I Tested 25 BUDGET Microphones - Which Should You Buy?!

Рет қаралды 91,743

4 ай бұрын

In this video, Ed picks 5 budget microphones for vocals from a selection of 25 mics.
⤴️ SHARE THIS VIDEO: • I Tested 25 BUDGET Mic...
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🎤 BEST MICROPHONES UNDER $100 - • Best BUDGET Microphone...
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $500):
🎙 AKG C214 - sweetwater.sjv.io/q4nN9q
🎙 Sony C80 - imp.i114863.net/oexZnW
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $400):
🎙 Shure SM7B - imp.i114863.net/MXxrGM
🎙 Rode NT2-A - amzn.to/3s9Uu1Q
🎙 Avantone CV-12 - sweetwater.sjv.io/1rRBr6
🎙 Audio Technica AT4033a - imp.i114863.net/e4AGaX
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $300):
🎙 Rode NT1 5th Gen - amzn.to/3u370Uq
🎙 Lewitt LCT 440 Pure - amzn.to/45BcZ0L
🎙 Warm Audio WA-47Jr - imp.i114863.net/yR3VJN
🎙 Shure PGA27 - bit.ly/3CfGUvP
🎙 Audio Technica AT2050 - amzn.to/3O0oOpj
🎙 Audio Technica AT4040 - imp.i114863.net/x9NPOR
🛒 SHOP BUDGET MICROPHONES (Under $200):
🎙 Audio Technica AT2035 - imp.i114863.net/P06ZBN
🎙 Blue Spark SL - imp.i114863.net/doNDvM
🎙 Rode NT1 Signature Series - amzn.to/3SzN31G
🎙 Lewitt LCT 240 Pro - sweetwater.sjv.io/B0OQL0
🎙 AKG P220 - sweetwater.sjv.io/9gWQDY
🎙 AKG P420 - sweetwater.sjv.io/QyOeL9
🛒 Pop Filter - amzn.to/3Lply6O
🛒 Mic Boom Arm - amzn.to/3EFLR50
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Пікірлер: 227

@gaborb6577 4 ай бұрын

totally agree with the ticks on the cover picture based on your voice and reviews🎉

@MunitorLP 4 ай бұрын

Hey! First of all a great comparison! What would really help though is if you would include some timestemps for each price bracket and maybe in the end compare each "winner" back to back. This would make it even easier for us to compare 😊

@Georgewalking 3 ай бұрын

Very thankful for your videos!! So knowledgeable and you explain it very well. Thank you! Very talented!

@nomanbeats 4 ай бұрын

I think that the Sony c-80 suits your voice best. Sounds like there is more soul in your voice, and it has some kind of smoothness in the upper-midrange that I didn't hear from any other mic from this video. Great video btw!

@JasonTaylor-po5xc 3 ай бұрын

When I heard the C80 - I thought for sure he would pick it - of course, I don't think the two recordings were normalized to one another - so it just might be the C80 sounded louder and I thought that was better.

@apro109 11 күн бұрын

Hands down, yes,

@homestudioacademy 4 ай бұрын

Great review! 👍 awesome content, i truly inspire to get to your level someday 😊

@xasco0 4 ай бұрын

This man is a beast 🔥 thanks bro, new subscriber, waiting for this, such an incredible video for all your community ❤ I knew the nt1 SS was crazy for that price.

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate it!

@garyclement2888 4 ай бұрын

This was a very good comparison. And thank you for the wooden boxes for budget microphones also. Great video

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Thequranverse205 2 ай бұрын

@@EdwardSmithMusicwhat do you recommend buying. I’m trying to start a channel where I post Quran videos and I don’t know what mic I should buy pls respond and help me out.

@MrCreeperrr 5 күн бұрын

@@Thequranverse205 a at2020

@emptyloopz_ 4 ай бұрын

WTF The Sony C 80 sounds so crisp without being harsh. Best Mic out of them 🔥🔥

@snorklewacker 4 ай бұрын

Great comparison, and very thorough! Would love it if you posted the dry tracks online so we can hear them without KZfaq messing with the audio. Also, at this point I wouldn’t buy a Blue mic. It’s sad, because they made some solid mics, but I’m not surprised to hear that the Spark isn’t up to snuff: ever since the Logitech acquisition they’ve been steadily declining.

@olafschermann1592 4 ай бұрын

Great to compare for each price category

@vannmensa 4 ай бұрын

Great review Quality microphones with great sounding qualities dope content as usual

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Much appreciated!

