A microphone (mic) is a very important part of your recording kit. With so many brands, models, colors, designs and costs to choose from, the decision of which mic to use for voice recording can be quite overwhelming. In this post, we will provide recommendations on a few budget-friendly mics for voice recording that yield great results. We will also identify some key characteristics to look for in a mic.
Recommended Mics
iRig Mic Cast
Type: condenser, cardioid
Connection: TRRS
Best use: Mobile devices
Overview: Small in size (about the size of a US quarter) but fully capable of capturing rich, clear sound. Compatible with mobile phones and tablets that have a TRRS audio jack (TRRS jacks have the headphone and mic connections combined in a single jack. Round out recording kit with an extension cable, y-splitter, speaker and/or headphones for a fully functional field-recording setup. This mic is our first pick for recording with a mobile device. Note: Some mobile device manufacturers install low quality audio hardware in the mobile device, which reduces the quality of sound captured by the iRig Mic Cast.
Where to find: Mic, Extension Cable, Y-Splitter, Speaker, Headphones
Zoom H2n
Type: condenser, multi-pattern (must set to cardioid)
Connection: USB or record to on-board SD card
Best use: laptop computer or as a stand alone device
Overview: The Zoom H2n is an extremely versatile mic/recording device, so versatile that we cannot cover all of its capabilities in this brief overview. While it can be used as a standalone recording device (LCD screen shows recording level meter), using it as a USB mic with a laptop gives the recordist the ability to harness the power and precision of recording/editing software during the live recording. When setting up the mic, there are a few adjustments to make in digital menus, but after those are made (especially switching to cardioid pattern), you will be able to enjoy the ease of analog controls when adjusting the mic gain level. Zoom offers an accessory kit that includes handy items like a case, tripod, USB cable and windscreen. Note: the WindTech PopGard2000 also fits the Zoom H2n.
Where to find: Mic, Accessory Kit
Audio Technica AT2020USB+
Type: condenser, cardioid
Connection: USB
Best use: laptop & desktop computers, some mobile devices
Overview: The AT2020USB+ is a medium size, side address (sensitive to sound on the side of the mic, not on the top end) large-diaphragm condenser mic. It comes with a sturdy tripod desk stand and USB cable. It’s pivoting stand mount can also be threaded onto any standard mic stand. This mic should be matched with a pop screen or pop filter to reduce plosives (blasts of air from strong syllables from directly striking the internal capsule, which can cause distortion in the recorded audio file). There are many options available for pop filters and windscreens. Our favorite for this mic is the WindTech PopGard2000, which can mount directly on the mic.
Where to find: Mic, Pop Filter, Standard Pop Filter
Shure SM57
Type: dynamic, cardioid
Connection: XLR, optional USB
Best use: laptop & desktop computers with mic preamp or audio interface
Overview: Introduced in 1965, the SM57 is regarded as one of the most valued, versatile mics of all time for professional sound. Its focused sensitivity and natural sound works pleasantly for voice recording without adding too much thick, cloudy bass like many dynamic mics (typically referred to as “muddiness”). Ability to survive falling from buildings, driven over by trucks, submerged in sea water, buried in soil and many other ordeals has earned it legendary status for durability. The SM57 is available with a USB adapter/preamp but we have not yet tested that model. For the XLR version, if your preamp or audio interface struggles to provide enough clean signal gain, the Cloudlifter CL-1 in-line preamp will add plenty of clean gain and bring out the full, rich tone character of the mic (the Cloudlifter also works great on other popular, more expensive dynamic voice-over mics like the SM7B, RE20, etc.)
Where to find: Mic, USB version, Windscreen, Pop Filter, Cloudlifter
Two Important Characteristics To Look For
The mics recommended above yield great quality sound, are very durable and offer tremendous versatility for a wide variety of recording scenarios. However, these mics may not be readily available in your area or you may wish to use a different mic. The following are characteristics we recommend when selecting a mic for voice recording in sub-optimal environments:
Focus – All of the mics recommended above use the cardioid sensitivity pattern (selectable setting on the Zoom H2n). To explain in simple terms, this means that the mic is highly sensitive to sound coming from one direction while being relatively insensitive to sound from the opposite direction and sides. This design allows the recordist to capture the best strength of sound from the narrator while rejecting as much surrounding background noise as possible. Super-cardioid is another sensitivity pattern that is very focused and works very well. In sub-optimal recording environments the ability to reject as much distracting background noise as possible is a real benefit.
Be very cautious about using a mic with an omni-directional sensitivity pattern. Omni-directional mics are highly sensitive to sound from every direction at equal strength. This means a significant level of background noise will be detectable in the recording unless the recording environment is very well isolated from unwanted noises. Omni-directional mics are particularly common for mobile devices, but are also made with USB and XLR connections. Appearance alone does not necessarily reveal the pattern, so be sure to investigate the mic design.
Clarity – Choose a mic that captures a clear, natural sound so that the recording already sounds great and does not require many hours of processing later on to (hopefully) make it pleasant and clear to listen to on a variety of playback devices. Many mics reproduce too much or too little of bass, mid or high frequencies. The result is that the recorded audio is not clear and natural sounding. Be especially careful of cheaper mics that do not faithfully capture the full vocal range from bass to highs. Likewise, be aware of the proximity effect (enhanced bass frequencies) of many dynamic mics that can make the voice sound thick, muffled and cluttered with overtones.
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