FOR: High-definition vocals. Earthworks is best known for its stellar piano, drum and choir microphones—and the SR40V channels that expertise into a vocal mic with remarkably wide frequency response requiring little or no EQ. In the studio and onstage, we were thoroughly impressed with the intimate yet powerful presence this mic delivered. The hypercardioid pattern delivers great polar response and excels at rejecting audio sources from behind the microphone (monitors, for example), greatly reducing the potential for feedback. The SR40V requires phantom power, but also offers an exceptionally low signal-to-noise ratio. Equally well-matched for male and female voices across a range of styles, this is one of the best vocal mics we’ve come across.

NOT FOR: Ambient noise fetishists.

earthworksaudio.com

–Doug Doppler