Without even knowing it, every one of us is an expert in sound. We spend our entire lives listening to voices around us. Whether that be radio, television, friends, family, people on the train, or waiters at restaurants.
We might not be able to tell you exactly why something sounds off, but we’ll certainly be able to pick up if it does. Then once we’ve noticed something strange, we focus in on that, rather than what is being said.
If you’re planning on doing anything that involves a vocal component, you’re going to need a good quality microphone. You don’t want people to tune out because your sound is sub par.
XLR microphones are the standard for vocal recording in professional settings. While USB mics are often cheaper and easier to use, XLR mics pick up less noise and give you more control over your sound.
If you want to get started in podcasting, voiceover, YouTube, content creation, or even upgrade your current mic to something better, you’ve come to the right place. There are countless styles of XLR microphones out there, so I’ve narrowed it down to my top pics to give you an idea where to start.
What is an XLR microphone?
An XLR microphone, quite simply, a microphone that is to be connected using an XLR cable, like the one below.
The connectors of an XLR cable.
In more technical terms it is an analogue microphone that is connected to an external recording device (like an audio interface) via an XLR cable.
XLR cables are usually balanced cables. The three prongs you see in the connector all carries different signals. One pin carries the signal, another carries the signal inverted, and the third pin is for earthing. Once the signal gets to the other end, the inverted signal is flipped again and the noise gets cancelled out. To cut a long and complicated story short, this means that they can carry high output signals and electrical signals over long distances while not allowing any signal loss, interference or unwanted noise. You’ll get less hum, less buzz and less of the undesirable stuff.
What are the best XLR microphones?
Audio-Technica AT2020
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a no frills, affordable entry level condenser mic.
To be frank, you shouldn’t be expecting the world from a mic in this price range, but it will get you decent sound overall. It’s a very popular mic for podcasting and entry level voiceover.
Specs
Type: Condenser microphone
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid pattern
Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Dynamic Range: 124 dB, 1kHz at Max SPL
Self noise: 20 dB
Weight: 345g
Pros
- A very cheap microphone.
- Can handle loud sounds without distortion.
- Durable.
Cons
- Need to buy other audio equipment to get the best out of it.
- Sound quality is only decent.
- Self noise is higher than a lot of other mics.
- Will require phantom power (but this is the same for all XLR mics).
Rode NT1-A
If you’re writing a list of ‘Best XLR Microphones,’ you have to include at least one Rode. The NT1-A large diaphragm condenser microphone is an affordable workhorse with truly exceptional performance.
Whilst it may be an entry level microphone, it’s performance really is anything buy entry level. Sleek, sturdy and with superb sound, this is definitely one of the best XLR microphones out there.
Specs
Type: Condenser microphone
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid pattern
Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Dynamic Range: 128 dB SPL
Self noise: 5 dB
Weight: 326g
Pros
- Flat frequency response.
- Mid range price point but won’t break the bank.
- Premium all-metal build quality.
- Insanely low self noise.
- Good sound quality.
- Integrated shock mount and pop shield.
Cons
- Mic tends to pick up aggressive sibilance so you’ll need a decent pop filter.
- Will require phantom power.
- Lacks pad.
Shure SM58S
A rugged and reliable dynamic mic, the Shure SM58S is one of the best XLR microphones out there. It works especially well for performing musicians due to its ability to handle loud sounds without distortion.
Specs
Type: Dynamic microphone (moving coil)
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Range: 50 – 15,000 Hz
Dynamic Range: 124 dB, 1kHz at Max SPL
Weight: 330g
Pros
- Good sound for a first mic.
- Affordable price.
- Rugged and reliable.
- Internal shock mount.
- Ideal for loud live performances.
Cons
- This mic doesn’t produce the best sound. More advanced users may want better quality audio.
- Will require external pop filter if being used in recording studio.
- Not super sensitive.
Shure SM7B
Anyone who is anyone knows of the Shure SM7B. The original SM7 debuted during Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video.
From podcasting, to voiceover to music, there isn’t a job this dynamic mic can’t handle. The unform frequency response is excellent for all types of recording. Definitely deserving of a place on the list of best XLR microphones.
Specs
Type: Dynamic microphone (moving coil)
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Range: 50 – 20,000 Hz
Weight: 764g
Pros
- Excellent vocal reproduction.
