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You don’t need much to get started with your rap career. All you need is a notepad to write down your lyrics and a microphone to record them!
With so many different options on the market, the question of what is the best microphone for rapping can be a difficult one to answer.
Today we will take a look at 4 microphones that are great for rapping to help guide you to the best microphone for you. From budget microphones for rapping to USB microphones for rapping and even those suited for both rapping and singing.
So..What is the Best Microphone for Rapping?
- Audio-Technica AT2020 (Best Cheap Microphone for Rapping)
- Blue Yeti USB Microphone (Best USB Microphone for rapping)
- Shure SM58 (Best Microphone for Rapping and Singing)
- Rode NT1-A (Best Mid-Budget Microphone for Rapping)
1. Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone
Pros:
- Cheap for a condenser mic
- High dynamic range that doesn’t punish you while you learn production
- Condensor mic that delivers more detail to your rapping
Cons:
- Only come with the microphone without any cables or accessories
- Requires phantom power from a mixer or audio interface
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a great microphone designed specifically for home recording setups.
The reason this is our pick for the best cheap microphone for rapping is due to its versatility in a home studio setting. It has a wide dynamic range that is great for rap-style vocals. This is especially great if you’re just getting started.
Having a wide dynamic range on this condenser microphone means it won’t punish you while you learn how to use it.
One of the first things you’ll need to learn about rapping is how to balance how loud you rap with how far you are from the microphone. Having a high dynamic range means you can try rapping lounder and softer and at different distances without ending up with a bunch of unusable distorted takes. This mic will capture all of them with clarity.
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a condenser microphone which means it is designed for studio use instead of live performance. The benefit of using a condenser microphone to record rap vocals is that condenser mics capture more details of your voice.
Condenser microphones are usually on the expensive side, or if they are cheap they are typically low quality.
Fortunately, the AT2020 is neither of these and offers a level of sound recording that comes very close to its $1000+ competitors at an entry-level price.
2. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
Pros:
- Easy to plug-in and record with USB
- Don’t need a mixer or audio interface to record.
- Multiple different record modes including stereo and mono
- Clean sound when used with a variety of vocal styles.
- Onboard headphone port and microphone volume control.
Cons:
- Sound can’t be modified with a vocal chain.
- Only works if you use a computer or laptop to record.
- Lackluster customer support
- Cheap and flimsy USB cable included that is prone to breaking
If you want a mic that you can pick up and plug in straight out the box then the Blue Yeti USB Microphone is a great budget choice for rapping.
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is a super-fast way to start recording raps. The setup for this mic is straightforward; simply plug the mic into your USB port, open any recording software, and let the bars start flowing.
This is different from most microphones that are usually analog. Most analog microphones use an XLR output which means you need to have an audio interface or mixer to plug it into before you record.
This is not the case with the Blue Yeti. The Blue Yeti Microphone is one of the best USB microphones for rapping because of its ease of set-up while still delivering a crispt and clear vocal signal.
The Blue Yeti is designed to take on a range of vocal styles and volumes meaning you can be as dynamic as you want with your performance without worrying about clipping.
3. Shure SM58
Pros:
- Great for at-home and live performance.
- Very tolerant of noise and volume without clipping.
- Great durability so it won’t break with heavy use.
- Perfect for both rapping and singing.
Cons:
- It’s a dynamic mic so recordings won’t sound as detailed as a condenser mic
- You’ll need to buy a stand to use it in the studio.
If you want a microphone that has the versatility for both rapping and singing then check out the Shure SM58.
The Shure SM58 is a mainstay in both home and professional studios around the world. It’s not a microphone that is made for one genre, in particular, instead, it is a great all-rounder which is what makes it one of the best microphones for rapping and singing.
The Shure SM58 is well known for being a very tolerant microphone that can handle a lot of noise. So you can go from soft rapping to very loud vocals without having to adjust the amount of gain to avoid clipping. This is largely due to the wide frequency response of the Shure SM58 that ranges from 50 to 20,000 Hz.
While some microphones are designed to do one thing amazingly, the Shure SM58 is designed to fit a variety of styles and sounds regardless of how intense you want to rap or sing into it. This makes it the best microphone for rapping and singing.
The durability and background noise reduction on the Shure SM58 also makes it the best microphone for rapping live. This takes away the need for both a studio and live performance microphone as the Shure SM58 is more than capable of handling both.
4. Rode NT1-A
Pros:
- Has most of the features you would find on a microphone for $1000+
- Large 1” diaphragm makes your recordings sound warm and natural
- High SPL means it can handle recording loud rap vocals with ease.
- Includes high-quality accessories
Cons:
- More expensive than other mics on this list
- Need a mixer or audio interface to use.
If you want the best budget microphone for rapping and are willing to spend a bit more money, then the Rode NT1-A is the best option for a mid-budget microphone for rapping.
The Rode NT1-A features a large 1” diaphragm which gives this microphone a warm and rich sound that is packed full of personality. These types of condenser microphones are highly preferred in the professional recording space because they are capable of delivering a large sound while remaining clean and noise-free.
Another thing that makes the Rode NT1-A a go-to choice for rappers is that it has a high SPL, SPL means the maximum sound pressure that a microphone can withstand before distorting.
SPL is important when recording rap vocals because rapping into a microphone puts a lot of pressure on the mic to record clearly. Rapping is usually a high-energy vocal recording so that your rhymes punch through the beat, hence the high-pressure level.
If you’re using a microphone with a low SPL you’ll likely cause the microphone to clip and this leads to your recordings sounding unprofessional and muddy.
High SPL paired with its natural sound and clarity makes the Rode NT1-A the best choice for a mid-budget microphone for rapping.
The Rode NT1-A also comes with a great selection of accessories that will help get your rap vocals sounding even better, including; a shock mount, a pop shield, and a Rode XLR cable. This makes the microphone even more appealing to aspiring rappers.
What’s Next?
The microphone is the most important piece of gear for any rapper and there are plenty of cheap microphones that can deliver vivid and professional sounding rap vocals without breaking the bank!
If you’re just starting to rap the Blue Yeti USB option is a great choice to get you started ASAP. With no extra set-up or gear required to get you started.
If your looking for the best bang for your buck in regards to audio quality then look no further than the Audio-Technica AT2020. This cheap condenser mic is perfect for rapping and is very competitive at its price point.
If you’re unsure if they want to be a rapper or a singer then the Shure SM58 will give you the versatility to do both!
And if you want to get your rap vocals sounding as professional as possible without heading into the studio then the Rode NT1-A will give you just that. With most of the comprehensive features found on high-end mics and industry-standard SPL, this mic will last you well into your first chart-topping songs.
