This chapter is for anyone who doesn't have a mic yet, or who isn't happy with the one they have and is thinking about upgrading. If you're already satisfied with your mic, check out Chapter 2 on audio interfaces instead.
First, to record at home — so-called "home recording" — you obviously can't get anywhere without a mic. Headphones can technically double as a mic, but the sound quality is a definite no.
In Chapter 1, I'll start with some mic basics before introducing some recommended mics. Even if you're just doing this for fun or as a hobby, if you're going to record, you might as well get the best sound you can, right?
I want to introduce some mics that are usable for home recording and as affordable and cost-effective as possible.
Types of Mics
First, let's talk about types of mics.
Some of you probably already know this, but mics broadly fall into two categories.
- Dynamic mics: used at live venues, karaoke, conference rooms, company assemblies, and so on.
- Condenser mics: used for voice recording, vocal recording, and similar.
The typical mic shape most people picture right away is usually a dynamic mic.
Dynamic and condenser mics both range widely in price, and each has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's probably best to pick based on what you're using it for.
Let's look at the pros and cons of dynamic mics and condenser mics.
Pros and Cons of Dynamic Mics
Pros
- Doesn't need a power source
- Resistant to vibration and humidity
- Very sturdy — handling it a bit roughly is fine
- Prices vary widely, but many are affordable
- Doesn't pick up ambient noise or high frequencies easily
Cons
- Not well suited to delicate recordings
- Low sensitivity
If you're recording somewhere prone to ambient noise — an apartment complex, a condo, a house along a main road — or if you're the type who doesn't want the hassle of carefully maintaining a mic, a dynamic mic might suit you better. Dynamic mics are also well suited to recording sound from an amp, like a guitar amp.
Pros and Cons of Condenser Mics
Pros
- High sensitivity — picks up a wide range of sound well.
- With a good recording environment set up, you can record at high quality and high fidelity.
Cons
- Won't work without power (needs 48V phantom power — the mic alone isn't usable)
- Sensitive to vibration (needs careful handling)
- Sensitive to humidity (moisture increases noise)
- Pricier (depends on the mic, but they tend to be expensive overall)
Condenser mics are much more delicate than dynamic mics.
I own both dynamic and condenser mics myself, and condensers clearly pick up the high end better and give you a clearer, more open sound. That said, they also pick up really quiet sounds very easily, so you need to be even more careful when recording than you would with a dynamic mic.
Store your condenser mic in the hard case it came with, or in a dry cabinet, along with some moisture-absorbing packets.
Condenser mics are basically a great choice for recording voice or singing at home or in a rehearsal studio, and they're also recommended if you want good sound quality for things like cover songs or streaming. They take a bit more care to handle, but if your environment is good, you can get very clear, high-quality recordings.
3 Recommended Dynamic Mics
Let's start with recommended dynamic mics. If you're on a tight budget, or your recording environment tends to pick up a fair amount of noise, a dynamic mic might be the right call, depending on what you're using it for.
3. Audio-Technica AT-X11
Seriously broke, can't even scrape together ¥10,000, but still want to sing! If that's you, I think this is a great pick. Honestly, among mics you can pick up for around ¥2,000, this is probably the best value out there. It comes with a mic cable too, and since the original price is over ¥10,000, it's a real bargain at this price.
If you're going to buy one of those cheap-looking mics from an electronics store, I'd recommend this one instead.
2. SHURE SM58-LCE — often just called the "Five-Eight"
This is the industry-standard dynamic mic you'll find at pretty much every music studio — the classic of classics, and extremely sturdy. I own one myself, of course. Even brand new it's only a little over ¥10,000, so it's not too big a hurdle to get into. It might be a stretch for a middle schooler, but if you've got a part-time job, it shouldn't be a problem. It's widely used as a stage mic, but with its smooth mid-to-high range, it's absolutely capable for recording too.
1. SHURE BETA58A
This mic is a step up from the SM58 mentioned above. It has a clearer, more open sound than the SM58, and if you're recording with a dynamic mic, depending on the price difference, it might be worth going with this one instead. If you're also buying a mic stand, or an audio interface along with your mic, budget will be a factor, so check with your wallet.
