The Aston Origin cardioid condenser microphone is an extremely affordable studio cardioid condenser microphone with a stylish yet distinctive design, ideal for recording vocals as well as acoustic guitars, drums and wind instruments.
This microphone offers a flat sound response, leaving ample scope for EQ adjustments and making it ideal for singers who wish to tailor their sound.
Audio-Technica AT2020
The Audio-Technica AT2020 studio vocal mic is an affordable yet high quality large diaphragm vocal microphone designed to record music and voice. Featuring a simple mount for your microphone stand and soft case to protect and store it when not in use, this mic picks up sound from voice or instrument players before transmitting through an audio interface to home studio computers for recording and editing purposes. This mic does an exceptional job at filtering out background noise while picking up on subtle details in sound recordings – offering bright sound with some definition that’s also suitable for recording acoustic guitar players and drum players!
The AT2020 microphone features a 16mm diaphragm that does not compromise sound quality despite being smaller than most large diaphragm microphones. Furthermore, it comes equipped with one of two types of condenser microphone capsules available – back-electret being newer but still providing great results. Furthermore, its moderate sensitivity level enables close proximity recording without harsh plosives (hard “P”, “T”, and “K” sounds); using a pop filter or windscreen can help mitigate these effects.
Home studio vocal mics must capture both the subtle nuances in your voice while also reducing unnecessary background noise and room reflections, which is often challenging in home studio environments. The AT2020 does an exceptional job balancing these issues despite having only a fixed cardioid polar pattern option; this should not be seen as a significant disadvantage at its price range.
The AT2020 microphone is easy to set up and use; simply connect an XLR cable for recording phantom power. It features low impedance levels typical of studio-grade microphones, helping ensure a clean signal with minimal background noise.
Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B studio vocal microphone is one of the most flexible options available and widely used by professional vocalists, broadcasters, and podcasters alike. It comes equipped with various switches that enable it to meet individual application needs as well as high-pass filter and pop shield features to eliminate plosives or unwanted sounds from within its range of frequencies; its low end has great frequency response without becoming boomy; additionally its presence boost can be adjusted according to vocalist needs.
This microphone is very simple to set up and is solidly built, boasting a heavy-duty metal case and built-in shock mount, perfect for professional recording environments. Furthermore, its yoke mounting system enables users to mount it either on a mic stand or boom arm for overhead positioning; and features an adjustable arm and hinge which can be tilted according to individual recording needs. Furthermore, its unique design also makes the SM7B ideal for home studios without space or budget for extensive acoustic treatment solutions.
This microphone features a cardioid polar pattern, which reduces off-axis sound by only recording direct sound sources in front of it. This means you can record vocals and instruments even in noisy environments and still achieve quality recordings, while its robust construction enables it to be used for live performances too.
The SM7B boasts an SPL maximum of 180dB, making it suitable for loud voices and sound sources with high decibel levels such as jet engines. Furthermore, its wide frequency range makes it suitable for almost all forms of sound sources.
While the SM7B is an exceptional vocal mic, it does present some disadvantages. Achieve enough clean gain can be challenging with consumer-grade mixers and preamps; to address this issue you can use a Cloudlifter CL1 microphone preamp instead – this will guarantee crystal-clear, distortion-free vocals.
Rode NT1
The NT1 is an award-winning large diaphragm condenser microphone that perfectly combines innovation and tradition. Specifically tailored to recording vocals, acoustic guitars and various instruments – its tight cardioid polar pattern helps reject noise from behind while its smooth frequency response provides unrivaled balance and clarity – it boasts impressively high SPL handling capacities as well as an unbelievably low self-noise of only 4dB!
The mic features an onboard DSP processor equipped with Aphex’s legendary Aural Exciter and Big Bottom effects, accessible using RODE Connect software for tweaking recordings and giving them that final polish. Furthermore, the NT1 was the first studio microphone ever to offer 32-bit floating point output, providing unparalleled flexibility when making adjustments post-recording without risking clipping signals or losing audio data.
High sensitivity makes the Micco mic an excellent choice for home studios, as its wide frequency response from 40Hz-5kHz and only slight top end boost makes it great for vocal and acoustic guitar recordings.
The NT1’s sturdy construction is another stand-out feature. Constructed from aluminium for optimal sound quality and available in black or silver options, its body can withstand daily home studio usage without suffering damage. Furthermore, it comes equipped with studio-grade shock mount and pop filter protection against plosive sounds while offering 6m XLR cable connectivity as well as carrying case.
Setting up and operating the NT1 microphone isn’t too complex, though not quite as straightforward as plugging in a USB microphone. As this studio microphone requires an XLR cable connection to an audio interface or voice recorder. Although heavier than budget models, its weight won’t put too much strain on its mic stand.
AKG P120
The AKG P120 large-diaphragm condenser microphone offers premium AKG quality at an amazingly reasonable price, making it an excellent value. Ideal for home studio recording of vocals and acoustic instruments alike. With its 2/3″ diaphragm providing clear sounds with precise sonic details while its cardioid polar pattern rejecting background noise while simultaneously recording audio from front of mic – making this mic perfect for singer-songwriters and novice sound engineers.
The P120 provides numerous helpful features. Its switchable bass cut filter and attenuation knobs help eliminate unwanted resonance and rumble. Furthermore, it features an omnidirectional polar pattern to pick up sound from all directions – ideal for capturing room ambiance or backing vocals. Furthermore, its rugged metal chassis and grilled capsule housing protect internal components from physical damage while gold-plated XLR and jack connectors enable high-quality audio signal transfer.
AKG microphones have long been recognized for their superior craftsmanship, such as their 414 small-diaphragm condenser mic and their seven thousand dollar C12 tube mic – so it comes as no surprise that their budget-friendly P120 large-diaphragm mic enjoys such high praise among both home recording studios and professional studios alike.
At just $85, this home studio vocal mic offers incredible value. Packed with features typically only found on more expensive microphones – like switchable bass cut filter and attenuation settings – its sensitivity is sufficient to handle loud sources like guitar amps while its cardioid polar pattern helps prevent feedback.
The AKG P120 microphone is an excellent choice for singer-songwriters seeking a versatile microphone capable of recording vocals and other instruments, such as guitar. Although not perfect, acoustic guitar recordings may still work; its friendly handling should make this easier; plus its full and thick tone make this mic ideal.
The AKG P120 was designed in Vienna and manufactured in China to keep production costs low while offering high-quality results. This condenser mic is ideal for beginning sound engineers or singer-songwriters looking for their first studio condenser microphone.