The best XLR microphone for you! XLR microphones for every application incl. USB alternatives
You want to buy an XLR microphone but don’t know which one is right for you? Then you’ve come to the right place! We compare all models for different areas of application.
TL;DR: Our recommendations
What application do you need the XLR microphone for?
When choosing your microphone, it very much depends on what you want to use it for. For example, if you want to record an acoustic guitar and vocals, a Røde NT1A may suit you. However, if you want to record a podcast, a Shure SM7B may work better as it has better sound characteristics for podcasts and streaming. You can read more in the section below, which deals with directional characteristics and design.
The 7 best XLR microphones
the t.bone MB 7 Beta
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Entry-level model
– Lightweight pop protection integrated
– A USB version is available for $10 more
The really cheapest entry-level model that we can recommend has a relatively loud noise floor, but sounds absolutely usable. “the t.bone” is a brand from the online retailer Thomann and has the typical characteristics that an XLR microphone needs for voice and vocal recording: it is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid characteristic. The sound is intended to mimic the Shure SM7B. If you have problems with the slight background noise, have a look here: How to remove background noise.
Beyerdynamic M70 PRO X
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– good model incl. accessories
– Pop filter and spider included, tripod required
The Beyerdynamic sits well alongside the PodMic, as it can also be found in the €100 price range. The advantage of the M70 PRO X is that it comes with accessories such as a good pop filter and a spider. The M70 also makes absolutely high-quality voice recordings that are typical of a broadcast microphone. It sounds very clean and defined, but it also gives the voice a slight coloration. You need a tripod to be able to use it. The microphone is not convincing in terms of other features, but it is convincing in terms of price and quality.
Røde PodMic
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good entry-level model
– Built-in pop filter, tripod required (well suited for microphone boom)
The Røde PodMic is not only available as a USB version, but also with an XLR connection. It sounds like the PodMic USB and is a lot cheaper, as Røde logically saves on the integrated interface for this model. So if you have a USB audio interface, you can save costs and fall back on the PodMic.
Shure SM58 - classic for live and vocals
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Flexible live microphone
– Built-in pop filter, tripod not required
Perhaps the best-known XLR microphone is the Shure SM58, which is mainly used for live events, i.e. on stage. The microphone is particularly popular because the capsule is mounted so flexibly that the sound of the hand on the microphone is not picked up. You can therefore walk around the rehearsal or recording room with the microphone while the XLR cable is attached to the microphone. It can also be plugged into a microphone holder.
There are different versions: The LC without a cable, the S or SE with an on/off switch and the Beta 58, which is a supercardioid (i.e. more directional) alternative.
Not really suitable for instrument recordings, but a professional dynamic microphone that is actually indestructible.
Elgato Wave DX
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– good alternative to the expensive SM7B
– Integrated pop filter, tripod required
The Wave DX is Elgato’s podcaster microphone and does its job really well. In a direct price comparison with the Shure SM7B, the Elgato Wave DX is significantly cheaper with the same range of functions, namely a third of the price. The workmanship is robust and the simple design makes the microphone look good in any setup. The Wave DX is ideal for professional recordings, but also for simple voice chats in gaming. With its cardioid polar pattern, it manages to block out background noise well. In our opinion, a clear recommendation to buy. You can find out more in our individual article: Elgato Wave DX Review
Røde NT1-A - Our personal favorite!
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Condenser
– For vocals and instruments
– Pop protection and spider included, (tripod required)
– USB alternative: Røde NT1 5th Gen
The Røde NT1-A is definitely the microphone we recommend the most in this list. Every professional studio and almost every home studio has at least one NT1-A. And there’s a reason for that. In addition to vocals and speech, the microphone is also really good for music production. This is because you can create really good recordings of musical instruments.
Thanks to the fairly neutral-sounding, slightly directional cardioid characteristic, you can also record a wide range of instruments. A must-have studio microphone with XLR output! The Røde NT1 5th Gen is the alternative that can be operated with a USB cable. You get a spider and a cable with it, you just need to buy a microphone stand.
Røde Procaster
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good entry-level model
– Pop protection and tripod required (well suited for so-called spider)
– Higher quality alternative: Røde NT-1A
Promise, we are not sponsored by Røde (unfortunately). But these microphones are easy to recommend. The next level from Røde after the PodMic is the Procaster. The two microphones are close to each other, the Procaster also has an integrated pop shield, but it works a little less well. The more obvious difference is the look. The Procaster looks a little more professional, it can be mounted in a “spider” (microphone holder that is very shock-absorbing). This microphone is a little older and is no longer as actively marketed, but that doesn’t make it any worse.
