Best Condenser Microphones
In this article, we are going to be reviewing the 5 best condenser microphones available in the market.
Before we proceed, we understand the challenges most voice actors face when purchasing recording equipment. Buying low-quality equipment or tools with poor durability is an issue many have had to deal with.
In order to help you identify the best from among the rest, we took our time to review highly rated brands based on build quality, output, durability, and most importantly, price.
All the brands in this review are on sale on Amazon and we selected them especially for you. Now let’s review each of them in no particular order and we are sure you will certainly find a condenser mic that is right for you.
If you want to skip all that and find out the best one, we summarize as follow:
- For voice acting recording, go for the Aston Origin.
- For podcast recording, get the MK4 Sennheiser.
- For indoor/outdoor recording, we advise you go for Audio-Technica or Aston Origin
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Condenser Microphones
Best Condenser Microphones reviews as follow:
Sennheiser Pro Audio Sennheiser MK4 Cardioid Studio Condenser Microphone (MK4)
The MK 4 is a large-diaphragm true condenser microphone for professional studio recordings. Featuring fine resolution and outstanding sound quality, the MK 4 is easy to handle and excellent value for money, making it an ideal choice for professional project studios and home recordists.
It features a 1″ true condenser capsule based on the acoustics of the e 965 high-end vocal mic, optimised for recording.
The MK 4 has a large 1″ diaphragm precisely spattered with 24-carat gold. Its sturdy metal housing with nickel finish, and elastically mounted capsule, make the microphone tough enough for even the most demanding recording situations.
As a result of this, this large-diaphragm MK4 Sennheiser condenser microphone is a professional studio mic with a perfect resolution and a fantastic sound quality for optimized recording.
This mic is an excellent value for money because once you purchase it, you do not need to buy another mic for a long time. This piece is quite useful for home recordings especially if you do podcasts or you record vocals at home.
If you have other needs, the MK4 is another smart way to save money because of its multipurpose value.
It is excellent for acoustic guitars, vocals, grand pianos, and many other stringed instruments. Throw in instrument amplifiers into the mix and you have a truly amazing microphone worth its value.
When used to record voice overs in a home studio, it provides a clean transparent sound, with just a slight boost in the 1-2kHz range. It handles high sound pressure levels flawlessly, while at the same time being quite sensitive to quiet sounds. Even when I fail to fully support the end of a sentence or phrase, this mic picks up enough to allow me to salvage the recording.
Some things that potential buyers need to know:
1. You need to supply phantom power to this microphone.
2. For best results, you need to be in a quiet and not too lively recording space.
3. You need to stay close to this mic in order to capture the low end of your voice.
4. You also need to speak directly into the side of the mic or sound discoloration will occur.
- Captures vocals in detail.
- Great value for money.
- Solid construction and an attractive finish.
- Can be used for diverse recording functions.
- To capture vocals well enough you need to stay very close to the mic.
- To function, mic needs the phantom power supply.
Rode NT-USB Versatile Studio-Quality USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone
If you are looking for a high-end condenser mic that’s not as expensive as Sennheiser’ MK4 albeit, with equally good output, you may consider ordering the Rode NT.
The NT-USB is a highly versatile side-address microphone ideal for recording any kind of vocals with all mainstream recording applications.
The body features a zero-latency 3.5mm headphone jack to monitor microphone input. A premium pop-filter is included, which fits onto the base of the mic, positioning the filter the ideal distance from the capsule to minimize plosives during singing or speech. Also provided is a stand mount with 3/8″ thread, desktop tripod stand, and a pouch for storage.
For extra clarity, it has a pop filer of premium quality which can be fitted on the microphone’ base.
If you are not very good with your breath control during sessions, you don’t have to worry too much because the Rode NT minimizes plosives when you speak or sing. This is key when you are doing voice acting.
Rode NT is definitely a steal for the price it is sold for. It blocks out intrusive sounds and clarifies your own. It represents value for money indeed.
- Fantastic external noise reduction.
- Crystal clear recording.
- Awesome packaging.
- Pouch included for extra mic security.
- Conducive for indoor recordings due to extra sensitive nature.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB PLUS Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone
Having a microphone that’s easy to set up influences the buying decisions of many and it should influence yours as well.
Just like the Rode NT, Audio-Technica AT2020USB has a USB output for easy setup.
This device ranks among some of the best condenser microphones on sale because it digitally captures sounds directly from the source using any recording software of your choice.
The studio articulation quality is perfect and the headphone has a volume control regulator that allows you to monitor and regulate signals with ease.
Audio-Technica is perfect for singers, bassists, voice-over artists and for field/home studio recording.
