In this guide, you will learn how to choose the best harmonica microphones. I will give you an overview of the top products that I consider a great choice for harmonica. I will tell you about each of them in detail and explain why you should choose a particular option. There are quite a few microphones for harmonica, and to choose the right one for you, you need to compare them with your playing style. I will also tell you why the Shure 520DX is the best on my list, and which advantages it has over others. Hopefully, this guide will help you get the best sound from your microphone.
5 Best Harmonica Microphones Reviewed
I have compiled the best harmonica microphone review to help you find all the answers you need. I will describe in detail the advantages of each microphone, as well as define in which cases this or that microphone can be suitable for you.
1. Shure: Best Harmonica Microphone With Unique Design
| Color: | Green |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Technology | Auxiliary |
Shure’s history of innovation began in 1925. Since the company’s creation, its interest in manufacturing microphones and audio electronics has increased. They still make high-quality and reliable equipment that is constantly getting better, so they set world standards.
This model has a green, chrome body and a volume slider right on the microphone, which allows you to change the sound in mere seconds. Using it, you can adjust the sound as you need right during the performance, which is very convenient if you urgently need to raise or lower the sound. The shape of this microphone perfectly blends with a harmonica, and it is conveniently adjustable, which makes playing the harmonica comfortable. You can also connect it directly to any instrument, as it has a standard ¼-inch plug.
I used this model last year, and I liked that it perfectly removed all background noises, which caused me a lot of inconvenience in some places. Since it also has high-quality electronics inside, there are no problems with the sound. It is high-quality and pleasant even when connected to an amplifier. The case has an excellent design, and it proved to be durable, having survived many drops.
- Excellent volume control right on the microphone, which allows you to conveniently change the sound you need
- Appealing design.
- A reliable cable, which is easy to control
- The volume slider might get stuck, but you can fix it with lubrication
2. Peavey: Best Cheap Harmonica Mic
| Color: | Red |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Technology | Wiredr |
Peavey has been paving its path to musical excellence since its foundation. The brand is one of the largest manufacturers of musical instruments, musical systems, and amplifiers on the market. Their main focus is on quality and reliability, as well as on innovations, so they do not stand still and gradually develop.
I currently use this model, and it feels great in the hand. It is also free-standing and provides a pleasant tone of professional quality. The only thing that is inconvenient at times is that the cable that connects from behind brings some discomfort: It is difficult to control. It also affects the midget’s durability. However, this cord is easy to change as it is removable. If you have any problems with it, you can easily replace it.
You can also turn the macro setting on or off with a single click on the slider, which is quite convenient. This mic has a unique shape that allows you to conveniently attach a harmonica and does not bulge when played. It is quite light and comfortable to hold and does not cause any inconveniences when you are playing the instrument for a long time.
- Lightweight and fits perfectly in the hand
- Professional sound quality
- Detachable cable for easy replacement
- It is challenging to control the cable, which might lead to wearing.
3. Suzuki: Best Choice of Blues Harp Microphones
| Color: | Silver |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Technology | Wiredr |
This is a great choice for those who play the harmonica. You can hold this lightweight microphone right on your finger, making harmonica playing more comfortable. Nothing will interfere with you while playing: The microphone is neatly fixed on your finger, and you do not have to pay attention to it during the performance. The low-frequency cut allows you to play at low frequencies, which significantly reduces noise when working with it.
I bought this model to replace my old microphone and was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package. It had a fairly large set compared to other microphones, and it stood out among them as I could hold it on my finger. This spec differs from the models directly attached to a harmonica. The only downside is that it does not have an indicator that shows whether the microphone is on or not, and for this, you constantly have to check the device. It also has a rather thin wire cord that is easy to break.
Suzuki Musical was founded in 1953, and since then, the brand has been producing harmonicas that are still in great demand. For a long time, they have been involved in the educational market to make their products easy to use. The company has already conducted over 25 million sales worldwide
- Affordable price for great quality
- A decent kit for musicians of all skill levels
- Super light
- You can accidentally tear a thin cable There is no microphone on the indicator
4. Peavey: Best Choice of Blues Harp Microphones
| Color: | Silver |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Technology | Wiredr |
This is an excellent model made of aluminum housing. Due to its unique shape and the ability to turn the microphone on and off, as well as quickly adjust the volume, it is convenient to use, which is perfect for beginners. Its simple yet comfortable body is rubberized for a comfortable playing experience and is available in a variety of colors to suit every taste. My friend recommended this model to me, and when I tried it out, I really liked the sound. For such a set, it’s quite high-quality.
The Peavey company has surprised me with its products more than once, and this time, the microphone comes with a hard case, and its body has recesses for fingers, which allows you to lie it in your hand. This brand is one of my favorites because it paved the way to fame in the field of musical instruments. They are still considered one of the largest manufacturers of quality and reliable musical instruments. Now, their products are bought all over the world, and they are constantly improving the quality of their instruments. You can see it when you use their tools, as they feature a nice, unique design and give an excellent sound.
