Best Microphone For Guitar Amps (2024 Update)

This microphone is one of the best suited for handling guitar amps and other louder close mic applications, especially where a low profile is advantageous, such as on stage or in a cramped studio setting. The mike can be hung/slung over a speaker cabinet or mounted on small footprint stand and placed directly in front of speaker cone/grill. The flat design allows for setup in extremely tight spaces. The frequency response of 40-18k works well on most amplified instruments. It is designed optimally to handle high sound pressure levels (loud) without pads. Response is fairly flat and even across the entire range. It is also super-cardroid pattern meaning crosstalk can be kept to a minimum, important when mic'ing multiple cabs. I found these to be superior to the standard sm-57 type mics for guitar cabinet pickup, more bottom end, crisper high end and very low profile. They are also fairly durable. I've been using mine for a long time and they have held up well.Steviebone

Works great as a guitar-amp mic. You can hang it over the top of the amp, or use something like the K&M 25950 (or 25900) stands. I'm not enamored with Sennheiser's mic clips, but they function; I'd be concerned about repeatedly attaching/removing mics from those clips. That could be unwarranted, but time will tell. Otherwise the mic sounds perfect for my needs (micing guitar amps)Dan

I looked up and down everywhere to see what's the best mic for all around, Like the hidden gem in the cornfield. People told me the rodemic, Razer and snow xlr mic, But from looking past the "Normal" I seen the sm57. A famous hidden mic no one really knew about, Basically has the same tone sm7b just a little different. $100ish instead of $400 count me in, I been using it for zoom calls, Twitch, Discord and everyone i talked to said i went from a very noisy and outland voice to a solid nice tone. I personally use mine with a boom arm, the a81ws, focusrite. No issues with it and i had it for about 3 months, I'm not the gentlest on it either so I feel comfortable using it on a day to day basis. Who would i recommend this to? To be totally honest everyone, You want it to do something? Trust me it will. 10/10Bradleigh, K

I've only had chance to do a quick sound check miking my Bugera V22 and recording the sound using my new Tascam DP-008 EX 8-track recorder. Sound quality was very good, especially for a basic home office recording setup. I can see why this mic is so popular in the industry. For perspective, I am a hobbyist and don't perform, but like to have the best sound for my limited budget to make recordings for myself and maybe friends and family. This mic lives up to its rep for being a great value for what you pay, punching above its class, no doubt.Steve

I looked up and down everywhere to see what's the best mic for all around, Like the hidden gem in the cornfield. People told me the rodemic, Razer and snow xlr mic, But from looking past the "Normal" I seen the sm57. A famous hidden mic no one really knew about, Basically has the same tone sm7b just a little different. $100ish instead of $400 count me in, I been using it for zoom calls, Twitch, Discord and everyone i talked to said i went from a very noisy and outland voice to a solid nice tone. I personally use mine with a boom arm, the a81ws, focusrite. No issues with it and i had it for about 3 months, I'm not the gentlest on it either so I feel comfortable using it on a day to day basis. Who would i recommend this to? To be totally honest everyone, You want it to do something? Trust me it will. 10/10Bradleigh, K

I've only had chance to do a quick sound check miking my Bugera V22 and recording the sound using my new Tascam DP-008 EX 8-track recorder. Sound quality was very good, especially for a basic home office recording setup. I can see why this mic is so popular in the industry. For perspective, I am a hobbyist and don't perform, but like to have the best sound for my limited budget to make recordings for myself and maybe friends and family. This mic lives up to its rep for being a great value for what you pay, punching above its class, no doubt.Steve

Overall: Finally bought a couple of these for use primarily on drums, guitar cabs, & horns. I'm a former music performance major and audio engineering school grad, & have been building my studio for over 15 years. Got the 421's in the mail and immediately used them on a drum session with rack & floor tom, running through API preamps. The sound was excellent! I was very impressed with the tonal quality, the ambient pickup (or lack thereof), and will probably order at least two more. Different people have different opinions of this mic, but it's a workhorse for a reason. Every mic has its own 'thing', and this mic does what it does amazingly well. Dynamic mics are not condenser mics, and they have a different sound / vibe. The roll-off switch will come in handy for mic'ing guitar cabs, bass cabs, low toms & kick drum, and anything in close proximity. These mics handle louder sources very well. Of course, the only downside to this mic is the notoriously bad clip. It's okay if you don't have to move it, such as placing on drums or guitar cabs in a session. Obviously not meant to be moved once set in place. However, a very, very good dynamic mic that will get used a ton in my studio.Chuck