- Sturdy and reliable build quality.
- Good off-axis noise rejection.
- Useful on-mic filtering.
- Consistent results.
- Beautiful audio quality.
Cons
- Heavy.
- More expensive than other XLR mics.
- Needs a good interface or preamp to get the best results.
AKG P420
You’ll be hard pressed to find a better condenser mic in the same price range as the AKG P420. It truly is an outstanding bang-for-your-buck purchase. A versatile multi pattern mic, suited to a range of applications, it is definitely one of the best XLR microphones around.
Specs
Type: Condenser microphone
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure of eight
Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Self noise: 15 dB-A
Weight: 530g
Pros
- Very versatile. It can handle almost any application: recording vocals, acoustic guitar, you name it!
- A multi pattern condenser mic.
- Great price with nice sound for its class.
- Picks up less unwanted noise than other microphones.
- LED display to show levels.
Cons
- Not particularly sturdy.
- Requires phantom power.
Heil PR-40
The Heil PR-40 is bit of a deceptive microphone. Listening to it, you might think the sound comes from a condenser or ribbon microphone. Looking at it, it even looks like a condenser microphone.
Don’t be fooled, this is definitely a dynamic mic and with it’s extended low end response it’s great for drums, bass guitar and other bassy instruments and vocals.
Specs
Type: Dynamic microphone
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 28 – 18,000 Hz
Weight: 383g
Pros
- Extended low end response means the mic handles bass very well. Good instrument mic.
- Pleasing sound.
- Easy to use.
- Durable build quality.
Cons
- On the expensive side for what it is.
- Less sensitive than many condenser mics so may not be the best choice for vocals.
Sennheiser e935
For touring and performing musicians, one of the best XLR microphones out there is the Sennheiser e935.
A rugged workhorse, this mic will produce loud, clean, clear sound while you’re on the road gigging.
Specs
Type: Dynamic microphone
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 40 – 18,000 Hz
Weight: 355g
Pros
- Smooth and natural sound. Crisp and clear.
- Suitable for all kinds of voices.
- Extremely resistant to feedback.
- Quite a durable microphone.
- Affordable.
- 10-year warranty.
Cons
- A bit boomy so will require good mic technique.
- A few reviews report they die quickly.
Telefunken M80
The Telefunken M80 is a beautifully designed mic that comes in a range of fun colours.
Despite existing in a very crowded space, it manages to rise above the competition, including a lot of more expensive microphones.
With its wide frequency range, extraordinary off-axis frequency rejection and rugged build, the Telefunken M80 is definitely one of best XLR microphones out there today.
Specs
Type: Dynamic mic (moving coil)
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
Frequency Response: 50 – 18,000 Hz
Weight: 430g
Pros
- Pretty design.
- Balanced response.
- Durable and reliable. Good quality all around.
- Amazing off-axis rejection for handling noise.
- Less low end than other similar mics which works well to negate the proximity effect.
- Crisp and clear sound.
Cons
- On the expensive side.
Rode Procaster
A lot of mics try to do everything, and end up doing all those things in a pretty average way. Rode chose to tread a different path. The Procaster has been specifically designed with vocals in mind.
A versatile mic, with excellent sound quality and a very smooth, transparent response, the Rode Procaster is definitely one of the best XLR microphones on the market.
Specs
Type: Dynamic mic
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 75 – 18,000 Hz
Weight: 745g
Pros
- Solid build.
- 10 year warranty.
- Designed specifically with speech in mind. Great for things like broadcasting and podcasts.
- Doesn’t require phantom power.
- Smooth and transparent frequency response.
- Versatile.
Cons
- Heavy.
- Could use a basic low-cut.
- Will require a shock mount.
Neumann TLM 103
If you know audio, you know Neumann. The Neumann TLM 103 is without doubt one of, if not the best XLR microphone on the market.
Designed as a more affordable alternative to its big brother the U87 Ai, the TLM 103 packs power, transparency and beautiful sound into a tiny package. This is a fabulous XLR mic with a huge range of potential uses.
Specs
Type: Condenser mic
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Dynamic Range: 131 dB
Self noise: 7 dB-A
Weight: 500g
Pros
- Great for recording vocals. One of the most popular voiceover mics out there.
