So you are in the market for a microphone that is adept with live performances of vocals and instruments. You’re in the right place! Below we’ll highlight market-leading microphones and and detail the ins-and-outs of what users and the market has to say about these awesome mics. We will talk about industry standards, benchmarks, and new advances, and how each microphone holds up. Find the best dynamic microphone for you!
Looking for a different microphone? Check out our other microphone buyer’s guides:
- Best Condenser Microphones
- Best Microphone Stands
- Microphones 101: In-Depth Guide to Recording Studio Microphones
- How To Mic Drums: Kicks, Snares, Hi-Hats, and Toms
Best Dynamic Microphones Reviewed by Vocalists and Musicians
Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
This microphone has been used at The White House since the 1970s. As one of the most known dynamic mics, its been used in countless venues of varying sizes and capacities for decades.
This mic specializes in vocal pickup by singers, performers, and speakers. It uses cardioid pickup which is an important feature in any microphone. This enables the product to focus unidirectionally at the source of the sound and cut out any other disturbances. The microphone has a plosives pop sound filter that reduces the jarring sounds picked up around ‘p’s and ‘b’s. Another key feature is its durability under use over years on stage or on tour. The microphone doesn’t have a specific tuning so it can pick up frequencies from a wide range.
Features
- Frequency response between 40Hz – 15kHz
- High reproduction quality with most instruments
- Heavy use durability
- Uniform cardioid pickup
- Aesthetics: Dark gray color painted with enamel; in a die-cast steel with a polycarbonate grille and stainless steel screen
Specifications
- Brand: Shure
- Model: SM57-LC
- Output Impedance: 310 ohm
- Sensitivity: 94 dB SPL
- EXEPTIONAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE - The SM57-LC delivers high-quality vocal reproduction, thanks to its...
- INDUSTRY STANDARD - The first choice for performers around the globe, the SM57 Dynamic Vocal...
- CLARITY & CARE - The uniform cardioid polar pattern reproduces every note as it was intended,...
Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
SM58 is a unidirectional dynamic microphone just like SM57. This microphone’s key features that should be considered while comparing include the minimal handling noise that is reduced considerably by the pneumatic shock-mount system. The product, like its predecessor, has a cardioid unidirectional pickup. This enables the SM58 to cancel out the other sounds and disturbances from other voices on stage and focus on a unidirectional source.
In addition to picking up unidirectional sound, it also has a plosives filter that cuts off the disturbances caused by vocalists and speakers. An interesting industry secret of the SM58 is that when the vocals are less than one-fourth inches from the mic, this product boosts the bass frequency and one gets more lush and richer bass sound when compared to a sound source that is further away.
Features
- Frequency response between 50Hz – 15kHz
- Uniform cardioid pickup
- Built for long rugged usage
- Spherical filter for plosive pop sounds giving raw vocals
- Aesthetics: Dark gray color painted with enamel; in a die-cast metal case
Specifications
- Brand: Shure
- Model: SM58-LC
- Output Impedance: 150 ohm
- Sensitivity: 94 dB SPL
- EXEPTIONAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE - The SM58-LC delivers high-quality vocal reproduction, thanks to its...
- INDUSTRY STANDARD - The first choice for performers around the globe, the SM58 Dynamic Vocal...
- CLARITY & CARE - The uniform cardioid polar pattern reproduces every note as it was intended,...
Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid
This dynamic microphone is perfect for close distance speaking like a studio recording, podcasts and bass amps. It is also highly suitable for public radio or television production. The pop filters protect against all explosive breath scenarios and in case of close proximity speech. The microphone setup comes with a windscreen and a locking yoke mount. This keeps the microphone on a symmetrical axis which ensures that there is as little coloration as possible. The microphone also has cardioid pickup which enables the microphone to pick up voices only from the intentioned source. Additionally, the spherical filter cuts off the plosive pop noises.
Features
- Frequency response between 50Hz – 20kHz
- Electromagnetic disturbances cut out
- Aesthetic: Black, available with a foam cushion and a yoke mount
- Uniform cardioid pickup
Specifications
- Brand: Shure
- Model: SM7B
- ONE MICROPHONE FOR EVERYTHING - Studio Recording, Home Recording, Podcasting & Streaming. The SM7B...
- STUDIO VOCAL RECORDING - The SM7B’s Dynamic Cartridge With Smooth, Flat, Wide-range Frequency...
- PODCAST & BROADCAST - Found In The Top Podcasting Studios Around The World, The SM7B Air Suspension...
Audio-Technica ATR2100 Dynamic Microphone
This is another microphone suitable for podcasting, studio recording or outdoor recording, as well as to be used on stage. This is especially built for handheld usage as the cardioid polar pattern ensures that the background noise and the handling noise is cut out. The key feature that the makers of the microphone emphasize on is the analog-to-digital conversion of the sound. The output of the microphone can be extracted in two ways. For recording, one can use the USB output. For live performances, one can use the XLR output. There is also the option of receiving the sound from an audio jack output which gives the sound without any delay.
Features
- Frequency response is extended with low-mass diaphragm
- Two outputs available via USB and XLR
- Can be used in both live performances and for digital recording
- Comes with a built-in headphone jack
- Volume control on the hand piece
- On and off switch on the hand piece
- Aesthetics: Silver color
Specifications
- Brand: Audio-Technica
- Model: ATR2100
- Handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output and XLR analog output
- USB output connects to your computer for digital recording, while the XLR output connects with your...
- Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field...
AKG Pro Audio D5 Professional Dynamic Stage Microphone
The AKG Pro Audio D5 comes with a unique innovation from the maker company AKG. The thickness of the diaphragm varies across the diameter. This new technology used in this microphone allows this fine-tuning of the diaphragm without using any tuning resonators. The microphone is compatible for live performances and the handling disturbance is absorbed by the shock-proof mount. Like the other microphones on the list, this one also uses the cardioid pickup technology to a stronger degree—called super-cardioid. The microphone also has an indispensable filter to cut off plosive pop sounds that distort close-distance recordings like podcasts and radio. And its sturdy body means it will be long-lasting.
Features
- Supercardioid polar pattern for crisp unidirectional pickup
- Aesthetics: black with a steel wire mesh
- Option of with and without on and off switch available
- Uses the AKG patented AKG Laminated Varimotion technology diaphragm
Specifications
- Brand: AKG
- Model: Pro Audio D5
- Rugged construction
- Handheld dynamic vocal microphone designed for lead and backing vocals
- Patented AKG laminated varimotion diaphragm
Final Thoughts on Best Dynamic Microphones
These 5 best dynamic microphones are some of the cover the range of specific needs: indoor or outdoor performances, recording sessions, vocal broadcasting, and the lot. And even mics that convert to digital output.
If you need a microphone that converts analog to digital output, one should go for the Audio-Technica ATR2100. Need a session recording mic that can take on the plosive sounds and give a crisp sound quality? The Shure SM7B, with its foam screen and a close-speech windscreen, is for you.
Whatever your need is, you can’t go wrong with these best dynamic microphones!