- It has a unique design with finger grooves, so it is very convenient to use it
- Pretty cheap
- Perfect for both beginners and more experienced performers
- The rubberized body might get dirty quite easily if you do not store it in the case
5. Hohner: Great Dynamic Microphone for Harmonica
| Color: | Green |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Technology | Wiredr |
Hohner was founded in Germany in 1857. A harmonica was the first product it manufactured. It was a family business, and they did everything with their own hands, but over time, the company switched to mass production. Now, their harmonicas are considered one of the best in the world, but they also offer many other instruments for music, including microphones.
This model is designed after the sound of old legendary harp microphones, as well as many famous artists’ pieces. It has a gold-plated XLR connector that improves contact, thereby eliminating sound interference. I used this model and noticed that it was comfortable to hold in the hand, so you can achieve maximum sonority and expressiveness with it after a while. Many older mics are inferior to newer models, but this one has a great sound that beats newer harmonica mics.
It has the perfect size for comfortable use, and its thick die-cast body can survive any rough handling. It’s so durable that you’ll have to put in a lot of effort to break it. The copper voice coil transmits a sonorous sound, and it is not inferior to the latest models. The volume control knob is located on the back of the microphone, so it is very convenient to adjust the volume.
- Powerful die-cast body
- Has a gold-plated XLR connector
- A convenient size
- It might not be suitable for beginners
Buyer’s Guide on Best Harmonica Microphone
Here I will help you figure out how to buy a microphone for a harmonica correctly. I will also tell you about the main criteria to help you choose microphones and specify what you need to pay special attention to. Read this guide for more details.
How to choose a good harmonica microphone
Before buying a harmonica microphone, you should create a list of the main features that you need and define your style and musical preferences. It will affect the choice of microphone you need. This way, you will not have to sacrifice this or that function.
1. Type
The choice of the right device also depends on the preferred type, be it a dynamic or large/small diaphragm, or even a ribbon microphone. Dynamic microphones are most commonly used because they are cheap, last a long time, and sound great. A large/small diaphragm is used for recording studio sound and is applied by most professionals. A tape mic is not durable but it has a great, warm, and vintage sound that brings indescribable impressions.
2. Polar pattern
A polar pattern is the second criterion to focus on when buying a harmonica microphone. The dynamic models have an omnidirectional polar pattern that allows you to capture sound from any direction, which is very handy at times. This feature empowers you to perfectly control the sound, and it only picks up the one that goes directly to the microphone, which protects you from noise.
3. Frequency response
Depending on the microphone and your harmonica, you will get the output frequency response you want. A microphone with a frequency of 80 Hz and up to 15 kHz is a great option for a harmonica, which allows you to get a quality sound at the output and also saves you from feedback from the amplifier that can lead to unpleasant sounds. Options lower than 80 Hz are also not bad for typical harmonica playing.
4. Connectivity
When choosing a microphone for your harmonica, pick the option that firmly connects to the instrument for a better sound. The right tool must have a reliable cord for connection and fit the slot perfectly. It will also allow you to comfortably use any instrument, as it will allow you to connect the microphone to any of them.
5. Durability
Durability is also an important factor to consider, and the better the build quality of the microphone, the longer it will last. The case also affects the tool’s longevity: The stronger it is, the better, and if it falls off or experiences rough handling, it will take care of it. Therefore, you should carefully monitor your instrument so that even the cheap option can last a long time.
6. The boost
For the microphone to sound well, it must have a good boost. This will allow you to play the harmonica with top-notch sound. When you connect an amplifier to it, the sound will not deteriorate as you can easily adjust it.
7. Price range
A high price doesn’t always mean excellent quality, and you can find cheap options from $200 that are not inferior to top-end harmonica microphones. The more expensive the microphone, the more advantages it has. Though expensive versions over $400 might seem the most reliable, it does not mean that cheap models are many times worse.
Tips for adjusting a mic to a harmonica
- The main tip is that a microphone has to be firmly fixed so that it is comfortable for you to play the harmonica.
- I also advise that you install it not far from your harmonica to get the sound of the highest quality.
- You should also direct the microphone towards the harmonica so that it receives the sound right away.
FAQ About Best Harmonica Microphones
I hope this guide will help you choose the best harmonica mic. I will also answer some frequently asked questions about harmonica microphones below.
Why do I need a microphone for the harmonica?
A harmonica microphone will allow you to record your performance in excellent quality, and you can also play music in public. Many musicians buy a harmonica microphone and connect it to a portable amplifier. It allows you to have fun with friends on a campsite or out in the open air. Therefore, musicians use them to perform in front of a huge audience to sound loud.
How do you record a harmonica at home?
To record a harmonica at home, you can use a small tube amplifier and record all the sound through a microphone. The closer the microphone, the better the sound quality of the recording. To get a completely different sound, you can use a small tube amplifier. It will give your sound a specific sound that might surprise the audience.
How do you hold a mic on a harmonica?
It is convenient to hold the microphone with your ring finger and little finger, and the remaining fingers should hold the harmonica. In this way, you can conveniently use the harmonica and get an excellent sound.
Choose a Quality Harmonica Microphone
In this guide, I have told you about my list of top-notch microphones for harmonica and described the advantages of each of them. I have also explained to you how to choose a microphone before buying it and which characteristics you should pay attention to. I recommend the Peavey H-5 model, as it is great for both beginners and experienced performers and has a solid, high-quality construction.
Which model do you prefer? Which part of the guide was the most useful to you? Tell us about your experience with harmonica microphones in the comments.