The best microphone for recording vocals at home is the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X if you want the simplest setup, because it plugs straight into your computer. If your room is noisy or untreated, the Shure SM7B is the better pick because it is a dynamic mic that hears less of the room. For a studio condenser, the AKG C414 and the Neumann U87 are the two I would look at first. As an Amazon Associate, Thir13een earns from qualifying purchases.
This page is part of our complete Logic Pro vocals guide, which walks through the whole vocal chain from recording to space and presets. I am Warren Young, a producer, and the picks below are sorted by how you record, not by price tag.
What is the best microphone for recording vocals? 5 picks
| Pick | Microphone | Type | Best for | Needs an interface? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X | USB condenser | Easiest start at home | No |
| 2 | Rode NT-USB | USB condenser | USB mic with pop filter and stand included | No |
| 3 | Shure SM7B | Dynamic, XLR | Noisy or untreated rooms | Yes |
| 4 | AKG C414 | Condenser, XLR | Flexible studio condenser | Yes, with 48V phantom power |
| 5 | Neumann U87 | Condenser, XLR | Classic studio standard | Yes, with 48V phantom power |
Pick 1: Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X (best USB mic for most people)
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X is a cardioid USB condenser. You plug it into your Mac or PC and record, with no interface and no phantom power. It has a headphone jack so you can hear yourself while you sing, with no delay. The trade-off is that it has one pickup pattern, so it is less flexible than the multi-pattern studio mics. Use a stand and a pop filter with it.
Pick 2: Rode NT-USB (USB mic that ships with a pop filter and stand)
The Rode NT-USB is the other USB mic I would put on a short list. It has a headphone output for direct monitoring and a mix control to balance your mic against playback. It comes with a pop filter and a desk stand, so you can start recording straight away. If you also want a bigger-name USB option, the Blue Yeti offers several pickup patterns and a zero-latency headphone output, but it picks up room noise easily, so it suits a quiet space.
Pick 3: Shure SM7B (best for a noisy room)
The Shure SM7B is a dynamic mic with a warm, smooth sound. It handles loud voices and rejects room noise better than a condenser. It also has air suspension shock isolation and a built-in pop filter. It is a low-output mic, so it needs an interface or preamp with plenty of clean gain. It is also heavy, so mount it on a sturdy stand or boom arm.
Pick 4: AKG C414 (versatile studio condenser)
The AKG C414 is a multi-pattern condenser with nine selectable polar patterns, a pre-attenuation pad and an overload indicator. It captures a lot of detail on vocals and works on acoustic instruments too. The catch is the room: a condenser this detailed will record every echo in a bare room. It needs 48V phantom power from your interface, and its many options can overwhelm a beginner.
Pick 5: Neumann U87 (the studio standard)
The Neumann U87 is a large-diaphragm condenser that has been a studio staple for decades. It has three polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-8), a 10 dB attenuation switch and a low-frequency roll-off switch. It is the most expensive mic on this list, and it only pays off if your room and technique are already good. It also needs 48V phantom power.
Condenser or dynamic mic: which is better for vocals?
A condenser captures more detail and more of the room. A dynamic mic captures less detail and less of the room. Pick by your room, not by reputation.
- Quiet, soft-furnished room: a condenser (picks 1, 2, 4 or 5) gives the most detail.
- Echoey or noisy room, or a loud voice: the dynamic Shure SM7B is the safer choice.
- No interface yet: a USB mic (picks 1 or 2) removes that cost.
Pickup pattern matters too. Cardioid favours sound from the front and rejects the sides and rear, which is what you want for a solo vocal. Omnidirectional and figure-8 patterns, such as those on the Neumann U87 and AKG C414, pick up more of the room, so use them in a treated space.
Which stand, pop filter and shock mount do I need?
A stable stand, a pop filter and a shock mount protect the recording from plosives and thumps. The mic gets the credit, but these cheap items remove the most common problems.
Microphone stands and boom arms
- The K&M 210/9 is a solid metal stand with a telescopic boom arm. It is a premium stand and heavier than most.
- The On-Stage MS7701B is a foldable tripod stand with an adjustable boom. It is the lower-cost, lighter option, and a poor fit for very heavy mics.
- The Rode PSA1 is a swivel-mount boom arm with a desk clamp and a desk insert option. It needs a sturdy desk.
Pop filter and shock mount
- The Nady MPF-6 pop filter has a double mesh screen and a flexible gooseneck. Place it between you and the mic.
- The Rycote Invision USM Universal Studio Mount is a shock mount that isolates the mic from stand and floor vibration.
If you listen on studio monitors while you track, the Auralex MoPAD XL isolation pads decouple the speakers from the desk. That helps you hear the vocal more clearly when you mix.
Do I need an audio interface to record vocals?
You need an audio interface for any XLR microphone: the SM7B, C414 and U87. The interface also supplies the 48V phantom power that condensers need. USB mics (picks 1 and 2) do not need one. For help choosing, read our guide to the best audio interface for singers. Related: Apollo Solo vs Twin vs Scarlett 2i2 and how to record vocals with Apollo Twin in Logic plus plugins.
How do I set up a mic to record in Logic Pro or GarageBand?
- Pick the input. Choose your USB mic or your interface as the input device in the audio settings of Logic Pro or GarageBand.
- Create an audio track and set its input to the channel your mic uses. Record-arm it.
- Set the level. Sing the loudest part of the song and lower the gain until the meter never reaches the red. Leave headroom.
- Place the mic. Start about a hand's width from the mic with the pop filter between you and it. Move back a little on loud passages.
- Treat the room. Record with soft materials around you, such as curtains, a duvet or a sofa. Avoid bare parallel walls. This changes the sound more than a more expensive mic does.
Once the take is recorded, the vocal chain does the rest. Follow the Logic Pro vocal chain, step by step, or read how to mix vocals in GarageBand. Still choosing software? See the best DAW for recording vocals. When your mix is ready to go to an engineer, here is how to send your vocals for mixing.
What to use after you record: vocal presets
A good mic gives you a clean recording. The finished sound comes from the chain after it. If you want a fast starting point, try the free vocal presets first. Then browse the Thir13een vocal presets collection, the Logic Pro vocal presets, or the free vocal presets for FL Studio. The Logic Pro Starter Pack is $19. GarageBand users have a matching GarageBand vocal presets collection. Check our presets, books, and courses for more.
Frequently asked questions
Is a condenser or dynamic mic better for recording vocals?
A condenser gives more detail and also records more of the room. A dynamic mic rejects more room sound, so it suits untreated rooms and loud voices. In a quiet, treated room, use a condenser. In a noisy room, use a dynamic mic such as the Shure SM7B.
Do I need an audio interface to record vocals with a microphone?
Only for XLR microphones. A USB mic such as the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X or Rode NT-USB plugs straight into your computer. XLR condensers also need 48V phantom power, which an interface provides.
Is an expensive microphone worth it for vocals?
Only if your room and technique are already good. A mid-priced mic in a treated space often beats a studio mic in an echoing room. Fix the room and the mic position first, then upgrade the mic.
Back to the full guide: Logic Pro vocals, from recording to presets.