@halgrimaldo4147 4 ай бұрын

Excellent. Always tough to measure these through KZfaq's filtering. Monitoring on a TV bar, the C-80 cuts through the mix best, nice transients, but it reveals its hyped, almost sibilant character when I switched to quality cans. This is where the C214's lineage becomes evident. Full and smooth. Right choice. The under $400 category presents a difficult proposition. The SM7b is so very versatile, and a "go-to" standard for loud/dynamic vocalists, podcasting/vlogging, and so many other studio duties. The Avantone? Yes, it has the famous Taylor Swift use, similar Dolly Parton's now famous utilization of a WA-47. Tough choice. I heard noise/room with the CV-12. I thought the AT sounded great. If extra features are required, I see why it might not make your cut. Under $300 is almost impossible. The NT1, LC-440, and WA-47JR were the standouts. Too bad about Warm's QC issues. They sound great, otherwise. I found difficulty choosing between the Rode or Lewitt for sound. Both were excellent. The 440 by a hair. Under $200, forget it. Rode and be happy (or a WA-47JR when it's on sale). Thanks Edward - - nice work as always.

@genwav 4 ай бұрын

Have had the akg c214 for years and has never failed me

@faheemmushtaq3805 4 ай бұрын

Beautifully comparison ❤❤❤

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏻

@-games10 4 ай бұрын

I agree ***thanks for the good video !!!

@felixbigly Ай бұрын

I really enjoyed this shootout. Also low key jelly of your singing ability. To me, the best sounding is the Icon Pro. When dialed in there’s this “feathery” sound to it. Hard to describe but like an undertone of extra texture. Great mic. Awesome video.

@Finn.Parzival.from-the-future 4 ай бұрын

I really like your videos! Clean quality, directly and fun to wach

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!! I appreciate that!

@Finn.Parzival.from-the-future 4 ай бұрын

Bro, i`d just tell the true :D@@EdwardSmithMusic

@ulfbejerstrand1909 3 ай бұрын

Great made video!

@EdwardSmithMusic 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@shellfish6078 15 күн бұрын

You are such a G, thank you so much for making this video! :) Best of wishes w/ your 300k subscriber goal!

@EdwardSmithMusic 14 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@user-es4dt3ep2p 2 ай бұрын

Great voice! I could listen and listen and listen!

@EdwardSmithMusic 2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!! 🙏🏻

@tulsamcclean 4 ай бұрын

Sound wise I agreed with all of your choices. The LCT 240 though would be my second choice under $200 sound wise on your voice.

@ZaOnMi 3 ай бұрын

what is the recording soft ware u used to make these videos please and thank you😁

@DeshanFernando-ss2dz 3 ай бұрын

😋Finally some different songs , However Great Stuff Man . Appreciate

@anthemmakersmusic 4 ай бұрын

the best was that Sony, oh and that Spark sounded great on you as well!

@boikhristmas 3 ай бұрын

😊 I'd go for the AKG C214 It produces powerful waves

@thepeopleskobe9794 3 ай бұрын

Even more than the video, I'm really digging your songs!

@EdwardSmithMusic 3 ай бұрын

Thanks man!!

@bb_lord 4 ай бұрын

Which microphone is the best for music production?

@omotesKun 4 ай бұрын

I really like your vocal man.

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!!!

@wizgoblar Ай бұрын

Great video, thank you. I do have a follow up question if you don't mind. I'm trying to decide on a microphone that I'd be able to use for recording voice and acoustic guitar. Any recommendation? Thanks!

@DejourMuzic 3 ай бұрын

Just gave you a subscribe bro, keep going 🙌🏾

@EdwardSmithMusic 3 ай бұрын

Thanks man!! 🙏🏻

@Riseupandthrive90 4 ай бұрын

Plz make a video for budget audio interfaces also

@baya_1228 3 ай бұрын

For the crisp and clarity ill choose c80. for much clean and classic vibe C214. i can here in c214 that its so quiet, the background noise is not that loud. Compare to C80

@binarymilton Ай бұрын

Did some close listening and in my opinion the nicest sounding mics were the Sony C80, the Shure PGA27, the AKG P220 and the AKG P420. These all sounded brighter and crispier than the others. All the other microphones sounded identical to me. I'm curious: does the C80 have any proximity effect? I'd be interested to know if you can get a bit more warmth out of it by singing a little bit closer... Many thanks for the video. I'm going to have to check out the PGA27, sounds like an interesting mic.

