic like the Beta
52A. If you don’t, your basslines will sound thin rather than fat. The good news
is that this mic can multitask – it’s just as tight on the kick drum as it is on
the bass cabinet.

THE BETA 52A

 

DRUMS

You’ve probably noticed that some people get lost in the technical details
around music. Especially with drum mics. And yeah, that stuff has a time and a
place, but the main thing you need to know is does it work. And these mics do.

It also pays to be strategic. If you’re on a budget, start with a two-mic set
up. Then you can add more as you go, without any redundancy. We’ve listed them
in order so you can do just that.

THE SM57 – If you picked one up for your guitar, you’re all sorted. If not, this
is the ideal snare mic. It cuts through the mix to create a driving beat. This
is the first mic you should buy for your drum set up. A living legend.

PRO PICK: THE SM57

 

THE BETA 52A – Again, if you got one for the bass guitar, you’re already sorted.
If not, this is your kick drum mic – warm, rich and with a lot of low-end. Buy
this along with the SM57 for a classic two-mic setup. Alternative: If you’ve got
your wallet on your mind, you can switch this out with a PGA52 – a solid option
for miking your bass drum.

THE BETA 52A

 

THE KSM32 – Get this one for the win, because mics like the KSM32 are the reason
people still pay lots of money to go to those expensive recording studios.
Crisp, clean and high quality, it can really work well on anything, but it’s
particularly good on overheads and kicks. Look after it well and you’re sorted
forever.

THE KSM32

 

THE PGA181 – Here’s a real insider tip: If you’ve only got enough for one mic,
you can still record a drum kit by positioning one of these directly over the
kick drum and underneath the ride cymbal. It’s kind of incredible how good it
sounds. Alternative: If you are looking for great overhead mics, maybe consider
the Beta 181 instead. It has interchangeable mic capsules for even more
flexibility.

THE PGA181

 

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS

Acoustic instruments like guitar and piano need a special kind of microphone.
Something that understands subtlety and sounds sincere. These mics do just that.

THE SM27 – If you’re recording acoustic sounds, you’ll need something that will
capture all the finer details, and the SM27 does. You can use it with almost
anything, from a piano to flute to a ukulele.

THE SM27

 

THE KSM137 – This mic will work great on everything from brass or woodwinds to
classic guitars and choral singers. As a nice bonus, get a second KSM137 and
you’ve got a pair of pro level overhead mics for your drum kit.

PRO PICK: THE KSM137

 

SECRET WEAPONS

The more gear you have, the more recording possibilities you’ll have. But the
fact is, you can still achieve a professional sound with very little. If you’re
just starting to build your home studio, then these small and mighty options
could be for you.

THE MV88+ STEREO USB – This is a portable mic that you can take anywhere, but
it’s also just as good in your home studio as it is in your backpack. The stereo
setup will give your recordings a live vibe. Plugs straight into your laptop or
works with your phone, too, which is a big plus.

THE MV88+ STEREO USB

 

THE PGA181 – Look, we’re a mic company; we want you to buy lots of mics. But if
you’re looking to get just one mic to start out, consider the PGA181. You can
record anything with it. Seriously, anything. And later when you home studio mic
locker gets bigger, this one won’t become redundant – it will still slay in
whatever setup you use.

THE PGA181

Shure Incorporated

Shure has been making people sound extraordinary for nearly a century. Founded
in 1925 and headquartered in Niles, Illinois, we are a leading global
manufacturer of audio equipment known for quality, performance and durability.
For critical listening, or high-stakes moments on stage, in the studio, and from
the meeting room, you can always rely on Shure.


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