Rock music is known for its loud guitars, pulsating drums, powerful vocals, and rich melody. The best microphone for rock music should be able to handle high-pressure sound without distortion and yet capture its unique tone. Whether for a studio or a stage, the right microphone will help you capture that rock sound in all its glory. Let’s explore the seven best microphones for rock music.
Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is a versatile, dynamic cardioid microphone. Its high SPL of 180 dB can capture intense sound from drums, guitar amps, and screaming vocals. It has a flat, wide-range frequency response from 50Hz – 20kHz and a low sensitivity of -59 dB. So it can capture sound without distortion. This microphone provides excellent feedback rejection. It is suitable for recording alongside noisy guitar amps and other equipment.
The SM7B features an EQ switch on the reverse side of the mic, a low-cut filter, and a presence boost to adjust the frequency according to your liking. The all-metal construction of this microphone can withstand heavy use while the internal shock mount reduces vibrations.
Pros
- Warm, smooth frequency response
- Wide frequency range from 50 Hz - 20kHz
- Internal shock mount reduces vibrations and mechanical noise
- Durable all-metal construction
Cons
- Requires additional preamp to get optimal sound quality
- Expensive
Sennheiser MD421
The Sennheiser MD421 is a large diaphragm dynamic cardioid microphone. It has a humbucking coil for a low-noise pickup. The cardioid polar pattern and pronounced proximity effect are excellent at isolating sound directly in front of the microphone. It has a frequency range that goes from 30 Hz to 17 kHz.
The MD421 features a 5-position bass roll-off switch, letting you adjust the microphone to record in different conditions. It has a robust metal construction and shock-resistant capsule that can withstand heavy use.
Pros
- Versatile frequency range
- Excellent transient response
- Durable metal construction and shock-resistant capsule
- Five-position bass roll-off switch
- The cardioid pattern helps reject off-axis sounds
Cons
- Poor quality stand clip
Shure Beta 58A
The Shure Beta 58A dynamic super-cardioid microphone delivers clear and detailed sound. This microphone has a wide frequency range of 50 Hz to 16 kHz that peaks at 3.5 and 15 kHz. This peak provides a natural brightness that helps the vocal stand out. The low output impedance of 290 ohms prevents it from capturing ambient noise.
The Beta 58A has an internal shock mounting to reduce handling noise and a hardened steel mesh grill to withstand heavy use.
Pros
- Supercardioid pattern rejects noise
- Presence boost helps capture detailed vocals
- Robust construction with hardened steel grille durable for heavy touring
- Internal shock mount
- Very high gain before feedback
Cons
- No on/off switch
- Sensitive to plosives
Blue Yeti USB
The Blue Yeti is a highly versatile USB condenser microphone. Due to its unique quad-capsule design and multiple pickup pattern options, the Yeti can adapt to most recording environments. It has plug-and-play operations, a zero-latency headphone output for monitoring, and onboard mic gain control.
You can start recording straight out of the box on your computer or tablet by adjusting the microphone's settings and positioning. It has four polar patterns (stereo, cardioid, omni, and bi-directional) selectors built into the microphone. It has a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. It is the world’s first THX-certified microphone.
Pros
- Plug-and-play operation
- Four selectable pickup patterns for versatility
- Onboard controls for headphone volume, mute, and gain
- Zero-latency headphone output to monitor recordings
- Sturdy build quality
- Compatible with most recording software & devices
Cons
- No included pop filter
- Cheap plastic buttons.
Audix i5
Audix’s i5 microphone is an all-purpose dynamic cardioid microphone. It can accurately reproduce a wide variety of sounds from various sources. It has a wide frequency response of 50 Hz – 16 kHz, adding to its versatility. The cardioid pattern delivers excellent feedback rejection, and the high SPL of 140 dB means no distortion, even with loud sources.
This microphone features a durable yet lightweight zinc alloy design that looks and feels premium.
Pros
- Durable build with premium materials
- Excellent value
- Cardioid pickup pattern rejects feedback
Cons
- Heavy
Neumann U87
The Neumann U87 is a multi-pattern large diaphragm condenser microphone renowned for its exceptionally smooth and natural sound quality. Its cardioid, figure-8, and omnidirectional polar patterns are selectable via a switch. The large dual-diaphragm capsule design with gold-plated mylar diaphragms captures sounds from all directions. An inbuilt high-pass filter helps reduce unwanted bass, and a -10 dB pre-attenuation pad adjusts the microphone's sensitivity.
Skilled technicians meticulously assemble every microphone component by hand to prevent contamination and ensure a crisp and detailed sound. This microphone's sturdy metal body and high-quality components have increased its enduring popularity.
Pros
- Dual cardioid and figure-8 polar patterns
- Large dual-diaphragm capsule design
- Neumann's precision hand-crafted circuitry
Cons
- Expensive
- Prone to capture background noise
Beyerdynamic M88 TG
The Beyerdynamic M88 is a dynamic hypercardioid microphone that delivers premium sound reproduction with exceptional clarity and detail. The tight polar pattern of this microphone isolates the primary sound source while reducing background noise.
This microphone emphasizes the low-mid frequency and tends to provide a rich sound. It has a hostaphan diaphragm that provides a fantastic impulse response. The 30 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response and high SPL of 170 dB allow it to reproduce a wide range of sound.
The housing is brass, and the black mesh grille is a strong metal that does not damage easily. This premium microphone is handcrafted in Germany using quality materials.
Pros
- Excellent midrange definition
- Handles very high SPL of up to 170 dB
- Reliable and durable build quality
Cons
- Prone to plosives
While looking for microphones for rock music, choose them based on your use cases. A dynamic microphone handles loud volumes better, while a condenser microphone is excellent at capturing details. Look for the microphone's frequency response, polar pattern, and durability to get a microphone that will help you capture fantastic sound for your next mix. We hope our list served as a valuable guide for you.