For podcasters wanting to upgrade their mic, you may have lost a deal of the century. This proven microphone was nearly half off earlier this year. It sold out, but BH honored the sale price when it was back ordered a month (other places didn't). All Sennheiser dynamic mics are time-tested over the years, and you'll see this model in use decades ago on live television. It is no frills, but great for voice. Almost nobody likes the mount, but it hasn't been an issue for me as I leave it in place all of the time. It is a good mic for the price it usually commands, but was an insane price earlier this year. And it wasn't a typo!Jeffery

My first Tom mics Where the Sennheiser 604’s they last over 10 years 1 died and I slowly lost the rest. So I picked 6 more mics but I stepped up to the Sennheiser 904s. These are an improvement and I still use them but I felt compelled to give the Sennheiser 421 a shot ,so I up six of those. And wow such a massive improvement. . They are so rich and full , capturing the true tone of my drums. Where they really shine is in the lower notes I really wish I would’ve bought 10 of these instead of 6 I want to try one out tonight on my snare drum and see how I like that as well. This is one of my best purchases if you can afford it I suggest you go for it and get you a set of these as well. Good luck and happy recording.Death Metal Jim

This microphone is one of the best suited for handling guitar amps and other louder close mic applications, especially where a low profile is advantageous, such as on stage or in a cramped studio setting. The mike can be hung/slung over a speaker cabinet or mounted on small footprint stand and placed directly in front of speaker cone/grill. The flat design allows for setup in extremely tight spaces. The frequency response of 40-18k works well on most amplified instruments. It is designed optimally to handle high sound pressure levels (loud) without pads. Response is fairly flat and even across the entire range. It is also super-cardroid pattern meaning crosstalk can be kept to a minimum, important when mic'ing multiple cabs. I found these to be superior to the standard sm-57 type mics for guitar cabinet pickup, more bottom end, crisper high end and very low profile. They are also fairly durable. I've been using mine for a long time and they have held up well.Steviebone

Works great as a guitar-amp mic. You can hang it over the top of the amp, or use something like the K&M 25950 (or 25900) stands. I'm not enamored with Sennheiser's mic clips, but they function; I'd be concerned about repeatedly attaching/removing mics from those clips. That could be unwarranted, but time will tell. Otherwise the mic sounds perfect for my needs (micing guitar amps)Dan

This microphone is one of the best suited for handling guitar amps and other louder close mic applications, especially where a low profile is advantageous, such as on stage or in a cramped studio setting. The mike can be hung/slung over a speaker cabinet or mounted on small footprint stand and placed directly in front of speaker cone/grill. The flat design allows for setup in extremely tight spaces. The frequency response of 40-18k works well on most amplified instruments. It is designed optimally to handle high sound pressure levels (loud) without pads. Response is fairly flat and even across the entire range. It is also super-cardroid pattern meaning crosstalk can be kept to a minimum, important when mic'ing multiple cabs. I found these to be superior to the standard sm-57 type mics for guitar cabinet pickup, more bottom end, crisper high end and very low profile. They are also fairly durable. I've been using mine for a long time and they have held up well.Steviebone

Works great as a guitar-amp mic. You can hang it over the top of the amp, or use something like the K&M 25950 (or 25900) stands. I'm not enamored with Sennheiser's mic clips, but they function; I'd be concerned about repeatedly attaching/removing mics from those clips. That could be unwarranted, but time will tell. Otherwise the mic sounds perfect for my needs (micing guitar amps)Dan

