I Tested 25 BUDGET Microphones - Which Should You Buy?!
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- Опубліковано 12 лют 2024
- In this video, Ed picks 5 budget microphones for vocals from a selection of 25 mics.
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🎤 BEST MICROPHONES UNDER $100 - • Best BUDGET Microphone...
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $500):
🎙 AKG C214 - sweetwater.sjv.io/q4nN9q
🎙 Sony C80 - imp.i114863.net/oexZnW
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $400):
🎙 Shure SM7B - imp.i114863.net/MXxrGM
🎙 Rode NT2-A - amzn.to/3s9Uu1Q
🎙 Avantone CV-12 - sweetwater.sjv.io/1rRBr6
🎙 Audio Technica AT4033a - imp.i114863.net/e4AGaX
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $300):
🎙 Rode NT1 5th Gen - amzn.to/3u370Uq
🎙 Lewitt LCT 440 Pure - amzn.to/45BcZ0L
🎙 Warm Audio WA-47Jr - imp.i114863.net/yR3VJN
🎙 Shure PGA27 - bit.ly/3CfGUvP
🎙 Audio Technica AT2050 - amzn.to/3O0oOpj
🎙 Audio Technica AT4040 - imp.i114863.net/x9NPOR
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $200):
🎙 Audio Technica AT2035 - imp.i114863.net/P06ZBN
🎙 Blue Spark SL - imp.i114863.net/doNDvM
🎙 Rode NT1 Signature Series - amzn.to/3SzN31G
🎙 Lewitt LCT 240 Pro - sweetwater.sjv.io/B0OQL0
🎙 AKG P220 - sweetwater.sjv.io/9gWQDY
🎙 AKG P420 - sweetwater.sjv.io/QyOeL9
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I think that the Sony c-80 suits your voice best. Sounds like there is more soul in your voice, and it has some kind of smoothness in the upper-midrange that I didn't hear from any other mic from this video. Great video btw!
When I heard the C80 - I thought for sure he would pick it - of course, I don't think the two recordings were normalized to one another - so it just might be the C80 sounded louder and I thought that was better.
Great comparison, and very thorough! Would love it if you posted the dry tracks online so we can hear them without UA-cam messing with the audio. Also, at this point I wouldn’t buy a Blue mic. It’s sad, because they made some solid mics, but I’m not surprised to hear that the Spark isn’t up to snuff: ever since the Logitech acquisition they’ve been steadily declining.
Hey! First of all a great comparison! What would really help though is if you would include some timestemps for each price bracket and maybe in the end compare each "winner" back to back. This would make it even easier for us to compare 😊
This man is a beast 🔥 thanks bro, new subscriber, waiting for this, such an incredible video for all your community ❤ I knew the nt1 SS was crazy for that price.
Appreciate it!
Very thankful for your videos!! So knowledgeable and you explain it very well. Thank you! Very talented!
This was a very good comparison. And thank you for the wooden boxes for budget microphones also. Great video
Glad it was helpful!
@@EdwardSmithMusicwhat do you recommend buying. I’m trying to start a channel where I post Quran videos and I don’t know what mic I should buy pls respond and help me out.
totally agree with the ticks on the cover picture based on your voice and reviews🎉
WTF The Sony C 80 sounds so crisp without being harsh. Best Mic out of them 🔥🔥
Great review! 👍 awesome content, i truly inspire to get to your level someday 😊
Excellent. Always tough to measure these through UA-cam's filtering.
Monitoring on a TV bar, the C-80 cuts through the mix best, nice transients, but it reveals its hyped, almost sibilant character when I switched to quality cans. This is where the C214's lineage becomes evident. Full and smooth. Right choice.
The under $400 category presents a difficult proposition. The SM7b is so very versatile, and a "go-to" standard for loud/dynamic vocalists, podcasting/vlogging, and so many other studio duties. The Avantone? Yes, it has the famous Taylor Swift use, similar Dolly Parton's now famous utilization of a WA-47. Tough choice. I heard noise/room with the CV-12. I thought the AT sounded great. If extra features are required, I see why it might not make your cut.
Under $300 is almost impossible. The NT1, LC-440, and WA-47JR were the standouts. Too bad about Warm's QC issues. They sound great, otherwise. I found difficulty choosing between the Rode or Lewitt for sound. Both were excellent. The 440 by a hair.
Under $200, forget it. Rode and be happy (or a WA-47JR when it's on sale).
Thanks Edward - - nice work as always.
