Are you looking for a microphone for rap, hip-hop, or one of the associated urban music genres (trap, drill, cloud rap…)?
Good news, because on this page you will find my selection of the best microphones for this musical style! 😉
Which microphone to choose for rap?
Before looking at my recommendations for microphones, I suggest we take a moment to ask ourselves the question of “how to choose” a microphone for rap.
The fact is that there is no microphone dedicated to a single musical genre.
There are no more microphones for rap than there are for pop or rock.
When looking for a microphone “for rap”, we will primarily seek a microphone suitable for vocal recordings and capable of accurately reproducing details.
Typically, a cardioid microphone.
That’s why I have chosen to recommend microphones in this article that may be a bit more expensive than usual (but don’t worry, there are also affordable options).
Simply because if your budget is limited, you can opt for a standard vocal microphone, which will do the job adequately.
► For that, I refer you to my more general guide on vocal microphones.
However, the fact is that some microphones stand out when we talk about urban music and hip-hop.
These are the microphones I wanted to present to you in this article: microphones that certainly work for rap recording.
The best microphones for rap
Here are my recommendations, roughly sorted by price.
1. MXL V67g
Brand: MXL
Directivity: Cardioid
Settings on the microphone: none
MXL is a brand owned by Marshall.
While their products are not excellent, they do have some interesting microphones at very affordable prices that I think are not talked about enough.
The V67g is one of them.
Beyond the recognizable design (which I find more appealing), the V67g is a large diaphragm microphone with an integrated transformer that has been designed to add a certain warmth to recordings, with raised highs for vocals that are not too harsh.
The microphone has a certain character, and while it’s not perfect, it will undoubtedly be interesting for rap vocals due to its sound color.
Note that there is a “V67i” model with a dual capsule, which allows you to choose between a brighter sound or a darker sound, which can be interesting for more versatility.
► Compare prices:
2. RØDE NT1-A
Brand : RØDE
Directivity : Cardioid
Settings on the mic : none
If you have been looking for a microphone for a while, you have probably heard of the NT1-A.
It is somewhat the quintessential beginner microphone, and we appreciate that it comes with a pop filter, an elastic suspension, and an XLR cable.
So, if you are looking for a microphone to start recording rap, you will immediately have all the accessories you need.
Moreover, the NT1-A offers a very good quality/price ratio overall: the sound is clear, the background noise is very low, and one could almost forget the slight aggressiveness of the highs, which are overly emphasized, common for microphones in this price range.
To be convinced, just look at the very good demo below:
► Compare prices for the RØDE NT1-A at: Thomann Amazon Woodbrass
3. Aston Spirit
Brand : Aston Microphones
Directivity : Cardioid / Omni / Figure of 8
Settings on the mic : pad -10/-20 dB, low-cut filter at 80 Hz
With the Aston Spirit, we start to move into mid-range microphones and thus associated with higher prices, although this one remains relatively accessible.
If you have been following Projet Home Studio for a long time, you know that I often recommend the Aston Origin, which is really nice for the price.
But for rap, I find the Spirit more open and more pronounced in terms of character, which will undoubtedly simplify mixing once the recording is done.
Overall, the sound of the Spirit is really good quality, and it is worth much more than its price given the pleasant smoothness of the highs. The background noise, on the other hand, is quite acceptable (14 dB (A)).
We will also appreciate the very particular aesthetic — perhaps an opportunity to give an industrial style to your studio.
► Compare prices for the Aston Spirit at: Thomann Amazon Woodbrass
4. Shure SM7B
Brand: Shure
Directivity: Cardioid
Microphone settings: low-cut filter, mid EQ
I hesitated a little to add the SM7B because:
- it does not work on all voices — indeed, I mainly recommend it for rap where the words are very articulated, very well pronounced, otherwise you won’t get enough detail;
- it needs a good preamplifier (+60 dB minimum) — otherwise, the recording level may be too low. Fortunately, some solutions like Fetheads help avoid having to buy a much more expensive preamp.
That said, it is a very good microphone (used, for example, by Michael Jackson on the song Thriller), which also includes a low-cut filter and a button to boost the mids a bit.
This allows for more aggressive vocal takes, which can be effective in enhancing the impact of the lyrics in rap.
Another positive point: it is not very sensitive to room reverberations. Consequently, if you plan to record in a room whose acoustics have not been treated, the Shure SM7B will undoubtedly be a very relevant choice.
► Compare prices for the Shure SM7B at: Thomann Amazon Woodbrass
5. RØDE NTK
Brand: RØDE
Directivity: Cardioid
Microphone settings: none
The NTK from RØDE is significantly higher-end than the NT1-A mentioned earlier in the article.