I looked up and down everywhere to see what's the best mic for all around, Like the hidden gem in the cornfield. People told me the rodemic, Razer and snow xlr mic, But from looking past the "Normal" I seen the sm57. A famous hidden mic no one really knew about, Basically has the same tone sm7b just a little different. $100ish instead of $400 count me in, I been using it for zoom calls, Twitch, Discord and everyone i talked to said i went from a very noisy and outland voice to a solid nice tone. I personally use mine with a boom arm, the a81ws, focusrite. No issues with it and i had it for about 3 months, I'm not the gentlest on it either so I feel comfortable using it on a day to day basis. Who would i recommend this to? To be totally honest everyone, You want it to do something? Trust me it will. 10/10Bradleigh, K

I've only had chance to do a quick sound check miking my Bugera V22 and recording the sound using my new Tascam DP-008 EX 8-track recorder. Sound quality was very good, especially for a basic home office recording setup. I can see why this mic is so popular in the industry. For perspective, I am a hobbyist and don't perform, but like to have the best sound for my limited budget to make recordings for myself and maybe friends and family. This mic lives up to its rep for being a great value for what you pay, punching above its class, no doubt.Steve

I bought this mic a year ago, but sent it back. Last week I gave it another try. On drums it was ok, my room is big but doesn't sound good. I can only get close mics to sound good. On the base amp it is my best mic, beating out the re20 (tighter low end). On electric guitar amps it sounds 70's man, although a 57 is fine to . On acoustic guitar it sounds really natural, I was surprised, I thought it would be dull (concert body,low boom factor) . I am keeping it this time. It is the only non figure 8 ribbon mic I know of.tjs

Just thought I'd chime in on my personal experience. I've used this mic on drums, percussion & tambourine, guitar cabs, acoustic instruments, horns, and even voice. This mic may seem deceptive at first, not "exciting" like some hyped mics, but when you start mixing, well, that's usually the tell-tell sign of a good mic. This mic is an absolute necessity on saxophones. I've never gotten a better sound on tenor sax – seriously, no compression or EQ needed if tracked properly. My studio partner used this mic to track a song where he played every individual track himself – vocals, percussion, solid state guitar amp, snare drum, misc. instruments, and the tracks were easy to mix with little effects or dynamics needed. This mic may seem pricey, but I'd have no reservations about purchasing another, and hope to do so in the near future. I have no complaints at all with this mic. BTW, I did drop this mic once from about 4-5 ft while trying to attach it to the mic clip (a ribbon no-no), and it continues to work fine. Beyerdynamic makes great mics. I perform with a pro area blues / rock / party band and the sound guy uses nothing but Beyerdynamics.Chase's Sire

Just read the above. It's another valuable brush for painting the sonic picture. Sound is so subjective…that's my disclaimer for this review. First, the gear: Rivera Knucklehead Tre into and EVM 12L with Blackout loaded Jackson 7 string. This mic udoubtedly is hyped in the 2k-4k region, but definitely not in an abrasive way. It really is great at providing the "meat" of your sound if you use lower treble settings like I do. It is one my favorite mics I have used on my cab. Has less proximity effect than the Peluso R-15 I have (which is an R121 clone). Very comparable to an SM7b with the mid boost engaged, but more natural. For typical speakers like the V30, and Classic Lead 80, may be a bit harsh and thin. Great mic on warmer speakers with lower mids. Had the Rivera cranked. master on 7, preamp gain on 7. Mids on 3. No issues. Modern ribbons are troopers. In this amp, the mids matter just as much as the master for volume. I give this a medium rating. It's pricey compared to other dynamics, but not so pricey considering how much reputable modern ribbon mics cost.Sharpsburg, GA

This microphone is one of the best suited for handling guitar amps and other louder close mic applications, especially where a low profile is advantageous, such as on stage or in a cramped studio setting. The mike can be hung/slung over a speaker cabinet or mounted on small footprint stand and placed directly in front of speaker cone/grill. The flat design allows for setup in extremely tight spaces. The frequency response of 40-18k works well on most amplified instruments. It is designed optimally to handle high sound pressure levels (loud) without pads. Response is fairly flat and even across the entire range. It is also super-cardroid pattern meaning crosstalk can be kept to a minimum, important when mic'ing multiple cabs. I found these to be superior to the standard sm-57 type mics for guitar cabinet pickup, more bottom end, crisper high end and very low profile. They are also fairly durable. I've been using mine for a long time and they have held up well.Steviebone