Great review
Quality microphones with great sounding qualities
dope content as usual
Much appreciated!
I really enjoyed this shootout. Also low key jelly of your singing ability. To me, the best sounding is the Icon Pro. When dialed in there’s this “feathery” sound to it. Hard to describe but like an undertone of extra texture. Great mic. Awesome video.
Have had the akg c214 for years and has never failed me
what is the recording soft ware u used to make these videos please and thank you😁
the best was that Sony, oh and that Spark sounded great on you as well!
I really like your videos! Clean quality, directly and fun to wach
Thank you!! I appreciate that!
Bro, i`d just tell the true :D@@EdwardSmithMusic
Sound wise I agreed with all of your choices. The LCT 240 though would be my second choice under $200 sound wise on your voice.
Great to compare for each price category
Beautifully comparison ❤❤❤
Thank you 🙏🏻
Great video, thank you. I do have a follow up question if you don't mind. I'm trying to decide on a microphone that I'd be able to use for recording voice and acoustic guitar. Any recommendation? Thanks!
😋Finally some different songs , However Great Stuff Man . Appreciate
Great made video!
Thank you!
😊 I'd go for the AKG C214
It produces powerful waves
I agree ***thanks for the good video !!!
Did some close listening and in my opinion the nicest sounding mics were the Sony C80, the Shure PGA27, the AKG P220 and the AKG P420. These all sounded brighter and crispier than the others. All the other microphones sounded identical to me.
I'm curious: does the C80 have any proximity effect? I'd be interested to know if you can get a bit more warmth out of it by singing a little bit closer...
Many thanks for the video. I'm going to have to check out the PGA27, sounds like an interesting mic.
I go with akg p420 I use it since 2018 smooth & clear
this is so great review🫶 Thank you💜
from PH🇵🇭
Thanks for watching!
Just gave you a subscribe bro, keep going 🙌🏾
Thanks man!! 🙏🏻
Which microphone is the best for music production?
Great voice! I could listen and listen and listen!
Thank you so much!! 🙏🏻
I wonder why audio channels don't get as many views compared to the subscriber number. And lot of creators aren't even that good when it comes to audio. Anyway I commented to say that I appreciate your work regurdless of everything. ❤❤
dude, you need to actually try an mxl v67g - it's a frightening value and stands above everything in the price range. Its a k67 but actually has the deemphasis circuit in the upper mids.
Haha. Great video. I've been recording music for 18 years. The best music I ever recorded to this date is 3 mics that I stand by. 1. (I currently use this) AKG c214. 2. Audio Technica AT4040 3. (Highly underrated and not really known) KAM instruments c3. I have used and tested just as many mics as this man in video, maybe even more. Although I have never tested the Sony mic that costs 10k. I have to say the 500.00 to 1k price range has some great mics.
the rode nt1 is highly overrated. I own it for a decade. And never liked the muddy and nasal sound.
@@plautus-jc8be agreed. Never owned one. Tested many Rode models. Rode is not bad. But yes, overrated imo. Many many other options for same price point.
@@northwoodzhiphop I think the ATs are decent. A bit airy though, maube also lack some warmth.
Even more than the video, I'm really digging your songs!
Thanks man!!
I really like your vocal man.
Thank you!!!
Personally I loved the Sony C80 and I was surprised that to me, all the Audio Technica sounded best in their categories.
For the crisp and clarity ill choose c80. for much clean and classic vibe C214. i can here in c214 that its so quiet, the background noise is not that loud. Compare to C80
Have you tested AKG Lyra? Its a USB mic and seems awesome. I'd like to know your opinion
I’ve been looking at the WA-14 as well. Should I go with the WA-14 or avantone cv-12? Both are same exact prices I just can’t find anything that compares the two
AT2035 sounded the best in that lower Range. Your singing has improved. AKGC214 sounded good but the Sony sounded better. I agree with the Avantone selection sounds really good. SM7b Sounded harsh. I do like the AT series your can mix vocals with them really really well.
That little deeper voice register suits you way better than that high one fr
bro, thanks for the interesting video, I would like to know what interfaces the microphones were connected to?
Since this video was focused on budget microphones, I wanted to use a budget audio interface as well. For the sound test comparisons, I used the Audient iD4 - amzn.to/49iFsdq (This is my favorite budget audio interface).
@@EdwardSmithMusic 👌👌thanks
@Ed, curious what mic you’re using on the desk during the speaking voiceover portion of the video and your thoughts on THAT ONE.
