Best budget microphone?

[ace_cheaply]

Looking to start recording some content, but really don't know where to start in picking a microphone.  What should i be looking at?  Don't want to spend more than $100 to start off, $50 would be better but I understand if that's not realistic.  

 

Mostly voice over for animation and youtube.

 

Any thoughts/ideas/references would be welcome.  

[Aereldor]

It depends on what you want to record, and what you have to work with (audio interface). If you want a USB mic for voiceovers, you can't go wrong with the Blue Snowball. In fact, it's going for just $40 right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B006DIA77E/

 

At $85, the Blue Yeti is extremely hard to beat for the money. Once again, this is a USB microphone, but it can be plugged in via XLR. There's also an all-black version for $90, along with several others. This one's just the cheapest right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Yeti-USB-Microphone-Midnight/dp/B0170NWLWY/

 

If you want to record instruments, my personal favourite has to be the Audio Technica AT2020. However, if your speech has a more audible 'hiss' in the 'S' sounds, then I can't recommend the AT2020 as its frequency response is significantly louder at the extreme high-end; typically where the 'S' sounds are.

[Matu20]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BM800-Condenser-Pro-Audio-Microphone-Sound-Studio-Dynamic-Mic-Shock-Mount-/112036948504?var=&hash=item1a15ec2a18:m:mcXS1doCVKEapgmc4_R7Qzw

 

I have this one, the quality is awesome. I've had it over a year and still works like a champ.

[Aereldor]

1 minute ago, Matu20 said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BM800-Condenser-Pro-Audio-Microphone-Sound-Studio-Dynamic-Mic-Shock-Mount-/112036948504?var=&hash=item1a15ec2a18:m:mcXS1doCVKEapgmc4_R7Qzw

 

I have this one, the quality is awesome. I've had it over a year and still works like a champ.

No branding, and it's on eBay. The listing itself is under a seller called 'lovelyhome2015'. If that doesn't say 'sketchy' to you, I don't know what will.

[Aytex]

Well, if your just starting out, samson meteor or the snowball would be fine

 

I dont recommend the yeti cause of the tin sound and it being USB.

 

Now if your are looking for starter mics with preamp setups and XLR

Then MLX 770, 603

Shure SM57 Sm58

 

Are great starter mics

 

Heres some reasons why not to go USB too

http://homerecording.com/bbs/equipment-forums/microphones/should-i-buy-usb-microphone-346171/

[ace_cheaply]

2 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

It depends on what you want to record, and what you have to work with (audio interface). If you want a USB mic for voiceovers, you can't go wrong with the Blue Snowball. In fact, it's going for just $40 right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B006DIA77E/

 

At $85, the Blue Yeti is extremely hard to beat for the money. Once again, this is a USB microphone, but it can be plugged in via XLR.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Yeti-USB-Microphone-Midnight/dp/B01LY6Z2M6/

 

If you want to record instruments, my personal favourite has to be the Audio Technica AT2020. However, if your speech has a more audible 'hiss' in the 'S' sounds, then I can't recommend the AT2020 as its frequency response is significantly louder at the extreme high-end; typically where the 'S' sounds are.

Mostly just social commentary with some fun animated content.  Really, I'm just looking for another creative outlet with my spare time instead of spending it all playing Third Age Total War, haha.  The $40 mic would be clear enough for basic voice?  No singing or instruments or the like. 

 

I don't have an audio interface, do you have any recommendations for that?  

4 minutes ago, Matu20 said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BM800-Condenser-Pro-Audio-Microphone-Sound-Studio-Dynamic-Mic-Shock-Mount-/112036948504?var=&hash=item1a15ec2a18:m:mcXS1doCVKEapgmc4_R7Qzw

 

I have this one, the quality is awesome. I've had it over a year and still works like a champ.

Do you just have it plugged in via usb? I read that those mics need an audio interface and a secondary power source to avoid whitenoise. Or something like that, I really don't have any first hand knowledge.

 

3 minutes ago, Aytex said:

Well, if your just starting out, samson meteor or the snowball would be fine

 

I dont recommend the yeti cause of the tin sound and it being USB.

 

Now if your are looking for starter mics with preamp setups and XLR

Then MLX 770, 603

Shure SM57 Sm58

 

Are great starter mics

The snowball is USB too, does that mean it also has a tin sound? 

 

I was looking at this just because of all of the accessories.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Condenser-Microphone-Suspension/dp/B01D4KYRYC/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1482024746&sr=1-4&keywords=microphone+kit

[Matu20]

5 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

No branding, and it's on eBay. The listing itself is under a seller called 'lovelyhome2015'. If that doesn't say 'sketchy' to you, I don't know what will.

