Best under-$100 cardioid condenser mic?
March 10, 2021 8:51 AM Subscribe
My son wants a Rode NT1, but doesn't have three hundred bucks. What's the closest alternative for, say, $99?
He has an audio interface, which works fine (and gives him real connectors). He's recording into real software, and also Garageband.
He plays acoustic & electric guitar, uke, and mandolin, and is adding piano. (He has a melodica, too, but no one wants a recording of that noise.) He doesn't sing, but his girlfriend does.
His teacher said that the Rode NT1 is a great all-around microphone, but....I am not paying for that. I have some credits I could spend, but a hundred bucks is a hard cap for his first real mic.
Thanks for any ideas!
He has an audio interface, which works fine (and gives him real connectors). He's recording into real software, and also Garageband.
He plays acoustic & electric guitar, uke, and mandolin, and is adding piano. (He has a melodica, too, but no one wants a recording of that noise.) He doesn't sing, but his girlfriend does.
His teacher said that the Rode NT1 is a great all-around microphone, but....I am not paying for that. I have some credits I could spend, but a hundred bucks is a hard cap for his first real mic.
Thanks for any ideas!
I was able to get an Audio Technica AT 2020 from eBay for $100 and they can be found for less.
It’s an all purpose mic not specifically a vocal mic I would try and get it for $80 and use the $20 for a pop filter.
posted by sol at 9:08 AM on March 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
It’s an all purpose mic not specifically a vocal mic I would try and get it for $80 and use the $20 for a pop filter.
posted by sol at 9:08 AM on March 10, 2021 [2 favorites]
Rode NT-USB-Mini can be as low as $99 (on Sweetwater and Amazon)
posted by kschang at 9:14 AM on March 10, 2021
posted by kschang at 9:14 AM on March 10, 2021
Shure SM57 has been one of the most popular and well-loved cardioid mics for a long time at that price point. $99 new, can be run over by a car and still work fine.
Link is to Sweetwater bc they are a store I like and they'll send you candy and a nice catalog too, but any place is fine.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:16 AM on March 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
Link is to Sweetwater bc they are a store I like and they'll send you candy and a nice catalog too, but any place is fine.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:16 AM on March 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
The SM57 isn't a condenser mic though. Quite a few "Best # condenser mics under $100" review sites regard the AT 2020 and MXL 770 (both have XLR connections) pretty highly. I haven't used the MXL, but the AT 2020 is good for its price. You should be able to find reviews of both online to help you decide between them.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:26 AM on March 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:26 AM on March 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
As a longtime hobbyist musician who first started buying recording gear with my own money in high school, I strongly recommend having a conversation with your son and telling him what his budget is.
All of the advice above is good. But frankly, for $100 you're dealing with tradeoffs.
An SM57 is a beloved microphone that your son would use forever, even if they end up getting higher end microphones in the future. But it's not that exciting, and it's not a condensor! It won't sound like a condensor.
On the other hand, a Samson C01 is a fine mic, but it's a budget condensor. Maybe that's the tradeoff your son wants to make, maybe that's what they want. But if they really get into this, that microphone is going in the bin eventually in favor of something better.
I'm sure they won't like that they won't get exactly what they want, but — they're approaching adulthood, and buying a microphone is an adult decision that they'll be happier making for themselves.
posted by billjings at 9:31 AM on March 10, 2021 [11 favorites]
All of the advice above is good. But frankly, for $100 you're dealing with tradeoffs.
An SM57 is a beloved microphone that your son would use forever, even if they end up getting higher end microphones in the future. But it's not that exciting, and it's not a condensor! It won't sound like a condensor.
On the other hand, a Samson C01 is a fine mic, but it's a budget condensor. Maybe that's the tradeoff your son wants to make, maybe that's what they want. But if they really get into this, that microphone is going in the bin eventually in favor of something better.
