Rapping is a skill that takes a while to master.
And like all things skill you want to make sure that you are able to deliver an awesome performance every time.
The truth is that as a rapper you need a quality microphone. Not necessarily an expensive one but one that makes sure your vocals are heard properly.
If you use a cheap headset microphone then you are going to get cheap quality, while a quality microphone will get you the quality and tight vocals that you are aiming for.
In this article we will look at some of the best mic for rap vocals. We will be talking about what makes each of them unique and why you need to pick any of them.
1. Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone
The Audio Technica AT2020 is a condenser microphone that was made for rappers.
It is ideal for your studio and home application.
It’s high SPL handling and wide dynamic range makes it a mic to for different application and makes it very versatile.
It’s custom engineered low mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response. This makes it the perfect mic for you to sipt your vocals and not worry about the quality.
The custom built cardioid polar pattern makes sure that the mic isolates just your vocals and reduces pickup sounds from the sides and the rear.
If you are looking for a perfect microphone for rapping, this is one that you cannot go wrong with especially as it comes at a very cheap price.
2. Rode NT1 Condenser Microphone Cardioid
This Rode NT1 is a much higher quality mic for rapping than the Audio technica.
This is because it is a very durable and versatile microphone that delivers rich and crisp vocals every time.
It comes with a cardioid polar pattern which gives it the ability to handle any kind of vocal range and not distort. This is very useful because most times you might want to increase the intensity of your vocals and not worry about it distorting.
It has a pressure gradient acoustic principle which gives it a very warm quality to your vocals.
The frequency range is 20Hz to 20KHz which makes it an excellent choice for whatever you throw at it.
One thing that makes this microphone great is the fact that it does not distort easily. Even at some very high and crazy frequencies.
If you are looking for a durable microphone that can handle whatever you throw at it, then this is one that you need to get.
3. AKG Pro Audio C214 Condenser Microphone
The AKG Pro Audio is great for recording vocals and also for recording instruments such as guitar.
It has a very good dynamic range which makes it very good for picking up vocals even if you are far or close to the mic.
It was designed to pick up vocals without picking up noises from the sides or the rear. This gives it the ability to deliver very clear vocals every time.
It has a switchable attenuator of 20db and bass cut off filter which helps to make sure that all unwanted side noises are effectively reduced or cut off altogether.
The integrated suspension system helps keep the microphone steady and reduces all issues that will arise from vibration and mechanical noise.
The custom design built with quality materials and shock and scratch resistant finish makes sure that the microphone lasts for a very long time.
It comes with a carrying case, a windscreen and a spider type shock mount.
If you are looking for a quality microphone that is rugged with excellent vocal quality then this is the perfect choice for you.
4. Rode NTK Tube Condenser Microphone
This is one mic that is perfect for recording rap vocals.
It is the industry standard and is used by most professionals in the industry today.
It has a large 1 inch capsule with a gold plated diaphragm which gives it a very stylish looking appearance and also makes it capable of high frequency vocals.
It’s Class A valve circuitry ensures that the microphone is made from high quality materials and can stand the test of time.
It has a wide dynamic range which makes the idea choice for handling a wide range of frequencies. This also means that it hardly distorts even at very high frequencies.
This microphone is one that is very good for recording vocals, acoustic instruments and drum overheads.
It comes with a power supply, 30 foot cable, stand adapter and a case.
If you are looking for a professional mic that deliver rich and warm natural sound characteristics, then this is the perfect choice for you.
5. Neumann TLM 102 MT Condenser Microphone
When it comes to microphones for recording rap vocals, the Neumann TLM are like the ferrari of microphones.
It is a large diaphragm microphone with cardioid directional characteristics which makes it ideal for clear and rich sound quality.
It has very high maximum pressure of 144dB which allows it to record very vocals at very high outputs without clipping or distorting.
It has a slight boost of about 6 KHz which makes it excellent for recording vocals and giving it a clear sound.
It has an elastic suspension systems which reduces handling and structure borne noises.
It has a built in pop screen which helps reducing plosives issues when you are spitting your bars.
This is one microphone that is idea and very good both for studio and home use. You can be sure of quality and exceptional performance from this microphone.
What Makes For A Good Microphone?
Alright so we have seen some of the best mic for rap vocals, let’s look at some of the things you need to consider before making a purchase.
1. Budget. You really want to consider your budget before getting a microphone. This is simply because you pay for what you get. Most of the microphones on this list are not that expensive and the deliver a better quality than the very high priced microphones out there. So you want to be smart and make sure that you do not fall into the scam of thinking that you need a very expensive microphone.
2. Noise cancelling. Another thing you want to make sure you get is the ability of your microphone to cancel or reduce background noise. This is very good if you are working in your home studio that is not treated. This will save you hours of editing work if you just get this tip right.
3. Pop Filter. This is a little related to the point mentioned above. You want to makes sure that your microphone can deal with all plosives issues that come. Taking care of this right now will free you from the stress and headache of dealing with it in post production.
4. Accessory. Finally you want to make sure that there are a variety of accessories that you can get. This will include things like a good stand, extra pop filters, cables and an audio interface.
Here is a video showing you some of the things you need to look out for when choosing a mic for your vocals
Conclusion
Choosing a good microphone is essential to making sure that your vocals are crisp and clear. In this article we have given you the top 5 microphones for recording vocals based on buyers reviews. All you need to do is to go through each one and see which fits your needs and start dropping em sick bars.
