A microphone isolation shield will improve the sound quality of your recordings. Here are the ten best isolation shield and reflection filters for recording vocals.
What is a Microphone Isolation Shield?
A microphone isolation shield is a filter that reduces unwanted noise, ambiance, and sound wave reflection. It also improves the sound quality of recordings by isolating the microphone from the surrounding environment.
Reflection filters have dense, uneven acoustic materials that dampen and absorb sound wave reflections. Eliminating unwanted noise and reflections will make your vocal recordings sound clear, dry, and balanced with no coloration.
What to Consider When Buying an Isolation Shield?
Vocal isolation shields are excellent tools for recording in less-than-ideal environments. They improve the acoustic quality of your recording space without installing permanent treatment. However, it’s essential to choose the best reflection filter for your needs.
Consider these options and characteristics when buying the best microphone isolation shield for your vocal recordings:
Mounting and Placement
Choose between a desktop or mic stand mounting design. If you prefer sitting while recording, consider a desktop filter. If you prefer standing, choose a filter that mounts to a mic stand or boom. There are also isolation filters designed for both scenarios.
Adjustability and Positioning
Ensure the microphone mounting brackets, and shield mounts are adjustable. Positioning the mic’s depth, height, and angle will give you optimal recording conditions in various environments.
Isolation Shield Weight
Ensure your microphone stand can hold the weight of the isolation shield without tipping over. Also, consider the weight if you travel or record in different environments. Lightweight designs are more portable and manageable.
Isolation Shield Size
Choose an acoustic shield with a large absorptive filter that curves around your microphone. Greater isolation will give you optimum protection from reflected frequencies and background noise. Also, know your mic size. If the filter is too small, background noise and reflections might compromise the quality of your recording. Therefore, taller mics will require a larger surface arc.
Materials and Construction
Ensure the acoustic materials and shield construction are durable and high-quality. Rugged construction will last longer during travel and heavy use in demanding work environments. Also, consider the thickness of the acoustic materials. Thick, high-density acoustic foam will absorb and dampen sound waves better.
Compatibility
Ensure the isolation shield and mounting hardware are compatible with your microphone and stand.
Portability and Storage
Consider a lightweight and foldable isolation shield if you travel or record in different environments. A collapsible design will also make it easy to store or fit into a bag.
Price and Budget
Consider a reflection filter that meets your budget. Several affordable options on the market work great. For example, consider the following high-quality isolation shields and reflection filters.
10 Best Reflection Filters for Recording Vocals
These ten best isolation shield and reflection filters will offer excellent acoustics for your studio.
1. sE Electronics | Reflexion Filter PRO
Reflexion Filter PRO is a popular acoustic shield used by some of the biggest recording artists. This compact microphone isolation shield has six layers that absorb and diffuse sound waves around the mic. Unlike cheap foam filters, sE’s multi-layer design works evenly across the whole frequency spectrum. This ensures a ‘dry’ and balanced sound with no coloration when recording a vocal or instrument.
Key Features
- Portable microphone isolation shield
- Multi-layer acoustic material works evenly across the frequency spectrum
- Fully adjustable for optimum recording position
- Dimensions: 14-1/2″ wide, 12″ high, 8″ deep
- Includes variable position stand clamp assembly
Price
$199.00
2. Aston Microphones | Halo Shadow Reflection Filter
The Aston Halo reflection filter is sleek, lightweight, and portable. Its unique shell design wraps around the top, bottom, and sides of your mic for maximum isolation and absorption. The textured and wave-formed surface also helps diffuse direct sound for greater isolation. In addition, Halo’s acoustic felt material is made from 70% recycled PET plastic, making it environmentally friendly.
Key Features
- Lightweight construction with patented PET felt
- Unique shell design delivers enhanced performance
- 360-degree filtering provides improved isolation and absorption
- Dimensions: 21.2″ wide, 17.4″ high, 11.9″ deep
- Lightweight ‘easy-mount’ hardware included
Price
$299.00
3. Neewer | Portable Microphone Acoustic Isolation Shield
Neewer microphone shields reduce ambient noise and create a drier, more controlled vocal or instrument recording. The sound-absorbing panel features a folding diffusion shell and a foam absorption lining. It also mounts on a microphone stand to accommodate any size microphone.
Key Features
- Made of metal alloy and professional acoustic foam absorption lining
- Foldable diffusion shell saves space during transportation
- Dimensions: 16.7″ wide, 12″ high, 6.1″ deep
- Microphone mounting adapter included
Price
$59.99
4. LyxPro | VRI-30 Foldable Isolation Shielding Vocal Recording Panel
The LyxPro VRI-30 is a compact microphone isolation filter that reduces room ambiance to create optimal recording conditions. Its design eliminates audio wave bounce-back and interference to deliver a dry, clear sound. The panel is also easy to assemble and breakdown for storage and travel.
