It is important to buy the best condenser microphone you can afford. It is one of the single most important microphones anybody can own – whether you’re a professional audio engineer or somebody with a home recording studio looking to get some songs down (or spoken-word audio).
Condenser microphones have a high sensitivity and can pick up the widest range of frequencies of all the different microphone types and will allow you to capture crystal-clear sound. They tend to have a faster transient response and a higher output which in turn creates a more natural and transparent sound. If your budget allows it you could also consider buying a tube microphone which tend to offer a warmer more vintage tone to your recordings.
They are extremely versatile mics and can be used to record pretty much anything if used correctly. They are most commonly associated with recording vocals so every singer you hear in your music collection was almost certainly have been using a condenser microphone. But their limitations do not end there – you can also effectively record guitars (finger-picking acoustic particularly) drum kits and a range of pianos and other string and brass instruments.
They’re not ideal for live situations where you’d be much better off using a dynamic microphone.
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How To Choose The Best Condenser Microphone
- Your budget – It’s a pretty obvious one but you should set yourself a maximum budget and try to get the best condenser microphone you can afford. The reassuring thing with condenser mics is that if you buy a reliable and trusted brand you’ll never lose much money on them as they have a great resale value. You should take into consideration the rest of your set-up when buying as there’s no point having a $1000 condenser microphone running through a cheap old laptop. You’ll also need to look at good audio interfaces that will compliment your mic.
- Connectivity – The standard connection for most microphones is the XLR input. This connection type you will see all over the place on PA systems, amplifiers and external sound cards(audio interfaces). If you’re looking to record straight into your PC, Mac or laptop then you will need a USB microphone. These are becoming more and more popular and the quality is always improving with many great options out there.
- Accessories – Some condenser microphones will come as part of a microphone bundle and will include all the bits you need to start recording. If you buy a bare mic then you’ll also need to consider choosing a pop shield, shock mount, stands and cables. As mentioned before you need to make sure you have a suitable audio interface if you choose a mic that uses an XLR cable – and that will supply the phantom power a condenser mic needs.
The Best Condenser Microphones
Rode NT1-A
Rode is known as a brand to trust, especially when it comes to mics so the NT1-A is certainly no exception. One of the quietest studio microphones with a 5 dBA self-noise level, this mic is especially great for recording guitar, percussion and vocals. The preferred choice for anything from professional to home recording, this mic also includes a large one-inch capsule with a gold-plated diaphragm.
MXL 770
-58%
Offering a solid bass level, an up-front high end a small diaphragm multi-purpose capsule this mic is especially great for use with vocals, strings and pianos. Somewhat cheap and unable to provide the quality of sound that it’s more expensive counterparts can, this mic is perfect for an inexpensive set-up but probably won’t work well in more expensive situations.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB
Perfect for use recording in an at-home studio for strictly digital work; this mic is also wonderful for podcasting, field recording and voice-overs too. Designed on the base of Auto-Technica’s AT2020 cardioid mic, this unit offers not only a low-mass diaphragm for extended frequency response and superior transient response, but low self-noise as well. A budget friendly condenser mic, this product is the perfect choice if the Yeti is just too expensive.
M-Audio Uber Mic
The M-Audio Uber has an excellent array of features for reliability and protection with a surprisingly light 2-pound weight and totally solid and durable brass body and capsule; as long as you keep this microphone in a safe place when it’s not in use you can assure it will keep working well for a long time to come. This unit comes with a hard mount and soft case, which means you can even easily carry with you other accessories as well.
Blue Microphones Yeti
-31%
A microphone that also includes a mute function directly on the face of the device itself, the absolute best part about the Blue Yeti mic is its compatibility with both Mac and Windows as well as an included USB cable you can easily use immediately after taking it out of the box. Easily folded down for quick storage or to stand up on its own, this mic is also wonderful for use during podcasting due to its incredible versatility and affordable price.
Rode NTK
A mic that includes a twin triode 6922 valve and high-quality audio grade components, the outer build of this model is reminiscent of an armored tank and so it will really last as long as it’s taken care of. A remarkable microphone that features low-noise, an ultra-wide range and stunning tube warmth, this mic offers a lovely balance between a clear and vintage sound. Great for use with vocals or a wide variety of instruments.
AKG Pro C214
Offering a switchable 20 dB attenuation pad that allows the ability to record up to 156 dB SPL; it also include a switchable bass-cut filter ideal for close-up recording that doesn’t include any proximity effect at all. The body of this mic has a bit wider field of recording, great for picking up sounds that aren’t just in front of it and is recommended for vocals as well as almost any instrument in an isolated environment.
Neumann TLM-102
Producing a remarkably clear and crisp sound, the capsule of this mic lets you record loud sound sources such as drums, amplifiers and percussion especially. Geared toward recording the louder voices and instruments out there, this unit also has a quick transient response that also allows it to record sounds at a lower volume beautifully too. Featuring an impressive vocal presence and a clear bass range, this mic may seem like it’s priced high but it’s definitely for a reason; this is a near professional-level microphone for both sound and music recording.
Blue Spark
Complete with a large, solid diaphragm condenser capsule and a proprietary pre-amp built-in for exceptional sound though you’ll still require an audio interface as well as a phantom power supply. This mic also includes a ‘focus button’ that allows the use to change to a more up-front sound with a full-range response depending on how you choose to use it; this mic will work wonderfully and its budget-friendly price is simply nothing to ignore.
Sterling Audio ST55
Complete with a huge capsule as well as a sleek and thin 3-micron evaporated gold Mylar diaphragm, this microphone also includes impressively advanced technologies that easily separates this mic from the other models out there like it. Capable of recording a smooth and warm sound through high-quality FET Class-A Electronics; if you’ve been searching for a sturdy and dependable mic at the lower end of the middle price point, there is truly no better choice than this.
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