Works great as a guitar-amp mic. You can hang it over the top of the amp, or use something like the K&M 25950 (or 25900) stands. I'm not enamored with Sennheiser's mic clips, but they function; I'd be concerned about repeatedly attaching/removing mics from those clips. That could be unwarranted, but time will tell. Otherwise the mic sounds perfect for my needs (micing guitar amps)Dan

I looked up and down everywhere to see what's the best mic for all around, Like the hidden gem in the cornfield. People told me the rodemic, Razer and snow xlr mic, But from looking past the "Normal" I seen the sm57. A famous hidden mic no one really knew about, Basically has the same tone sm7b just a little different. $100ish instead of $400 count me in, I been using it for zoom calls, Twitch, Discord and everyone i talked to said i went from a very noisy and outland voice to a solid nice tone. I personally use mine with a boom arm, the a81ws, focusrite. No issues with it and i had it for about 3 months, I'm not the gentlest on it either so I feel comfortable using it on a day to day basis. Who would i recommend this to? To be totally honest everyone, You want it to do something? Trust me it will. 10/10Bradleigh, K

I've only had chance to do a quick sound check miking my Bugera V22 and recording the sound using my new Tascam DP-008 EX 8-track recorder. Sound quality was very good, especially for a basic home office recording setup. I can see why this mic is so popular in the industry. For perspective, I am a hobbyist and don't perform, but like to have the best sound for my limited budget to make recordings for myself and maybe friends and family. This mic lives up to its rep for being a great value for what you pay, punching above its class, no doubt.Steve

Following extensive research on the Net, I purchased this microphone for general male and female live vocals home use, to replace an old AIWA vintage dynamic microphone. I particularly wanted a brighter, crisper vocals cadence. I am not at all qualified in sound engineering, therefore my opinion is based solely on personal taste. I am delighted with its sensitivity and clarity, appearance and robust construction, as well as the zipped bag, microphone clip and non-kinking microphone cable supplied with it. To me, this microphone appears to have a pleasing, slightly reduced proximity effect, in that vocals bass tone is not unduly exaggerated or muddy when singing very close to the microphone (e.g. approximately 50 mm from the mesh). Based on the research I did, for my personal taste, this appears to be an improvement on a Shure SM58 microphone. The manual states that this Sennheiser E835 requires phantom power. In view of its excellent performance, this is not an issue and I am using it with a TC Helicon VoicelivePlay which from memory provides 48v phantom power. This microphone doesn't have a switch, which for my limited budget kept the price down. At the price of AU$99.00 I paid, including delivery, I would definitely purchase another.2008_prado

Overall: For an extra $10 you also get a cable and boom stand?!? It would be foolish to pass on this mic if you are currently in the market for one!! I didn't purchase mine through zZounds, so I did not get the extras, which is a Great offer!! I will review it here anyway, since I Love this company and want people to know about this microphone. This mic is AMAZING!! Yes, it is wonderful on guitar cabs, but it sounds just Insanely GREAT on Any and All Acoustic instruments. Besides being a musician, I am also a serious, professionally-trained audio engineer…so, I am not a novice with no perspective. I mostly record (and play) Rock, Metal, Punk, Acoustic, etc etc types of music. However, I recently recorded a group I usually do not record…which was a Bluegrass group who also played a little bit of Country and Gospel. In fact, I had never recorded or played this type of music before this. They played Mostly Very Traditional songs (some very old) and wanted a VERY Natural sound and the way they put it was that they Only used instruments that would have existed and been available to mountain musicians back in the 1800s. Sadly (for me), this meant there were no drums. Regardless of the genre, I Always try to get the sound the client truly wants. I already knew the e906 sounds Great on guitar amps/cabs, whether distorted or not. But I decided to try it on some of the acoustic instruments in this situation. Among other mics used, I recorded some Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, and Mandolin using the e906. And……WOW did these instruments come out sounding nothing less than Spectacular!!! I did not try it on Bass or Vocals so I cannot comment on the e906's performance with them. But I have NEVER been disappointed with this mic on Anything…EVER!! If you are thinking of getting an e609 (a Great mic) and have the extra money….upgrade and get THIS MIC!!! Especially with the current offer of an extra $10 for a cable and boom standDavid

