No matter you are a YouTube content creator or a stage performer or a singer, the audience expects some quality content from you. And, audio quality is one of the significant aspects that can take your work to higher standards.
For every field, there are various microphones available if you look to buy one on the websites like amazon. Some are best suitable for recordings, while some provide crisp audio quality in stage performances. So, it is your call to buy the best one for you. But, still, it gets confusing for some buyers as there are plenty of options available.
Therefore, if you are looking for a perfect microphone for you, it is essential to look for some crucial factors before buying:
- Audio Quality: The most critical factor to look before buying a microphone is its audio quality. So, please make sure that the audio output is on point without any disturbances or digital noise.
- Connection Type: As you will go through a list of products, you will see that mostly microphones connect using XLR cables. While others use USB point or even a wireless connection, so, choose according to your conveniences.
- Microphone Type: That depends on your usage, but there are generally two kinds of microphones available, which are dynamic and condensers. Dynamic provides you with better noise-canceling features (less sensitive) while the other offers better and lower audio output. (more sensitive)
In this article, you will find some of the Best Microphones in India that are available to buy now. In case you are still having trouble to find a suitable option for you, you can go through the complete Buying Guide that is given below.
Best Microphones in India
| Microphone | Type | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| JTS Microphone | Dynamic | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Sennheiser XS1 Microphone | Dynamic | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Sennheiser E 845-S Microphone | Dynamic | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Maono Microphone Kit | Condenser | None | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Boya Microphone | Condenser | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Maono Microphone | Dynamic | None | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Behringer Microphone | Dynamic | 3 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Shure Microphone | Dynamic | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| AHUJA Microphone | Dynamic | None | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Studiomaster Microphone | Dynamic | 6 Months | CHECK ON AMAZON |
10 Best Microphones in India: Reviews
1. JTS TK-600 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
JTS offers value for money products on Amazon, including this microphone. And since it is a dynamic microphone, you can expect decent audio quality with excellent background noise cancellation from it.
It is present in the 1st position in this article as it offers a lot of things despite its affordable price tag. This microphone has a uniform cardioid pickup pattern which is quite rare to have at this price. And it offers outstanding audio quality while cancelling all of the background noise of your environment.
You also get an on-off switch on the front of this microphone which can be useful for stage performance. And since the sound signature of this microphone is made for vocals, it is the perfect option for singing or a speech from a stage.
Best Features:
- Controlled Proximity Effect
The bass response of this microphone has been rolled off due to which it has a very low proximity effect. As a result, it is an excellent option for vocals and giving speeches in a stage performance. - XLR Connection
This microphone uses an XLR cable for connection with other audio devices. And when used with a phantom power supply, it offers excellent audio quality and decent dynamic range.
- Internal Pneumatic Shock Mount
It comes with an internal inbuilt shock mount which reduces handling noises while using this microphone. And even if you are using it without a stand, you should not face any issues.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Even though JTS is a value for money microphone brand, it still offers a 1 year warranty with the TK-600. If you are facing any issues with this microphone, you can contact JTS using the following link:
Pros
- Decent audio quality
- Background noise cancellation as its a dynamic microphone.
- On-off switch on the front
- XLR microphone connection
- Perfect for vocals with low proximity effect
- Internal shock mount for less handling noise
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Build quality could have been better
- Does not come with a case
Verdict
If you are looking for an affordable microphone with good vocals, then the JTS TK-600 can be a great option. It comes with various features and offers decent audio quality. Since it is an XLR microphone, it cancels out a lot of the background noise.
2. Sennheiser XS1 Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone
Sennheiser is one of the most popular audio brands out there. And it makes all kinds of audio products, including microphones as well. We are here with an entry-level option from Sennheiser.
This microphone is in the 2nd position in this article as it offers excellent audio quality. When compared to the previous option, it sounds a lot better without being highly expensive. It is one of the best vocal microphones which can be used for singing and stage performances.
The mute switch of this microphone is completely silent and offers good control with the microphone. And as this is a Sennheiser product, you can expect excellent build quality as it has a metal construction. Even though it is made out of metal, there is very less handling sound with this microphone.