@-adelalqatmeh3141 4 ай бұрын

03:30 I wanted to see shure ksm32 between them

@eattofuholmes 4 ай бұрын

dude, you need to actually try an mxl v67g - it's a frightening value and stands above everything in the price range. Its a k67 but actually has the deemphasis circuit in the upper mids.

@instablog9ja-jh2hf 4 ай бұрын

Much love bro ❤❤❤❤

@northwoodzhiphop 3 ай бұрын

Haha. Great video. I've been recording music for 18 years. The best music I ever recorded to this date is 3 mics that I stand by. 1. (I currently use this) AKG c214. 2. Audio Technica AT4040 3. (Highly underrated and not really known) KAM instruments c3. I have used and tested just as many mics as this man in video, maybe even more. Although I have never tested the Sony mic that costs 10k. I have to say the 500.00 to 1k price range has some great mics.

@plautus-jc8be Ай бұрын

the rode nt1 is highly overrated. I own it for a decade. And never liked the muddy and nasal sound.

@northwoodzhiphop Ай бұрын

@@plautus-jc8be agreed. Never owned one. Tested many Rode models. Rode is not bad. But yes, overrated imo. Many many other options for same price point.

@plautus-jc8be Ай бұрын

@@northwoodzhiphop I think the ATs are decent. A bit airy though, maube also lack some warmth.

@itsmeMK17 Ай бұрын

this is so great review🫶 Thank you💜 from PH🇵🇭

@EdwardSmithMusic Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@Man-of-Steel674 4 ай бұрын

I wonder why audio channels don't get as many views compared to the subscriber number. And lot of creators aren't even that good when it comes to audio. Anyway I commented to say that I appreciate your work regurdless of everything. ❤❤

@earjwee 3 ай бұрын

Audio Technica 4033a all day long. It's the mic I go to most for vocals and I have a wide variety of different mics.

@anthemmakersmusic 4 ай бұрын

Akg P220 was the best of the next set of mics for your voice on that song.

@partycle352 Ай бұрын

Agreed. Was super impressed with the tone of that mic

@DavidMorley 4 ай бұрын

Personally I loved the Sony C80 and I was surprised that to me, all the Audio Technica sounded best in their categories.

@marcooliveira2247 4 ай бұрын

For radiostation, what is the best? Rode?

@DECIFERTHIS09 4 ай бұрын

C214 is best mic around and they are like $180 used, you could sell your crappy mxl or AT and be half way there. Then work on getting a a decent preamp, there's a big difference from using your interface on your 5v usb vs plugging something in and powering your mic. The lewitt sounds good, but the naturalness of the 214 allows you to eq what you want and do whatever you want to the vocal without un wanted air, I can hear it in the lewitts you boost the high end or something and it will destroy the sound. The ATs in general have this distorted burnt effect like you know when an AT was used it sounds like vocals through a light crunch pedal, same with mxls thin airy sparkly sound. That avantone was nice though very clear and warm.

@j-perezmusic 4 ай бұрын

C214 is pretty good but tlm 102 blows it out the water

@IcedcoffeeClips 4 ай бұрын

In your opinion, what would be the best budget mic for voice overs?

@shan5445 4 ай бұрын

AT2035 sounded the best in that lower Range. Your singing has improved. AKGC214 sounded good but the Sony sounded better. I agree with the Avantone selection sounds really good. SM7b Sounded harsh. I do like the AT series your can mix vocals with them really really well.

@kumareshhalder4214 Ай бұрын

I go with lct 240 I use it since 2021

@1yuforia Ай бұрын

That little deeper voice register suits you way better than that high one fr

@senduora5289 2 ай бұрын

i just enjoying ur vocals

@aaliennn 4 ай бұрын

bro, thanks for the interesting video, I would like to know what interfaces the microphones were connected to?

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Since this video was focused on budget microphones, I wanted to use a budget audio interface as well. For the sound test comparisons, I used the Audient iD4 - amzn.to/49iFsdq (This is my favorite budget audio interface).

@aaliennn 4 ай бұрын

@@EdwardSmithMusic 👌👌thanks

@izuldexter4966 3 ай бұрын

Which one i should buy?

@timoggofficial 4 ай бұрын

CAN YOU MAKE A COMPARISON OF SONY C80 & THE C800?

