Dynamic microphones are used most onstage. These are considered a more durable microphone, and according to ThoughtCo., have “limited frequency response, which makes them well-suited, along with their ability to withstand high sound pressure levels, for loud guitar amps, live vocals, and drums.” 

The polar pattern of dynamic mic’s is unidirectional (also known as cardioid), which means that they pick up the most sound from the direction that they are pointed in. The microphone also cancel out most of the sound coming from behind it. These factors make them perfect for a loud live environment - they can be targeted at specific instruments, and are less likely to pick up surrounding sounds and the audience.

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We’ve summarised the most common pairings below:

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Vocals

A dynamic mic with cardioid pattern is the most common type. Many sources indicate that this type of microphone will last longer and provides a thicker, warmer sound.

Some examples of commonly used vocal mics at venues include the Shure SM58, AKG D5, Sennheiser E836 Cardioid, Sennheiser E935 Super Cardioid and Shure Beta 58A.

Drums

There are multiple microphones required to mic a full kit effectively. 

Noisegate recommends the following:

• Toms -  a clip-on dynamic instrument microphone
  
  
• Floor Toms - large-diaphragm dynamic microphone
  
  
• Snare - a clip-on dynamic instrument microphone
  
  
• Kick Drum - large-diaphragm dynamic microphone
  
  
• Drum overhead - dynamic microphone or small diaphragm condenser

Examples of commonly used kick drum mics include the AKG D12, Sennheiser E602 II and Shure Beta 52A. Examples of other commonly used mics for different kit parts include AKG P4, Sennheiser e609, Sennheiser MD421 and the Shure SM57.

Sweet Water does point out that depending on the size of the venue, you may not need to mic up everything. They make the point that “If you’re in a small space, then there’s a good chance you won’t need to mic up the kit at all. In fact, you may need to isolate the drums with something like acoustic isolation panels, or the rest of the band will have to dial it up to contend with the drums, and you’ll blow your audience away.”

Drum mics can usually be purchased as a kit which contains everything you need to mic up your drums properly (from mic clips to mics).

Guitar

The most common guitars are of course bass and electric. 

Sweet Water suggests the following:

• Electric guitar amp - A large diaphragm dynamic (much like the drum mic or vocal mic) will do the trick. For example, a Shure SM57 or SM58. They point out: “Dynamic mics can also typically handle high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL), which is another reason that dynamic mics fare well on guitar cabinets.”
  
  
• Bass guitar amp - large-diaphragm dynamic mic will work. But they do also suggest that it is “also common to take a direct bass signal from the direct out on an amp, a direct box, or an amp emulator and combine that with the mic’d cabinet sound.”

If you have a limited budget to purchase mics for amps and instruments, the most versatile option would be the ShureSM57 which can be used for drum kits and miking up guitar amps. It can even be used as a vocal mic, but most prefer using a round headed SM58 style mic.

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Shure SM57 - the most versatile mic your venue can have.

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Keyboard

Electronic keyboards give you a choice. You can choose to mic up an amp with a high SPL capability or you could decide to run the keyboard’s line signal directly into the mixer (as outlined by Sweet Water).