Best Features:
- Free Carry Bag
This microphone comes with a free carry bag which is of good quality. And it is useful for carrying this microphone if you want to take it with you. - Small and Compact
It is one of the smallest dynamic cardioid microphones available out there which makes it perfect for things like karaoke and singing. Even though it is made out of metal, it is quite lightweight.
- Background Noise Cancellation
As this is a dynamic microphone, it cancels out most of the background noise, which is a great thing for a lot of users. You can use it even if there are a lot of ambient sounds in your environment.
Warranty and Customer Support:
As Sennheiser is a highly reputable audio brand, it offers 2 years of warranty on its products, including this microphone. And you can easily avail this warranty by contacting Sennheiser using the following link:
Pros
- Comes with a free carry bag
- Excellent metal build quality
- Lightweight and compact microphone
- Silent mute switch on the front
- Low handling noise
- Great background noise cancellation
- Perfect for vocals
- Works over XLR cables
Cons
- Does not include a mic holder
Verdict
The Sennheiser XS1 can be a great option if you are looking for a dynamic microphone made for vocals. And since it is a Sennheiser product, it offers excellent build quality due to its metal construction.
3. Sennheiser E 845-S Dynamic Super Cardioid Microphone
We have yet another Sennheiser microphone in this article. But unlike the previous one, this one is much more expensive and a premium option. And it offers some extra things for its higher price tag.
The Sennheiser E 845-S is in the third position in this article as it is one of the best sounding microphones out there. In comparison to the previous options, it is quite expensive and might not be the best option if you want a value for money option. But it delivers excellent audio quality with a smooth, warm tonal response.
It also has an excellent dynamic range when used with a phantom power supply for extremely clear audio. This microphone has a frequency response of 40 to 16000 Hz, which is more than enough for most users.
Best Features:
- Consistent Proximity Response
The proximity response of this microphone is quite consistent. Due to this, the handling noise is quite low, and this microphone is a great choice for vocals even if you are not using a stand with it. - Free Carry Case and Stand
You get multiple free accessories with this premium microphone option. It includes a free carry bag and a microphone stand holder in the box. You do not have to buy any extra accessories for it.
- Highly Reliable and Durable
Sennheiser offers this microphone with a highly premium metal construction. As a result, it is highly reliable and durable. And you also get a 2 year warranty against manufacturing defects with this microphone.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Just like the previous Sennheiser microphone, this one also comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty. If you are facing any issues with this microphone, you can contact Sennheiser using the following link:
Pros
- Includes free mic stand holder and a carry bag
- High-quality metal construction
- On-off switch on the front
- A decent inbuilt pop filter
- Excellent audio quality
- Smooth warm tonal response
- High dynamic range
- Excellent vocal clarity and projection
Cons
- Expensive
Verdict
If you are looking for a high-end microphone option, then the Sennheiser E 845-S dynamic super can be ideal. It offers excellent build quality along with superb audio quality. And you also get multiple free accessories in the box that result in a great overall experience.
4. Maono AU-A04 Condenser Microphone Kit
All of the microphones mentioned in this article require you to buy multiple accessories before you can start using them. Thankfully, that is not the case with the Maono AU-A04 condenser microphone as it is a complete kit.
You get a USB microphone, a pop filter, a windscreen, and a boom arm with this microphone. And all of these things allow you to use this microphone right away. Since it is a USB microphone, you do not even need an audio mixer or a phantom power supply to use it with your smartphone.
Unlike most USB microphones, this one does not need any drivers to be installed for using it. You can even use it with your smartphone with the help of an OTG adapter. And since it is a condenser microphone, the audio quality is quite good.
Best Features:
- Multiple Accessories Kit
You get everything in this microphone kit that you will ever need for recording audio using it. And all of the included accessories are of high quality. - Perfect for Game Streaming
This microphone offers great voice clarity which makes it ideal for things like singing, game streaming, or podcasts. And it also has excellent proximity effect which many users love for these applications.