Overall: Finally bought a couple of these for use primarily on drums, guitar cabs, & horns. I'm a former music performance major and audio engineering school grad, & have been building my studio for over 15 years. Got the 421's in the mail and immediately used them on a drum session with rack & floor tom, running through API preamps. The sound was excellent! I was very impressed with the tonal quality, the ambient pickup (or lack thereof), and will probably order at least two more. Different people have different opinions of this mic, but it's a workhorse for a reason. Every mic has its own 'thing', and this mic does what it does amazingly well. Dynamic mics are not condenser mics, and they have a different sound / vibe. The roll-off switch will come in handy for mic'ing guitar cabs, bass cabs, low toms & kick drum, and anything in close proximity. These mics handle louder sources very well. Of course, the only downside to this mic is the notoriously bad clip. It's okay if you don't have to move it, such as placing on drums or guitar cabs in a session. Obviously not meant to be moved once set in place. However, a very, very good dynamic mic that will get used a ton in my studio.Chuck

For podcasters wanting to upgrade their mic, you may have lost a deal of the century. This proven microphone was nearly half off earlier this year. It sold out, but BH honored the sale price when it was back ordered a month (other places didn't). All Sennheiser dynamic mics are time-tested over the years, and you'll see this model in use decades ago on live television. It is no frills, but great for voice. Almost nobody likes the mount, but it hasn't been an issue for me as I leave it in place all of the time. It is a good mic for the price it usually commands, but was an insane price earlier this year. And it wasn't a typo!Jeffery

My first Tom mics Where the Sennheiser 604’s they last over 10 years 1 died and I slowly lost the rest. So I picked 6 more mics but I stepped up to the Sennheiser 904s. These are an improvement and I still use them but I felt compelled to give the Sennheiser 421 a shot ,so I up six of those. And wow such a massive improvement. . They are so rich and full , capturing the true tone of my drums. Where they really shine is in the lower notes I really wish I would’ve bought 10 of these instead of 6 I want to try one out tonight on my snare drum and see how I like that as well. This is one of my best purchases if you can afford it I suggest you go for it and get you a set of these as well. Good luck and happy recording.Death Metal Jim

Well, I was very impressed with the sound quality of my voice using the Shure Beta 57a. Even though many recording engineers use this mic as an instrument (guitar) mic I think it is also a great vocal mic as well. Now, I just recently used it for my Zoom meetings. People were amazed by the sound quality of my voice. I am constantly getting compliments using the Shure Beta 57a. Great mic at a great mic. You can't go wrong with Shure's quality. Ron Ajemian – Audio Technology EducatorRonald

I have always used the standard SM58 for my vocals and have also strongly suggested that others in bands that I've been in use it also. In terms of sound, having that quality, consistent sound was important to me. It made doing sound from the stage a lot easier. A friend of mine who is a sound engineer suggested that I try using a Beta 57 for my vocals in particular because he was having a tough time getting my vocals to come through the mix as much as he wanted. I hesitated but figured that since it was so similar to the SM58 that I could probably 'bend' the rules a bit and buy a Beta 57 to throw into the mix. I think he was right and here's why: because everything about the Beta 57 sounds as good as the 58 – *BUT* I think it is just a little "hotter" and as a result my vocals have been a bit more present in the mix. I suspect that is a combination of my mouth being slightly closer to the mic capsule (as the wind screen is flatter and closer) and maybe since it is a "Beta" model unit – the mic capsule itself might be a bit hotter. Regardless – it is a quality mic – just as you would expect if you are used to the legendary SM58. One last note: I actually removed the little blue ring around the windscreen because I wanted to keep the mics on stage looking as similar as possible. (silly I know) I'm from Minnesota – and we have a reputation as being "plain folks" up here. Having that showy "tell tale" blue ring around the windscreen just screams "ostentatious show-off!" (it is just rubber and can be put back on very easily.) Great mic!Scooter

