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The best dynamic microphones are sturdy, have a limited range of response, and are usually very cheap. The best sounds to record with a dynamic microphone are those that are louder. There are times when their uses overlap, but in general, condenser microphones work better in the studio than they do on stage. A condenser microphone is made in a different way than a dynamic microphone. It uses a wire coil to boost the signal that was picked up by the diaphragm.
Because of this, dynamic microphones work best in loud environments, and most instruments, including drums and vocals, use them. If you want to buy a dynamic microphone but don’t know what you need, If you want to know how to tell the difference between two things, you’ve come to the right place. Because in this ultimate guide, we’ll talk about the best dynamic mics on the market right now.
Best Dynamic Microphones
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 13.5 x 6.6 x 35 cm; 200 Grams |
| Material | Refined Steel |
| Manufacturer | Sennheiser |
| Item Weight | 200 g |
The MD 421-II is a Sennheiser classic. It started out as a broadcast mic, but now it’s used to close-mike snares, bass drums, and toms on stage and in the studio. Because it’s so popular, you can often find it in front of guitar cabinets, bass cabinets, and podcasters. Its flexibility comes from a switch that lets you turn off the bass in five different ways.
There are two main types of voicing, “M” for music and “S” for speech, with three more steps in between. As you might expect from Sennheiser, this piece of equipment is tough, well-built, and professional. Its tight cardioid pattern does a great job of blocking out feedback and other sounds that aren’t coming from the source. Handling noise is also kept under control.
Pros
- A High-quality Industry Standard dynamic microphone
- Glass composite capsule with refined steel basket
- The product is well-made
- Handling of high SPL levels
- Bass roll-off switch with five positions
Cons
- This mic’s clip is weak, difficult to use, and not standard. Worse, replacing it is more expensive than it is worth.
- Off-axis leaking degrades sound quality, particularly when used in a multi-microphone configuration. This is more of a studio-related issue
Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone
Specifications
| Item Weight | 2.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13.5 x 7 x 4.5 inches |
| Connector Type | XLR Connector |
| Battery type | Lithium Ion |
The Shure SM7B is a close-up studio microphone that makes a sound that is warm and full of midrange. It’s not the cheapest dynamic mic we have, but it can compete with condenser mics that cost more than 10 times as much in the studio. On its default settings, the SM7B has a fairly flat frequency response from 100 Hz to 12 kHz, with a smooth rise at the low end and a sharp drop at the high end.
If you flip a few switches on the back of the mic, you can immediately hear a bass roll-off or a presence boost. These are useful options when trying to get the best sound from your singer or instrument. The SM7B’s design includes a shock mount, a pop filter, and electromagnetic shielding to stop hum from computer equipment that is close by.
Pros
- Effective on-board frequency response filters
- Excellent vocal reproduction
- Off-axis and internal noise rejection
- Build quality
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Electro-Voice RE-20 Microphone
Specifications
| Item Weight | 0.01 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 9 inches |
| Material Type | Radio |
| Material Type | Aluminum |
Electro-Voice is known for making good audio and sound equipment; many people think their microphones are some of the best on the market. This model is a cardioid microphone with a lot of features, too many to talk about in detail in this review, but we will talk about some important things for people who want to buy a good microphone.
It is made of steel and is shaped like a tank. It has a lot of holes that let sound in. So, it can be done in any way when it’s used. Behind each acoustic opening is a strong wire grill and a blast and wind filter that is built in. Because these filters work so well, singers can get right up to the mic without worrying about popping.
Pros
- Maximum background rejection
- Bulletproof body, immune to RF interference
- Deep and smooth sound with a neutral tone
- Very big sweet spot, negligible proximity
Cons
- More expensive than other dynamic mics
- Somewhat heavy and bulky
Behringer Xm8500 Dynamic Microphone
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Behringer |
| Item Weight | 11.4 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 1.97 x 1.99 x 0.63 inches |
| Material | Composite |
We all know Behringer as a company that makes good equipment, especially their effects pedals, and sells them at a very good price. This microphone is a lot more expensive than most of the others we’re looking at, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a place in our list. It has a lot of the same features as microphones that cost a lot more.
Its cardioid pickup pattern makes it good at avoiding feedback and separating sounds at the source. It also has a wide frequency response. And this microphone has a shock mount system built in to cut down on noise when it is held by hand. Indeed,
it doesn’t have some of the nicer features of more expensive microphones, like proximity control, but given how cheap it is, it’s pretty amazing how much it does have.
Pros
- Two-stage pop filter for pop noises and breath reduction
- Cardioid polar pattern with excellent noise reduction
- Shock mount system to reduce handling noise
- 50 Hz to 15 kHz frequency
Cons
- It doesn’t have a cord
Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphone
Specifications
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 10.31 x 4.92 x 3.31 inches |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
| Connector Type | XLR Connector |
The Shure SM58 is probably the best dynamic microphone on the market as a whole. This timeless classic can be found everywhere, from your local band to legendary rock stars, pop stars, and even the president. When it comes to singing or speaking their hearts out, people trust the Shure SM58. The Shure SM58 is a dynamic microphone that is good at taking care of your voice.