- High-Quality Chipset
Since this is a USB microphone, it has an inbuilt sound chipset. And it offers support for a sampling rate of 192 kHz 24-bit audio which is quite good. You can expect great quality with low digital noise from this USB microphone.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Unfortunately, Maono does not offer any manufacturer’s warranty with this microphone. If you are facing any issues with it on arrival, you can get it replaced using Amazon’s 10 day replacement.
Pros
- Includes free mic stand holder and a carry bag
- High-quality metal construction
- On-off switch on the front
- A decent inbuilt pop filter
- Excellent audio quality
- Smooth warm tonal response
- High dynamic range
- Excellent vocal clarity and projection
Cons
- Expensive
Verdict
This microphone kit from Maono can be a great option if you want to start using your microphone right away. It allows you to use it without buying any extra accessories for it. And since it is a USB microphone, it is a plug and play device that does not need any drivers.
5. Boya BYM1 Omnidirectional Lavalier Condenser Microphone
Most other microphones present in this article are quite big in size when compared to this one. Thankfully, that is not the case with the Boya BYM1 Omni-directional lavalier microphone as it is a lapel mic.
Even this microphone is quite small and compact; it delivers decent audio quality. Since it is an omnidirectional lavalier microphone, it has a very natural sound signature. It has a 20 ft cable which is quite long for most users. And you can even use it with your smartphone, cameras, and other devices without any issues.
Despite its affordable price tag, you get multiple accessories in the box. It includes a clip, a windscreen, and a 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm audio adapter. All of these things offer a much better overall experience to the user.
Best Features:
- Omnidirectional Microphone
It has an omnidirectional pickup pattern which picks up audio from all 360 degrees. It is useful for many applications like presentations, interviews, and much more. - On-Off Switch
As this lavalier microphone uses a cell for power, it also comes with an on-off switch. This allows you to power off the microphone when you are not using it. As a result, you can save the cell of your microphone.
- Background Noise Cancellation
Just like many other lavalier microphones out there, this one also offers decent background noise cancellation. Since it also comes with a windscreen, you will not face any wind noise issues either.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Boya offers a 1 year warranty with this lavalier microphone against any manufacturing defects. This warranty can be easily availed by contacting Boya using this link:
Pros
- Great audio quality
- Multiple free accessories
- On-off switch in the cable
- Small and compact size
- Omnidirectional pickup pattern
- Decent background noise cancellation
Cons
- The cable can be too long for some users
- Requires a cell for power
Verdict
If you are looking for a small compact microphone, then the Boya BYM1 can be a great option. This microphone also delivers quite good audio along with multiple accessories in the box. As a result, it offers great value for money with a great overall experience.
6. Maono AU-WDM01 Professional Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Wired Microphone
We have yet another microphone from Maono in this article. But unlike the previous one, this is a single microphone unit instead of being a kit. And it is the cheapest microphone present in this article.
It also comes with an XLR to ¼ inch cable in the box which can be easily connected to most of your audio devices. This cable has a length of 9.8 ft which is quite decent for most users. The cardioid pattern of this microphone is perfect for vocals and singing applications.
This microphone has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz, which is quite good for the given price. And as it is a dynamic microphone, the background noise cancellation capability is also quite good. Most of the ambient sounds around you do not get picked up by this microphone.
Best Features:
- Inbuilt Pop Filter
You get an inbuilt pop filter with this microphone which stops a lot of popping sounds. As a result, you do not need to buy any extra pop filters for this microphone. - Great for Vocals and Music Instruments
If you do a lot of singing or vocal work with your microphone, then this can be a great option. It can also be used for recording musical instruments along with it without any issues.
- Small and Compact
When compared to other dynamic handheld microphones, this one is quite compact and small. As a result, you can easily use it for singing, stage performance, karaoke and much more.
Warranty and Customer Support:
As mentioned earlier, Maono does not offer any warranty with its microphones, including this. You only get the Amazon 10 day replacement warranty for fixing any issues on arrival.
Pros
- Decent audio quality
- Free audio cable
- On-off switch at the front
- Small and compact size
- Inbuilt pop filter
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor build quality
- Background noise is present
Verdict
This microphone from Maono can be a decent option if you want the cheapest microphone possible. While it does not have any extra bells and whistles, the audio quality is quite decent for the price. And it can be used with most audio devices with the included cable.