Shure SM7B
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good long-term investment
– Pop protection not necessary, tripod absolutely necessary
– Legendary microphone for voice recordings
As already mentioned with the MV7, the Shure SM7B is probably the most legendary radio and voice microphone. It provides the typical muffled sound that makes both female and male voices sound more powerful. It sounds very pleasant, as the treble is not exaggerated. In addition, the foam on the microphone also provides pop protection and the microphone is of high quality and robust construction.
However, you will need a stand. Thanks to the flexible suspension on the microphone itself, you can use a K&M 232BK table stand (approx. $25) or you can get the podcast bundle for approx. $470. This includes the SM7B, an XLR cable, a microphone boom (stand) and smaller accessories. Note that you will also need an interface. However, once you have all this equipment together, there is almost nothing standing in the way of an absolutely professional sound. A few settings in post-production and off to the podcast charts! More information in the Shure SM7B review.
Electro Voice RE20
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Professional microphone for speech and vocals
– Tripod required, pop protection recommended
This microphone already signals the new price range. In any case, there are microphones with which you can get away cheaply and well. If you want to treat yourself to something a little more “premium”, you can take a look at these microphones. The sound of the RE20 is similar to that of the SM7B on the somewhat muffled and more pleasant side. It is also used in a similar way for radio broadcasts and vocal recordings, but also for podcasts. If you want something unique, this is a good choice.
There are many more microphones in this price range and above, so if you have this budget, it’s best to go to a specialist store and see which microphone suits your voice best. The microphone is available in gray and black.
Neumann U87 AI
and Neumann TLM 103
– Polar pattern TLM 103: cardioid
– Polar pattern U87: omnidirectional, cardioid, figure of eight
These two microphones are in a class of their own. Even though there are several alternatives to the TLM 103, it is the best choice in this price range in terms of sound quality. To be honest, there is no real alternative to the Neumann U87. This microphone is one of the favorites for voice and vocal production in studios around the world. It is often used for high-quality vocals or off-speakers in the TV sector. It has three switchable polar patterns: omnidirectional, figure-of-eight and cardioid.
Anyone who makes this investment will definitely enjoy this super clear, harmonious and very low-noise sound for a very long time. It is, as you would expect, very high quality and will probably outlive you if you treat it with care. We can’t decide for you whether this investment is worth it, but at this price neither the TLM103 nor the U87 can win a price-performance comparison.
If you really want to go into this price range, we have a tip for you: find a specialist store near you and try out the microphones with headphones! There is a suitable microphone for every voice, maybe another microphone that is not on this list will suit you much better. There is a huge selection of high-quality microphones for speech and vocals over €500.
The best USB microphone alternatives
With a slightly lower budget, we can switch from XLR to USB microphones. These are now just as good in terms of sound quality and do not require any additional equipment. We would advise against microphones with a jack connection.
Shure MV 7 Plus XLR and USB!
– Polar pattern: Cardioid
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good long-term model with practical additional functions
– Integrated pop protection, in the recommended podcast kit including stand
– You can use this microphone with both XLR and USB connection
– Software tool for EQ, compressor during recording
Das Shure MV7 Plus ist eine zweite Generation des Shure MV7. Wir empfehlen auf jeden Fall die zweite Generation. Wir haben das alte MV7 getestet, die Plus Version hat eine schönere LED anzeige und kleinere Software Features. Es ist somit intuitiver zu bedienen. Wir haben einen Ausführlichen Test und ein YouTube Video über dieses Mikrofon gemacht: Shure MV7 Test
Es gibt auch das günstigere Shure MV6*, falls dir Shure wichtig ist für 150€. Dieses würden wir für den Preis allerdings nicht empfehlen. Es gibt Mikrofone in der Preisklasse, die besser klingen.
The Shure MV7 Plus is a second generation of the Shure MV7. We definitely recommend the second generation. We have tested the old MV7, the Plus version has a nicer LED display and smaller software features. It is therefore more intuitive to use. We have made a detailed test and a YouTube video about this microphone: Shure MV7 Review.
There is also the cheaper Shure MV6, if Shure is important to you for 150€. However, we would not recommend this for the price. There are microphones in this price range that sound better.