I'm sure they won't like that they won't get exactly what they want, but — they're approaching adulthood, and buying a microphone is an adult decision that they'll be happier making for themselves.
posted by billjings at 9:31 AM on March 10, 2021 [11 favorites]
Seconding sweetwater. They have a sale on just now that might be worth a shufti- on a cursory inspection they seem to have some akg stuff , though perhaps not condensers: https://www.sweetwater.com/sale/spring-into-sound-2021
Edit- this is $79 plus tax just now. Someone else would have to say whether this specifically is a good mic but akg are a good brand https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P120--akg-p120-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
posted by aesop at 9:44 AM on March 10, 2021
Edit- this is $79 plus tax just now. Someone else would have to say whether this specifically is a good mic but akg are a good brand https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P120--akg-p120-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
posted by aesop at 9:44 AM on March 10, 2021
Maybe a Blue Yeti Nano in Cardioid Mode? (it has multiple pickup modes you can choose)
posted by kschang at 9:59 AM on March 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by kschang at 9:59 AM on March 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
I could get into all sorts of details about fantom power requirements for that excellent AKG mic recommended right above my response, as well as the issues of using USB mics when one already has a decent audio interface, but HERE are the buttercups your son seeks, at a ridiculously reasonable price. Trust me, THIS IS THE WAY.
posted by dbiedny at 10:02 AM on March 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by dbiedny at 10:02 AM on March 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
I would probably pick up an MXL 770. As an instrumentalist/vocalist, it's really nice to have a large-diaphragm mic. I don't believe in buying high end mics until you have some experience, and there is SO much to learn when getting into audio engineering. I'll be shocked if mic quality is the thing that holds him back at the beginning. And having an extra condenser mic in the closer is never a bad thing as he expands his collection. I would hesitate to shred a loud guitar amp into this mic - that's what SM57s are for, and they are really easy to come by used. But, like billjings said, a 57 won't sound like a condenser, and is just not that exciting, so I would not start with purchasing that. The fun factor is much lower.
(I bought a Rode NT1 as my first mic (well, actually the first was a Radio Shack PZM), and it was many years before I understood how to get a good vocal sound with it. There is so much beyond the mic.)
posted by SNACKeR at 12:13 PM on March 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
(I bought a Rode NT1 as my first mic (well, actually the first was a Radio Shack PZM), and it was many years before I understood how to get a good vocal sound with it. There is so much beyond the mic.)
posted by SNACKeR at 12:13 PM on March 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
I would probably pick up an MXL 770. As an instrumentalist/vocalist, it's really nice to have a large-diaphragm mic.
As a note, the MXL 770 is not a large diaphragm condenser mic (but neither is the AT2020 nor the Samson C01 nor the P120) - they're small diaphragms put into larger cases more typically used for large diaphragms to make them look more impressive. Which isn't a deal breaker, just be aware that they won't have quite the same sound as a large diaphragm.
The AT2020 is fine for its price point. I'm distrustful of the P120 because AKG made utter garbage for low end mics for quite some time (I wouldn't take a C1000 or C3000, even if they were free), but the reviews of the P120 sound like they've gotten better.
The Monoprice ones linked to by dbiedny are intriguing, in that he'd have a pair of them, which would be good for doing stereo recordings (particularly of the piano) and has both cardiod and omni capsules. On the other hand, at that price point, you're not getting much QA, so they're not going to be a matched pair by any means and I'd worry about their quality and reliability. That's true of most of the cheap mics like this though.
I have an MXL 990 or similar (MXL has a ton of mics built around the same capsule with some very minor electronic or casing differences) sitting around gathering dust that I'll mail to you for the low, low cost of you donating whatever you think it's worth after using it to a homeless shelter or food bank of your choice. Memail me if interested.
posted by Candleman at 1:00 PM on March 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
As a note, the MXL 770 is not a large diaphragm condenser mic (but neither is the AT2020 nor the Samson C01 nor the P120) - they're small diaphragms put into larger cases more typically used for large diaphragms to make them look more impressive. Which isn't a deal breaker, just be aware that they won't have quite the same sound as a large diaphragm.
The AT2020 is fine for its price point. I'm distrustful of the P120 because AKG made utter garbage for low end mics for quite some time (I wouldn't take a C1000 or C3000, even if they were free), but the reviews of the P120 sound like they've gotten better.
The Monoprice ones linked to by dbiedny are intriguing, in that he'd have a pair of them, which would be good for doing stereo recordings (particularly of the piano) and has both cardiod and omni capsules. On the other hand, at that price point, you're not getting much QA, so they're not going to be a matched pair by any means and I'd worry about their quality and reliability. That's true of most of the cheap mics like this though.
