{"id":6804,"date":"2019-09-05T18:55:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T22:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/?p=6804"},"modified":"2019-10-29T13:39:36","modified_gmt":"2019-10-29T17:39:36","slug":"3-most-important-budget-microphones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/3-most-important-budget-microphones\/","title":{"rendered":"The 3 most important budget microphones"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all been there – you\u2019re looking for a microphone that can get you close to the sound you want so that you don’t have to shell out hundreds for studio time whenever you want to record.<\/h2>\n

With so many options to pick from, choosing a microphone can be a daunting process. In this blog post, let\u2019s take a look at the three most important budget microphones to consider purchasing if your budget is $200 or less.<\/p>\n

1. Shure SM57<\/strong><\/a> (and SM58)<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n

One thing you\u2019ll notice if you read anything about budget microphones is that the SM57<\/a> and SM58<\/a> are mentioned without fail. These microphones are durable, versatile, and high-quality, suitable for use on just about anything from kick drums to lead vocals. You\u2019re sure to find a few of these in every professional studio.<\/p>\n

The SM57 and SM58 are dynamic mics, meaning they’ll record slightly less detail than a standard condenser. However, in many situations, this can actually make them a more desirable choice. For example, if you’re recording vocals at home, the SM58 is a great option because it’ll pick up less of the reflections emanating from your acoustically sub-optimal space.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that the SM57 has a slightly smaller grille design that doesn’t incorporate a windscreen, while the SM58 sports the classic ball grille that acts as a pop filter. This makes the SM57 slightly preferable for miking instruments that don’t produce plosives, while the SM58 is a better choice for vocals.<\/p>\n

2. Zoom H2n<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n

I absolutely love using Zoom\u2019s handheld recorders. They\u2019re great for tossing into your backpack on a trip or leaving on in the background of a jam session for later inspiration. While they\u2019re not necessarily a go-to pick when it comes to budget microphone recommendations, I\u2019m including the H2n<\/a> here because it provides several recording options that are otherwise unavailable at this price point.<\/p>\n

The H2n sports five different mics for a total of four possible recording modes: X\/Y, mid\/side, two-channel surround, and four-channel surround. This makes it a fabulous choice for those getting into capturing field recordings and foley for their music.<\/a> If this tickles your fancy and you\u2019ve got a little more flexibility in your budget, take a look at the H4n<\/a>, H5<\/a>, or H6<\/a>, all of which can be paired with Zoom\u2019s excellent shotgun and omnidirectional capsules.<\/p>\n

3. AKG P220<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n

The price is right for this all-purpose condenser that delivers solid, no-nonsense results at $150. If you\u2019ve got a reasonably quiet environment where you\u2019d like to record the best possible vocals, brass, or strings, the P220 is a great choice with solid build quality.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t have all the bells and whistles of the H2n or the versatility of the SM58, but this microphone dutifully delivers the classic AKG sparkling high-end. Some reviewers aren’t fans of this sound, but I’m thankful for this mic whenever I need to capture a sound with a ‘shiny’ treble. Unlike its big brother the P420<\/a>, the P220 is locked into a cardioid pattern, so if you need more polar pattern options, you\u2019ll want to shell out for a step up.<\/p>\n

The big picture<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m a big proponent of spending money on room treatment instead of a nice mic. If you\u2019re recording in a reflective environment (like your tiled bathroom, for example), your $9,000 U47 is going to capture more of those nasty reflections than a $100 dynamic mic. It\u2019s all a question of choosing the right mic for the right situation. The three microphones above are my top recommendations based on use case – for most applications, the SM57 or SM58 will perform nicely. If you\u2019re interested in making field recordings or sound designing, the H2n is an indispensable tool. And if you\u2019re on a budget but still want the detail that only condensers can provide, you can\u2019t go wrong with the AKG P220.<\/p>\n

Do you have any favorite budget microphones? Let us know in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s take a look at the three most important microphones to consider purchasing if your budget is $200 or less.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":6806,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1700,1696],"tags":[1638,1705,1708],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe 3 most important budget microphones - Blog | Splice<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choosing an affordable mic can be a daunting process - let\u2019s take a look at three important budget microphones to consider if your budget is $200 or less.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/3-most-important-budget-microphones\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 3 most important budget microphones - 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