You want to set up your home studio. You will need many types of equipment for your setup, from monitors to stereos. One of the most essential pieces of equipment when building your studio is having the best condenser microphone, which will be the centerpiece for all your setups.
Best Condenser Microphone
If you are looking for a microphone specifically for recording, then we recommend a condenser microphone for you. We have this list of the best condenser microphones you can get, and we will tell you in detail what a condenser microphone is, why you should get it, and what the difference between a condenser and a dynamic microphone is. We have made a list of the best condenser microphones, divided into two groups so that you can easily find a microphone that best suits your budget.
What is a Condenser Microphone?
You are looking at this article and wondering what a condenser microphone is. No need to worry, as we have this covered for you. The first condenser microphones, created in 1916, were known as capacitor microphones. They used this name because the condenser microphone works the same way as a capacitor. Like a capacitor, a condenser microphone has a capsule made of a backplate and a diaphragm in it.
The diaphragm is made or coated in metal, as it conducts electricity. Condenser microphones can now have both batteries and phantom power for the external power supply. They generate sound by using charged metal plates. You will mostly find condenser microphones in studios, and many professional artists, engineers, and producers use these kinds of microphones.
Types of Condenser Microphones
There are two types of condenser microphones:
- Large-diaphragm microphone: These types of microphones are 1 inch (25.4 mm) in diameter or more and are best for someone who desires to record vocals or instruments with a deep sound. When you record yourself with this type, it sounds more like you.
- Small-diaphragm microphone: These types of microphones have a diaphragm of ½ inch (12.7 mm) diameter or less and give you a firm, wide-frequency response, and the best transient response (means it can follow the sound wave accurately).
Best Condenser Microphone under $100
Marantz Professional MPM-1000
Marantz has proudly produced the MPM-100 condenser microphone. It is a high-quality condenser microphone that gives you studio-type audio production. The MPM-1000 microphone compresses Marantz’s professional microphone feature but on a budget that anyone and everyone, no matter what their financial situation, can buy. It is the best condenser microphone for vlogging, podcasting, gaming, or just recording.
The MPM-1000 is a condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern, which makes it exceptional for recording close-ups or on-stage performances. This polar pattern eliminates unwanted background noise and picks up all the sound needed from the central source sound. The MPM-1000 has a pure aluminum-plate 18mm diameter diaphragm capsule, which captures all the audio in high quality.
This microphone is extraordinary for recording in compact places and for live recording, as it captures sounds coming from any direction. It comes with a windscreen, shock mount, tripod stand, and an XLR cable. It has a wide-ranging frequency, meaning it will capture complete and precise audio for you.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20,000Hz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Analog or digital: Analog
- Dimensions: 1.9″x6.5″ (WxH)
- Weight: 0.65lb
- Self-Noise: 17 dBA
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 77dB
Blue Snowball iCE
If you are looking for the best condenser microphone that is not only within your budget but also simple to use and can easily be connected to your PC and Mac, then the Snowball iCE is the one you should buy. Blue Snowball iCE is the ideal condenser microphone for beginners. It is versatile, and you can use it for vocal or instrument recording.
The Snowball iCE is available in black or white and measures about 12.7″ in circumference. It is in an orb shape and covered in plastic. The front exhibits a metallic grille where you can see the Blue Logo; when you plug in the USB cable, an LED at the top lights up.
The Blue Ice perceives your voice as more precise and focused, making it suitable for streaming, podcasting, and even making Skype calls with a cardioid pattern. You can use this microphone on Windows 7, 8, 9, and 10 and Mac OS 10.4.11 and higher by just plugging it in; no extra software is needed. You can use it close up or six to eight inches away from it, and you will still get a clear recording.
It is Skype and Discord certified, which means that whether you are talking over Skype or live streaming on Twitch, your voice will be crisp, clear, and loud.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 40Hz –18 kHz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Dimensions: 12″ (circumference)
- Weight: 460g
- System Requirement:
ZINGYOU BM-800
You may have heard of ZINGYOU. It is the leading manufacturer of professional products for recording and market broadcasts. They pay extra attention to fine details and make sure that all their products, no matter what price they are, meet the standards that they have set. The ZINGYOU microphone that we have on our list is the BM-800. It comes in a bundle kit and works great with the accessories. This microphone is the one for you if you want to make YouTube videos or podcasts.