7. Behringer XM8500 Dynamic Cardioid Microphone
Behringer is quite a popular brand which makes audio equipment like audio mixers, amplifiers, and microphones. And we are here with one of the most popular microphone options available from Behringer.
One of the best things about this microphone is its audio quality. The cardioid pickup pattern of this microphone offers a very natural sounding voice. And it has a very smooth frequency smooth which makes this microphone a great overall option. You also get excellent background noise cancellation with this microphone since it is a dynamic one.
This microphone also has an inbuilt shock mount which is usually found in high-end microphones. It ensures that handling noises are kept to a minimum while using this microphone. And you get all of this in a metal construction body which offers excellent build quality.
Best Features:
- Free Carry Case
It is one of the only microphones present in this article which comes with a carry case. And when compared with traditional carry bags, this one offers much better protection to the microphone. It uses foam and hard plastic for its construction and keeping the microphone safe. - Ultra-Wide Frequency Response
This microphone has a very wide frequency response which makes it a great option for all kinds of applications. And even though this is a dynamic microphone, it sounds quite natural and open when compared to other options at this price.
- Inbuilt Wind Screen and Shock Mount
It is one of the only microphones out there which does not require any external accessories. You get an inbuilt windscreen and pop filter for removing any noise. And it also has a shock mount to reduce handling noise while using this microphone.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Behringer offers a 3 year warranty on its microphones which is much better than most of the options available out there. In case if you are facing issues, you can contact Behringer using the following link:
Pros
- Best in class audio quality
- Comes with free case and stand adapter
- Inbuilt windscreen, pop filter, and shock mount
- Great build quality
- Wide frequency response
- Low background noise
Cons
- Does not have an on-off switch
Verdict
It is one of the best value for money options available out there when it comes to microphones. You get excellent audio quality with great customer support via its 3 year warranty. And the included stand adapter and carry case make the overall experience even better.
8. Shure SM58S Vocal Microphone
Shure is mainly known for making high-end audio products which also includes this one. It is one of the most expensive microphones present in this article. But it delivers excellent audio quality according to that.
This is one of the best microphones that you can buy for vocals. It is great for using for singing as it has bright mids and bass roll-off. The proximity effect of this microphone is also quite controlled. And you get a frequency response of 50 to 15000 Hz which the best in class.
It is able to offer all of this while one of the smallest handheld microphones in this article. Despite its small size, you also get an on-off switch in the front, which can be quite handy for stage performance. But it is highly recommended to use a phantom power supply with this microphone to get the best audio quality out of it.
Best Features:
- Minimal Background Noise
Even though this is a vocal microphone, the background noise cancellation is quite good. It is able to remove all ambient noise due to its uniform cardioid pattern. And it can do this while offering a very natural sound signature. - Low Handling Noise
This microphone has an inbuilt pneumatic shock mount which offers shock absorption to the capsule. As a result, there is very little handling noise while using this microphone. You can use it handheld even though it comes with a free stand adapter.
- Inbuilt Wind Screen and Shock Mount
It also has an inbuilt windscreen and shock mount which offers good wind protection while speaking into the microphone. As a result, the audio quality is not affected even if you are not using an external pop filter.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Shure offers a 1 year warranty for its microphones against any defects or issues. You can easily avail this warranty in case of any issues using the following link:
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- On-off switch on the front
- Inbuilt windscreen and pop filter
- Low handling noise due to shock mount
- Wide frequency response range
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern
Cons
- Expensive
Verdict
For those of you who do not have any budget restrictions, this microphone from Shure can be a great option. It delivers excellent audio quality for vocals and singing. And the inbuilt windscreen and pop filter results in a great overall experience.
9. AHUJA AWM-490V2 Dual PA Wireless Microphone
Ahuja is an Indian brand of microphone which makes all kinds of microphones. And we are here with a wireless microphone kit which comes with a total of two microphones and the wireless receiver unit.
Even though this is a wireless microphone unit, the microphones, as well as the receiver unit, are quite compact and small. It uses VHF high band frequency for the wireless function which works perfectly even over large distances without any noise or signal loss issues.