Equipped with a USB output, the AT2020USB+ is designed for digitally capturing music or any acoustic audio source using your favorite recording software. The microphone offers the critically acclaimed, award-winning sound of the AT2020, with studio-quality articulation and intelligibility perfect for singer/songwriters, podcasters, voice-over artists, field recorders, and home studio recorders.
The AT2020USB+ features a built-in headphone jack with volume control that allows you to directly monitor your microphone signal with no delay. It also offers mix control that blends microphone and pre-recorded audio. The microphone’s cardioid pickup pattern delivers excellent off-axis rejection, while its A/D converter with a 16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate ensures extremely articulate sound reproduction. Audio-Technica’s state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company’s renowned consistency and reliability standards.
- Easy to install.
- Perfect mic for Podcasts.
- Quality construction.
- The USB attachment improves user experience.
- Generic USB issues might ensue if not properly handled.
- Looks a little awkward when set upon a table due to the extra-long poles and wires.
AKG Project Studio P220 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Pop Filter and XLR Cable
Imagine playing back your recordings and hearing sounds you did not make but was picked up by your mic.
You will find that very annoying, wouldn’t you? No worries, this is where this mic excels.
With AKG, you won’t have to worry about intrusive sounds ruining your sessions.
AKG has a condenser capsule lush with an exquisitely designed polar pattern.
It’s the pop filter with a 300Hz capacity blocks out low end sounds from unwanted sources, so with this device, what you give is what you hear.
Due to its -20dB selectable pad, you can place AKG in front of different sound sources and expect the same quality all through.
A truly integrative device for multiple recording applications such as vocal recordings, brass instruments, and acoustic guitar.
For a variety of miking applications including lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and brass instruments, the black Project Studio P220 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone from AKG features a 1″ true condenser capsule with a cardioid polar pattern. A low-cut filter at 300 Hz allows you to cut unwanted low end from your sources, while its selectable -20 dB pad allows the mic to handle SPLs up to 155 dB, allowing it to be placed in front of a variety of sources. A spider shockmount and aluminum carry case are included. Also with a Pop filter and 20′ XLR Cable.
- Advanced quality.
- Relatively cheap.
- A truly multipurpose recording device.
- Captures higher and lower pitches perfectly.
- Heavier than the average mic of its class.
Aston Microphones Origin Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The Aston Origin is a high-performance cardioid condenser microphone utilizing a one inch (1 inch) gold evaporated capsule.
It is versatile enough to use with most instruments and excels on acoustic guitar and vocals. Its hand-selected capsule is teamed with high-end transformer-less circuitry using only the best components. The Origin is designed to deliver direct, smooth and intimate sound for a natural and transparent recording.
The Aston Origin has their signature wave-form mesh head. This unique design not only looks great, but delivers an unprecedented degree of protection for the heart of your microphone, the capsule. The shock resistant wave-form design allows the head of the mic to distort if given a heavy knock and then return to its normal position, without any damage at all. It also offers a degree of off-axis rejection, helping to eliminate unwanted artefacts from your recordings.
Aston Origin does not have USB attachment, but what it fails to offer in terms of easy setup, it more than compensates for it in other areas.
Although it is one of the more expensive microphones to make to our list, buyers should not be deterred by the high price because they will get the quality they pay for.
Aston is a one-inch high-performance microphone that has the versatile capacity to deliver quality for vocals or musical instruments.
This device is most certainly designed to produce smooth, direct, and intimate sounds.
The mesh head of the Aston Origin protects the microphone from negative external impact and it also has shock anti-wave resistance which prevents the mic from falling off if knocked over by accident.
For an ultimate recording experience, you may need additional accessories, but even so, Aston Origin’’ hand-selected capsule is worth the hype and price.
- Mouth to mic proximity effect is very minimal.
- A device of elegant craftsmanship.
- Cancels out unwanted noise.
- Mount is easy to place.
- Handles vocal gains perfectly when in use.
- Impressive internal shock absorption.
- Doesn’t come with a USB mount.
- Additional accessories for that extra perfect output will cost you a little more.
Concluding Remarks
The brands we have reviewed so far are among the best condenser microphones on the market. Choosing any of these brands should be a decision based on your choice and budget.
In addition to that, you should also choose a brand that delivers the best quality based on what you intend to use it for.
For voice acting recording, any of these five mics will do just fine. If you want a multipurpose device that guarantees you maximum quality across all categories, Aston Origin is definitely the microphone you should be going for.
For podcasts, the MK4 Sennheiser appears to be the best condenser mic for such a purpose.
If you are going to be recording both indoors and outdoors, Audio-Technica and Aston Origin trounces the other three for versatility.
Related Best Condenser Microphones Resources
- Voice Acting Microphones
- Ribbon Microphones
- Vocal Condenser Microphones
- Multipurpose Condenser Microphones
- Instrument Condenser Microphones