You might be considering increasing your electro-acoustic transducer assortment and wish to
visualize what’s available lately or, perhaps, you're want to induce your initial electro-acoustic
transducer for recording music? I haven’t enclosed any USB microphones however targeted
a lot of on the skilled finish of the market.
In any case, here could be a round-up of eight of the most effective recording microphones
available in 2020. These most well liked microphones can compliment any music production,
home studio, skilled studio or live performance within the music business.
There area unit several nice studio mics out there, and whereas this can be not meant to be
a comprehensive or be-all-end-all list, it will gift some nice and generally unnoticed choices to
think about, across numerous worth points and usages, beginning with the foremost
reasonable initial to the foremost valuable last.
1.MXL DX-2
While not a brand people think of in terms of the best mics, MXL provides surprising quality
and value for its price and the DX-2 gets a generally positive review from Sound On Sound
(SOS) and so, as our most affordable option, is included here.
The DX-2 is a flat-faced, side-address dual capsule microphone with a conveniently-located
cross-fade knob on the back of the mic which makes it ideal for miking a guitar speaker
cabinet closely.
In terms of limitations, this is obviously not a top-quality mic since a large part of the
attraction is the price, and so there are much better options, given the coin, for applications
which require more pristine high-end representation, just as one example.
+ Type: dynamic dual capsule
+ Polar pattern: super-cardioid and cardioid
+ Freq. range: 50Hz – 14kHz
+ Output impedance: 400Ω/600Ω
+ Sensitivity: -52.0 dB re 1V/Pa, -54dB re 1 V/Pa
+ Signal to noise: unavailable
+ Max. SPL: unavailable
+ Additional Features: dual capsule
+ Common Usage: snare, guitar amp
2.Shure SM57
The SM57 and its fraternal twin, the SM58, are classic staples in recording studios and home
studio setups as it’s a go-to for snare, tom and guitar amp micing as well as for live vocals.
It’s sturdy, its sound can be heard on many, many recordings and it’s one of the most
affordable high-quality microphones available, at £88/$113. One of the unique strengths of
this mic is its high SPL handling, i.e., its ability to handle loud sound sources, and hence its
frequent usage with guitar amps and drums.
+ Type: dynamic
+ Polar pattern: cardioid
+ Freq. response: 40Hz – 15kHz
+ Output Impedance: 150Ω rated (310Ω actual)
+ Sensitivity: -56.0dBV/Pa (1.6mV) @ 1kHz, open-circuit voltage
+ Common usage: snare, guitar amp
This USB condenser microphone was designed with the professional sound chipset and
16mm electret condenser transducer, which let the USB mic hold a high-resolution sampling
rate up to 192KHz/24bit. Provide you an excellent sound quality.
The flat frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz is excellent for project/home-studio, podcasting,
gaming, online chatting, Performed perfectly in reproduces your sound.
It’s definitely one mic worth considering. One of the downsides of this mic is the fact that
there are no markings on the switch, it doesn’t cut through for vocals like other mics and the
excessive length of the body of the mic might be off-putting.
+Microphone-core: Dia.16mm Condenser
+Polar Pattern: Cardioid
+ Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
+ Sensitivity: -38dB+/-3dB (0dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz)
+ Bit Depth: 24 bit
+ Sample Rate: Up to 192 kHz
+ S/N Ratio: 74db
+ Power Requirements: USB (5V DC)
+ USB Cable: USB A to B, Length 98.4 in
One-touch mute/unmute your microphone, and the built-in LED Indicator lights to tell you the
working status (Green Light: Working, Red Light: Mute). The microphone gain adjusts knob
will help you quickly adjust the sensitivity of mic to reach a perfect voice (+: Increase mic
gain; —: Reduce mic gain).
4.Blue Bluebird SL
A large-diaphragm condenser, the Bluebird Shining Path provides high-frequency clarity,
swish mid-frequencies and made lows and is meant for a large type of uses, together with
vocals, electrical and acoustic guitars, drums and musical organization instruments.
A -20dB pad helps facilitate recording loud sources and a high-pass filter minimizes mud and
rumble. Of note for potential concern, this mic’s chassis screen association may cause
ground-loop problems.
Nevertheless, this studio recordings mic could be a solid go-to for a large type of functions,
creating it a possible workhorse for any studio.
+ Type: large-diaphragm condenser
+ Polar pattern: cardioid
+ Freq. range: 20Hz – 20kHz
+ Output impedance: 50Ω
+ Sensitivity: 28.5mV/Pa
+ Signal noise ratio: 82.3dB (A-weighted)
+ Max. SPL: 138dB (0.5% THD / 1kHz)
+ Additional Features: high-pass filter (100Hz), -20dB pad, 48V phantom power
+ Common Usage: Great microphone for recording vocals, guitar amp, acoustic guitar,
strings, drums, woodwind and brass
5.Sennheiser MD 421-II Microphone
Originally introduced in 1960 with improvements over the years, Sennheiser’s MD 421-II
microphone features versatility, pronounced directivity where the bleed is an issue and
internal bass tubes which provide accurate low-end response. Even at close range where
proximity effect is an issue!
It also handles exceptionally high sound pressure and exhibits effective feedback rejection.
On the downside, there are various criticisms to be found about the clip that comes with the
MD 421-II to secure it to a mic stand.
Common applications include studio or live performance applications of most instruments,
particularly guitar and drums, group vocals and radio broadcasts.
+ Type: dynamic
+ Polar pattern: cardioid
+ Freq. range: 30Hz – 17kHz
+ Output impedance: 200Ω
+ Sensitivity: 2 mV/Pa +/- 3dB / 1kHz
+ Additional Features: 5-position bass control
+ Common usage: guitar, drums, group vocals, radio broadcasts
Hopefully, this breakdown list has given you a good idea of the relative strengths,
weaknesses and best uses for each of these microphones. Hopefully it’s also informed your
decision-making process if you are on the hunt for a microphone.