Keeping your recording environment quiet can be difficult when even the quietest sounds can ruin an otherwise perfect take. Not many of us have the means to properly soundproof a room for recording, and that’s where microphone isolation shields come in handy. 

Microphone isolation shields work but enclose your microphone inside a sound reflective surface that reduces background noise from getting to your mic. There are a few different ways this is done, so let’s look at our recommendations for the best microphone isolation shields. 

Our Recommendations of Best Microphone Isolation Shield

1. Monoprice (Best Budget Option)
2. AxcessAbles SF-101KIT-W Half Dome (Best for Mic Stand)
3. Marantz Professional Sound Shield (Best for Desktop Microphone)
4. Auralex MudGuard v2 (Best for Musicians)

1. Monoprice

Pros:

• Entry level price makes it budget friendly
• Foldable sides for custom levels of isolation
• Can be used on a desktop or mic stand 

Cons:

• Is quite heavy considering it’s designed to be portable
• On the smaller size and not suited to larger condenser mics

If you are looking for an isolation shield at an entry level price then the Monoprice Microphone Isolation Shield is a great budget option. It’s on the smaller side of the isolation shield at 23.5″ wide and can either be used on a desktop with the pre-installed desktop feet or attached to a microphone stand depending on your preference and set-up.

A great feature f this microphone isolation shield is that it can be folded up from the sides. This has 2 uses; firstly it makes the isolation shield super portable if you move between locations to record, secondly it means you can further isolate your microphone by enclosing it more. The helps make this isolation shield customizable to get the perfect amount of noise-canceling for your situation. 

2. AxcessAbles SF-101KIT-W Half Dome

Pros:

• Comes with heaps of accessories
• Adjustable sides and mic depth
• Its large size covers all sides of the mic

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with set up instructions
• Included pop guard slides during long sessions

The AxcessAbles SF-101KIT-W is an all in one solution to noise reduction when recording with a mic stand. It not only comes with an isolation shield, but also includes a compatible mic stand, and a pop filter. Everything you need to reduce background noise is ready to go out of the box.

This isolation shield is suitable for almost any mic due to its large size. So even if your using a large microphone it will fit! It’s also adjustable so you can set it up just right for your environment. The accessible SD-101KIT-W uses 2” thick pyramid foam that is well known to be the most effective foam shape for noise reduction. 

3. Marantz Professional Sound Shield

Pros:

• Desktop mounting
• Includes a shock mount for your microphone
• Adjustable walls for custom isolation shape

Cons:

• Not well suited to mic stand use
• No adjustable mic stand limits its compatibility with larger mics
• Gap under shield stands can sometimes bleed sound into the mic

For desktop use, we recommend the Marantz Professional Sound Shield, at 17.3” wide its the perfect for a desk set up and it the desk stands it comes with meaning no extra set-up is needed. It features 5 sound reflective walls 2 of which are adjustable to customise how the shield wraps around the microphone.

Included with this isolation shield is a microphone shock mount that absorbs any unwanted sound from movement or bumps on your desktop. When the isolation shield and shock mount are used together you get all-round sound protection perfect for desktop use. 

4. Auralex MudGuard v2

Pros:

• Mic positioning allows for different vocal sounds 
• Unique convex shape focuses on internal acoustics rather than external
• Perfect for both mic stand mounting and desktop mounting

Cons:

• On the more expensive side
• Requires a bit of audio knowledge to get the most out of it 

For a vocal isolation solution for musicians, we recommend the Auralex MudGuard V2. This isolation shield features a unique shield shape that allows for a good deal of sound customisation by simply moving your microphone closer and further into the shield.

Moving the microphone deep into the shield give you a dry and moody tone while moving further away creates a more live feeling to your vocals. Its unique interior convex shape manages sound reflection differently than most isolation shields by diverting unwanted internal acoustics from entering the microphone.

Most isolation shields use flat or concave shapes that reduce sounds coming in but focus their energy on moving sounds inside the shield towards the mic. By focusing on reducing acoustics internally Auralex has created something rather unique. 

FAQ:

Are Microphone Isolation shields worth it?

Microphone shields are a powerful tool for people that need professional sounding vocal audio. While nothing will ever beat a properly acoustic treated room, an isolation shield is the next best thing. If you are a home producer or in the business of professional voice work an isolation shield will take away that annoying feeling of a recording being ruined by background noise.

How do you make a microphone isolation shield?

If a microphone shield is a bit out of your budget there are ways to make one DIY style. What you need is soundproofing acoustic foam and the materials to build a shell to curve this foam in. The process isn’t overly complicated but does require a bit of hands-on building.

What’s Next?

All in all, getting a good isolation shield is kind of a tricky task, we hope this article has given you a good insights in helping to choose the right one for your recording studio. If you like to read more contents like this be sure to check out some of the related articles on our website.