Note: Only the linked MV7 Plus has USB and XLR connection. The Shure MV7X is cheaper, but has no USB connection.
Rode PodMic USB: XLR and USB!
– Polar pattern: Cardioid polar pattern
– Construction: Dynamic
– Good long-term model with practical additional functions
– Integrated pop protection, microphone boom arm required
– You can use this microphone with both XLR and USB-C connection!
– Software with recording function, simple settings and advanced tools such as EQ, compressor, limiter, etc.
The Australian manufacturer has sent a competitor into the ring, and it has to be said: this microphone has great potential to beat the Shure! With a lower price and similar sound characteristics, it is even slightly ahead. Another big advantage here is that it can be connected via USB as well as XLR. iPad and Android devices are also supported here. The Rode smartphone app also makes mobile recording super easy.
You can also connect your headphones directly to this microphone to check the recording quality. A pop filter is included, which also works great. With the Rode software you can start recordings, make EQ settings and much more. The best thing is: there are two modes: for beginners there are 3 buttons with which you can change the sound characteristics, and for advanced users there are advanced settings in which you can adjust the EQ and compressor yourself as usual.
We have made a detailed test about this microphone: PodMic USB Review.
Note: Only the linked PodMic USB has USB and XLR connection. The normal PodMic is cheaper, but has no USB connection. More on this above under XLR microphones.
The basics of podcast microphones: connections, directional characteristics, design and accessories
In which situations a USB microphone can be worthwhile:
For those who don’t have a USB audio interface, USB microphones can definitely be worthwhile. You save yourself this investment and can connect the microphone directly to your PC, Mac or even smartphone. Some microphones not only have a built-in analog-to-digital converter, but also an integrated headphone connection. This means you can take everything with you by simply taking the mic and headphones with a jack. Often there is also a mute button.
Microphones with an XLR socket make more sense in the long term as they are usually more durable. You don’t need any software or drivers. At some point, it will be more difficult to use the microphone as other devices change. Microphones with XLR connectors are sometimes 50 years old and still work. These types of microphones are also easier to repair. The only thing you need for operation is an audio interface as a microphone preamplifier (depending on the type with phantom power)
With a slightly lower budget, we can switch from XLR to USB microphones. These are now just as good in terms of sound quality and require no additional equipment. We would advise against microphones with a jack connection.
Microphone with USB or XRL connection?
The most common ways to connect your future microphone to your PC, Mac or recorder are USB and XLR cables. But which cables are best?
Basically, there are no major differences in terms of quality. USB microphones have come a long way in recent years. So there is no reason not to choose one. USB solutions are often much cheaper compared to the additional purchases you have to make if you buy an XLR microphone. This is because, logically, you can plug the USB microphone directly into the computer, whereas with an XLR microphone you need a so-called audio interface. This interface is then usually also connected to the PC via USB.
What exactly is the difference between USB and XLR microphones? While XLR microphones output the signal in analog form, USB microphones already have an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) built in. This converter can take over the job of the audio interface. In the past, the small A/D converters were usually of inferior quality, as the A/D converters were poor compared to those built into interfaces. This was mainly due to their size.
Directional characteristic of microphones
This illustration explains the directional characteristic relatively quickly. At 0 degrees, the microphone is picked up from the front. With the omnidirectional polar pattern, the microphone can also pick up sound from behind without loss. So if you are recording a podcast with two people, you love each other and you like to be talked to, it would be enough to buy a good omnidirectional microphone for two people. The room you are in should also be quiet.
The best polar pattern for a classic podcast is cardioid. It is directed in such a way that the sound is not picked up from behind.
This characteristic can also be used flexibly as it is slightly directional. There are some other microphones that are even more directional, such as a supercardioid. A lobe is even more directional and works like a directional microphone, which is used as an interview microphone. The omnidirectional is the least directional, it picks up all areas equally.
The figure-eight polar pattern can be used for two podcasters or creative stereo recordings. There are other characteristics that we have omitted for the time being. The supercardioid and hypercardioid are useful in louder situations, as they are even more directional.
Why is the construction method important?
There are different types of microphones that you don’t always recognize from the outside: Dynamic, condenser and ribbon. Dynamic microphones generally sound somewhat muffled and the treble is not reproduced very accurately for physical reasons. For this reason, these microphones are used for drum recordings, for example. The condenser microphone sounds very detailed, “crisp” and “clear” in the treble. This is why it is also used for vocal and guitar recordings. Ribbon microphones are rather rare and very expensive. For this reason, we will ignore them in this article.