@UkuleleBobbyKemp 9 күн бұрын

Fab content Edward!! - so great to see someone who can sing (well) as well as know how to get a mic up and running... You're in a very small/niche minority my friend! Tnxalot 🙏🏻 Bobby ...Time Stamps (for my ref.): Warm Jnr: 5:13 and 6:02 RODE NT1 SS: 8:59 and 10:04 AKG P420: 9:10 and 10:15

@dannefagan4658 4 ай бұрын

I’ve been looking at the WA-14 as well. Should I go with the WA-14 or avantone cv-12? Both are same exact prices I just can’t find anything that compares the two

@MaxMuccini 4 ай бұрын

Super review beetween lct 440 and at 4040 it' a.impossible to choose 😢

@dylanj8676 4 ай бұрын

I'd pick the CAD M179 over those as it's $180-$200 USD, and it uses a similar capsule to the Lewitt (both K67s with about a 5dB boost in cardioid).

@jesuscolon1373 3 ай бұрын

I bought a new Akg P420 at 150$ was it a good purchase?

@Mu_baby 4 ай бұрын

Can you compare USB mics

@cassiomorais6573 Ай бұрын

Have you tested AKG Lyra? Its a USB mic and seems awesome. I'd like to know your opinion

@JasonTaylor-po5xc 3 ай бұрын

Honestly, most of these could be EQ'd to sound about the same - so law of diminishing returns really kicks in at the $300 mark. I bet you could even take your best picks of any of them and EQ them to sound very similar to a TLM 103 or even U87. You have to have the right application and voice for a SM7B. Dynamics really shine in less than ideal recording spaces. But, if you have access to a well treated and soundproof environment, then a good condenser will really shine.

@DavidDavrosWhite 4 ай бұрын

Surprised that Lauten Audio mics didn’t get a look in here.

@anthemmakersmusic 4 ай бұрын

sony c88 on the first test for you!

@jimbotski 2 ай бұрын

Try removing the foam off the SM7B and using a pop filter like the pros do.

@PrantoKoX 4 ай бұрын

Regardless of accessories or features value for money and of the fact that some of the cheapest ones are not real condenser mics but electret condensers, from a purely sonic point of view that zingy 10kHz top end frequency spike that most of those cheaper mics have and that is also very typical of Røde is going to be very hard to tame or eliminate further down the line, and can cause sibilance hell. The exaggerated 13kHz and above "air boost" typical of the Lewitts, albeit more pleasing to the ear, can also be a baked-in issue. In short, IMHO the best of your bunch there is the AT4033 - incidentally, it's an older mic, it was born in the early 90s, well before the widespread flood of cheap chinese mic capsules and manufacturers for dozens of only cosmetically different brands, and it was the first serious large diaphragm studio condenser mic to break the sub-1000 $/€/£ barrier. And it still is exactly that: a serious mic, and a well built, good sounding reliable studio tool capable of totally professional results. 👍🏻💯

@poochfazos Ай бұрын

The rode 5th gen isnt just an added usb. It supposedly has extremely low noise floor or something compared to NT1

@bruizer3183 4 ай бұрын

AT4040 gets my vote for the $300. And it goes on sale from time to time for $200. That's what I paid for mine from a major distributor. Hard to beat all-rounder.

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Yeah, the AT4040 is awesome 🙌🏻

@plautus-jc8be Ай бұрын

@@EdwardSmithMusic STOP SAYING AWESOME1 say which one u would pick!

@hugeal8716 Ай бұрын

@Ed, curious what mic you’re using on the desk during the speaking voiceover portion of the video and your thoughts on THAT ONE.

@lee.isaac.richard Ай бұрын

Huge Al, that’ll be the Earthworks Icon Pro (note, not Icon USB). Around $500 new. It’s definitely been making waves in the condenser world

@kayjay4952 3 ай бұрын

Did you feel like u had to make. A much higher effort singing into the wa47jr compared to the lct440? I have both

@thedicesman 4 ай бұрын

Can you please make a video of full proper home studio, I'd like it even if it's 30 minutes long.

@sleonse 4 ай бұрын

I hate that I love mic videos ❤😂

@cycotec1 4 ай бұрын

The fact I seen no Aston microphones made me sad and bit upset lol they are fire

@JarrenWrightOffical 4 ай бұрын

budget setup video for this year?

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Coming soon! 🫡

@assshakerstudios549 4 ай бұрын

On vocals the Sony C80 is the buy! But if you find it on sale I'd get the Slate mic instead as it comes with a whole mic locker of emulations that is decently close, and for the price point it's untouchable. The AKG 214 though can be used on just about every source however! Drum overheads, yes. Acoustic guitars, yes. Electric guitars, yes. Grand piano stereo pair, yes. Bass, yes. So that might be more up your alley. And the C80 on certain singers can be a bit too much and an SM7b can be a better fit. Any pop music though usually the C80 would be good. If your doing metal....forget about it! The SM7b is really a $600 mic, as you have to get the Cloudlifter with it, but the mic sounds good on everything and you need to worry less about your room! If there was 1 single mic to have on a desert Island it would be that one! Still to this day, that mic is used on countless records, beating out $20,000 mics! That says it all right there! Oh and btw, you want to avoid brighter mics for at home recording!! Darker mics will be easier to put in your mix, or adding top end to it. Taking away things(like too much top end), is always harder, and you can only do so much before it destroys your sound!