- Very low self noise.
- Beautiful design and sturdy construction.
- Classic Neumann sound.
Cons
- Expensive but more affordable than its big brother (the U87).
- You will need a well treated room and good quality audio interface to get the best out of it.
- Need to buy accessories like shock mount and pop filter separately.
Neumann U87 Ai
No list of microphones is every complete without the Neumann U87 Ai. Possibly the best XLR microphone around town, this beast is a staple in every recording studio around the world.
A versatile mic with that classic Neumann sound, you can use it from anything from piano, to bass guitar, to vocals.
Specs
Type: Condenser mic
Output connection: XLR microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, omnidirectional, figure eight
Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Self noise: 12 dB
Weight: 500g
Pros
- Superb sound.
- Switchable high pass filter built in.
- 10dB pre-attenuation pad.
- Variable polar pattern.
- Sturdy build.
Cons
- Ridiculously expensive.
- Needs a well-treated room and good audio interface to work as well as it can.
Frequently asked questions
Working in voiceover, I get a lot of questions about XLR microphones. So I’ve taken some of the most commonly asked questions and put them on the internet so anyone can find the answers.
How do XLR mics work?
We talked briefly about XLR microphones earlier in this article. To properly start a discussion about XLR microphones, we need to talk about microphones in general.
So what is a microphone? A microphone is a transducer. I.e., a device that converts one form or energy to another. It takes the acoustic energy in the atmosphere and turns it into voltage in a cable. The membrane in the microphone (the diaphragm) moves according to the varying sound pressure levels caused by sound waves. This movement creates a coinciding electric signal and it is this electrical signal that runs through our signal chain. The precise method by which it makes this conversion will depend on the type of microphone you have, as each microphone generates the signal slightly differently.
When we talk about XLR microphones, we are referring to the method of connecting the microphone to the system that will record the audio. When you buy a microphone it will either have a USB connection or an XLR connection.
An XLR connection is what you’ll find in all professional quality microphones. USB microphones tend to be entry level microphones that are cheaper but don’t offer the same high quality sound.
Should I buy an XLR mic or a USB mic?
When buying a microphone, you’ll have to decide whether you want an XLR mic or a USB mic.
USB microphones are always going to be cheaper overall. They are designed to be entry level and their prices have to reflect that. They are easy to use. They plug directly into your computer and so don’t require you to have an audio interface to amplify and convert the sound prior to sending it to your computer. All the components required to convert the analog sound into digital sound are housed within USB microphones.
XLR microphones are more expensive, and will also require you to buy additional components to get your microphone to work. You’ll need an XLR cable and an audio interface. That being said, XLR microphones are the standard in any recording studio around the world. You won’t find USB mics there. They simply don’t produce anywhere near the same clean sound that XLR mics do.
At the end of the day, it’s your choice as to what you buy. For the most part it will depend on how you want to use it and the budget you have. If it’s only for Zoom meetings then a USB mic will do you fine. But if you are intending to use your mic for any professional purposes, it would serve you to invest in an XLR mic.
What polar patterns do the best XLR mics have?
An XLR microphone can have one of numerous polar patterns. The most common polar pattern you’ll find in most condenser microphones is the cardioid pattern. It is most sensitive at the front of the mic and rejects all sound at the very back of the mic. The cardioid polar pattern in great for rejecting additional background noise and works well for most single user applications.
You may also find the omnidirectional and figure-8 polar patterns in an XLR microphone.
What is phantom power and why do I need it?
The great thing about XLR cables is that they can serve a dual function. Not only can they carry the sound signal, but they can also provide power to your microphone.
By design, condenser microphones will need phantom power. Inside condenser mics, you’ll find a thin metal diaphragm parallel to a solid metal back plate. To be able to produce sound, these plates must be able to conduct electricity. As sound hits the diaphragm it will move back and forth relative to the solid metal plate. This will create a small electrical signal which mimics the sound wave. The voltage between these two plates produces almost no current at all, so in order for condenser mics to work they need an external power source to amplify the signal. This is where phantom power comes in. An external device such as an audio interface is used to provide the power to amplify that signal.
Dynamic mics don’t need phantom power because they don’t have the same internal elements as condenser microphones. You still plug them into an audio interface, however you won’t need phantom power switched on.