I have an MXL 990 or similar (MXL has a ton of mics built around the same capsule with some very minor electronic or casing differences) sitting around gathering dust that I'll mail to you for the low, low cost of you donating whatever you think it's worth after using it to a homeless shelter or food bank of your choice. Memail me if interested.
posted by Candleman at 1:00 PM on March 10, 2021 [4 favorites]
I love my Rode NT-1As. I own much more expensive mics and dozens of specialized mics but as a starting point for many years of home recording you cannot do better and the NT-1A is about as cheap as a “good” large diaphragm condenser mic gets.
I personally believe in getting the best mics you can and skimping on something else.
I checked Reverb.com and used NT-1As can be had for $150. Condenser mics are by their design less durable than dynamic mics, but mine are damn durable mics. I would not be too worried about a used one that didn’t have visible damage. For $50 I’d skip the compromise choices. Especially if your kid is serious about vocals.
posted by spitbull at 1:09 PM on March 10, 2021
I personally believe in getting the best mics you can and skimping on something else.
I checked Reverb.com and used NT-1As can be had for $150. Condenser mics are by their design less durable than dynamic mics, but mine are damn durable mics. I would not be too worried about a used one that didn’t have visible damage. For $50 I’d skip the compromise choices. Especially if your kid is serious about vocals.
posted by spitbull at 1:09 PM on March 10, 2021
I'm using an MXL-990 (the plain old "champagne" one). It's a 1.26" condenser, and I've been perfectly happy with it for vocals and spoken word.
It's got a hot enough output to work fine with the pre-amps on most XLR-input devices with 48V phantom power, without need for a Cloudlifter or similar gadget.
I see it selling for $75 new.
posted by sourcequench at 1:47 PM on March 10, 2021
It's got a hot enough output to work fine with the pre-amps on most XLR-input devices with 48V phantom power, without need for a Cloudlifter or similar gadget.
I see it selling for $75 new.
posted by sourcequench at 1:47 PM on March 10, 2021
Response by poster: Tha is for the advice so far.
He is saving up for a good mic, but in the mean time they have a show coming up at school where they will probably have to record their parts at home.
This cheap mic would be intended as an improvement over recording into his iPhone, and that's why $99 for something he doesn't use as his only mic forever is OK by me: it would still be a big improvement for the next few months
Thanks again for the specific answers!
posted by wenestvedt at 1:59 PM on March 10, 2021
He is saving up for a good mic, but in the mean time they have a show coming up at school where they will probably have to record their parts at home.
This cheap mic would be intended as an improvement over recording into his iPhone, and that's why $99 for something he doesn't use as his only mic forever is OK by me: it would still be a big improvement for the next few months
Thanks again for the specific answers!
posted by wenestvedt at 1:59 PM on March 10, 2021
I'll also Nth that while a Shure SM-57 is not a condenser mic, it's the cheapest mic I can think of that I consider a forever mic. It might not be the ideal mic for all his purposes right now, but if you got him one, he wouldn't regret having one for the rest of his musical career and it would make a good compliment to eventually getting a keeper quality condenser.
While I'm here, the SM-57 and SM-58 have the same capsule, it's the windscreen that differs between the two. That has a slight effect on the sound, particularly for vocals where the foam in the ball of a 58 helps dampen plossives, but they are largely interchangeable.
I'm using an MXL-990 (the plain old "champagne" one). It's a 1.26" condenser
Still also the same 17mm small diaphragm in most of the cheap MXLs.
posted by Candleman at 2:58 PM on March 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
While I'm here, the SM-57 and SM-58 have the same capsule, it's the windscreen that differs between the two. That has a slight effect on the sound, particularly for vocals where the foam in the ball of a 58 helps dampen plossives, but they are largely interchangeable.
I'm using an MXL-990 (the plain old "champagne" one). It's a 1.26" condenser
Still also the same 17mm small diaphragm in most of the cheap MXLs.
posted by Candleman at 2:58 PM on March 10, 2021 [3 favorites]
How crafty are you, as a family? There are some enthusiast DIY approaches that may be significantly cheaper (but require more work) than shelling out for Rode, if you already have a 3d printer, soldering iron, and comfort level soldering up through-hole PCBs.
posted by Alterscape at 3:11 PM on March 10, 2021
posted by Alterscape at 3:11 PM on March 10, 2021
I bought this Marantz MPM-1000U last month for $60 (but apparently the price has gone up) and this stand for $13. Granted this is a USB mic, so I'm just throwing it out there because you say you're on a budget and so was I. FWIW.