Key Points to Keep in Mind When Recording with a Dynamic Mic
This applies to pretty much any dynamic mic: they're basically designed for on-mic use (keeping your mouth close to the mic), so when you're singing or recording lines, keep your mouth as close to the mic as you reasonably can. Your distance from the mic changes the sound quite a bit, so pay close attention to mic position while recording. A distance of around 5cm works well.
3 Recommended Condenser Mics
Next, let's look at recommended condenser mics. Ideally, we'll aim for something in the ¥20,000-30,000 range, even on the cheaper end.
3. MXL-V67G
If your budget is only around ¥10,000 but you really want a condenser mic no matter what, this is the one I'd recommend. It performs plenty well for its price range.
2. Audio-Technica AT4040
This is a classic. It records vocals, narration, acoustic guitar — pretty much anything — with a clean, uncolored sound. If you can stretch your budget a bit and get a mic at this level as your very first one, I don't think you'll regret it. It's also a solid choice for streaming, like cover songs or commentary.
1. RODE NT-2A
The classic of classics. Truly the definitive choice. This is the successor to the NT2, which was a massive worldwide hit. Carrying on that legacy, the NT-2A lets you switch between three settings each for polar pattern, PAD, and low-cut. The diaphragm is RODE's own masterpiece, the HF1 — a mic built to pursue both usability and sound quality. It won an MIPA award at Musik Messe in Frankfurt, Germany in 2005, and was voted the best mic in the world. I own one myself, and I don't think you'll regret buying it. Everyone has their own preferences, so I can't say it's an absolute guarantee, but I think you'll be more than satisfied.
It comes with a shock mount with pop filter (SM6), a 3m mic cable, a dust cover, a DVD, and a sticker — great value for what you get.
Bonus: Pop Filters
When using a condenser mic, I recommend using a "pop filter" to prevent plosive noise. A pop filter is usually mounted on the mic stand. As you can see in the image on the left, it's that thing you always see in professional recording setups. "Plosive noise" refers to that "bwomp" sound that happens when a gust of air or breath hits the mic directly. If you record a heartfelt ballad or a quiet song without a pop filter, you could end up in real trouble... Also, if you're singing at high volume, you're bound to spray a bit of saliva, and a pop filter protects the mic from that moisture too, making it pretty much essential for condenser mics. That said, don't rely on it completely.
Some pop filters are made of metal and can be fully washed, running over ¥10,000, but I think something at this level is plenty for most people's needs.
Key Points to Keep in Mind When Recording with a Condenser Mic
When recording with a condenser mic, use off-mic technique rather than the on-mic approach you'd use with a dynamic mic. Keeping a distance of roughly 20-30cm works well.
Affordable, Usable Home Recording Mics in 2020, Wrapped Up
I've focused on "affordable and usable" as the theme here, but of course there are plenty of other great mics out there too.
In the end, I think choosing a mic for home recording comes down to what you're using it for and your recording environment. Are you performing live? Recording narration? Vocals? Streaming commentary? Do you live in an apartment, or along a busy road? And so on.
Either way, if you just want something that sounds better than a cheap karaoke mic, or you're a student on a tight budget looking to keep costs as low as possible, I'd recommend the dynamic mic Audio-Technica AT-X11. If you can stretch a bit further, go for the SHURE SM58 or SHURE BETA58A.
Dynamic mics hold up fine for handheld use, but handheld use is difficult with condenser mics. That means you'll also want a mixer or audio interface with 48V phantom power, plus a mic stand, a pop filter, moisture-absorbing packets, and so on, on top of the mic itself — which ends up adding up to a fair amount of money overall.
Based on our visitor trends, I'd guess a lot of people reading this are into doujin work or YouTube — drama CDs, voice skits, cover songs, YouTube videos, and so on. If you're planning to keep at this for the long haul, if you already do some paid work or want to take on paid work in the future, if quality matters a lot to you, or if you're working and have a bit of money to spare, I'd suggest considering a condenser mic. Just something to keep in mind.