In the ZINYOU BM-800 kit bundle, you get the following equipment with the microphone:
- A shock mount: This is an all-metal shock mount that isolates the condenser microphone from physical noise or vibration, such as from the floor or the stand.
- A pop filter: This helps to reduce any wind interference or saliva spraying when recording or broadcasting.
- An adjustable scissor stand: This is a clamp stand that you can attach to your desktop to keep it in place.
The ZINGYOU BM-800 has an extremely quiet self-noise, making it perfect for vocal and audio production. It is straightforward to set the microphone up and put it together so that it stays in one place. If there is no phantom power or underpower, the microphone will still sound fresh. The structure of the BM-800 is transcendent as it is made out of metal and gives you a high-quality feel and look. This microphone is the best condenser microphone if you want something that is better than a headset and delivers a clear, warm, and crisp sound.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20,000Hz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Dimensions: 1.9″ x 6.3″
- Net Weight: 400g
- Self-Noise: 16 dBA
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 78dB
Audio-Technica AT2020
Audio-Technica is a brand that has worked a perfect balance between inexpensive and high performance of their product. They have a product for every category. The Audio-AT2020 is the best condenser microphone, which will give you a great combo of good design, structure, high function, and performance. It may not be a product that high-end professionals use, but you can find it in many semi-pro-recording studios.
They designed the Audio-AT2020 with a low-mass diaphragm, which gives it extensive frequency response and higher transitory response. It might be low-cost, but that doesn’t mean it will not give you a crisp, warm, and clear sound.
If you use it as a vocal microphone, you will get a subtle, sharp sound. With instruments like the acoustic guitar, the microphone will provide a balanced sound. It has a cardioid pattern, which helps to isolate unwanted sounds from all sides.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20,000Hz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Dimensions: 6.38″x 2.05″
- Weight: 345g
- Self-Noise: 20.0 dB(A)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 74 dB
Best Condenser Microphone under $500
Shure KSM32/CG
The best condenser microphone that we have first on our list is from Shure’s. They are a well-known company and well-liked in the market for producing the best coil-dynamic microphones. Now, they also manufacture condenser microphones that are high-quality yet affordable. The Shure KSM/32 is just under the $500 margin that you may have when buying the best condenser microphone that has a large diaphragm.
Shure KSM/32 has been designed so that you can use it for live or studio use. It has a strong structure and solid-state parts, making it enduring, and a fully open reaction allows the sound to dominate most sound sources. It comes with two accessories:
- A swivel mount
- A carrying case that is padded and has a zip.
The Shure KSM32/CG is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that has a diameter of 19mm. Shure designed this microphone around a single-diaphragm cardioid capsule that radiates a precise provisional response and allows a more constant cardioid polar pattern because of its small size. This condenser microphone has a 3/4″ gold-faltered 2.5-micron Mylar diaphragm.
They have managed to keep the cost low by producing the KSM32 with a Class A amplifier and not adding an output transformer, which wipes out traverse distortion for improved linearity over the full frequency range.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20,000Hz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Self-noise: 13dBA
- High-pass filters:
- 6 dB/octave below 115 Hz
- 18 dB/octave below 80 Hz
- Dimensions: 55.9mm- Body diameter and 187m in length
- Weight: 490 grams
Blue Yeti Pro
If you want the best Condenser microphone, with high resolution and high definition, and one that you can put anywhere, including your desktop, we recommend the Blue Yeti Pro. You can record multiple sources or switch to a different setting and fine-tune the pick-up pattern to your preference. The Yeti Pro has a dual system, three custom condenser capsules, and four different modes.
The four modes that the Yeti Pro condenser microphone has are:
- Bidirectional Mode: This mode allows you to record voices from the front and rear sides. It’s ideal for when recording an interview with many people.
