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Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone — main product image
Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone
Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone
Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone
Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone
Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone
Behringer

Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone

★★★★★4.5 (289 reviews)
XLR

A super-cardioid dynamic built for close-up vocals that cuts through the mix without cluttering your signal chain.

$35.58*$37.49Save 5%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Behringer BA 85A is a close-up vocal dynamic designed for environments where isolation matters as much as tone — live stages, broadcast booths, podcast setups, and tracking rooms where multiple sources share the same space. Its super-cardioid polar pattern is the defining sonic decision here: tighter than a standard cardioid, it rejects off-axis sound aggressively, which means ambient room noise, monitor bleed, and neighboring instruments stay out of the vocal signal. The shaped frequency response adds a presence lift in the upper midrange that helps vocals sit forward in a mix without requiring corrective EQ — what you hear is a mic tuned to translate voice clearly through PA systems and into DAW tracks alike.

Build quality is utilitarian and road-ready — the chassis handles the physical demands of handheld live performance, and the integrated shock mount system meaningfully reduces the low-frequency handling noise that would otherwise muddy a track. The internal pop filter manages wind and plosive energy well enough for most live and broadcast applications. Connectivity is standard 3-pin XLR balanced, so it interfaces cleanly with any professional console, audio interface, or recorder without adapters. The included stand adapter and carry case make this a complete working package for engineers who need a reliable, fuss-free vocal mic that can go from rehearsal to stage to broadcast desk without drama.

Key Features

Close-up vocal mic: Dynamic super cardioid with tailored frequency response

Wide frequency range for clear, transparent sound

High output for voice projection

Super Cardioid pattern for sound source isolation

Built-in wind and pop noise filter

Shock mount system for reduced handling noise

XLR connector for reliable signal transmission

Included: Stand adapter and durable carrying case

3-Year Warranty

Engineered in Germany

Specifications

Microphone Type
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Super Cardioid
Connector
XLR
Warranty
3-Year
Country of Engineering
Germany

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Tight super-cardioid pattern delivers clean isolation on stage — bleed from monitor wedges and adjacent instruments stays out of your vocal track.
  • Shaped frequency response adds presence and intelligibility to close-up vocals without requiring EQ correction at the desk.
  • Integrated shock mount reduces handling noise during handheld performance, keeping low-frequency thuds off the recording.
  • No phantom power dependency means it drops into any signal chain — consoles, portable recorders, broadcast desks — without configuration.
  • High output level for a dynamic means less gain required from your preamp, which keeps the noise floor lower in budget-to-midrange interfaces.

👎 Cons

  • Super-cardioid pattern requires precise placement — slight positional drift during a performance can cause audible proximity effect changes and off-axis coloration.
  • No built-in pad or low-cut switch limits in-line signal shaping options, which matters when tracking loud sources or working in acoustically untreated rooms.
  • At high preamp gain settings needed for quieter sources, the BA 85A's self-noise becomes more audible — it's optimized for loud, close vocal work, not distant or delicate sources.
  • Carrying case and stand adapter are useful inclusions, but the mic lacks a threaded swivel mount with micro-adjustment, which can complicate precise studio placement on boom arms.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — as a dynamic microphone, the BA 85A requires no phantom power. It will work directly with any XLR-equipped interface, mixer, or preamp without additional power, making gain staging straightforward and eliminating any risk of impedance mismatch from poorly implemented phantom power circuits.
Super-cardioid patterns offer tighter off-axis rejection than standard cardioids, which translates to better isolation in loud environments — live stages, rehearsal rooms, or shared tracking booths. The tradeoff is a small rear lobe of sensitivity, so position monitors at 90° or 270° off-axis rather than directly behind the mic to minimize feedback.
Dynamic microphones generally require more gain than condensers — expect to push your preamp into the 45–60dB range for typical vocal levels. The BA 85A is designed for high-output vocal applications, so it recovers better than ribbon mics at modest gain settings, but pairing it with a preamp that has clean headroom above 60dB is advisable for quieter sources.
The integrated wind and pop noise filter handles most plosive energy in live and broadcast contexts. For close-up studio tracking where a vocalist is working 2–4 inches from the capsule, adding an external pop screen is still recommended to protect the transient clarity on hard B and P sounds.
Yes — the BA 85A uses a standard 3-pin XLR output wired for balanced, low-impedance transmission. This means you can run longer cable runs to a stage box or rack interface without accumulating noise or high-frequency roll-off in the signal.

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