Mic Archive

Tenor

Range
C3–C5
Overtones to
about 3.1 kHz
Peaks up close
up to 105 dB SPL
Sources
109 independent: not from a mic maker

Range

about C3 to about C511131 Hz – 523 Hz

McKinney; extremes Bb2-F5.

ChestC3–C#4full
MiddleD4–F#4between primo (D4) and secondo (G4) passaggio, lyric tenor
TopG4–C5covered, ringing

Overtones reach about 3.1 kHz (the highest harmonic within 40 dB of the strongest, at a moderate level; louder playing reaches higher)12.

Where the sound comes from

  • A voice is close to omnidirectional below about 1 kHz.19
  • Above about 1 kHz it is more directional, towards the front.19

The sound

Trained male voices cluster formants 3-5 near 2.5-3 kHz (the singer's formant), which lets them carry over an orchestra; the model shows it as a second peak around the 12th-13th harmonic.

Good to know

  • Singer's formant: trained tenors cluster the 3rd–5th formants into a peak around 2.5–3 kHz that carries over an orchestra; don't cut it21

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
90 dB or more(A)at 1 m; trained actors and singers, on-axis, three dynamic levels; a few vocalists averaged above 90 dBA13
Peaks
105 dBat 1 m; a well-trained singer, a call or a sung tone (general figure, not one measured singer)14
95 dB(Z)at 1 m; one trained tenor, loudest sung vowels, anechoic room: maximum third-octave band level at 1500 and 3000 Hz15
Player's exposure (dosimeter)
88.84 dB(A)dosimeter on the right collarbone, 5-7 in (13-18 cm) from the ear; university choir (85 voices) tenor, one singer, mean Leq over five rehearsals and performances of opera choruses with orchestra (each about 1 h)16,17
87.69 dB(A)dosimeter on the right collarbone; same tenor, choir-only rehearsal (period 1, about 66 min)16,17
92 dB(A)chorister (dosimeter); Finnish National Opera choristers, mean exposure; 100 dB(A) in choir-only rehearsals secondary16,17
84.8–95.1 dB(A)dosimeter on the shoulder; St Paul's Cathedral: an adult tenor (lay clerk) in rehearsals and Evensongs with boy choristers; 95.1 dB(A) in a 59-min Evensong with organ, 93.4 in a 23-min rehearsal; LCpeak up to 119.5 dB(C)18

University choir tenor: mean Leq 88.8 dB(A), highest 96.6 dB(A) (one singer, the lowest of the four). Finnish opera choristers: 92 dB(A) mean for tenors.16

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 notes20,13

Mics

  1. Neumann U 87 (U 87 i) 4 sourcesClose, distant
  2. Shure SM58 4 sourcesHandheld, close · Some singers like to work with dynamic mics such as Shure SM58s, because the tonality suits their voice.
  3. AKG C414 XLII 3 sourcesClose
  4. Shure SM7B 2 sourcesClose
All the mics sources name, by setting and role (35)

Studio

Distant

Close

The 20 setups behind this: placement and quotes
  • Distant Voice advice Schoeps Colette with MK 2 capsule
    solo 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-800G
    close, 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 RC44
    close, 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 RE20
    close, studio vocal (rock)
    "Many swear by dynamics such as the EV RE20" for rock vocals (translated).1
  • Distant Voice advice Neumann U 87
    solo 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 SM81
    solo 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 XLII
    close, 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 Signature
    close, studio vocal, beginner
    "Ultra-flat response ... perfect for beginners" (MusicRadar, best for beginners).4
  • Close Voice advice Audio-Technica AT2020
    close, studio vocal, budget
    Top choice for recording vocals on a budget, around $100/GBP100 (paraphrase).4
  • Close Voice advice Shure SM7B
    close, 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-44
    close, 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 Pure
    close, studio vocal, budget
    Picked as best budget condenser (paraphrase of heading).5
  • Close Voice advice Austrian Audio OC18
    close, studio vocal, mid-price
    Picked as best mid-price large-diaphragm condenser (paraphrase of heading).5
  • Close Voice advice Royer R-122 MKII
    close, studio vocal
    "A good match for vocals due to its higher output level and slightly brighter response."6
  • Close Voice advice Neumann U 87
    close, 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 work
    close, 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 SM57
    close, 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 TF11
    close, 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 V
    close, studio vocal, high end
    Listed as a top-end vocal mic with a rich history (paraphrase).9

On stage

Handheld

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 OD505
    handheld, 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 SM58
    handheld, live vocal
    "The go-to for anyone needing a rugged vocal microphone" on the live circuit (paraphrase).4

Studio and stage

Close

Handheld

The 2 setups behind this: placement and quotes
  • Close Voice advice Shure SM58
    close, 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 SM58
    handheld, live vocal, budget
    SM57 and SM58 are mentioned in budget guides without fail; durable, versatile (paraphrase).9

Sources

  1. Bonedo (Germany): Welches Mikrofon ist am besten fuer welche Stimme geeignet?magazine · bonedo.de
  2. DV Info Net forum: Recording an opera singer (thread archive)forum · dvinfo.net
  3. HomeRecording.com forum: Recording an opera singer (2015)forum · homerecording.com
  4. MusicRadar: Best vocal mics 2026magazine · musicradar.com
  5. MusicTech: Best microphones for vocalsmagazine · musictech.com
  6. Royer Labs FAQ: Which Royer mic would you recommend for recording vocals?manufacturer · royerlabs.com
  7. Sonicbids blog: The Best Microphones for Every Voice Typemagazine · blog.sonicbids.com
  8. Sound On Sound: Vocal Recording & Production Masterclassmagazine · soundonsound.com
  9. Splice blog: The 13 best vocal microphonesmagazine · splice.com
  10. MusicRadar: Best live vocal microphones 2026magazine · musicradar.com
  11. Wikipedia: Voice type (ranges after McKinney 1994 and Boldrey 1994)reference · en.wikipedia.org
  12. Csound Manual, Appendix D: Formant Values (sung vowels, soprano/alto/countertenor/tenor/bass)csound.com
  13. Boren, B., Roginska, A. & Gill, B. (2013) Maximum averaged and peak levels of vocal sound pressure, AES Convention 135aes.org
  14. Journal of Singing: Titze, Singing and Calling Outdoors (74(4), 2018)Ingo R. Titze · academic · 2018 · vocology.utah.edu
  15. Journal of Singing: Hunter and Titze, Overlap of hearing and voicing ranges in singing (61(4), 387-392)Eric J. Hunter; Ingo R. Titze · academic · 2005 · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  16. Cook-Cunningham, Grady and Nelson: choir singers' noise exposure (IJRCS 4(1), 19-35)academic · 2012 · acda.org
  17. IJRCS: Cook-Cunningham, Grady and Nelson, Hearing doses of university choral singers (4(1), 2012), PDFSheri L. Cook-Cunningham; Melissa L. Grady; Heather Nelson · academic · 2012 · acda-publications.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com
  18. Noise & Health: Dance and Zepidou, Sound Exposure of Choristers (21(98), 41-46)Stephen M. Dance; Georgia Zepidou · academic · 2020 · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  19. Katz and d'Alessandro: voice directivity measurements (ICA 2007)academic · 2007 · groupeaa.lisn.upsaclay.fr
  20. Sound On Sound: Session Notes - Classical Vocal & Piano Ensemble (Mike Senior)magazine · soundonsound.com
  21. Sundberg, J. (1974) Articulatory interpretation of the "singing formant", JASA 55, 838-844academic · doi.org