Drake is a Canadian rapper who has achieved immense success in the music industry. His vocals are distinctive and soulful, and he has been praised for his songwriting skills.
In addition to his musical talent, Drake is also known for his high-end fashion sense. It's no surprise that he uses a top-of-the-line microphone while recording in the studio. What mic does Drake use, and what benefits does it offer? Keep reading to find out!
Who is Drake?
Drake is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Toronto, Drake first gained recognition as an actor on the teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation in the early 2000s.
In 2006, he released his debut mixtape Room for Improvement. He signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment in 2009 and released his debut studio album Thank Me Later in 2010.
Drake's second album Take Care (2011) peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
His third album Nothing Was the Same (2013) became his fourth consecutive number one album in Canada and the US. Nothing Was the Same was also certified quadruple platinum in Canada and double platinum in the US.
Drake's fourth album Views (2016) broke several chart records. It became his first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The album also broke the record for most streams in a single week, with 245 million streams worldwide.
Drake's fifth album Scorpion (2018) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and is his eighth consecutive number one album in Canada. It is also his second album to be certified diamond in Canada.
What mic does Drake use?
Drake has been reported to use the Neumann TLM 103 Microphone.
Mixing engineer/Producer Noah "40" Shebib who states, at 16:48 in his humble beginnings he tracked Drake's entire Debut project 'So Far Gone' using the TLM 103 and pillows on walls for acoustic treatment.
Another mic that Drake use is the Mojave MA-300. Noah "40" Shebib often uses this model when working with Drake. He has posted many pictures of them together on Instagram that suggest how often he records Drake using this mic!
Neumann TLM 103
The TLM103 is a professional mic that will work for any sound recording application.
This product is designed for people who want a good quality product but don't want to spend too much money. It has features like transformers and noise cancelling technology that will help you create great music, regardless of your style or budget.
The cardioid pickup pattern ensures clear vocals while reducing background noise from behinds stage at all times - this can be especially helpful when using headphones because most modern music isn't mixed well enough without some extra help from an audio engineer.
This versatile mic has a large diaphragm and cardioid pattern, which means it will render nicely off-axis sounds without any distracting harshness. When you need high feedback suppression in live situations or if loud speaker playback is factor; this thing lights up like Vegas!
The Neumann TLM 103 is based on the K87 popular among legends like U67 or even more recent designs such as it's sibling the original U47.
It has an extended range up to about 5 kHz before cutting off suddenly at 10kHz because there’s no further boost above this point.
But don't let its lack of high end detail keep you away - This microphone will work well in different settings because it responds to most frequencies equally.
What are the benefits of using the Neumann TLM 103?
- Clear vocals with reduced background noise
- Great for live situations or loud speaker playback
- Flat frequency response for versatile use
- Extended range up to 5 kHz
- High feedback suppression
Mojave MA-300
With its rich, warm character reminiscent of the most famous German microphones from decades past and drawing inspiration directly back into Mojave Audio's renowned MA-200 design; this large diaphragm tube condenser microphone is sure to increase your versatility as an artist.
Now you can get that full bodied sound with just one mic regardless if it be for instruments or sources in various locations around any venue!
The continuously variable polar patterns allow capturing everything ranging form omni straight ahead through figure eight which will suit many different applications well.
This microphone was designed for high-quality performance. It has a 3 micron gold sputtered capsule, military grade JAN 5840 vacuum tube, and transformers from Royer's own audio company.
The low noise floor means that you won't have any problems with background vocals or instruments being too loud. You'll also be able to hear certain elements, like lead guitar lines, very clearly.
This is thanks in part to the high pass filter, which helps to keep sounds crisp even if something unexpected happens.
The Mojave MA-300 is a great choice for anyone seeking a versatile large diaphragm tube condenser microphone that will provide them with rich, warm character and increased versatility.
Whether you're recording in a studio or live on stage, the MA-300 will help you capture the sound you're looking for.
Some of the benefits of using the Mojave MA-300 include:
- Rich, warm character reminiscent of classic German microphones
- Continuously variable polar patterns allow for greater flexibility in recording
- Increased versatility for both studio and live applications
- Full bodied sound with just one mic
Choosing Microphone for Vocal Rap
There are a few things to consider when choosing the best mic for recording vocals for rap music.
First, you'll want to consider the type of microphone. Different types of microphones pick up sound in different ways, so you'll want to choose one that will best capture your voice.
If you're looking for a microphone that will pick up the subtleties of your voice, then you'll want to choose a condenser microphone. These microphones are often used in recording studios, as they're able to capture a wide range of frequencies.
Next, you'll want to consider the size of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the moving membrane of a sound pickup, typically located inside the body of the instrument.
The size of the diaphragm affects the frequencies that it is able to pick up. A larger diaphragm will have a lower frequency response, while a smaller diaphragm will have a higher frequency response.
As a result, larger diaphragms are typically used for picking up low end frequencies, while smaller diaphragms are better suited for picking up high end frequencies.
When choosing a sound pickup, it is important to consider the size of the diaphragm in order to ensure that it will be able to capture the desired frequency range.
Finally, you'll want to consider the price. You don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money to get a good microphone, but it is important to find one that suits your budget.
If you're looking for a clear understanding of how to choose microphones, take some time and look at what mic Billie Eilish uses for vocalizing or Joe Rogan's mic setup when he does his podcast.
FAQs
What are some of the best brands for microphones? Some of the best brands for microphones include Shure, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, and Rode. These brands offer a wide range of products that cater to different needs and budgets.
Do I need a special type of microphone for rap vocals? Although there are certain types of microphones that are better suited for rap vocals, any type of microphone can be used as long as it is able to capture the desired frequency range.
How much should I expect to spend on a microphone for rap vocals? The price of a microphone for rap vocals will vary depending on the brand, type, and features that you choose. You can find decent microphones for around $300, but you may need to spend more if you want a higher quality product.
Do I need anything else besides a microphone to record rap vocals? In addition to a microphone, you'll also need an audio interface, a digital audio workstation (DAW), and some plugin. These items will allow you to connect your microphone to your computer and record your vocals.
Conclusion
Now you know what mic Drake uses to record his music. While the answer may not seem that important, this information can give you a little insight into how he records his vocals and what kind of sound he is going for.
Armed with this knowledge, you can apply it to your own music recording process and see if it gives you the same results. Thanks for following along on our journey to discover the secrets behind Drake’s gear choice!