- Omnidirectional Mode: This mode picks sound from all four sides and creates the ambiance of a person being there when hearing the recordings back.
- Cardioid Mode is great for recording something that is being said or played straight in front of the microphone.
- Stereo Mode: This mode uses the left and right channels and is great for creating a realistic sound picture.
You can change to any mode easily by just rotating the knob added for your ease.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20KHz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
- Maximum SPL: 120dB
- Operating system: Windows, macOS/OSX
- Weight: 0.54g
Audio-Technica AT4040
The second best condenser microphone we have included in our list is the Audio-Technica AT4040. If you are looking for a professional recording microphone that is great for broadcasting and live sound, this is the one you should consider.
This condenser microphone has a unique appeal to artists or producers looking for a microphone that provides a focused, reliable, and consistent sound. The AT4040 comes from Audio Technica’s 40-series of condenser microphones that gave notoriety a masterpiece like the AT4033.
Audio-Technica came up with the AT4040 masterpiece, which has a 20 mm large- diaphragm with a cardioid pick-up pattern and many applications, delivering a smooth sound. The large diaphragm makes the quality of the microphone smoother and more natural.
The AT4040 microphones come with a sturdy A18449 shock mount. It has two standard controls: a minus dB pad for reducing sensitivity and a roll-off for low frequencies.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20kHz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Self-noise:12dB
- Hi-pass filters: Switchable 80Hz
- Dimensions:6.69″ x 2.1″
- Weight: 450grams
AKG Pro C214
AKG has been around for more than 65 years, with great products that are popular among artists, engineers, and producers. The next on our list of the best condenser microphones is the AKG C214. This microphone provides an exceptional dynamic range and ultra-low noise for recording anything close.
The AKG C214 is an affordable option for the AKG C414. It has the same high standards, and it has not let us down on many features. Because of its adaptability, the AKG C214 is not only made for vocal podcasts or recordings but is also a good option for musical instruments.
The C214 has a sleek look that would look and work transcendent in studios and on stages. Its body is all metal and features a scratch and shock-resistance finish. You get an H85 universal shock mount and a metal carrying case so that you can store and transport your microphone easily. It catches every natural tone in detail, giving you the resulting sound, which is remarkable.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 20Hz-20KHz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Self-noise: 13dBA
- High-pass filters: 60Hz (6dB/octave)
- Dimensions: 160 x 55 mm
- Weight: 280 grams
What to look for When Buying the Best Condenser Microphone
- Budget: The first and most important thing is figuring out what your budget is. That is why we have given a list of many condenser microphones fitting to all kinds of budgets.
- Recording Environment: You need to look at what type of environment you will be recording from, a compact one, a noisy one, or a silent one so that you can get the microphone according to that; for example, if you live in a noisy roommate, then you would want a microphone that only focuses on your sound and ignores any background noise.
- What you plan to record: You need to have an understanding of what type of voice you will be recording. Is it just people talking or instruments playing so that you can get a microphone that is just right for that kind of voice?
- Type of condenser microphone: You have to decide beforehand whether you want a large or small – diaphragm condenser microphone.
- Pattern Variations: You must decide what pick-up pattern variation will be the best for you. If you will be interviewing people, then an omnidirectional microphone will be the best for you, but if you are only recording your voice from just one place, then the cardioid microphone will be suitable for you.
- Proximity effect: This is knowing how far the source from the microphone will be. Some microphones have sensitivity, and even if you are 15 inches away, they will pick up your voice.
- Applications: You need to decide on a condenser microphone after figuring out what type of application (instruments) you are most likely to use. It will help you get a microphone that will pick up that application’s voice without distortion of any sort.
Conclusion
There it is. The list of the best condenser microphones you should get. Now, we hope you understand what a condenser microphone is. Suppose someone who is building a recording studio wants a condenser microphone. In that case, you can advise them to get a condenser microphone and how they will be exceptional because of how sensitive they are. These are better than the dynamic ones as they have a better frequency range. We hope this list has helped you find the best condenser microphone that suits your needs and budget.
