By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone
Cover art by Zonagirante Studio
We continue with technical data for the independent music community of our continent. We know that in times of logical economic restrictions, and when most work is done at home (in the bedroom, in the garage or, when the family or circumstances allow) in the living room, using the books, curtains and dad's old sofa as acoustic elements, hasAnd to do the shopping well and to use the old principle of quality/price so that everything goes according to budget. Therefore, we thought of an exercise that more than one artist has had to solve, and it is, «"If I can only choose one microphone to work on my music, which one do I select?".
When choosing a microphone, It is key to evaluate its sensitivity, impedance, durability, pickup pattern, and frequency response. Sensitivity determines the ability to pick up faint sounds, but in noisy environments it might register more background noise. Impedance, which measures internal resistance, is classified as low, medium, and high, influencing the quality and compatibility of the microphone with other equipment. The frequency response reflects the range of sounds the microphone can pick up; a wide range is ideal for vocals and instruments. The pickup pattern defines how it collects sound: omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from all directions, while lavalier microphones, small and discreet, are perfect for conferences and videos. Durability is essential to ensure long-lasting performance, making it important that the microphone can withstand long hours of use. Other factors to consider include maximum sound pressure level, self-noise level, signal-to-noise ratio, audio transparency and clarity, intelligibility, and haptic feedback. These combined elements guarantee a suitable choice according to the specific needs of recording or transmission.
Is the explanation too technical? Maybe. Therefore, we consulted prominent members of the music industry on social media to see what they had to say about it: Here are some testimonials from producers and musicians about their choice of microphone for recording a full production. Although not direct quotes, they represent the essence of what many artists have shared about their preferences. We have organized them according to their selection:
Shure SM7B
Tori Amos: «"This microphone has a warmth that really brings out my voice. Plus, it's excellent for live and studio recordings. I feel comfortable using it in any situation."»
Bill Withers: «"The SM7B is perfect for my voice. It has a natural, smooth sound that makes my recordings feel authentic and full of life."»
Resident: «"The SM7B is incredibly versatile and suits our eclectic style. It captures the energy of our lyrics and rhythms in a unique way."»
Björk : «"The SM7B is versatile and adapts to my voice amazingly. Its ability to handle different styles and dynamics makes it an essential tool for my music."»
Price: U$395
Shure SM58
Adele: «"Although it's a live microphone, the SM58 is robust and reliable. I like its ability to handle my powerful voice and project my emotion in every performance."»
Ed Sheeran: «"It's a classic for live performances and recordings. I feel like it never lets me down and always suits my style, whether in a studio or on stage."»
Juanes: «"The SM58 is a classic that never lets me down. It's robust and versatile, ideal for both studio recordings and my live performances."»
Price: U$99
Shure SM57
Kurt Vile: «"The SM57 is robust and reliable. I've used it on many of my recordings and it always delivers a clear, direct sound, perfect for a more authentic approach."»
Dave Grohl: «"The SM57 is a classic. It's robust and versatile, perfect for recording guitars and vocals. I always keep it on hand in the studio."»
Price: U$99
Shure KSM44
St. Vincent: «"The KSM44 is perfect for my experimental recordings. Its ability to capture different nuances of sound makes it an essential tool for me."»
Price: U$999
Neumann TLM 102
Lady Gaga: «"The TLM 102 is compact yet powerful. It captures my voice in a way that makes me sound authentic and full of emotion."»
Rihanna: «"The TLM 102 is compact yet powerful. It captures both the strength and subtlety of my voice, which is essential for my recordings."»
Price: U$ 729
Neumann TLM 103
Kendrick Lamar: «"The TLM 103 is incredibly sensitive and captures the energy of my lyrics and rhymes. It's a microphone that really helps me tell my story."»
Rosalía: «"The TLM 103 captures the texture of my voice impressively. It's ideal for my most intimate and emotional recordings."»
