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6 Best Mics for Beatboxing In 2023

Juan Stansbury July 25, 2023

Beat boxing is one of the most amazing and impressive skills you can have in your arsenal.

Whether you use your beat boxing skills as a backing track for some sick rhymes, or you perform solo and unaccompanied, the end results are the same.

People are bound to be driven to distraction by the sounds coming out of your mouth.

Of course, there are occasions where the simple power of your solo voice may not be enough. There are certain situations where electronic aids such as mics can help.

As with all mics you will want a clean, distortion-less pickup, fast processing and a convenient setup.

However, when it comes to beatboxing there are also a few specific features and specifications that you should look out for, that other mic users may not be concerned about.

All of the mics on this page are suitable for use by beatboxing artists.

This is a comprehensive list featuring some of the best mics for beatboxing currently available on the market.

Rode NT1-A Microphone Package

This is as an ideal mic for all kinds of vocal performances, so it naturally lends itself to beatboxing performances.

The reason for this is that it delivers superb depth of sound and a natural warmth, without adding too much distortion or compromising effects.

This is rare enough in microphones, especially ones that are multifunctional and aimed at instrumental as well as vocal pickup.

This mic also boasts a wide frequency response range, and a strongly linear pickup spectrum.

One of the nice things about the [amazon link=”B002QAUOKS” title=”Rode NT1-A” link_icon=”amazon” /] is that it comes as part of a package with a host of other accessories and goodies.

For example, you can get a shockmount, a pop filter and the required cabling all in one convenient package.

A pop filter is a must have for beatboxing as it prevents you from getting too close to the mic and potentially overloading the pickup amps with sharp noises.

The soft velvet cover is another nice touch to help maintain and preserve the mic between use.

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Video: “Rode NT1A Unboxing and Audio Test”

Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

This might be from a less well-known brand name, but it also carries strong guarantees of quality and a clean customer satisfaction record.

There is a lot to be said for the simple, non-nonsense design that is familiar to all music fans.

Although, it may look basic on the outside, the internals and the circuitry is actually quite impressive.

It too features a low self-noise level, so you don’t need to be worried about annoying static or other signals distracting from the quality of your performance.

The [amazon link=”B000CZ0R42″ title=”Shure SM58-LC” link_icon=”amazon” /] has a frequency range from 15 Hz to 15 kHz, which is slightly lower than the industry standard but should be more than wide enough for recording beatboxing tracks.

The rugged construction, simplistic internals and cardioid pickup pattern make this an ideal option for anyone looking to start recording their own vocals, without breaking the bank in the process.

On the hardware side it does come with its own adapter which has built in pneumatic damping to try and cut down on unwanted vibrations.

It also comes with a handy travel pouch to carry around your things in.

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Video: “Shure SM58 Dynamic Mic Review / Test”

Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

This is another offering from the same brand, but it definitely lies on the more premium end of the spectrum.

The tagline of this product promises ‘legendary’ vocal recording capacity, and when you look beneath the surface, the hardware does not disappoint.

The first thing to comment on is the aesthetics of this design.

The [amazon link=”B0002E4Z8M” title=”Shure SM7B” link_icon=”amazon” /] is compact and sleek, with a matt black coloring that puts all the attention on the performing artist.

One of the major grips of live music artists is the small vibrations in microphones which can be picked up by the electronics and be played as annoying static.

This is virtually eliminated in this model by the use of an internal air suspension system to damp vibrations.

This, combined with the ultra-low self-noise and the passive circuitry results in an ultra-clean and crisp acoustic experience.

This is a directional mic that focuses all its attention on you, the performer, and rejects sounds from other sources as well as reflections.

It also has a mid-range emphasis which is ideal for capturing rap and beatboxing performances.

Its range extends right from the rumble of low bass notes to the highest operatic highs. This is what makes it possibly the best mic for beatboxing.

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Video: “Shure SM7B Microphone Review: Worth it?”

AKG D5 Vocal Dynamic Microphone

If you want a simple to use and versatile mic that is great for backing vocals as well as beatboxing, then this is positioned as one of the best mics for beatboxing on the market right now.

It has a familiar shape and a relatively uniform style, but the rugged construction and durable build means that it is ideal for live performances.

It can take a bit of punishment, just don’t be dropping it too often!

The strong linear pickup pattern over a wide frequency range is ideal for vocal recording, as is the cardioid pickup pattern.