I've been a professional musician for over 40 years. At one point in time, a band I played in owned a Shure Vocal Master PA…..yes indeed! I have purchased the Beta 57 twice. Why? Because the first one was stolen. I rely on the specs of this mic because I'm a drummer who sings lead and BV's. I need a powerful, durable microphone with a tight pattern as to battle against bleed from instruments. This product does EXACTLY that. Never a problem. Always solid right out of the box and consistent performance after performance. For the price point, it is the best option. I had purchased the Beta 87 after seeing KD Lang & Elton John using one. It just wasn't right for my needs. The 57A is perfect! Thanks for listening! Larry Grano……#sweepstakesLarry G.

As extra-freq microphone, this is awesome. Near noise floor, a tiny wide-band buzz. similar to a Shure sm57 I tried. Have tried filtering many things…seems to be magnetic thing. Fine for stage or podcast, not sure on voiceover. I EQ-d a Senn E835 to flatten it..that will do for now. Maybe some mu-metal shielding, guys? Other mics are OK,James

It's an amazing microphone. The build is very durable, the body is solid and the grill doesn't give or dent when a decent amount of force is put on it. The sound as well is fantastic; it doesn't need a lot of EQ and can be used for recording as well for live performance. A pop filter or a foam windscreen is needed though as the built-in foam doesn't work the best. I can't recommend it enough especially for the price.Stephen

When it was time to refresh our hire stock of SM57's I thought I would give the V7x a try. On electric guitar (1970s AC30 wound right up with a Les Paul Custom driving it) the V7 X instantly put a bigger smile on the guitarist. He described it as "more real, way bigger and much more playable than the 57". I would say the V7X goes lower, is far more even through the midrange and has a more natural high frequency response. On snare drum it provided more immediacy (transient response) with more fatness (low end) and presence (high frequencies). The off axis bleed was less and again, more even in tonality. The V7x was also better on saxophone where it provided better low end, less 500Hz honk than a beta57 and less 5KHz rattle than a 421 or 57 and went louder in the wedges. It also made it's way onto backing vocals (roll a little more low end out to even it up); it's far more flexible than a 57.. I think these microphones are excellent, so I bought 4 more and I'll buy even more when I need them for the hire stock. (Other mics I use daily: 906 / 421 / SM7B / Md441 / 414 / U87 / KM184 / Elam251 / Royer / Fet47 / Aston Spirit / 945 / 58 / 58a) Mic pre was Audient ASP console or Midas M32 Monitoring is Munro / M&K / KRKsteveoc

I bought to of these to run as a stereo pair for guitar amplifiers in a live environment. They are terrific! They handle whatever two 100 watt amps can throw at them and do not color the sound in any sort of negative manner. They definitely let the amps tone shine right through. I went from two classic Sm57s to these and I just notice more clarity and detail than I did with the 57s. Mic placement is a breeze. I spent all of 5 minutes with a pre-recorded loop figuring out the most natural sound and its very easy to find the large sweetspot with these mics. Again, the 57 does not have a huge sweet spot.Blakemore

These mics came highly recommended by another sound engineer I know and, having owned the lesser e609 mics, I decided to take the plunge when I found these at a fantastic price. Pros: Excellent sound quality. Have used it in front of a few different types of bands guitar amps and found it did a fine job whether they played the blues or rock. The filter suggestions in the manual worked and I look forward to trying it with a heavier band to see how it does. Cons: None so far, but if the quality of the 609's that I own, one for over 20 years, is any indication, then this mic will provide years of quality sound reproduction. Brand new, these come with a soft cloth mic bag, mic clip, mic stand euro-adapter and manual.yankeemuso