To further make the wireless function even better, the receiver unit has two extendable antennas. And this results in a distortion-free reception while using this microphone unit. And both of the microphone units use separate frequency so that they do not affect each other.
Best Features:
- VHF Wireless System
The VHF Wireless System ensures excellent reception while using this wireless microphone unit. Even if you are using these microphones over a long distance, there is almost no distortion or signal loss. - On-Off Switch
Even though these are wireless microphone units, these offer an on-off switch on the front. It allows you to switch off the microphone when not in use. And this is quite useful for saving battery life while using this microphone kit.
- Advanced Receiver Unit
The receiver unit of this microphone comes with various indicator lights and controls. All of these things can be quite useful while using these wireless microphones. And you can also find extendable antennas on the back.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Unlike most other reputable brands, Ahuja does not offer any manufacturer’s warranty with this microphone unit. If you face any issues on arrival, you can use Amazon’s 10 day replacement warranty.
Pros
- Decent audio quality
- On-off switch on the microphone units
- IVHS wireless system
- Extendable antennas
- Separate microphone frequency bands
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern
- Great background noise cancellation
Cons
- Battery life is average
- Some digital noise is present
Verdict
If you want a wireless microphone set without paying a lot of money, then this Ahuja one can be a great option. It offers decent audio quality with VHF wireless system. And the microphone units have decent build quality.
10. Studiomaster Dual Wireless Microphone
Coming to the last microphone in this article, we have another wireless microphone unit. But unlike the last one, this Studiomaster one is a bit more expensive and offers some extra features.
It comes with two microphone units in total along with a receiver unit. And the receiver unit has control dials as well as two displays for controlling the microphones. It also has two antennas on the back for reliable and high-quality reception for using the wireless microphones.
You can use the microphones of this kit even at a distance of 100 feet without any issues. And you also get individual channel support along with channel mix support. This can be done quite easily using the dials present at the front.
Best Features:
- Dual Display Receiver Unit
The receiver unit of this microphone kit has two displays in total. These can be used to check things like the frequency of the microphones. It can be useful for using the microphones at different channels. - On-Off Switch
Both of the microphone units have an on-off switch which is quite useful. You can use it to power off the microphones when not in use to save battery. It can also be used to use only one of the microphone units whenever needed.
- Easy to Use
Even though you get a lot of controls and dials with this microphone kit, it is quite easy to use. If you are new to wireless microphones, then this can be a great option to start from.
Warranty and Customer Support:
It offers a 6 month warranty to its users against any manufacturing defects and issues. If you are facing any issues with this microphone kit, you can contact Studiomaster using the following link:
Pros
- Decent audio quality
- On-off switch on the microphone units
- 100 feet wireless range
- Dual antennas on the back
- Two displays on the receiver unit
- Separate channels for the microphone units
- Decent background noise cancellation
Cons
- Average build quality
- Microphone units are a bit heavy
Verdict
The Studiomaster XR 40HH can be an excellent option for many users. If you are new to wireless microphones, then this is perfect as it is quite easy to use. And the audio quality of the microphone units is also quite decent for a wireless unit.
Buying Guide for Microphones
Whether you are recording a video or performing on a platform, along with the video quality, the audio quality needs to be top-notch. That can only be achieved using a good-quality microphone that can record crystal clear audio.
It can be tricky to buy the perfect microphone for your activity. This is because there are different types of microphones available. Each one of them may have different features and specifications. Therefore, we are putting together a complete buying guide for your assistance.
What Are The Types Of Microphones?
There are various types of microphones available to choose from.
- Dynamic Microphone –The mic is quite sturdy, versatile, and suitable for rough handling. Besides, it can produce high sound levels without significant distortion. That is why it is perfect for stage performance and live shows. On the technical parameters, it has low output impedance and high output level. It is widely used as a hand microphone.
- Condenser Microphone – The mic has the ability to produce high-quality audio. It is highly sensitive and extremely responsive. Hence, it is suitable for both instruments as well as vocal. If you want to record softer and shuttle sounds, go for it. However, it cannot tolerate overloaded sound. Unlike a dynamic microphone, this one comes with a preamplifier.
