Mezzo-soprano
- Range
- A3–A5
- Sources
- 1110 independent: not from a mic maker
What it is
The middle female voice, between soprano and contralto. The harmonic source is the larynx, shaped by the vocal tract; the sound leaves the mouth (and, less, the head and chest).
Range
A3 to A512220 Hz – 880 Hz
some singers reach F3 and C6
Where the sound comes from
About the range
Typical A3-A5; some singers go down to F3 and up to C6 (soft limits). Source: McKinney and Boldrey as given on Wikipedia, Voice type. Existing female entry has the same A3-A5.12
Names
None needed (Italian "mezzo"). New to the atlas; the existing generic female entry already uses the mezzo range, so the two overlap.
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 | |
|---|---|
| 74–110.5 dB | at 0.3 m; professional female opera soloists, mezzo-soprano (n=8), voice range profile while singing an aria excerpt (performance profile), minimum to maximum SPL13 |
| 55.5–115.5 dB | at 0.3 m; same singers, mezzo-soprano, physiological voice range profile (softest and loudest possible)13 |
| 66–112 dB | at 0.3 m; 3 sopranos and 2 mezzo-sopranos singing /papapa/ in piano, mezzo forte and forte, C4-G513 |
| Dynamic range | |
| 36.5 dB | at 0.3 m; mezzo-soprano, mean SPL range in the aria-excerpt profile13 |
| Player's exposure (dosimeter) | |
| 77.4 dB(A) | dosimeter on the shoulder; St Paul's Cathedral, London: the female adult singer (mezzo) in a 37-min rehearsal with 24 boy choristers and 11 men; LCpeak 113.8 dB14 |
Voice range profiles of eight professional opera mezzos at 30 cm span 55.5-115.5 dB from softest to loudest possible, and 74-110 dB while singing an aria (Lamarche); a cathedral mezzo's rehearsal exposure was 77.4 dB(A). No radiation source specific to mezzos; see soprano and female voice.
Recording it
Mike Senior's session with a mezzo and piano is the one detailed source. Four spot mics were tried, all on the singer's two sides to keep sight lines: Neumann U 47 FET (supercardioid), Neumann U 67 (cardioid, then figure-of-eight to cut piano spill), Schoeps V 4 U (cardioid) and Superlux R102 ribbon. Distance: first about 3 ft (0.9 m), then 9-12 in (23-30 cm) closer for a drier sound. His favourite was the U 67 but its tone changed when the singer turned her head to read the score; the V 4 U was the fallback with 2 dB of low shelf below 400 Hz. He shock-mounted all mics because footfalls thumped.1
Mics
- 25 setups from 11 sources, 10 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 (39)
Studio
Spot
- Neumann U 47 FET1 source
- Neumann U 671 source
- Schoeps V4 U1 source
- Superlux R1021 source
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 21 setups behind this: placement and quotes
- Spot Neumann U 47 FET or Neumann U 67 or Schoeps V4 U or Superlux R102spot, voice with piano, 2-3 ft
One of four spot mics tried on a mezzo-soprano with piano; the U47 FET needed repositioning and was the least liked (paraphrase). ... Engineer liked its sound best; switched to figure-of-eight to cut piano spill (paraphrase). ... Second choice; sounded respectable straight away and needed only a little low shelf boost below 400 Hz (paraphrase). ... Budget ribbon in the shootout; needed only one move to find a promising position (paraphrase).
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).
8 - 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."
9 - Close Voice advice Shure SM57close, budget vocal
Found in nearly every professional studio; works from lead vocals to kick drums (paraphrase).
10 - 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).
10 - Close Voice advice Neumann M 49 Vclose, studio vocal, high end
Listed as a top-end vocal mic with a rich history (paraphrase).
10
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".
11 - 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."
9 - Handheld Voice advice Shure SM58handheld, live vocal, budget
SM57 and SM58 are mentioned in budget guides without fail; durable, versatile (paraphrase).
10
Problems to watch
A mic at the mouth gives "a thin and lacking body" sound with a trained voice, which projects using head and chest resonance. A music stand can reflect into the mics and cause comb filtering.1
Sources
- Sound On Sound: Session Notes - Classical Vocal & Piano Ensemble (Mike Senior)
- 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: Voice type (ranges after McKinney 1994 and Boldrey 1994)
- KTH doctoral thesis: Lamarche, Putting the Singing Voice on the Map
- Noise & Health: Dance and Zepidou, Sound Exposure of Choristers (21(98), 41-46)
- Katz and d'Alessandro: voice directivity measurements (ICA 2007)