I have a Demeter Silent Speaker Iso Box that I have been using a 57 and a 58 in with semi-satisfying results. I built a second box to put the Demeter in to even further cut down on the sound levels in my studio. I have taken the door off of the Demeter to let it breath and it takes away all the boxiness of the sound. The only thing missing was this mic! It sounds so much better I can't even believe it! It's so much more balanced and it has smoothed out the mids that have a tendency to build up in a small space like this. Blending the 58 in brings back a little of the "mid scoop" present in the 906. The super cardioid polar pattern of this mic is perfect for this application. From clean to crunch to distortion, my iso rig now sounds like a mic'd up cab in a dead room. All of my stomp boxes and guitars are now in play as they sound like real guitars and not mid range and nasally toys. I am blown away! Buy this mic and follow this recipe if you want an iso box to sound like an isolation room. I'm sure it sounds great in a room as well but the iso box is a more critical situation that only this mic works in. Buy it!radguitars

Overall: Finally bought a couple of these for use primarily on drums, guitar cabs, & horns. I'm a former music performance major and audio engineering school grad, & have been building my studio for over 15 years. Got the 421's in the mail and immediately used them on a drum session with rack & floor tom, running through API preamps. The sound was excellent! I was very impressed with the tonal quality, the ambient pickup (or lack thereof), and will probably order at least two more. Different people have different opinions of this mic, but it's a workhorse for a reason. Every mic has its own 'thing', and this mic does what it does amazingly well. Dynamic mics are not condenser mics, and they have a different sound / vibe. The roll-off switch will come in handy for mic'ing guitar cabs, bass cabs, low toms & kick drum, and anything in close proximity. These mics handle louder sources very well. Of course, the only downside to this mic is the notoriously bad clip. It's okay if you don't have to move it, such as placing on drums or guitar cabs in a session. Obviously not meant to be moved once set in place. However, a very, very good dynamic mic that will get used a ton in my studio.Chuck

For podcasters wanting to upgrade their mic, you may have lost a deal of the century. This proven microphone was nearly half off earlier this year. It sold out, but BH honored the sale price when it was back ordered a month (other places didn't). All Sennheiser dynamic mics are time-tested over the years, and you'll see this model in use decades ago on live television. It is no frills, but great for voice. Almost nobody likes the mount, but it hasn't been an issue for me as I leave it in place all of the time. It is a good mic for the price it usually commands, but was an insane price earlier this year. And it wasn't a typo!Jeffery

My first Tom mics Where the Sennheiser 604’s they last over 10 years 1 died and I slowly lost the rest. So I picked 6 more mics but I stepped up to the Sennheiser 904s. These are an improvement and I still use them but I felt compelled to give the Sennheiser 421 a shot ,so I up six of those. And wow such a massive improvement. . They are so rich and full , capturing the true tone of my drums. Where they really shine is in the lower notes I really wish I would’ve bought 10 of these instead of 6 I want to try one out tonight on my snare drum and see how I like that as well. This is one of my best purchases if you can afford it I suggest you go for it and get you a set of these as well. Good luck and happy recording.Death Metal Jim

Well, I was very impressed with the sound quality of my voice using the Shure Beta 57a. Even though many recording engineers use this mic as an instrument (guitar) mic I think it is also a great vocal mic as well. Now, I just recently used it for my Zoom meetings. People were amazed by the sound quality of my voice. I am constantly getting compliments using the Shure Beta 57a. Great mic at a great mic. You can't go wrong with Shure's quality. Ron Ajemian – Audio Technology EducatorRonald

