When it comes to mics for recording metal vocals, the requirements are pretty different from mics for recording female pop divas or Americana folk music. While lots of studio mics tout their smooth top end, intricate detail, accuracy, and low noise, those are not the primary considerations when finding the perfect mic for metal vocals. You need a mic that will hold up to the sonic abuse that metal vocals demand. We asked our resident metal experts and compiled a list of the best mics we’ve found for recording vocals that will stand out in a massive metal track.
Shure SM7B
Many producers consider the SM7B to be the king for cutting metal vocals. In addition to its wide frequency response and cardioid pattern, it has dual-band switchable passive EQ right on the mic (low cut and presence boost) and a great integrated pop filter. It will also handle insane sound pressure levels (SPLs) so unless you’re capable of screaming louder than the sound generated by the launch of the space shuttle (180dB SPL), you’re unlikely to overload this mic.
The SM7B works incredibly well on metal vocals. It’s a dynamic microphone, which may seem a counterintuitive choice for recording studio vocals, but its lower sensitivity and dynamic range allow it to handle intense performances and round out the edges for a cohesive vocal track that sits nicely atop mixes that are dense with kick drums and distorted guitars. It almost acts like a natural compressor.
Arend Raby
Sweetwater Marketing Promotions Manager
Guitarist/Producer/Owner of the Womb Studio
Electro-Voice RE20
For another industry standard, step up to the RE20. You’ll instantly recognize the sound of this large-diaphragm dynamic mic because it’s been an industry standard for decades on radio and TV broadcasts, but it’s great for metal as well. With its tight polar pattern, lack of sensitivity to popping, and immunity to proximity effect, there’s a reason this mic is legendary. You can get right up on it and capture all the emotion that you need when tracking metal vocals. It’s been used in kick drums and on guitar amps for years, so it’ll handle whatever levels your voice can throw at it. And it has a highpass switch, if the low end is too much for your taste.
The RE20 has some distinct qualities that make it a fantastic choice for capturing the aggressive nature of metal vocals. Its design minimizes proximity effect from vocalists being extremely close to the mic, allowing a more direct sound to be imparted without needing to use a pop filter to avoid pesky plosives. It has a slight rise from 6kHz–14kHz that brings out the grit and bite so prevalent and important when recording metal vocals. Truly a fantastic combination!
Nicholas Morrow
Studio Engineer at Sweetwater Studios
Manley Reference Cardioid
The Manley Ref-C, or Ref-Card as it is commonly called, is a great tube condenser mic for metal vocals. It shares the electronics design with the Manley Ref Gold but with a fixed cardioid pattern. The proximity effect from the fixed cardioid pattern yields plenty of warmth to vocals while the 6-micron gold-sputtered capsule yields a nice bright presence. There’s a 10dB pad located on the mic, but with its 150dB SPL capability, you likely won’t need it.
I am a huge fan of the Manley Ref on a metal vocal, especially a screamer who has a wide range of lows, mids, and highs. The fat, in-your-face tone you get with this, paired with the right transformer-based mic pre and compressor on the way in, just makes it easy for me to make a vocal sit in a dense, technical mix with a TON going on already. When the SM7B isn’t doing the trick, this will get the job done right. I’d think you’d be surprised how many metal vocals you have heard on this mic.
Anthony Longano, Sweetwater Sales Engineer
Credits: We Came as Romans, The Word Alive
Lauten Audio Oceanus LT-381
The Oceanus is a monster of a mic — over the top in every way. From its massive 31.25mm (1.23-inch) dual-diaphragm capsule to its innovative dual-tube electronics design (most mics only have one) that utilizes a mil-spec pentode inside a vacuum tube isolation chamber, there’s no other mic that can compare. Offering multiple patterns (sweeping from omni to cardioid to figure-8), a transformerless output, and internal shock mounting, this condenser mic will capture everything from the minute subtleties of your metal vocal performance to the most bombastic aural sensation you can offer.
The Oceanus is a big, open-sounding microphone. On the last album I recorded, this mic beat out some heavy-hitting contenders (including the much-lauded SM7B). It seemed to smooth out the harsher vocals; this made the vocals sit very well next to heavily distorted guitars. For the clean vocals, it added some “lift” for the tamer sections without getting in the way of any orchestrations or sounding out of place.
Geoff Allen, Senior Sales Engineer
If you need a great mic for tracking metal vocals, just give us a shout at (800) 222-4700. Our Sales Engineers can hook you up.