Nothing wrong with Ebay, you are guaranteed by the refund policy and it actually works. 

 

I buy a lot of things from Ebay and this microphone has lasted me over a year without any issues.

[Aytex]

3 minutes ago, ace_cheaply said:

Mostly just social commentary with some fun animated content.  Really, I'm just looking for another creative outlet with my spare time instead of spending it all playing Third Age Total War, haha.  The $40 mic would be clear enough for basic voice?  No singing or instruments or the like. 

 

I don't have an audio interface, do you have any recommendations for that?  

Do you just have it plugged in via usb? I read that those mics need an audio interface and a secondary power source to avoid whitenoise. Or something like that, I really don't have any first hand knowledge.

 

The snowball is USB too, does that mean it also has a tin sound? 

 

I was looking at this just because of all of the accessories.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Condenser-Microphone-Suspension/dp/B01D4KYRYC/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1482024746&sr=1-4&keywords=microphone+kit

Just that mic in particular, all mics have different sounds

 

 

[Aereldor]

Just now, Matu20 said:

Nothing wrong with Ebay, you are guaranteed by the refund policy and it actually works. 

 

I buy a lot of things from Ebay and this microphone has lasted me over a year without any issues.

It's still a good deal sketchier than a manufacturer listing on a reputable platform. In fact, the mics I've linked are not sold by third-party sellers, but Amazon themselves.

 

And I'm willing to bet mic falls way behind even the $40 Blue Snowball.

[Matu20]

1 minute ago, ace_cheaply said:

Mostly just social commentary with some fun animated content.  Really, I'm just looking for another creative outlet with my spare time instead of spending it all playing Third Age Total War, haha.  The $40 mic would be clear enough for basic voice?  No singing or instruments or the like. 

 

I don't have an audio interface, do you have any recommendations for that?  

Do you just have it plugged in via usb? I read that those mics need an audio interface and a secondary power source to avoid whitenoise. Or something like that, I really don't have any first hand knowledge.

 

The snowball is USB too, does that mean it also has a tin sound? 

 

I was looking at this just because of all of the accessories.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Condenser-Microphone-Suspension/dp/B01D4KYRYC/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1482024746&sr=1-4&keywords=microphone+kit

I bought a Phantom PSU for it, used XLR to 3.5mm, but it had a little extra static compared to XLR to USB, which I also bought seperately. The XLR to USB seems to work great.

[Aereldor]

Just now, ace_cheaply said:

Mostly just social commentary with some fun animated content.  Really, I'm just looking for another creative outlet with my spare time instead of spending it all playing Third Age Total War, haha.  The $40 mic would be clear enough for basic voice?  No singing or instruments or the like. 

No, it's not worth it unless you want to use multiple mics. Some people will try to feed you codswallop about how you should have one if you're serious about audio quality, but many of the best mics for voiceovers have USB variants or are exclusively USB- the Rode NT1A, for example.

 

The Blue Snowball is absolutely excellent. There are a number of pros out there who use one; it's the second-most popular mic for voiceovers- second only to the $85 Blue Yeti. 

[Matu20]

1 minute ago, Aereldor said:

It's still a good deal sketchier than a manufacturer listing on a reputable platform. In fact, the mics I've linked are not sold by third-party sellers, but Amazon themselves.

 

And I'm willing to bet mic falls way behind even the $40 Blue Snowball.

No, it doesn't. I have had both and compared. The snowball sounds like trash compared to the BM-800.

[Aereldor]

4 minutes ago, ace_cheaply said:

The snowball is USB too, does that mean it also has a tin sound? 

 

I was looking at this just because of all of the accessories.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Condenser-Microphone-Suspension/dp/B01D4KYRYC/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1482024746&sr=1-4&keywords=microphone+kit

You can't use this without an audio interface. It isn't a USB mic, and only connects through XLR. 

[Aereldor]

1 minute ago, Matu20 said:

No, it doesn't. I have had both and compared. The snowball sounds like trash compared to the BM-800.

Prove it and I'll treat your argument like it has some worth. Nobody's going to take your word for that.

[Matu20]

1 minute ago, Aereldor said:

Prove it and I'll treat your argument like it has some worth. Nobody's going to take your word for that.

 

This is the microphone in use, I don't remember if I processed the audio afterwards, but either way, take a listen.

[Aytex]

2 minutes ago, Matu20 said:

 

Looks like you have a EQ on it but netherless thats pretty good

 

 

I also would like to point out a arguement, you can live EQ with adobe audition to make $50 sound like $200 mics..

