Every Major Vocal Mic Brand Explained

The microphone in front of a singer can cost less than $100 or more than $15,000. Some are designed to capture every tiny detail inside a studio, while others need to survive loud stages, wireless systems, constant handling, and the occasional drop—and a handful of brands have become legendary for doing one or both exceptionally well. In this video, we break down every major vocal microphone brand, including Neumann, Shure, AKG, Sennheiser, RØDE, Audio-Technica, Telefunken, LEWITT, Electro-Voice, and Sony. We’ll look at the iconic microphones behind each name, from the U 47, U 87, SM58, SM7B, C414, and NT1 to the RE20 and $15,000 Sony C-800G, explaining what makes them different, where they’re actually used, and why the right vocal mic depends just as much on the singer and situation as the price tag.