I have always used the standard SM58 for my vocals and have also strongly suggested that others in bands that I've been in use it also. In terms of sound, having that quality, consistent sound was important to me. It made doing sound from the stage a lot easier. A friend of mine who is a sound engineer suggested that I try using a Beta 57 for my vocals in particular because he was having a tough time getting my vocals to come through the mix as much as he wanted. I hesitated but figured that since it was so similar to the SM58 that I could probably 'bend' the rules a bit and buy a Beta 57 to throw into the mix. I think he was right and here's why: because everything about the Beta 57 sounds as good as the 58 – *BUT* I think it is just a little "hotter" and as a result my vocals have been a bit more present in the mix. I suspect that is a combination of my mouth being slightly closer to the mic capsule (as the wind screen is flatter and closer) and maybe since it is a "Beta" model unit – the mic capsule itself might be a bit hotter. Regardless – it is a quality mic – just as you would expect if you are used to the legendary SM58. One last note: I actually removed the little blue ring around the windscreen because I wanted to keep the mics on stage looking as similar as possible. (silly I know) I'm from Minnesota – and we have a reputation as being "plain folks" up here. Having that showy "tell tale" blue ring around the windscreen just screams "ostentatious show-off!" (it is just rubber and can be put back on very easily.) Great mic!Scooter

I've been a professional musician for over 40 years. At one point in time, a band I played in owned a Shure Vocal Master PA…..yes indeed! I have purchased the Beta 57 twice. Why? Because the first one was stolen. I rely on the specs of this mic because I'm a drummer who sings lead and BV's. I need a powerful, durable microphone with a tight pattern as to battle against bleed from instruments. This product does EXACTLY that. Never a problem. Always solid right out of the box and consistent performance after performance. For the price point, it is the best option. I had purchased the Beta 87 after seeing KD Lang & Elton John using one. It just wasn't right for my needs. The 57A is perfect! Thanks for listening! Larry Grano……#sweepstakesLarry G.

This is for the #sweepstakes but even without it I would still review this product. I'm a producer that's starting out and originally I bought some cheap mic on some random online service. But once I had more money I bought my SM58 since I knew how much of a classic mic it is. It was a great decision I solely use it now and it sounds great and so clean. It gives this great tone to the sound that sounds more professional and I look cool singing into it in my music videos. Thanks for the classic productBrian C.

Ordered this for our church. Mostly vocals and some speech. Mic is a fantastic upgrade from our older model Shure BG3.1 mics. I know we had these for a long while but this sm58s sounds fantastic and made a huge difference in clarity and crispness. I was told the Shure sm58 is one of the best all general purpose mics for sound quality and build and so far (a few months now) I couldn't agree more! As far as the switch goes, our old mics had them so I kept them the same but I seem to like having the switch in the event you don't have someone at the sound board you can set it up and just switch on when needed. Also bought this in a bundle with a boom stand and mic cable which was a good value. If your in the market for a great all purpose mic def check this bundle out. You won't be disappointed! Thanks AMS!Brent

This mic sounds so good right out of the box and needs hardly any eq. The sound on kick drum has a nice click attack and deeper low end than some other mics I could mention. Very satisfying thud. Built ver rugged, but also a little lighter and easier position than some other kick mics which are quite heavy and topple the stand! Overall, love it!Lenny P.

This e 602 II has been in my possession for a week now and I've had no issues so far. It has been without a doubt a great purchase. It give great lows and body to my kick drum before I've even mixed or EQ'd it! I'm interested in seeing how durable it will be in the future. Great buy and great price!TRoss

I set up in my basement with it a few weeks ago and started messing around, have found nothing to be disliked. The overall sound is good, it has strong low end for my growls, and it doesn't have any problems with recording at any volume. I even put it in front of my drumset to see if it'd pick up okay, which it did surprisingly well with. I haven't been doing vocals for very long, but from what I can tell it easily competes with mics twice the price. 10/10 would recommend, worth it. P.s. get a pop filter toothe wheat man

I have one first generation version, which lacks the headphone jack, and this is my 2nd of the newer generation. If using this in an application where you want a shock mount, be sure to buy the Audio Technica shock mount that is made for this exact form factor. I have both of mine on boom arms. I like the side address form factor and the ability to get cheap pop filters that are semi-cylindrical. Compared to the much more expensive gold standard Shure SM7B, this sounds a bit brighter and has a wider, flatter frequency response. That makes the AT2020 better suited for instrumentals and other sound sources, whereas the SM7B tends to be very specifically suited to voices. I own USB and XLR versions of this mic, and the integrated analog-to-digital conversation seems very good, not introducing detectable noise.Matthew