Huge Al, that’ll be the Earthworks Icon Pro (note, not Icon USB). Around $500 new. It’s definitely been making waves in the condenser world
Honestly, most of these could be EQ'd to sound about the same - so law of diminishing returns really kicks in at the $300 mark. I bet you could even take your best picks of any of them and EQ them to sound very similar to a TLM 103 or even U87. You have to have the right application and voice for a SM7B. Dynamics really shine in less than ideal recording spaces. But, if you have access to a well treated and soundproof environment, then a good condenser will really shine.
C214 is best mic around and they are like $180 used, you could sell your crappy mxl or AT and be half way there. Then work on getting a a decent preamp, there's a big difference from using your interface on your 5v usb vs plugging something in and powering your mic. The lewitt sounds good, but the naturalness of the 214 allows you to eq what you want and do whatever you want to the vocal without un wanted air, I can hear it in the lewitts you boost the high end or something and it will destroy the sound. The ATs in general have this distorted burnt effect like you know when an AT was used it sounds like vocals through a light crunch pedal, same with mxls thin airy sparkly sound. That avantone was nice though very clear and warm.
C214 is pretty good but tlm 102 blows it out the water
Audio Technica 4033a all day long. It's the mic I go to most for vocals and I have a wide variety of different mics.
Plz make a video for budget audio interfaces also
03:30
I wanted to see shure ksm32 between them
In your opinion, what would be the best budget mic for voice overs?
Did you feel like u had to make. A much higher effort singing into the wa47jr compared to the lct440? I have both
Akg P220 was the best of the next set of mics for your voice on that song.
Agreed. Was super impressed with the tone of that mic
CAN YOU MAKE A COMPARISON OF SONY C80 & THE C800?
For radiostation, what is the best? Rode?
Regardless of accessories or features value for money and of the fact that some of the cheapest ones are not real condenser mics but electret condensers, from a purely sonic point of view that zingy 10kHz top end frequency spike that most of those cheaper mics have and that is also very typical of Røde is going to be very hard to tame or eliminate further down the line, and can cause sibilance hell. The exaggerated 13kHz and above "air boost" typical of the Lewitts, albeit more pleasing to the ear, can also be a baked-in issue.
In short, IMHO the best of your bunch there is the AT4033 - incidentally, it's an older mic, it was born in the early 90s, well before the widespread flood of cheap chinese mic capsules and manufacturers for dozens of only cosmetically different brands, and it was the first serious large diaphragm studio condenser mic to break the sub-1000 $/€/£ barrier.
And it still is exactly that: a serious mic, and a well built, good sounding reliable studio tool capable of totally professional results.
👍🏻💯
Surprised that Lauten Audio mics didn’t get a look in here.
Try removing the foam off the SM7B and using a pop filter like the pros do.
Which one i should buy?
AT4040 gets my vote for the $300. And it goes on sale from time to time for $200. That's what I paid for mine from a major distributor. Hard to beat all-rounder.
Yeah, the AT4040 is awesome 🙌🏻
@@EdwardSmithMusic STOP SAYING AWESOME1
say which one u would pick!
The rode 5th gen isnt just an added usb. It supposedly has extremely low noise floor or something compared to NT1
Can you compare USB mics
The fact I seen no Aston microphones made me sad and bit upset lol they are fire
On vocals the Sony C80 is the buy! But if you find it on sale I'd get the Slate mic instead as it comes with a whole mic locker of emulations that is decently close, and for the price point it's untouchable. The AKG 214 though can be used on just about every source however! Drum overheads, yes. Acoustic guitars, yes. Electric guitars, yes. Grand piano stereo pair, yes. Bass, yes. So that might be more up your alley. And the C80 on certain singers can be a bit too much and an SM7b can be a better fit. Any pop music though usually the C80 would be good. If your doing metal....forget about it! The SM7b is really a $600 mic, as you have to get the Cloudlifter with it, but the mic sounds good on everything and you need to worry less about your room! If there was 1 single mic to have on a desert Island it would be that one! Still to this day, that mic is used on countless records, beating out $20,000 mics! That says it all right there! Oh and btw, you want to avoid brighter mics for at home recording!! Darker mics will be easier to put in your mix, or adding top end to it. Taking away things(like too much top end), is always harder, and you can only do so much before it destroys your sound!
Can you please make a video of full proper home studio, I'd like it even if it's 30 minutes long.
