Let’s be honest, if you don’t understand the type of microphone that you are looking for chances are you won’t get the best deal. Before going any further, let’s check out the two main types of microphones that you are going to encounter — condenser and dynamic microphones — and what do you need to know about them.

Condenser Mics

The condenser microphones can convert sounds to information through the use of a capacitor that converts acoustical energy into electrical energy. They usually require an external power source, such as a battery, and provide a stronger signal as compared to the dynamic ones. Even more, their diaphragm has a remarkably low mass which enables them to catch sound waves much more accurately than dynamic ones. If all of this is too hard for you, it can be boiled down to one sentence:

Condenser mics come with superior audio quality as compared to dynamic ones. They require an external power source, such as a battery and they are better for high-frequency instruments, such as acoustic guitars, piano, etc.

Dynamic Mics

The dynamic microphones record audio when sound waves cause a movable wire or coil to vibrate in a magnetic field and thus induce a current, to then be converted back to sound. They are usually cheap and robust, making them perfect for recording high sound pressure levels, such as a kick drum. The downside is that the diaphragm has a much higher mass, which limits the frequency and transient response. In general:

Dynamic mics are robust and best suited for high pressured sounds, such as a kick drum. They can no catch well high frequencies, so they are best avoided in similar situations.

Now that you know about the two different types of microphones that we are going to be looking, below you can find our top five picks for microphones under $400.

Below is our take on the top 5 budget microphones:

# Image Product Price
1 AKG $148
2 Audio-Technica $164
3 Blue $110
4 Shure $399
5 Marantz Professional $50

 

1. AKG P220 – Condenser Mic

  • Audio Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Max SPL: 115db
  • Sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa

AKG has many years of microphones development expertise that has placed them among the top microphone manufacturers. The P220 comes with a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. It is rugged and has pretty sturdy build quality, ensuring that the microphone’s functionality will be preserved for as long as possible. The P220 can handle Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) of up to 115dB. Its sensitivity is 20 mV/Pa.

2. Audio-Technica AT2035 – Condenser Mic

  • Audio Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Max SPL: 158dB
  • Custom Shock-protection Stand
  • Cardioid polar pattern

Audio-Technica has a long history of making quality audio equipment, including microphones. The At2035 condenser microphone comes in the standard Audio Frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a maximum Sound Pressure Level of 158dB. The unique integrated Pop Filter has the power to eliminate the annoying “plosives” from your recordings, giving you a clean end result. The package comes with an included custom shock-protection stand. The AT2035 delivers perfect isolation of the desired sound source, ensuring its quality.

3. Blue Yeti USB – Condenser Mic

  • Audio Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Max SPL: 120dB
  • Tri-capsule array
  • Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo patterns
  • Gain control

The Blue Yeti USB condenser microphone comes with the standard audio frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a maximum Sound Pressure level of 120 dB. Unlike the rest, the Blue Yeti microphones comes with an array of three condenser capsules. It gives you the power to catch every sound, no matter how subtle it might be, with great clarity. On the microphone, you can find a gain control, a mute button and a zero-latency headphones output. The Yeti mic also comes with four patters — cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo.

4. Shure SM7B – Dynamic Mic

  • Audio Frequency response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz
  • A7WS Widescreen included

The SM7B has powerful protection against harmful electromagnetic hum generated by computer monitors, neon lights, and other electrical devices. It will ensure that the recordings you do won’t contain unreal sounds. As compared to previous models, the SM7B comes with an improved bracket design that offers greater stability for your microphone. The audio frequency response rage is from 50 Hz to 20 kHz. It also features a bass roll-off and mid-range emphasis that comes with a special graphics control. The widescreen A7WS is included with the package.

5. Marantz Professional MPM-3000 – Condenser Mic

  • Audio Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Max SPL: 138dB
  • Shock-resistant mount
  • Aluminum case included

The MPM-3000 has everything you might be looking for in a microphone. It comes with the standard audio frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a maximum Sound Pressure Level of 138 dB. The device has an excellent transient response which it leverages to capture the most subtle, low-level sonic details that most other microphones fail to. The MPM-3000 comes with a specially crafted mount and metal mesh pop filter. They help filter out any unwanted room noise and random sibilance, leaving you with a clear sound from the start.