Get the Most from Your Vocals with the Best Cheap Microphones

For the audiophile who‘s willing to pay top dollar, the best audio equipment is a worthwhile investment. Whether you're planning on buying a new microphone because you've got a professional need for it or just want to enjoy hearing new, crisp, original sounds, in this section, we'll hook you up with relevant information so you know what to expect from your next best microphone! Consider this a detailed buying guide that'll aid you not only right now but with your future purchases as well!

Things To Consider When Choosing the Right Microphone

Sensitivity

Check the product's specs for the microphone’s sensitivity. Your ears need to be able to hear the slightest bit of background noise, otherwise, you're going to have a very hard time picking out any individual tones. It's important to know that the lower the number is, the more sensitive is the mic going to be. Normally, you'll find this number to be around -36dB to -40dB. 

Similarly, there's another factor you should keep in consideration while you're looking at sensitivity and that's SPL (sound pressure level). It's the opposite of sensitivity and determines the maximum volume handled by a certain microphone. The average SPL levels for a mic are around 100dB - 120dB.

Voice Picking Pattern

So, you might have noticed the term 'cardioid pickup pattern' on our above-recommended microphones. Wondering what does it refer to? Well, a cardioid pattern is a microphone's ability to capture the audio signal from the front and as well as from the sides. Therefore, when exposed to sounds 180 degrees from the front (backside), you won't get a direct sound signal. 

Some microphones out there might come with a multi-pattern approach that allows them to change their pickup pattern and capture voices from multiple angles at a time - for instance, you may switch them from cardioid to multi-pattern microphones. 

Frequency Response

Human beings can listen to sounds existing in the 20Hz to 20kHz range. Any sound below and above, an average human being can't really hear what's going on there. Instead, a microphone that captures voices from 80Hz to 15kHz would be the best choice since it'll be the least muddy - although it may vary depending upon the mic's usage. For snare drums or toms, you may want to keep this into consideration and buy a mic that starts at around 30Hz and goes as high as 15kHz to 20kHz. 

Proximity Effect

The proximity effect is often overlooked. However, it's a feature that allows bass frequencies (in the lower end) to have a better presence as the sound source moves closer to the mic. This is certainly a desirable characteristic for sound engineers who work the mic to create their desired sounds. 

Since you're buying a microphone, you should know that sound placement goes a long way and saves you from putting your eyes, ears, and brain through the drudgery of EQ and mixing. 

USB-Powered/XLR-powered

This isn't really a thing to consider if you're a musician because sooner or later, you'll be getting your hands on a USB audio interface and that will be your way forward. However, if you're a YouTuber or an audiophile with no such need for an audio interface, consider going with a USB-powered microphone that's just plug-and-play. Otherwise, you'll be looking at $30 - $50 and above worth of investment into a reliable audio interface. 

Types of Microphones

There actually are dozens of microphones out there - ranging from liquid microphones, carbon microphones to large/small diaphragm condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, portable microphones, and whatnot. 

However, from a professional perspective, here are the three primary types:

Condenser Microphones

The condenser microphones can be extremely sensitive since they use a conductive diaphragm that vibrates with sound signals, uses capacitance to create audio signals, and distorts at higher levels. These microphones are excellent to capture the true sound of vocals and acoustic guitars. However, what they're not good for is capturing signals from an amp up-close. 

Dynamic Microphones

The dynamic microphones are made to be sturdier and take an awful lot of noise before they decide to distort your audio signal. So, if you play live a lot, record intense instruments, vocals, and move your mic around a lot, you should be getting a dynamic microphone instead. In other words, dynamic microphones can handle high SPL without a hassle. Plus, they're as solid as a rock, dropping them to the ground is no big deal - these are the mics that you do a *mic drop* with. 

Ribbon Microphones

The ribbon microphones are made for people who need a vintage-sounding vibe to their recording. You'll spot these microphones at radio stations and a few podcasters may use them as well. They're great if multiple instruments are being played around in a room. Also, they can be quite expensive as compared to the previous two.  

How Much Do Professional Microphones Usually Cost?

Well, it depends on whether you're going for a dynamic microphone, condenser, or a ribbon one for starters. The dynamic microphones will normally start at a lower price ($10) as compared to the condenser or ribbon but can go as high as $1000. 

Similarly, a condenser microphone starts at around $30 as well but the sky is the limit with them. The most expensive condenser microphone is a Brauner VM1S and costs over $10,000. These microphones give you a lot of room to play with and the variety is endless with these ones. Normally, you'll find beginner musicians can do amazing jobs with just $100-$200 condenser microphones.

The ribbon microphones have somewhat of a similar range as condenser microphones but they're normally bought in the higher range - for their ability to capture the most natural sound of an instrument or vocals. 

Final Thoughts

A microphone on Amazon isn’t just another piece of hardware. It's a complex device that uses a variety of advanced processing, analog and digital signal processing to offer users a better listening experience. Make sure you take the time to do research and see which microphone is best for you and your needs