The 5 Best Dynamic Microphones For Home Recording Studios (Under $500)

If you want to hear the sound of the best dynamic microphones that are available today, all you need to do is turn on the radio.

From 1960s and 1970s classic pop and rock hits to today’s country ballads and alt-rock songs – you’re going to hear a dynamic mic that was used to record vocals, guitars, bass, or drums.

Dynamic mics have been studio staple for decades and bring a sound to recordings that no other mic can bring.

I’ve chosen 5 of the best dynamic microphones for home recording studios or live music use that are available today for under $500.  And the good news is that two of them are available for under $100!

Check out my complete series of microphone articles:

• Beginner’s Guide to Buying Microphones For Your Home Recording Studio
• The Best Condenser Microphones For Home Studio Recording (Under $1,000)
• The 5 Best Dynamic Microphones For Home Recording Studios (Under $500)
• The 7 Best Ribbon Microphones For Home Studio Recording (Under $1,000)
• The 5 Best Cheap Microphones For Budget Home Studios
• The 7 Best Computer/ USB Microphones For Podcasting And Home Recording
• The 9 Best Microphones For Recording Vocals (Under $1,000)
• The 5 Best Microphones For Recording Acoustic Guitar
• The Top 5 Best Microphones For Recording Electric Guitar
• The 5 Best Microphones For Recording Drums In A Home Studio On A Budget
• The 5 Best Microphones For Recording Electric Bass

Beginner’s Guide To Buying Microphones

First off, if you are new to buying microphones, please check out my Beginner’s Guide to Buying Microphones For Your Home Recording Studio.  You’ll learn exactly what a dynamic mic is, how mics work, mic polar patterns, when to use them, and much more.

Dynamic Microphone Overview

Just about every studio regardless of size needs at least one good dynamic mic in their mic locker.

Due of their ability to withstand high volume levels, dynamic mics are popular choices for:

• vocal mics for onstage and studio work
• miking electric guitar amps
• miking bass amps
• snare drums, kick drums, toms and other drums
• loud instruments

They’re known for the colored sound they impart to a recording, especially in the 5 kHz to 10 kHz range.  This frequency range adds clarity and presence to vocals and instruments.

Unlike condenser or ribbon mics, dynamic mics do not require batteries or an external power supply.

In short, they are inexpensive, simple and reliable – everything you want in a mic!

The 5 Best Dynamic Microphones Under $500

The five mics I’ve chosen are all classics and best of all, affordable.

They are all solid investments that you won’t outgrow, and will provide many years of recording magic!

Shure SM57

The Shure SM57 is certainly one of the best-selling mics ever produced. It was first released in 1965 for the radio and TY markets, and it quickly became a must-have mic for recording vocals, guitars, bass, drums, horns – you name it. It excels both in the studio and on stage.Why is it so popular?

First, it just plain sounds good on many instruments, especially on drums and guitar amps.

Second, it usually retails under $100 so anyone can afford it.

Also, as a dynamic mic, it can handle high sound levels that would damage other mics.

It’s also built like a tank, so it keeps doing its job year after year despite constant use.

Hear the SM57 in action at the Shure Mic Listening Lab.

Fun Fact: The SM57 has been the podium lectern mic of choice for U.S. presidents from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama.

Shure SM58

Like the SM57, the Shure SM58 has been a studio and stage favorite since it was introduced in 1966. Virtually every rock or pop star has used it at one time or another.

The SM58 was designed for use as a vocal mic. It is really an SM57 with a meshed ball grille that acts as a built-in pop filter. The SM57 has a smaller grill designed for instrumental recording.

The SM58 also adds a boost in the upper-mid frequencies that enhances vocal performances. The result is a warm detailed sound that makes vocals stand out.

Virtually Indestructible

For whatever reason, this mic has subject to many “can we break it” scenarios. It has been dropped from a helicopter, shot with a shotgun, frozen, cooked, run over by a bus, and more. And it survived!

Hear the SM58 in action at the Shure Mic Listening Lab.