[Beskamir]

This is what I use: http://www.ncix.com/detail/zalman-zm-mic-1-microphone-00-13863.htm it's alright although it may be a bit too cheap for proper recording stuff.

[ace_cheaply]

3 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

You can't use this without an audio interface. It isn't a USB mic, and only connects through XLR. 

I thought I could since it comes with an XLR to 3.5mm cable.  I guess not. 

 

4 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

No, it's not worth it unless you want to use multiple mics. Some people will try to feed you codswallop about how you should have one if you're serious about audio quality, but many of the best mics for voiceovers have USB variants or are exclusively USB- the Rode NT1A, for example.

 

The Blue Snowball is absolutely excellent. There are a number of pros out there who use one; it's the second-most popular mic for voiceovers- second only to the $85 Blue Yeti. 

Hmm, there's a blue snowball on craigslist right around the corner for me for $25.  I'm thinking it might be worth it just to pick it up and give it a shot. 

 

17 minutes ago, Matu20 said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BM800-Condenser-Pro-Audio-Microphone-Sound-Studio-Dynamic-Mic-Shock-Mount-/112036948504?var=&hash=item1a15ec2a18:m:mcXS1doCVKEapgmc4_R7Qzw

Isn't this just like the one i linked, xlr to 3.5mm?  If it works great I'm not sure why the other one wouldn't. 

[Aereldor]

6 minutes ago, Matu20 said:

 

This is the microphone in use, I don't remember if I processed the audio afterwards, but either way, take a listen.

What do you mean you don't remember? This audio is evidently processed to hell and back.

 

Ed from TechSource has the BM800 in a comparison video here- (Edit: dude, it's average with the interface and sounds like vomit with the 3.5mm cable. OP doesn't have an interface. Holy cow, what a piece of junk.).

 

And it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the Blue Snowball used here-

 

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, ace_cheaply said:

 

The snowball is USB too, does that mean it also has a tin sound? 

 

Youtube Username Leafy Is Here (Viewer discression advised, not a family friendly commentator) has a blue snowball yeti

Username Plexiate (Partial discression advised, he's a troll) has a snowball ice or yeti. I don't think he upgraded to the yeti. 

[Matu20]

3 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

What do you mean you don't remember? This audio is evidently processed to hell and back.

 

Ed from TechSource has the BM800 in a comparison video here-

 

And it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the Blue Snowball used here-

 

I don't have access to my mic currently, otherwise I would do a quick test.

XLR to USB sounds way better than XLR to 3.5mm. 

[Aereldor]

6 minutes ago, Matu20 said:

I don't have access to my mic currently, otherwise I would do a quick test.

XLR to USB sounds way better than XLR to 3.5mm. 

Your mic isn't better. It isn't even better through the interface, which OP doesn't have. To convert XLR to USB, he needs to digitize the analog XLR signal, for which he needs some manner of audio interface. He doesn't have one, and even if he purchased one, it still wouldn't match the recording quality of the Blue Snowball.

 

Unsubstantiated contrarianism is an annoyance; it's why hipsters are ridiculed. Hating on the Blue Snowball because it's popular is being a hipster. The Blue Snowball does not sound like trash compared to the BM-800. To state otherwise is delusional. Listen to the samples again.

 

Here's some more-

 

[Daniel Z.]

i got a Snowball ice for 40 cad (30 usd). It is very good and was sold by amazon

[Matu20]

5 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

Your mic isn't better. It isn't even better through the interface, which OP doesn't have. To convert XLR to USB, he needs to digitize the analog XLR signal, for which he needs some manner of audio interface. He doesn't have one, and even if he purchased one, it still wouldn't match the recording quality of the Blue Snowball.

 

Unsubstantiated contrarianism is an annoyance; it's why hipsters are ridiculed. Hating on the Blue Snowball because it's popular is being a hipster. The Blue Snowball does not sound like trash compared to the BM-800. To state otherwise is delusional. Listen to the samples again.

This works well: http://www.ebay.com/itm/XLR-Female-to-USB-Male-3m-9ft-Black-Cable-Cord-Adapter-Microphone-Link-OV-/161834335145?hash=item25ae13fba9:g:tRYAAOSwQTVWATHD

 

And as I have compared both of them side by side, I will stay true to my statement. Well obviously the quality doesn't sound like "trash", but when value is considered into the equation, it doesn't stand a chance.

 

When I get back to my computer tomorrow or Monday, I will give you an unedited test with the XLR to USB. Then you can make up your mind about that particular microphone.

[Daniel Z.]

No blue snowball ice is very good for the money