First of all, it is a tube microphone.
So there is a dedicated power supply to connect to the microphone.
The sound of the NTK is interesting, bright with elevated upper mids and highs which helps give air to the voice. The sound is really open, but with a slight lack of body: to be avoided on weak voices.
However, on powerful and already dense rap voices, it will do the job very well.
It is worth noting that changing the tube upon purchase will be a good idea to improve the sound delivered by the microphone. Don’t hesitate to get a Mullard NOS tube or equivalent at the same time to make the switch.
In short, an interesting microphone, especially if you want a tube microphone without spending a fortune…
► Compare the prices of the RØDE NTK on: Thomann Amazon Woodbrass
6. JZ Microphones BH2
Brand: JZ Microphones
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Settings on the microphone: none
JZ Microphones is a brand still relatively unknown in France, but it produces interesting and characterful microphones.
The BH2, beyond its unusual shape, is one of the most open microphones in the high frequencies from the brand.
In terms of sound, it offers something very clear but also very rich, with a nice depth and good handling of sibilance. Transients are also well reproduced.
A very good microphone for rap, therefore, which will accurately reproduce details and help you stand out with an original microphone (at least, if that’s important to you 😉 ).
► Compare the prices of the JZ Microphones BH2 on: Thomann Amazon
7. Oktava MK-105
Brand: Oktava
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Settings on the microphone: none
Another original microphone to have in (home) studio, and which does a great job for rap: the MK-105 from Oktava.
Admittedly, the finishes are not always perfect (especially regarding the grille: many users have short-cut grilles), but if you take care of it, you will have an excellent microphone at your disposal.
Compared to other microphones from the brand, the MK-105 has a much more open sound in the highs, but still with a real richness in the mids / low-mids.
Vocal recordings are therefore warm but clear, which is a real asset for rap.
In short, a very good mic, but handle it with care!
► See the price of the Oktava MK-105 on: Thomann
8. Neumann TLM 103
Brand: Neumann
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Settings on the microphone: none
It’s hard to make a selection of the best microphones for rap without mentioning the TLM 103 from Neumann.
Admittedly, it has its flaws.
Such as its aggressiveness in the highs.
As a result, it is overrated, and you necessarily pay for the reputation of the German brand.
But the TLM 103 remains a microphone commonly seen in small studios specializing in recording rap and urban music in general.
If you want to have a Neumann microphone without paying the price of truly high-end models, the TLM 103 is then a real option.
Its bright side will bring aggressiveness even though it has a certain density: you can instantly achieve a modern rap sound, even without equalization.
For an alternative still from Neumann that is less bright but perhaps a bit less qualitative, feel free to also look at the TLM 102.
► Compare prices:
9. Lauten Audio Clarion FC-357
Brand: Lauten Audio
Directivity: Cardioid / Omni / Figure 8
Settings on the mic: pad -10; boost +10 dB
Positioned just above the €1000 mark, the Clarion FC-357 is for me a real alternative to the TLM 103 mentioned above, even though it is of course less known.
Delivered in a beautiful wooden case with included suspension, this massive mic is perfectly suited for rap vocals.
The sound rendering is quite modern, with a certain neutrality and fidelity to the original signal, reproducing details well.
There is also a good density in the low frequencies, which will help support the flow.
We will also appreciate the directivity options, which make the microphone versatile, and the inclusion of a +10 dB boost that will allow you to enter your preamp more strongly, for example.
► Compare prices for the Lauten Audio Clarion FC-357 on: Thomann Woodbrass
10. Neumann TLM 49
Brand: Neumann
Directivity: Cardioid
Settings on the mic: none
I hesitated to mention the famous Neumann U87 (in Ai version) in this article, as it is true that for rap it is a microphone that is just great. But at €2500, it seemed too inaccessible for home studios.
If, however, you want a Neumann microphone that is a bit cheaper but more qualitative than the TLM 102/103 (which remain very correct, mind you), the TLM 49 is a relevant choice.
Overall, it does indeed sound better than the TLM 103 : the highs are softer, silky, and at the same time, there is a real density characteristic of high-end microphones in the lower mids, which gives weight to the vocals in the mix.
Really a very good mic, which if your budget allows will enable you to record rap in excellent conditions.
► Compare prices for the Neumann TLM 49 at: Thomann Amazon Woodbrass
In conclusion
There you go, you now know all my microphone recommendations for rap.
Feel free, of course, to leave me comments if you have any questions or remarks.
► Keep reading by checking out my home studio microphone guide