Drake is one of the most popular rappers globally, so many people are curious about his microphone choice. With so many different types of microphones on the market, how do you decide which one to choose? One way is by considering what Drake uses.
The Drizzy mic is an excellent choice if you want to sound like an artist and not just someone who talks into a microphone. This type of microphone will give your voice more depth and clarity than other models and provide less background noise for listeners. If you’re looking for something that packs a punch with minimal distortion, this may be the perfect blog post for you.
Who Is Drake?
Drake is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He has earned many awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2016, among 12 nominations since he debuted in 2009. Drake released his first studio album, “Thank Me Later,” which reached number one on Billboard 200 Albums chart within its debut week of release. His second studio album, “Take Care,” was released in 2011, and the album reached number one on Billboard 200 within its debut week of release.
Drake works with many famous producers, songwriters, and recording artists, including The Weeknd, Rihanna, Future, Kanye West, etc. One of his most frequent collaborators is 40, who is a hip-hop producer and recording artist. Drake started working with 40 in 2010 for his debut album “Thank Me Later.” They have worked together on many songs, including the successful singles, Hotline Bling, One Dance, Fake Love, etc.
What Microphone Does Drake Use?
In 2021, Drake uses the Neumann TLM 103 Microphone. In addition to this model being a popular choice among many sound engineers and studios in general, it offers excellent affordability options while still delivering studio-quality results.
Drake’s microphone of choice is Neumann TLM 103. According to RecordingHacks, this particular model does a great job of picking up subtle details and nuances in vocal frequencies, making it perfect for recording vocals and rap.
Neumann TLM 103 is a cardioid, large-diaphragm condenser microphone that has begun manufacture in the 1990s. It has an internal shock mount to reduce vibrations reaching the capsule and comes with its own rugged aluminum case for protection during transportation or when not in use. The frequency response of this particular model is 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Neumann TLM 103 also comes in a more affordable variant, called Neumann TLM 102, which has the exact specifications as its predecessor, but with an added low-cut filter switch that you can set at 75Hz or 150Hz – perfect for cutting out unwanted rumble when recording takes place outside.
Here is a summary of the features of the Neumann TLM 103:
- For maximum coverage, the diaphragm is quite large.
- A swiveling mount is available for easy adjustment.
- When a shock mount is sold correctly, it assures professional recording quality.
- It’s available in Satin Nickel and matte black.
- The package includes a wooden jeweler’s box.
- For studio and home recording, this is a common microphone.
In the past, Drake has used a Shure SM58 microphone. This microphone has a frequency response of 50 to 15,000 Hz and can handle up to 137 dB SPL sound pressure levels. The SM58 was designed for live performance use, so it runs a high volume better than some other microphones on the market today.
It also comes with an on/off switch that allows you to turn off the mic when not in use or if there are loud sounds nearby, such as airplanes or trains passing by. In addition, this model includes a built-in shock mount which helps reduce noise from handling and wind interference while using outdoors during performances.
Factors A Musician Should Consider Before Choosing A Microphone
Every musician wants to get the best product for their buck. While this is possible, it’s not always the case, especially when a high-quality product comes at an expensive price tag. In addition to being financially savvy about choosing the right equipment for your needs, here are some other factors you should consider:
- Price of the microphone. If you are new to recording, it will be best to choose a simple and basic model within your price range. Of course, this does not mean buying an inexpensive device that only records low-quality sound because such equipment may cost less than $100. Still, its built-in preamps might result in a disappointing performance which you will only notice if you play your recording on a decent speaker or headphones.
- Type of microphone that is suitable for the type of voice or instrument. Some microphones are designed to pick up clean sound from vocals, while some other types are optimized in picking up instruments like drums, electric guitars, and brass. Choosing an appropriate device for your instrument or voice will result in a clean and clear recording.
- The size of the room where you plan to record should also be considered. If you are planning to set up a studio in your bedroom, it would sound too echoey if an overhead microphone is used because such a type of mic picks up the desired instrument and the sound of other devices you have set up in your room. If a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern is put to use, it will only pick up sounds coming from its front, thus giving way to a cleaner and crisper recording without echoes or background noise.
- Type of microphone that is suitable for the type of sound you are trying to record. Some microphones can pick up sounds in different frequencies ranging from high pitch frequency like cymbals and bass drum, midrange pitch range including vocals and guitars, thus creating a full band recording or just picking up instruments with a low pitch such as cello or tuba. Some microphones provide warm and full sounds while others produce clear and crisp tones, thus creating a more professional recording session depending on your choice.
- The number of tracks you want to record is also a factor you should consider in buying audio equipment, especially microphones. Some devices can only record one track at a time. In contrast, others allow up to 16 or more tracks simultaneously, thus allowing the user to mix and edit different sounds from various instruments separately without creating several separate files.
- The number of people involved in the recording process should also be taken into account when buying a piece of audio equipment like microphones because some devices can only accommodate one person while others can accept up to three or more users. This is important, especially if you are playing musical instruments during the recording session, which means that two or more musicians will be performing simultaneously.
- The type of recording session should also be a factor when choosing a microphone because there are devices that can only work well in live performances. In contrast, others will provide good results if you do overdubbing or layering where you play different instruments separately and record them one at a time after another. This is important, especially for musicians who experiment with different sounds and instruments during studio recording sessions.
- Type of audio interface or preamp required for the use of the device should be taken into consideration as well. If you are planning to hook up the microphone with your computer, it would be best to choose a device with an inbuilt preamp, like microphones with a USB connection.
- Finally, consider the brand of the device you are planning to buy. You can always ask for recommendations from your friends who have tried using different microphones before. Still, it would also be best if you do some research on your own by checking out reviews, guides, or even videos that will help give you an idea about these devices so as not to regret spending money for something you cannot use.
To help make it easier on yourself, here is a list of questions you can ask to find the right microphone for you and your company’s needs. What size do I need? Where will my mic be used? How much money am I willing to spend? Is sound quality essential or not an issue for me? The answers to these four questions will point you towards what kind of microphone might work best for you.
Conclusion
People are always interested in what Drake uses to make his music. And now, he’s using a new microphone that is not only used by professional musicians but also has the ability to pick up every sound around it and amplify them for a more natural listening experience.
If you are looking for the best microphone to get your voice heard, this blog post was with you in mind. The mic that Drake uses has some particular qualities and specifications. If you are looking for a microphone to use in your musical endeavors or it’s time for an upgrade on your current one, we hope this article was helpful.