Shure SM7B

The SM7B is a versatile dynamic mic that’s become a favorite for radio, voiceovers and podcasts, as well as for recording studio use. It’s become a mic of choice for rock, pop, hip-hop and rap vocals because it sound great and can handle high sound levels with ease.

It’s been featured on vocals by Michael Jackson (on Thriller), Sheryl Crow, Sammy Hagar, Hunter Hayes, Serj Tankian, and many others (see side box).

It also sounds great on guitars, bass, horn, and kick drum.

All in all, it’s another “can’t miss” mic.

Hear the SM7B in action at the Shure Mic Listening Lab.

Electro-Voice RE20

The Electro-Voice RE20 large diaphragm dynamic mic is another industry standard used by broadcasters and sound engineers around the world.

In fact, the RE20 was the 2015 TEC Technology Hall of Fame winner for its place in recording and broadcasting history.

This is a workhorse microphone equally at home recording vocals, electric bass, kick drum, guitar amps, snare and toms.

Its smooth sound and flat frequency response make it a great choice even for overhead drum miking or acoustic guitar, applications not the norm for a dynamic microphone.

The RE20 gets rave reviews for its ability to sound good on just about any voice. Vocals recorded with the RE20 cut through mixes with a clear upfront sound.

It also is remarkable that, due to its Variable-D design feature, the proximity effect is virtually non-existent on this mic, which is unheard of in a dynamic mic.

The RE20 is also known for its sound rejection at the rear of the mic, which helps minimize room ambiance in close-miking situations.

In addition to its great sound, its cool vintage look makes it an attractive addition to any studio.

For podcasters, the RE20 won first place in The Ultimate Podcasting Mic Shootout. This article includes audio samples of different mics, so check it out to hear the RE20 and other mics.

Sennheiser MD 421-II

The MD 421-II is another classic mic that is known for its versatility.  It simply sounds good on everything – guitars, drums, group vocals and more.

However, one of its main strengths is its ability to capture low frequencies well.  This has made it a go-to mic for recording toms and for bass or baritone voices.

The MD 421-II is especially useful for recording very loud sound sources, as it can handle extreme sound pressure levels.  As a bonus, it has excellent feedback rejection.

Its glass composite housing and hardened stainless steel basket construction will give you years of use in the most demanding studio recording situations.

Bonus Mic: Sennheiser MD 441-U

I’d like to add one more great mic that falls outside our under $500 criteria.  It is quite a bit more expensive, but it is worth it!

The Sennheiser MD 441-U is a cool retro looking mic that known as the most accurate and versatile dynamic mic available.

It was introduced in 1966, and quickly found success as a favored mic for vocals by many top engineers and producers.  Take a look at the Hit Records Box!

It has a super-cardioid polar pattern, which allows it to reject most sounds not directly in front of the mic.

The MD 441-U is able to handle loud sound sources well.

Its only drawback is its price – at $900 it is expensive for a dynamic mic, but if you have the budget for it, you won’t be disappointed!

Conclusion

The five mics I’ve covered here are all professional mics used on countless hit records and recording sessions.

For those of you who are tech minded, you can delve into each mic’s specs to figure out which one works the best for your specific recording needs.

And for those who are studio novices, just know that you can’t go wrong buying any of these mics.

And with the Shure SM57 and SM58 selling for under $100, they are within the reach of just about every studio owner!

Check out my complete series of microphone articles:

• Beginner’s Guide to Buying Microphones For Your Home Recording Studio
• The Best Condenser Microphones For Home Studio Recording (Under $1,000)
• The 5 Best Dynamic Microphones For Home Recording Studios (Under $500)
• The 7 Best Ribbon Microphones For Home Studio Recording (Under $1,000)
• The 5 Best Cheap Microphones For Budget Home Studios
• The 7 Best Computer/ USB Microphones For Podcasting And Home Recording
• The 9 Best Microphones For Recording Vocals (Under $1,000)
• The 5 Best Microphones For Recording Acoustic Guitar
• The Top 5 Best Microphones For Recording Electric Guitar
• The 5 Best Microphones For Recording Drums In A Home Studio On A Budget
• The 5 Best Microphones For Recording Electric Bass