If you really want to cleanly record your vocals without picking up any other distortions, reflections or unwanted backing sounds, then you should combine this with some sound insulation or surroundings protection.

For most purposes, the directionality of the [amazon link=”B000S5JKRQ” title=”AKG D5″ link_icon=”amazon” /] will do the job on its own.

The pickup pattern and noise detection level does vary slightly with frequency, but the mic is supplied with a set of handy graphics and technical notes if you need total precision.

The key to the clean technical performance of this mic lies in the high-quality diaphragm at the center of the mic.

This is a variable thickness diaphragm that maintains its responsiveness across a wide spectrum of frequencies.

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Video: “AKG D5 Vocal Microphone Review (Dynamic Microphone Test XLR)”

Avantone CV-12 Multi-Pattern Large Capsule Tube Condenser Microphone

This product is set a mile apart from all of its competitors. It uses far higher level of specific engineering design and precision electronics, for a near perfect recording experience.

Of course, all of this accuracy and precision comes at a price, because it costs nearly 5 times as much as some of the more basic models featured on this list.

So, you’ll probably want to know what you are paying all this excess for, and will you recognize it in the final sound quality. The answer is yes.

First of all, consider the sleek design of this, with its straight up structure and glossy color scheme. This is a thing of beauty, made from high quality cast aluminum. The hardware is equally impressive.

The [amazon link=”B001U7ANU4″ title=”Avantone CV-12″ link_icon=”amazon” /] is a traditional tube condenser microphone with a precision manufactured micron-sized diaphragm which has well-known sensitivity levels.

The technical specs also speak for themselves.

This has a broad dynamic frequency response range, and a warm tone that makes it comparable to some of the finest vintage mics of the 50s and 60s.

Of course, if you want totally crisp, clear recordings with no added warmth then there are options which allow you to achieve that as well.

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Video: “Avantone CV-12 Multi-Pattern Tube LDC Microphone – Quick n’ Dirty”

Blue 1967 Yeti Pro USB Condenser Microphone

As a convenient, out of the box recording solution this is one of the best options on the market. What’s more, it’s got all the bells and whistles that you would expect to find in a more expensive model.

One of the biggest advantages of this model is that you can easily connect it to your computer through a USB without the need for a separate interface or pre-amp.

This does mean that it is more suitable for recording purposes rather than live performances.

It has a wide frequency response, all the way up to 22 kHz, and unlike a lot of digital USB mics it has a separate, high latency analogue signal path for sound processing with attached interfaces.

The analogue to digital converter built into the [amazon link=”B004L9KLT6″ title=”Blue 1967 Yeti Pro” link_icon=”amazon” /] mic is more than adequate for most purposes, with high latency and accuracy, it is bound to reproduce an authentic sound recording.

This is one of the snazzier designs currently on the market, and it has the big advantage of being multidirectional.

This means that you can choose from a variety of pickup pattern, including stereo, omnidirectional and the traditional cardioid pattern.

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Video: “Blue Yeti Pro USB Condenser Mic Review / Test”

How To Choose The Best Mic For Beatboxing

There are lots of things to look out for when you’re trying to find the very best mic for beatboxing, so this is intended as a simple guide to help you on your way.

If you ever become overwhelmed by all the features and discussion of technical specifications, then remember to seek help from a more experienced hobbyist before you make a purchase.

Firstly, for most beatboxing purposes you will want to choose a directional mic with a cardioid pickup pattern.

It is no harm if it allows other pickup patterns as well, in fact this versatility may be convenient for you.

You should focus mainly on the sensitivity and the self-noise level, which refers to how much ‘static’ and distortion the mic will add to the recorded version.

A clean mic should add less than 10 dBA maximum of self-noise, and it should maintain good sensitivity across a broad frequency range.

Don’t forget about practical aspects either. For example, you probably want a mic that it sturdy and durable, so that it doesn’t break if it falls.

You might also want one that is highly portable and comes with its own carry case.

Accessories such as mounts, pop filters and stands can add significant value to the mic.

Conclusions

The best mic for beatboxing is one that can record vocal performances reliably, accurately and easily.

A good mic will not make your beat boxing sound better than it really is, but a bad mic could definitely make your beatboxing sound worse than it really is!

That’s why it is important to do your research before you buy and pay attention to the small details when you go to make your purchase.

The guides and product outlines on this page should help you to make an informed decision, but you need to understand exactly how you plan to use the mic, so you can prioritize the features and specs that you need.

At the end of the day this is a personal decision.