Behringer

Behringer BA 85A Dynamic Super Cardioid Vocal Microphone

XLR

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

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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

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.