Countertenor
male alto
- Range
- E3–E5
- Sources
- 109 independent: not from a mic maker
What it is
A classical male voice in the contralto or mezzo-soprano range. Most countertenors sing the upper half of the range in falsetto; some use a "head voice" described differently by different authorities.11
Range
E3 to about E511165 Hz – 659 Hz
generally E3 to D5 or E5; a sopranist may reach C6
Where the sound comes from
The sound
Same source-filter set-up as other voices. The only directivity measurement I found used a professional countertenor in an anechoic room (24 mics on a semicircle): near omnidirectional up to about 600-1000 Hz, more cardioid-like in the 1.25-4 kHz bands, with little difference between /a/, /i/ and /o/, between piano and fortissimo, or between normal and "projected" singing (projection mainly adds energy above 5 kHz). The authors conclude that radiation depends mainly on head radius and mouth opening. One singer only.13
About the range
Generally E3 to D5 or E5 (Steane, New Grove Dictionary of Opera, via Wikipedia). A sopranist may reach the soprano range of C4-C6. The lowest notes are usually not used. Compare the male voice A2-A4 in the existing entry.11
Names
Contratenor altus; male alto. Sub-types: sopranist (male soprano), haute-contre, and the historical castrato.11
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.
| Playing level | |
|---|---|
| 55–110 dB | at 0.3 m; one countertenor, voice range profile on /a/ in mechanism M2 (falsetto), C3 to about D5, softest to loudest he could sing on each note12 |
| 64–108 dB | at 0.3 m; same countertenor, mechanism M1 (modal voice), about F#2 to F#412 |
One countertenor's voice range profile at 30 cm runs from about 55 to 110 dB in falsetto (M2) and 64 to 108 dB in modal voice (M1), read from a published figure. No level at 1 m in performance and no exposure study found.
Recording it
No countertenor-specific recording source found. A professional countertenor on a forum says he was "spoiled" by Neumann and Schoeps on label recordings (search summary only, thread not opened, so not recorded as a recommendation). Use the classical solo advice (mezzo-soprano entry): 1 m or more, large-diaphragm condenser or a ribbon, U 87 at 1-1.5 m.
Mics
- 24 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 (35)
Studio
Distant
- Neumann U 871 source
- Schoeps Colette with MK 2 capsule1 source
- Shure SM811 source
Close
- AEA KU41 source
- AEA RC441 source
- AKG C121 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
The 20 setups behind this: placement and quotes
- 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).
1 - 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).
1 - 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).
1 - 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).
1 - Close Voice advice Electro-Voice RE20close, studio vocal (rock)
"Many swear by dynamics such as the EV RE20" for rock vocals (translated).
1 - 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).
2 - 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".
3 - 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).
4 - Close Voice advice Rode NT1 Signatureclose, studio vocal, beginner
"Ultra-flat response ... perfect for beginners" (MusicRadar, best for beginners).
4 - Close Voice advice Audio-Technica AT2020close, studio vocal, budget
Top choice for recording vocals on a budget, around $100/GBP100 (paraphrase).
4 - Close Voice advice Shure SM7Bclose, studio vocal, untreated room
Picked as best dynamic for untreated rooms (paraphrase of heading).
5 - 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).
5 - Close Voice advice Lewitt LCT 440 Pureclose, studio vocal, budget
Picked as best budget condenser (paraphrase of heading).
5 - Close Voice advice Austrian Audio OC18close, studio vocal, mid-price
Picked as best mid-price large-diaphragm condenser (paraphrase of heading).
5 - Close Voice advice Royer R-122 MKIIclose, studio vocal
"A good match for vocals due to its higher output level and slightly brighter response."
6 - 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).
7 - 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).
4
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
- 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?
- Sonicbids blog: The Best Microphones for Every Voice Type
- Sound On Sound: Vocal Recording & Production Masterclass
- Splice blog: The 13 best vocal microphones
- MusicRadar: Best live vocal microphones 2026
- Wikipedia, Countertenor, and Voice type
- Journal of Voice: Lamesch, Doval, Castellengo, Toward a More Informative Voice Range Profile: The Role of Laryngeal Vibratory Mechanisms on Vowels Dynamic Range (author PDF)
- Katz and d'Alessandro: voice directivity measurements (ICA 2007)