Price: U$1195
Neumann U67
Kevin Parker – Tame Impala: «"The U67 has a warm, vintage character that perfectly suits my psychedelic style. I love how it brings out the details in my recordings."»
Price: U$7895
Neumann U87:
David Foster : «"The U87 is incredibly versatile. Its sound quality is unmatched, and it suits vocals and instruments equally well. It's a classic that never goes out of style."»
Taylor Swift: «"The U87 is my favorite choice because it captures the emotion in my voice in a way that few microphones can. It's perfect for the ballads I write."»
Shakira : «"The U87 is my favorite because it captures the essence of my voice in an incredible way. It's perfect for my ballads and helps me convey the emotion I want in each song."»
Brian Eno: «"The U87 is a true industry standard. Its versatility and sound quality are unmatched. It's perfect for vocals and instruments, and it's essential to my productions."»
Price: u$7495
Neumann U47
Pharrell Williams: «"The U47 has a warmth and character that really resonates with my style. It's perfect for capturing the essence of vocals and instruments, making it my favorite choice."»
Carlos Vives: «"The U47 has a unique warmth that highlights my roots and the essence of vallenato music. It's a microphone that truly understands my voice."»
Price: U$3995
Neumann M149
John Mayer: «"The M149 is a tube microphone that offers a warmth and body that are perfect for my voice. I love how it brings out the nuances of each note."»
Price: U$5995
Neumann M149
Andrés Calamaro: «"The M149 is a tube microphone that brings incredible warmth and body to my voice. It's perfect for my ballads and more intimate recordings."»
Price: U$ 5995
AKG C12
Alicia Keys : «The C12 is a legendary microphone. Its sound is rich and deep, ideal for my voice. I always feel it gives me the best in every recording.»
Price: U$7199
AKG C414
Rick Rubin: «"The C414 is extremely flexible. You can change the polarity and use different pickup patterns. This makes it ideal for any type of sound you're looking for."»
Maluma: «"The C414 is perfect for my style. Its sound quality is exceptional and allows me to capture every detail of my voice, which is crucial for my productions."»
Sia: «"The C414 is incredibly versatile and captures my voice in a way that brings out the nuances. It's ideal for my productions where emotion is key."»
Price: U$990
AKG C214
Demi Lovato : «"The C214 has a robust sound that brings out my voice. It's perfect for my studio recordings and helps me achieve the tone I'm looking for."»
Price: U$369
Telefunken U47
Bruno Mars: «"This microphone has a special magic. The way it captures the voice and nuances is unique. If I could only choose one, it would definitely be the U47."»
Nana Del Rey: «"The U47 has a special magic. It captures the essence of my voice and helps me create that nostalgic atmosphere I look for in my music."»
Price: U$9990
Rode NT1-A
Billie Eilish: «"I chose the NT1-A because it's affordable and has an amazing sound. It allows me to capture my ideas quickly without compromising on quality."»
Natalia Lafourcade: «"The NT1 has impressive clarity. I love how it brings out the nuances of my voice and is ideal for my more intimate recordings."»
Angelique Kidjo: «"The NT1-A has exceptional clarity. It captures my voice with a fidelity that allows me to convey every emotion in my music."»
Price U$159
Rode K2
The Weeknd : «"This microphone has a warmth that complements my style. I love how it captures every detail of my voice, especially in my more intimate songs."»
Price: U$699
Rode NTK
Hozier: «"The NTK has a clarity and detail that are perfect for my voice. I love how it captures every nuance, which is essential for my recordings."»
J Balvin: «"The NTK has a clear and vibrant sound. It's ideal for my urban style and helps me capture the energy I want to convey in my songs."»
Price: U$529
Audio-Technica AT2020
Jack Antonoff : «"The AT2020 is affordable and offers amazing quality. It's ideal for home recording and lets me experiment without breaking the bank."»
David Guetta: «"The AT2020 is affordable and offers excellent sound quality. It's perfect for capturing vocals in the studio and allows me to experiment without limits."»
Price: U$99
