Bass voice
- Range
- E2–E4
- Overtones to
- about 2.8 kHz
- Peaks up close
- up to 105 dB SPL
- Sources
- 109 independent: not from a mic maker
Range
about E2 to about E41182.4 Hz – 330 Hz
Boldrey; extremes C2-G4.
| Chest | E2–G3 | dark, deep |
|---|---|---|
| Middle | Ab3–C4 | between primo (Ab3) and secondo (Db4) passaggio, lyric bass |
| Top | Db4–E4 | covered |
Overtones reach about 2.8 kHz (the highest harmonic within 40 dB of the strongest, at a moderate level; louder playing reaches higher)12.
Where the sound comes from
The sound
Very dense harmonics; the fundamental is often weaker than the harmonics near the first formant, and the singer's formant sits lower, around 2.2-2.8 kHz.
Good to know
- Oktavists: in Russian choirs, basses who sing an octave below the normal bass range
How loud
Sound pressure level measurements as published. Different kinds of figure (a playing level, a peak, a dose at the player's ear) can't be compared with each other, and neither can figures at different distances.
| Peaks | |
|---|---|
| 105 dB | at 1 m; a well-trained singer, a call or a sung tone (general figure, not one measured singer)13 |
| 89 dB(Z) | at 1 m; one trained and one untrained bass-baritone, loudest sung vowels, anechoic room: overall maximum level14 |
| Player's exposure (dosimeter) | |
| 91.63 dB(A) | dosimeter on the right collarbone, 5-7 in (13-18 cm) from the ear; university choir (85 voices) bass, one singer, mean Leq over five rehearsals and performances of opera choruses with orchestra (each about 1 h)15,16 |
| 90.4 dB(A) | dosimeter on the right collarbone; same bass, choir-only rehearsal (period 1, about 66 min)15,16 |
| 92 dB(A) | chorister (dosimeter); Finnish National Opera choristers, mean exposure; 100 dB(A) in choir-only rehearsals secondary15,16 |
University choir bass: mean Leq 91.6 dB(A), highest 98.1 dB(A) (one singer).15
Recording it
- Distance: farther than a pop singer; opera singers are trained to project, so close miking rarely suits them. About 1 m (3 ft) is a starting point; 25–30 cm closer gives a drier sound
- Mics: large-diaphragm condensers or a ribbon; an omni for a natural, open sound
- Levels: the loudest trained voices reach averaged levels above 90 dBA at 1 m; leave plenty of headroom for sudden high notes
- Proximity: close up, directional mics add a lot of low end; keep some distance18,19,20
Mics
- 25 setups from 10 sources, 9 of them independent of any mic maker.
- On top: the mics more than one source names for this instrument, in any role, the most named first. That is a count of sources, not our verdict.
- In the full list, each mic shows how many sources name it for that role, and how many of those come from a mic maker.
- Neumann U 87 (U 87 i) 4 sourcesClose, distant
- Shure SM58 4 sourcesHandheld, close ·
Some singers like to work with dynamic mics such as Shure SM58s, because the tonality suits their voice.
- AKG C414 XLII 3 sourcesClose
- Shure SM7B 2 sourcesClose
All the mics sources name, by setting and role (36)
Studio
Close
- AEA KU41 source
- AEA RC441 source
- AKG C121 source
- AKG C414 ULS1 source
- AKG C414 XLII3 sources
- Aston Stealth1 source
- Audio-Technica AT20201 source
- Audio-Technica AT40401 source
- Austrian Audio OC181 source
- Electro-Voice RE201 source
- Lewitt LCT 440 Pure1 source
- Neumann M 49 V1 source
- Neumann TLM 1031 source
- Neumann U 471 source
- Neumann U 873 sources
- Neumann U 87 Ai1 source
- Rode NT1 Signature1 source
- Royer R-122 MKII1 source from its own maker
- Shure SM571 source
- Shure SM7B2 sources
- Shure SM7dB1 source
- Sony C-800G1 source
- Telefunken TF111 source
- Warm Audio WA-441 source
Distant
- Neumann U 871 source
- Schoeps Colette with MK 2 capsule1 source
- Shure SM811 source
The 21 setups behind this: placement and quotes
- Close AKG C414 ULSclose, studio vocal
"Quite the workhorse ... can be great for bass voices."