- Ribbon Microphone – This mic is more like a dynamic mic in construction. The only difference is that there is a metal conductor or ribbon instead of a wire coil. It is relatively expensive and suitable for studio work. This is because it is susceptible in picking up detailed sound.
- Crystal Microphone – It is a low-cost mic, and it is suitable for those having a low budget. It does not have a wide frequency response. Due to the high impedance level, the mic can pick up surrounding noise. In this connection, an electret mic is another type that fits in the lower end mic category for beginners in video shooting.
What Are The Different Polar Patterns For Microphone?
The polar pattern is an equally important consideration as the type of mic you need. The polar pattern of a mic is its field of sensitivity. It is the surrounding pattern in which the sound sources are picked you.
Depending on the polar pattern, you can record only the sound of the instrument you are playing or the sound of the entire band performing. The following is the list of the different polar patterns you should know about.
- Omnidirectional – An omnidirectional mic picks up sound from all directions. It has a 360-degree sound source acceptance design, and it does not depend on its orientation. It is suitable for pickup up voices of multiple people singing in chorus, people speaking one by one sitting around a table, and such scenarios. However, it is quite prone to feedback, and its pattern looks like a sphere.
- Bidirectional – A bidirectional mic picks up sound from the front and rear side of the mic. However, it is least sensitive to the sound coming from the right and left side. It has a narrow pickup angle, and the pattern looks like an inverter eight. The mic is useful for picking up sound from two sound sources positioned face to face.
- Unidirectional – A unidirectional mic picks up sound from one direction only. Therefore, it is likely to pick up the least ambient noise and feedback than the other two types. There are various types of unidirectional mics available.
- Cardioid – It is the most common unidirectional mic, and its pattern resembles a heart. It is very sensitive to the sound source in front of it. The mic comes with a pickup angle of 131 degrees. Therefore, feedback rejection is quite good.
- Subcardioid – It is slightly wider than cardioid in the pickup angle. Hence, it lies somewhere in between omnidirectional and cardioid. Therefore, it is somewhat more prone to feedback, but it can capture sound from multiple instruments and vocalists.
- Supercardioid – It is slightly narrower than cardioid in pickup angle. So, the rejection from the sides is maximum. It can easily eliminate room noise and sound from other sources or instruments. However, the speaker has to maintain a constant position for consistent recording.
- Hypercardioid – It is quite close to a bidirectional in pickup angle. Therefore, it is more sensitive to sound source in the rear side. It effectively rejects sound from the sides as well as the ambient room noise. But the placement of the source has to be precise for consistency.
Apart from these, there are multiple pattern mics available. You can switch the polar pattern in them as per your requirements.
Things To Consider While Buying A Microphone
1. Application
As you can see, you are different types of mics available with different polar patterns. You need to be clear about your purpose of buying a mic and the application you will put it in. If you are a beginner in video making with a limited budget, you can start with a crystal or ceramic mic.
- If you are a YouTuber and want to make quality videos for social media platforms, the condenser mic will be more suitable.
- Similarly, if you are a singer and public speaker, you need a dynamic mic.
- If you want studio-like quality, you have to spend more money to buy a ribbon mic. If you are a podcaster, you need a unidirectional mic.
The omnidirectional mic is suitable when you want to use one mic to pick up all sound sources at once, like singing in chorus. Hence, the specific application and purpose of use will help you determine which mic is best for you.
2. Diaphragm
The size of the mic matters in terms of the quality of the audio recording. The small-diaphragm mics are considered suitable for newbies. They are easy to carry and perfect when there is one speaker or one instrument. These are quite cheap in price though there are premium models also available.
On the other hand, the large-diaphragm mics are considered professional. They are suitable for all categories, whether omnidirectional or unidirectional. Besides, they are pickup low volume sounds as well as high-frequency sounds without distortion. It depends on your budget, maneuverability, and requirements as to which one will be perfect for you.
3. Impedance
Always opt for a microphone that has relatively low impedance. Low impedance means it will pick up less low-level noise, and the transmitting signal will contain high-frequency sounds of the speaker or primary source.