posted by forthright at 3:20 PM on March 10, 2021
posted by forthright at 3:20 PM on March 10, 2021
Adding to the chorus for the Shure. I have one that I use for live performing, but I actually record vocals with it too.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 5:22 PM on March 10, 2021
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 5:22 PM on March 10, 2021
One of these days I'll buy one of those Shures. In the meanwhile, I record into my cheap CAD GXL2400 (large-diaphgram FET condenser microphone w/ cardioid pickup). Under $100 (when I bought it was down to like $50). I have an isolation rig and swing arm already, and it's heads and shoulders above any headset microphone that I have access to or can assemble, though I have no idea how well it'll do for music.
posted by kschang at 10:00 PM on March 10, 2021
posted by kschang at 10:00 PM on March 10, 2021
Is the RØDE M2 available where you are (it's £69 in the UK)? It's a small-diaphragm condenser mic in a fairly robust SM58-style housing with a mute switch, so it's useful both as an instrument mic and for live vocals. I bought mine for singing with a band, but I've had a lot of use out of it on mandolin and double bass too.
I do also have an NT1, which is every bit as good as your teacher says - definitely worth the money once you can afford it. It comes with an effective shock mount and pop shield as well. (But it's pretty heavy, so make sure you've got a decent stand.)
posted by offog at 4:23 AM on March 11, 2021
I do also have an NT1, which is every bit as good as your teacher says - definitely worth the money once you can afford it. It comes with an effective shock mount and pop shield as well. (But it's pretty heavy, so make sure you've got a decent stand.)
posted by offog at 4:23 AM on March 11, 2021
I own a Shure SM58 (one of my first purchases, probably decades ago) and would urge you NOT to get one for the purpose you've stated. Honestly, I don't know why people keep recommending it for home studios. It's a great mic for the stage, or for other situations where you need a particularly resilient, reliable mic. It is not in any way a substitute for a condenser mic. Especially if your son asked for a condenser, don't give him a dynamic mic -- they're completely different tools. In my experience, if you want to do bedroom recording, any vocals that don't involve belting or shouting, or pick up on quiet acoustic instruments like a ukelele, even the most budget of condensers is likely to fit your needs way, way better.
One problem people haven't mentioned here is noise -- the SM58, like most dynamic mics, is so insensitive that unless you're recording, say, drums, or perhaps gunfire (depending on how far away the guns are), you will have to really crank the preamp. If the pre-amp and the rest of your recording equipment isn't amazing, and by "amazing" I mean substantially more amazing than your typical USB audio interface hooked up to a computer, I hope you like your recordings swimming in hiss.
I have AudioTechnica's AT-2035 and it was basically perfect for my needs, though that's $150 most places so a bit over your budget. I don't have personal experience with the AT-2020, but it's $100 from the same company and a lot of people seem to be fans. Either way, I can't stress this enough, don't overthink it and buy him the wrong tool just because some internet gearheads like its build quality more.
posted by en forme de poire at 9:06 AM on March 11, 2021 [4 favorites]
One problem people haven't mentioned here is noise -- the SM58, like most dynamic mics, is so insensitive that unless you're recording, say, drums, or perhaps gunfire (depending on how far away the guns are), you will have to really crank the preamp. If the pre-amp and the rest of your recording equipment isn't amazing, and by "amazing" I mean substantially more amazing than your typical USB audio interface hooked up to a computer, I hope you like your recordings swimming in hiss.
I have AudioTechnica's AT-2035 and it was basically perfect for my needs, though that's $150 most places so a bit over your budget. I don't have personal experience with the AT-2020, but it's $100 from the same company and a lot of people seem to be fans. Either way, I can't stress this enough, don't overthink it and buy him the wrong tool just because some internet gearheads like its build quality more.
posted by en forme de poire at 9:06 AM on March 11, 2021 [4 favorites]
(Just adding that the AT-2020 has a USB version that is $150, but the vanilla XLR version appears to be $99 on Amazon right now.)
posted by en forme de poire at 9:10 AM on March 11, 2021
posted by en forme de poire at 9:10 AM on March 11, 2021
Make sure to look for secondhand mics! A lot of voice actors and musicians will have upgraded their home studios for covid and may still be selling stuff.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:09 AM on March 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:09 AM on March 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
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(I have a Samson CO1U, the USB version of same, and although I only use it for voice, it seems to work well and has impressed me for the price.)
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:59 AM on March 10, 2021