Super review beetween lct 440 and at 4040 it' a.impossible to choose 😢
I'd pick the CAD M179 over those as it's $180-$200 USD, and it uses a similar capsule to the Lewitt (both K67s with about a 5dB boost in cardioid).
As Thanos said: "I'm going to enjoy this like never before"
I bought a new Akg P420 at 150$ was it a good purchase?
The AKG P220 used to have the polar pattern chooser as the 420 have. I have one and it's great for the price I paid. I don't know why AKG took the polar pattern chooser off.
The Behringer B-1 is a very good microphone, technically it is a K67 capsule, and with the help of adaptive equalization and exciter you can achieve a tonal sound similar to the Neumann U87Ai
i just enjoying ur vocals
I need a Sony C-80, apparently. That would be really good for instruments.
Edit: Also a fan of the Shure PGA27. Shame about the design..
Anyone used the under $200 mics on guitars? Wondering if the Rode NT1SS would still be top for an acoustic guitar.
budget setup video for this year?
Coming soon! 🫡
Hola amigo, cantas muy bien! ♥Son cosas mías o siento que el Sony y el Warm Audio te quedan perfectos ya que sacan buena presencia y ese aire bonito de tu voz, sin exagerarlo. Qué opinan?
Percibo ese sonido como sonido caro, estoy equivocado?
I hate that I love mic videos ❤😂
sony c88 on the first test for you!
Can anyone recommend me a good USB/XLR mic under 100$ for iPhone 15 series? I would really appreciate. Thanks 🙏🏻
But what does the SM7B make in this video, it doesn't make any sense to compare a single dynamic microphone to 24 condenser microphones
So witch one we shoold to buy betwin all winers mic ...plklz ????
Depends on your budget.
ohh good video
does someone tried the AKG C3000 ? bc i found it on sale at 198
when you said 'smash the subscribe button" I thought this video was from a couple years ago.... not 1 month.
no shure sm57?
Condenser microphone pick is a confusing matter. I watched review of at last 200 condenser microphone. I like U 67 VINTAGE, NAUMANN U47 FET, AKG C 12 VINTAGE, PELUSO P- 280. But all these cms are very costly. Can anyone suggest me a CM that sounds natural, detailed, natural and balanced at all ends. I want to open my home studio.
You did nt2a dirty. Nice video though
Haha... to be fair, all these mics can do the job well 💪🏻
AKG C214 sounds the best to my ears.
bro plz.. say melon audio to launch their mic in india..
I think they will soon.
I owned the c214 for years... And I detested it. I finally sold it last year. It's got this humongous 10 db bump in the top end at 12-13Khz and 7.5 db around 8-10Khz. It's just so big that you can't take it out. Even after a LPF that character is still there. It's impossible to really take it out without negatively affecting what's below. It so so harsh in the top end, yet it will feel dark because of this dip in the 1 and 2.5Khz area... For me it was just unusable...Check Audio Test Kitchen and you'll see what I refer too.
Yup - I would come to similar conclusions. My one exception would be the tube mic - I would rather have something that consistently has the same sound. Tubes change over time.
What about the Sennheiser mk4
I thought the avantone mic sounded the best out of that price range.
with my little experience, I've come to understand that there are only two important things .
1. Room treatment
2. Recording chain
What’s the second one name?
Why did the $200 price range mics sound the best to me
Dude, I can tell where you are from, and my biggest question to you sir is.... does all these items you cover shit to SA? Or are you no longer living here?
Lastly, love the videos very informative and im hoping the SA guy makes over a mil subs🤘
Name of all songs please?
Akg p420
Its easier to add and more difficult to take out frequencies. Go get the Sony, I'm just saying.
😎
I don't agree with your choice in the "Under 200$" categorie. And I guess there, it really depends on the kind of vocal you are recording.
Great video still. Keep Rocking
Would love to know your pick for the mic under $200... maybe the AKG P420?
I understand the reason you took out the Spark although I think it sound amazing and If mixed properly and pared with some good analog like Saturation it can give you a nice rich and vintage like sound. (Again if that is what you are going for),
For Me I just love the Lewitt mics. Every one in every Price range. I just think they are sou great to mix with (especially on vocals) and there design an built quality is of the charts. The have a very versatile sound, are able to sound modern and vintage. What bothers me on the LCT 240 tho is the self noise.
Le me hear what you think :) I'd be interested in your opinion on my takes.
@@EdwardSmithMusic
C24 it’s so crispy is my mic I use sounds like a 5.000 mic