Key Features
- High-quality aluminum and acoustic foam panels
- Easily disassembles for transportation
- Mounts to any microphone stand
- Dimensions: 19.25″ wide, 12″ high, 3.5″ deep
- Includes microphone mounting hardware
Price
$139.99
5. Marantz Professional | Sound Shield Compact
Sound Shield Compact is a professional vocal reflection filter designed to mount to a microphone stand. The high-quality foam reduces ambient sound to give you cleaner recordings in the studio or on the road. It also features two folding metal panels for easy transportation.
Key Features
- Lightweight, foldable design for easy transport
- High-quality metal design with professional acoustic foam
- Perfect for studio or field use
- Dimensions: 16.7″ wide, 12.0″ high, 6.1″ deep
- Includes an integrated shock mount connector with adapter
Price
$59.00
6. On-Stage | ASMS4730 Isolation Shield
The ASMS4730 Isolation Shield is a lightweight and portable filter that mounts onto most standard microphone stands. Its design features a vented aluminum surround panel and 2″ acoustic foam. Included is a microphone mounting bracket and positioning bar. Adjust the entire panel vertically up to 5-1/2″ and your mic between 2-7″ from the panel for optimal positioning.
Key Features
- Vented aluminum surround panel with metal frame and 2″ acoustic foam
- Lightweight and portable for easy transportation
- Dimensions: 18.5″ wide, 12″ high, 7″ deep
- Includes microphone mounting bracket and positioning bar
Price
$99.95
7. sE Electronics | Reflexion Filter X
The Reflection Filter X offers an ideal and cost-effective solution to reduce unwanted audio reflections. It uses the same design technology as the Reflexion Filter PRO but with different materials to make it more affordable. The RF-X features a lightweight vented body with four acoustic layers and a redesigned clamp assembly. It’s also versatile, making it easy to position in challenging working environments.
Key Features
- sE’s patented acoustic filter technology at an affordable price
- Four-layer design provides near-zero sound coloration
- Fully adjustable for optimum recording position
- Rugged design stands up to demanding work environments
- Lightweight and portable for easy transport
- Dimensions: 18″ wide, 13″ high, 8″ deep
- Includes variable position stand clamp assembly
Price
$88.00
8. AxcessAbles | SF-101KIT-W Microphone Isolation Shield with Stand
The SF-101Kit provides a complete recording solution that’s portable and affordable. The kit includes an isolation shield, pop filter, mounting hardware, and a heavy-duty tripod stand. Its design also features high-density acoustic foam that effectively dampens unwanted noises.
Key Features
- Includes isolation shield, pop filter, and heavy-duty tripod stand
- Fully adjustable for optimum recording position
- Two adjustable and foldable panels for easy transport
- Mounts to stand or sits on a desktop
- Dimensions: 19″ wide, 42″ high, 7.5″ deep
- Includes microphone mounting system with adjustable depth
Price
$129.99
9. Auray | RF-C12 Professional Desktop Isolation Filter
The Auray RF-C12 provides a portable solution to isolate your microphone on a desktop. It’s perfect for music producers, broadcasters, or podcasters looking for a smaller, desktop reflection filter. It uses multi-layer acoustic treatment to absorb unwanted ambient noise and control acoustic reflections. It’s an ideal solution to isolate your vocal and instrument recordings anywhere.
Key Features
- Multi-layer acoustic isolation and a rugged molded polymer shield
- Vented back reduces coloration and eliminates bounce-back reflections
- Dimensions: 12.2″ wide, 9.1″ high, 3″ deep
- Includes adjustable telescoping desktop stand with rubber isolation feet to minimize vibration
- Includes mounting hardware with adjustable mic position and depth
Price
$79.95
10. Monoprice | Stage Right Microphone Isolation Shield
The Microphone Isolation Shield offers superb isolation, versatility, and portability at an affordable price. This acoustic shield features an acoustic foam front and a vented metal backplate. The larger, foldable design also allows the microphone to “breathe” and prevents reflections within the arc of the shield. Moreover, the panels fold inward to create a tighter acoustic isolation chamber. You can also use it on a desk or mount it to a boom at any height to accommodate sitting or standing positions.
Key Features
- Acoustic foam front and vented metal backplate
- The two outer panels fold inward for storage or travel
- Dual clamp mount attaches to mic stands or booms
- Dimensions: 23.5″ wide, 15.4″ high, 11.0″ deep
- Includes microphone mounting hardware
Price
$64.99