@prphet0625 4 ай бұрын

What about the Sennheiser mk4

@VictorLuna_ 4 ай бұрын

As Thanos said: "I'm going to enjoy this like never before"

@srabonentertainment4753 4 ай бұрын

ohh good video

@WilDBeestMF 2 ай бұрын

I need a Sony C-80, apparently. That would be really good for instruments. Edit: Also a fan of the Shure PGA27. Shame about the design..

@iEngineerAudio 4 ай бұрын

Why did the $200 price range mics sound the best to me

@thomascurtis1159 Ай бұрын

Anyone used the under $200 mics on guitars? Wondering if the Rode NT1SS would still be top for an acoustic guitar.

@SageHisGames 4 ай бұрын

Name of all songs please?

@EditzoyFN 2 ай бұрын

What’s the second one name?

@NickWeissMusic 21 күн бұрын

I disagree with every pick lol. And every $300 mic sounded absolutely excellent, and very different. The Warm mic was indeed warm! Who knew? You’re a good singer, only a couple mics sounded “bad” to me at all. And the P420 is one of the worst mics I ever bought lol, but sounded good on you, maybe I had a bad copy. Oddly enough, I use it every day… I replaced the capsule with a microphone-parts u87 clone and the difference is beyond night and day. It’s crazy how subjective and fickle this all is, but it’s fun to watch, well done!

@hoossembechiri6136 4 ай бұрын

So witch one we shoold to buy betwin all winers mic ...plklz ????

@EdwardSmithMusic 4 ай бұрын

Depends on your budget.

@bokehblend Ай бұрын

But what does the SM7B make in this video, it doesn't make any sense to compare a single dynamic microphone to 24 condenser microphones

@paulwood4142 4 ай бұрын

AKG C214 sounds the best to my ears.

@Gdx2112 4 ай бұрын

compare usb mic pls

@plaguegaming3642 4 ай бұрын

no shure sm57?

@danimusicxx 4 ай бұрын

Hola amigo, cantas muy bien! ♥Son cosas mías o siento que el Sony y el Warm Audio te quedan perfectos ya que sacan buena presencia y ese aire bonito de tu voz, sin exagerarlo. Qué opinan?

@danimusicxx 4 ай бұрын

Percibo ese sonido como sonido caro, estoy equivocado?

@iraniha7939 4 ай бұрын

Can anyone recommend me a good USB/XLR mic under 100$ for iPhone 15 series? I would really appreciate. Thanks 🙏🏻

@outdatedgear5036 3 ай бұрын

I thought the avantone mic sounded the best out of that price range.

@Mentallydisturbed_ 4 ай бұрын

C24 it’s so crispy is my mic I use sounds like a 5.000 mic

@HarvinderSingh-yy8th 4 ай бұрын

Condenser microphone pick is a confusing matter. I watched review of at last 200 condenser microphone. I like U 67 VINTAGE, NAUMANN U47 FET, AKG C 12 VINTAGE, PELUSO P- 280. But all these cms are very costly. Can anyone suggest me a CM that sounds natural, detailed, natural and balanced at all ends. I want to open my home studio.

@escaletosfera 4 ай бұрын

The AKG P220 used to have the polar pattern chooser as the 420 have. I have one and it's great for the price I paid. I don't know why AKG took the polar pattern chooser off.

@federico3638 2 ай бұрын

does someone tried the AKG C3000 ? bc i found it on sale at 198

@BiswadeepMusicYouTube-fl8rz 21 күн бұрын

❤❤❤

@user-op2ik9dh3j 4 ай бұрын

The Behringer B-1 is a very good microphone, technically it is a K67 capsule, and with the help of adaptive equalization and exciter you can achieve a tonal sound similar to the Neumann U87Ai

@erikwibowo 4 ай бұрын

Akg p420

@rome8180 23 күн бұрын

If you're recording in a poorly treated environment, there is no better mic than the SM7B. It's also great if you have a sibilant voice. I had a Rode NT1-A, and it was terrible on my voice due to the way it brought out my sibilance.