Attention: Myth! Just because dynamic microphones are insensitive in the treble range doesn’t mean that they pick up less ambient noise! They feel a little less because they have less treble, but your voice will also have less treble. If you adjust the treble, you will get almost the same result. Only the directional characteristic influences the ambient noise!
If you want the typical radio voice that sounds a bit muffled, use a dynamic microphone. If you are a big fan of treble and want to sound crystal clear, use a condenser microphone. Both designs are great for a podcast, because it’s your voice that counts. Condenser microphones are generally better to use as they have a more neutral frequency response. They color a little less than the muffled dynamic models.
For nerds and interested people: What exactly is the difference in construction?
The condenser microphone uses a diaphragm to pick up the sound, which begins to vibrate and thus enables the sound to be converted into electrical signals. This diaphragm is very small and sensitive, which is why this type of microphone is not well suited for very loud sound.
The dynamic microphone, on the other hand, uses a moving coil to convert the sound into electrical signals. This moving coil does not vibrate as sensitively as the diaphragm, and the sound usually has to be amplified more (by the volume control). It is therefore more suitable for loud signals. As the high frequencies have less energy, they cause the voice coil to vibrate less, resulting in a slightly muffled sound.
Accessories: Use a tripod and a pop shield
Some XLR microphones already have a stand or an integrated pop shield, but this is rare. You should definitely have both for voice recordings to make sure you get the best out of your voice. The tripod ensures that background noise is minimized. Most manufacturers have stands for their microphones that you can quickly find. A typical, inexpensive and functional pop filter is the Fun Generation Pop 1 for around $10. A more subtle alternative is the t.bone MS60. Please pay attention to compatibility here.
For instrumental recordings you usually need a tripod but not a pop screen.
If you want to have a studio-like situation, then a microphone arm can be worthwhile. It is super flexible, looks professional and absorbs unwanted sound from the table. However, these arms also cost a little more and are not always super easy to set up. Another professional solution is the so-called spider. This allows you to compensate for any contact and movement from the stand or table, as the microphone is only attached to elastic straps. In the picture above you can see an example from Røde.
The Shure SM58, for example, does not need a stand. It is mounted in such a way that you can use it in your hand.
It's not just about the XLR microphone! Even the most professional microphone with an XLR connection is useless if you don't use it properly!
Whether your recordings sound professional or not doesn’t just depend on the microphone. If you position a good microphone poorly, edit it inadequately or play around too much with effects, even the most expensive microphone won’t do much good. At the very least, do some post-processing, for example with the “low-cut filter” or a low cut, which you should set so that low bass noises that should not come from your recording do not interfere with the good sound. We recommend our blog article on podcast editing software. With these softwares you can start to learn how to refine your recordings.
Room acoustics and reverberant rooms: tips
If you have a reverberant room that you want to record in, there are a few low budget solutions. Of course, it is best to use a room with carpet and curtains, but sometimes this is not possible. For such cases, for example, there are small absorbers and diffusers that can absorb diffuse sound. (Marantz Professional SoundShield) The sound that passes the microphone is absorbed. If this did not happen, the sound would travel through the room and hit the microphone again. This is called diffuse sound.
Thick fabric can also help. Carpets and curtains are great, bedding also works! For some people, it also works if they record in the closet or talk into the closet, as there is also a lot of fabric hanging here that can absorb the sound.
FAQ
My XLR microphone is noisy, how can I prevent this?
Take a look at our article: Removing background noise from microphones – here we look at how you can prevent and remove static and other background noise
What is an XLR microphone?
The XLR connection is an analog 3-pole connection. These microphones transmit the sound analog to a preamplifier. It is a worldwide audio standard.
Are XLR microphones better than USB microphones?
No, not necessarily. USB microphones have an audio interface built in, with an XLR microphone you can choose the interface yourself. This is an advantage as it is also more timeless.
Conclusion: The best XLR microphone for your studio: dynamic or condenser microphone?
The best mic is of course the one that suits your application. If you have a huge mixing console and want to set up a home studio, then there are a few classics that you can buy. If you only have an interface input with phantom power, then you should buy a flexible microphone such as the Røde NT1-A large diaphragm condenser microphone. The good thing is: XLR is standard in the professional audio sector. So it is always compatible and you don’t need any adapters.
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