1 - Distant Voice advice Schoeps Colette with MK 2 capsulesolo voice, classical, short distance, linear and no proximity effect
"The choice often falls on the Schoeps Colette system with the free-field-equalised MK2 capsule" for classical solo voice (translated; generic classical singing).
2 - Close Voice advice condenser, large-diaphragm, omni (pressure receiver)solo voice, classical, studio
DPA makes "a large-diaphragm condenser with pressure receiver", an alternative for classical voice (translated; model not named in the text).
2 - Close Voice advice Neumann U 87 or Neumann U 47 or AKG C12 or Sony C-800Gclose, studio vocal (pop)
Pop vocals: transistor large-diaphragm condensers like the U 87; tube mics like U 47 or C12; C800G for soul and R&B (translated).
2 - Close Voice advice AEA KU4 or AEA RC44close, studio vocal (jazz)
For intimate jazz vocals, ribbons such as AEA KU4 or RC44 are "more than great" (translated).
2 - Close Voice advice Electro-Voice RE20close, studio vocal (rock)
"Many swear by dynamics such as the EV RE20" for rock vocals (translated).
2 - Distant Voice advice Neumann U 87solo with piano or orchestra, 1-1.5 m, 30 cm above head height
Studio engineers placed the mic 1-1.5 m away, about 1 ft above head height; "They always used U-87" (one studio).
3 - Distant Voice advice Shure SM81solo classical voice, budget, about 1 m
Forum reply: "as a bare minimum" the SM81; "probably to do it right you'd be looking at Schoeps or DPA".
4 - Close Voice advice Shure SM7dB or AKG C414 XLIIclose, studio vocal
Chosen as best all-round vocal mic; successor to the SM7B (paraphrase). ... Listed as best studio vocal mic; "a studio staple" (paraphrase).
5 - Close Voice advice Rode NT1 Signatureclose, studio vocal, beginner
"Ultra-flat response ... perfect for beginners" (MusicRadar, best for beginners).
5 - Close Voice advice Audio-Technica AT2020close, studio vocal, budget
Top choice for recording vocals on a budget, around $100/GBP100 (paraphrase).
5 - Close Voice advice Shure SM7Bclose, studio vocal, untreated room
Picked as best dynamic for untreated rooms (paraphrase of heading).
6 - Close Voice advice Aston Stealth or Neumann U 87 Ai or AKG C414 XLII or Warm Audio WA-44close, studio vocal
Picked as best do-it-all dynamic microphone (paraphrase of heading). ... Picked as best classic studio condenser (paraphrase of heading). ... Picked as most flexible multi-pattern condenser (paraphrase of heading). ... Picked as best ribbon mic for vocals (paraphrase of heading).
6 - Close Voice advice Lewitt LCT 440 Pureclose, studio vocal, budget
Picked as best budget condenser (paraphrase of heading).
6 - Close Voice advice Austrian Audio OC18close, studio vocal, mid-price
Picked as best mid-price large-diaphragm condenser (paraphrase of heading).
6 - Close Voice advice Royer R-122 MKIIclose, studio vocal
"A good match for vocals due to its higher output level and slightly brighter response."
7 - Close Voice advice Neumann U 87close, studio vocal
"Wonderful microphone for vocals because it lacks sibilance and gives a warm, dark sound" (go-to for soprano and tenor).
1 - Close Voice advice large-diaphragm condenser, cardioid (default); dynamic or small-diaphragm or omni also workclose, studio vocal
"Most pop vocal work is done using some kind of large-diaphragm, cardioid-pattern capacitor microphone, but there are exceptions."
8 - Close Voice advice Shure SM57close, budget vocal
Found in nearly every professional studio; works from lead vocals to kick drums (paraphrase).
9 - Close Voice advice Shure SM7B or Audio-Technica AT4040 or AKG C414 XLII or Neumann TLM 103 or Neumann U 87 or Telefunken TF11close, studio vocal
Listed among mid-priced vocal mics (paraphrase). ... Widely considered a de facto part of a professional engineer's mic locker (paraphrase of AKG claim). ... "Perfect for helping vocals stand out in the mix". ... "May be the single most beloved high-end microphone"; won over countless singers. ... "Crystal-clear vocal sound" with fast transient response (paraphrase).