To be more specific, you should buy microphones with less than 200 ohms of impedance. However, the crystal and ceramic microphones have relatively high impedance. That is why they are low in price, and quality is not that good.
4. Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a mic represents its ability to pick up low volume sounds. As a general rule, you should buy a mic with a high sensitivity value. However, there could be scenarios when you do not want the mic to be extremely sensitive to low volume sound. When you are podcasting, it is sure that you will speak very close to the mic. Low sensitive mics also cost less but they have high variance, which is an obstacle in recording good audio quality.
5. Frequency Response
This parameter refers to the frequency range of a mic. Every microphone comes with a defined frequency range. The mic will only be able to capture the sound that comes within the frequency range. The low-cost mics have less frequency range, and hence, they cannot pickup low or very high pitch sound. Depending on your requirements, you have to choose the mic with sufficient frequency response to fulfill your needs perfectly.
6. Connectivity
There are wired and wireless microphones available. For stage performance where you have to move around every now and then, you have to opt for a wireless mic, which is comparatively expensive. While you buy a wireless mic, make sure you get the wireless range suitable for your work. Otherwise, there will be poor connection and recording issues.
The wired mics are always more reliable as it is no issue of going out of range. The audio quality also stays top-notch. You can also attach a pre-amplifier and noise-canceling accessory for better clarity of audio. There are USB microphones available that connect directly to the computer. There are cheap to premium microphones available in the wired category.
7. Pass Filter
You may notice that the sound quality depends on how close you are to the microphone. This is called the proximity effect, where the closer the source, the louder the sound gets. If you need to reduce this effect, the microphone should have a pass filter to cut off low-frequency response. It is not a must-have feature though some users may find it useful. You can install it externally after buying the mic.
Frequently Asked Questions
XLR microphones require you to get an audio mixer with phantom power to use the microphone. As a result, they are not easy to work with since they are not plug and play.
But XLR microphones generally tend to offer great dynamic range in the audio department. And you can easily tweak them using an audio mixer as per your liking.
On the other hand, you can plug in a USB microphone on your computer and start using it right away. But USB microphones can have significant digital background noise in the audio.
While such microphone adapters work for using the microphone, the quality is not the same as using an audio mixer. It is generally recommended not to use an XLR to 3.5 MM adapter. You should either get an audio mixer for your XLR microphone or simply use a USB microphone which is easy to use.
Most XLR microphones require you to use a phantom power supply. While a microphone will still work without a phantom power supply, it will deliver poor audio quality.
On the other hand, high-end microphones will not get enough power from the motherboard of your computer. Hence, it would help if you got a 48v phantom power supply or an audio mixer that comes with one.
The biggest difference between dynamic and condenser microphones is the way they sound. A dynamic microphone cancels out of the background noise and ambient sounds around you.
But it has a narrow soundstage, and the audio quality is inferior compared to a condenser microphone.
On the other hand, a condenser microphone sounds much more natural. And when compared to a dynamic microphone, it picks up more of the background noise.
Wireless microphones can be quite useful for stage performances. These allow you to use the microphone without any hassle as there are no ables. But a wired microphone offers more customisation via an audio mixer. And it generally provides better audio than a wireless microphone.
Conclusion
For those of you who are into any kind of audio production, using a good quality microphone is quite essential. And there are multiple options available out there which offer different sound signatures and various features.
Thus, choosing the best microphone for your needs and requirements can be a bit difficult. Therefore, we have mentioned some of the best microphones in this article.
You can also find their major features and options to choose the best one for you easily. Although, if you are still not able to select the best one for you, here are some of our recommendations:
- If you are on a budget, then you should go for the Behringer XM8500 Dynamic Cardioid Microphone. It offers great audio quality and comes with a carry case. This microphone can deliver excellent results when used with a phantom power supply.
- The AHUJA AWM-490V2 is one of the best wireless microphone systems available out there. It is perfect for interviews or stage performances where you do not want to work around with cables. And the audio quality is also quite decent.
- On the other hand, Boya BYM1 Omnidirectional Lavalier Condenser Microphone is the smallest option in this article. It is perfect for using as a collar microphone for recording videos. And despite its small size, it offers great audio quality.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
Nice Article