Hip-hop has become highly prominent in mainstream music over the years, so much so that it’s influenced the world of production, mixing, and even other genres in a colossal way. When you turn on the radio and hear a very in-your-face vocal, there are a few things going on to achieve that sound. First of all, parallel compression plays a big role in getting your vocals to cut through a hip-hop mix – but there’s more to it still. It all starts with the microphones that rappers and engineers reach for when recording. In the world of rap, condenser microphones reign supreme for getting a clear and intelligible vocal take. We’re going to highlight some of the most popular microphones used for rap vocals today, while also helping you make your own decision on how to choose the best mic for your own voice…
The 4 best microphones for hip-hop artists
Neumann U 87
The Neumann U 87 is an industry-standard condenser mic and has been for years because of its signature sound. The familiar look and sound of the U 87 have made it an engineer’s and producer’s top pick for best mic for rap for decades. That’s especially true with rap vocalists. Its present midrange and full body, combined with three polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8), a highpass filter, and pad, make it a great choice for any recording applications. But for vocals — rap, lead, or backgrounds — it’s one of the undisputed champions in this industry.
“My go-to mic for rappers is the Neumann U 87. It works for pretty much any lead vocals. It’s the standard and just has that ‘sound’! I never need to do much to it — just plug and go regardless of the preamp.” – Eddie Sauncho
Since the early ’90s, Eddie has contributed to some of hip-hop’s most respected records including the Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die, Nas’s Illmatic, and several albums by Jay Z, Nas, Gang Starr, and countless others. Eddie’s the one who introduced DJ Premier to the MPC 60.
Credits: Gang Starr, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Eminem
“The U 87 is probably the most used hip-hop mic in history and for that reason any rapper using it will instantly recognize the sound from their favorite records. It’s able to capture aggression really well, keeping the rawness of the performance intact. Many mics tend to dull out the transients or sound harsh and ess-y, but the U 87 keeps chugging.” – IsReal Foster
IsRael is Music producer/engineer and Sweetwater Sales Engineer who has scored several top 10 gospel Billboard charting albums and received his first Stellar Award in 2012.
Credits: Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, The Ambassador, Da Truth, Thi’sl
“When recording a rap vocal, I’ll typically start with a Neumann U 87. It just works for a lot of the artists I’ve worked with, and most of the artists I’ve worked with are very familiar with it already and how it sounds on their voice. It has the presence to cut on a track as well as a rich lower midrange.” – Mike Picotte
Mike Picotte is a mixing/mastering engineer and Sweetwater Sales Engineer.
Credits: Juvenile, Mr. Magic, No Limit Records, Roc Nation, Coolio
Lauten Audio Eden
The Lauten Audio Eden is amazingly versatile. Not only does it feature multiple polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8), but it also has a 2-stage pop filter tapered for Kick or Vocal. And with the onboard Multi-voicing switch, you can select Forward, Neutral, or Gentle, to really hone in on the right sound for your rap vocals. With all those sonic options, you can get a classic sound or a modern sound, with full low mids and a sweet top end.
“Lauten Audio Eden is my favorite condenser mic. I love it a lot. I can throw that mic on any of my artists. Big body — when I put it on someone’s vocals, I can get the bigness out of it. The high end is super easy to control. I like the tube feel, and it also has three different settings, so you can get an older feel or newer feel. That’s a very cool feature.” – Jacob “Biz” Morris
Jacob is an engineer and DJ for Reach Records.
Credits: Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Switchfoot
“The Eden has become my new favorite. Recently my friend and Grammy award winning rapper Lecrae tried out the Eden, which blew his mind. They shot it out against all of the classics: U47s, the Sony 800G, the U 87. It beat out all of them. They used the Eden on his vocals for his last album, which recently sold 500,000 records.” – IsRael Foster
Mojave Audio MA-50
The Mojave Audio MA-50 is a great mic for rap vocals and offers incredible presence and diction, which makes your vocals cut through the track. The transformerless design of this 3-micron, large-diaphragm, fixed-cardioid condenser means it can stand toe to toe with mics that cost lots more. And the high SPL handling means you won’t have to worry about distortion no matter how loud your singer gets when rapping. Did we mention that it’s incredibly affordable? Such a deal.
“For those just starting out, I have had great success with the MA-50. For the same reasons I like the U 87, it’s very articulate and has a way of pushing the vocal forward without sounding thin or harsh. Rappers HATE thin-sounding vocals, and the MA-50 keeps the body of the vocal intact very good.” – IsRael Foster
Sony C-800G
Very few mics achieve legendary status within a genre like the Sony C-800G has in the rap domain. Ask any rapper about the best mic for rap vocals, and the C-800G will likely be their response. Maybe that comes from the interview where Dr. Dre was talking about recording 50 Cent’s vocals on a C-800G. “I like my vocals to sound ‘crystal,'” said Dre. “I use the Sony C-800G for vocals because it has a clean sound and about 85% of the people that get behind it sound great.” Nothing succeeds like success, and the C-800G definitely communicates not only success but also great sound. It’s a holy grail microphone, since so few have been made and because of its price. If you want the ultimate and can afford it, then the C-800G is truly the best mic for rap vocals.
Choosing the best mic for your rap vocals
We hope this article helped you make a decision! Getting a great performance can be tricky if you don’t pick the right mic to suit your voice. The best rap vocal microphone is ultimately what works for you, but knowing what the professionals use can steer you in the right direction for achieving that same sound many artists and engineers seek. In addition the above mic picks you can shop Sweetwater’s vast selection of condenser microphones, or give your Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.