9 - Close Voice advice Neumann M 49 Vclose, studio vocal, high end
Listed as a top-end vocal mic with a rich history (paraphrase).
9
On stage
Handheld
- Aston Apex1 source
- Audio-Technica AE54001 source
- Austrian Audio OD5051 source
- DPA d:facto 40181 source
- Earthworks SR3141 source
- sE Electronics V71 source
- Sennheiser e 9651 source
- Shure Nexadyne 8/C1 source
- Shure SM582 sources
- Telefunken M801 source
The 2 setups behind this: placement and quotes
- Handheld Voice advice Telefunken M80 or sE Electronics V7 or Shure SM58 or DPA d:facto 4018 or Audio-Technica AE5400 or Aston Apex or Sennheiser e 965 or Earthworks SR314 or Shure Nexadyne 8/C or Austrian Audio OD505handheld, live vocal
Picked as best overall live vocal mic: "studio-grade clarity to the stage" (paraphrase). ... Picked as best budget live vocal mic; "build quality and performance" above its price. ... Picked for durability: "super dependable and delivers a consistent, authentic, vocal tone". ... Picked as the live vocal mic with the more detailed frequency range; noise rejection "top-drawer". ... Picked as best condenser for live vocals: "detailed, clear sound for a competitive price". ... Listed in the top ten live vocal mics (picked for style). ... Picked as best switchable-pattern live vocal mic (paraphrase of heading). ... Picked as the live vocal mic with the best frequency response (paraphrase of heading). ... Listed as a top-ten live vocal mic (best upgrade). ... Picked as best active dynamic: "a high-end dual capsule gamechanger at a great price".
10 - Handheld Voice advice Shure SM58handheld, live vocal
"The go-to for anyone needing a rugged vocal microphone" on the live circuit (paraphrase).
5
Studio and stage
Close
- Shure SM581 source
Handheld
- Shure SM581 source
The 2 setups behind this: placement and quotes
- Close Voice advice Shure SM58close, studio or live vocal
"Some singers like to work with dynamic mics such as Shure SM58s, because the tonality suits their voice."
8 - Handheld Voice advice Shure SM58handheld, live vocal, budget
SM57 and SM58 are mentioned in budget guides without fail; durable, versatile (paraphrase).
9
Sources
- Sonicbids blog: The Best Microphones for Every Voice Type
- Bonedo (Germany): Welches Mikrofon ist am besten fuer welche Stimme geeignet?
- DV Info Net forum: Recording an opera singer (thread archive)
- HomeRecording.com forum: Recording an opera singer (2015)
- MusicRadar: Best vocal mics 2026
- MusicTech: Best microphones for vocals
- Royer Labs FAQ: Which Royer mic would you recommend for recording vocals?
- Sound On Sound: Vocal Recording & Production Masterclass
- Splice blog: The 13 best vocal microphones
- MusicRadar: Best live vocal microphones 2026
- Wikipedia: Voice type (ranges after McKinney 1994 and Boldrey 1994)
- Csound Manual, Appendix D: Formant Values (sung vowels, soprano/alto/countertenor/tenor/bass)
- Journal of Singing: Titze, Singing and Calling Outdoors (74(4), 2018)
- Journal of Singing: Hunter and Titze, Overlap of hearing and voicing ranges in singing (61(4), 387-392)
- Cook-Cunningham, Grady and Nelson: choir singers' noise exposure (IJRCS 4(1), 19-35)
- IJRCS: Cook-Cunningham, Grady and Nelson, Hearing doses of university choral singers (4(1), 2012), PDF
- Katz and d'Alessandro: voice directivity measurements (ICA 2007)
- Sound On Sound: Session Notes - Classical Vocal & Piano Ensemble (Mike Senior)
- Boren, B., Roginska, A. & Gill, B. (2013) Maximum averaged and peak levels of vocal sound pressure, AES Convention 135
- DPA Mic University: How to mic a choir