It has a cardioid polar pattern, which makes the microphone sensitive to sounds coming from the front and less sensitive to sounds in the back. The spherical mesh grille and built-in pop filter help keep wind and loud noises out of your mix. Shure can also help you avoid handling noises on stage. To do this, they use a pneumatic shock mount, which soaks up vibrations before they can mess up your audio.
Pros
- Frequency response tailored for vocals
- Brightened midrange bass roll-off for controlling proximity effect
- Effective Pop Filter for spherical wind
- Frequency response between 50Hz – 15kHz
- Pneumatic shock mount for removing handling noise
Cons
- It requires an external Pop filter for any studio recordings
- Generally meant for use as a handheld microphone which some vocalists do not like
Rode PodMic Dynamic Microphone
Specifications
| Item Weight | 2.6 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 9 x 5.55 x 4.15 inches |
| Connector Type | XLR Connector |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
The Rode Podmic is a great dynamic microphone that is made for a very specific task. This broadcast-quality microphone is made for podcasts, livestreaming, and other speech applications, as the name suggests. Even though it may not be as good as the Shure SM7B, it’s hard to beat for the price. The dynamic capsule does a great job of picking up the fullness of your voice, which gives your sound a lot of depth.
The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz, which adds to the depth of the sound. Like the others on this list, it has a tight cardioid pattern that does a good job of blocking out room noise. This will be especially important for people who live stream. Having a broadcast-style microphone that looks so real will give your audience more confidence in you.
Pros
- Clear, relatively uncolored signal
- Hinges on mount allow for flexible positioning
Cons
- No built-in audio filters
Neumann-BCM 705-Dynamic Microphone
Specifications
| Item Weight | 1.8 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.8 x 4.8 x 4.7 inches |
| Compatible Devices | Radio |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
The Neumann BCM 705 came out in 2005 and is another top-of-the-line dynamic studio mic. It has a hypercardioid pickup pattern, but it has a bit more self-noise than other competing microphones, so you’ll need a good preamp to drive it. It has a built-in shock mount and a removable grille, but to get the BCM 705 in the right place, you’ll need a boom arm or mic stand that can rotate and move.
The b CM 705 is an important part of any recording studio. It is great for recording vocals because it has a built-in pop filter, multiple levels of noise isolation, and a light treble boost in the frequency response from 2khz to 9khz that improves vocal clarity. Pop screens and grilles can be changed for different people and are easy to take off and clean.
Pros
- 150dB max SPL
- 1.7 Mv/Pa sensitivity
- Specially designed dynamic capsule
- Optimised for close speech
- Hypercardioid pattern
Cons
- Integrated pop screen and shock mount
- Twistable head grille for quick cleaning
Beyerdynamic M99 Dynamic Microphone
Specifications
| Item Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 2.2 x 2.2 x 6.4 inches |
| Material Type | Aluminum |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
The Beyerdynamic M 99 is a dynamic moving coil microphone that is good enough for a studio. The tuned frequency response works well for many things, from miking instruments to broadcasting live. The M 99 uses the Beyerdynamic TG X technology, which has a strong neodymium magnet system and a mass-reduced special diaphragm to give the microphone powerful sound reproduction and great transient response.
The frequency response is very linear, and only high-quality condenser microphones have been able to match the sound quality until now. The switch at the bottom of the microphone lets you choose between three equalisation settings: linear, vocals, and instruments. The second switch is for adding emphasis to the presence.
Pros
- Hypercardioid polar pattern
- Switchable presence accentuation and equalization for bass drum
- Extremely linear frequency response
- Rugged construction
- Integrated elastic suspension
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
FAQs
What are dynamic microphones best for?
In general, dynamic mics work best in loud places and at live concerts. But don’t let that fool you; they’re also a great choice for recording vocals in a studio or at home.
Are dynamic mics better?
Dynamic mics are better at handling loud sounds than condenser mics: If a mic preamp can handle all the power coming out of the mic, a condenser mic can handle high sound pressure just as well as any other mic. It is easier to feed a condenser mic than a dynamic mic: All that’s left to do is choose the right microphone.
What is a good dynamic range for a microphone?
The dynamic range of a mic is about 120 dB, which is about the same as the average human ear. Dynamic ranges for mic preamps range from as high as 130 dB to as low as 90 dB or even less. Depending on how they are made, digital audio recordings can have dynamic ranges that are well over 100 dB.
Do dynamic mics need 48V?
Dynamic mics are stronger and less sensitive than condenser mics, so they can handle higher SPLs without distorting. They don’t do anything and don’t need +48V power.