Microphone budget king for voice acting/podcasting?

[daos]

Hi everyone, I'm so happy I finally found a forum to learn how to judge hifi products based on scientific testing and not based on sales tactics and feelings.
I am looking for a budget microphone that is good enough for both voice acting and podcasting. I just don't know what measurements and values are important when it comes to microphones.
Ideally if I can get it to be equal or better performing than a Fifine AM8 and at the same price or lower I would be extremely happy.
I'm looking for a microphone that performs very well in spite it being connected by USB or like Fifine AM8 can be used with both USB and XLR(if I buy a audio interface in the future).
I don't have an audio interface right now and I don't want to buy one just to get an XLR port.
Can you help me please decide on a microphone? Thank you.

 

[staticV3]

IMO, the king of budget microphones is Neat Microphones.

Check out Podcastage on YouTube for in-depth reviews and comparisons.

No, they don't have USB out as that would significantly increase the price without improving sound quality.

 

[Count Arthur]

Here's a link to the Podcastage channel:

Podcastage

Podcastage is a youtube channel that provides Gear Reviews & Tests to help you improve your podcast and youtube audio / video. Videos are released every Tuesday, so make sure to check back to see what new gear I am testing out for you. Also, don't be shy to ask questions in the comments, I do my...

www.youtube.com

If you choose a microphone that needs an audio interface, check out Julian Krause:

Julian Krause

Hey, I'm Julian Krause and on this channel you can find in-depth audio equipment reviews and tutorials.

www.youtube.com

You can get really good, inexpensive, interfaces if you don't need lots of channels or advanced features.

Another thing you might need to consider for good voice recordings is your room acoustics. No matter how good the hardware is, you won't be able to get a good recording if your room is noisy, or you have a lot of reverberation, that sort of thing.

 

[daos]

IMO, the king of budget microphones is Neat Microphones.

Check out Podcastage on YouTube for in-depth reviews and comparisons.

No, they don't have USB out as that would significantly increase the price without improving sound quality.

Which one do you recommend? There are multiple Neat microphones reviewed.
Also I can't find it Neat BumbleBee II on amazon.de and I can't buy from a non EU website or warehouse since if I do I have to travel to a special post office that is 60KM from my home because all non EU packets get sent there and it's a huge pain for me to pick it up since my working hours are too similar to theirs and can't reach it in time to pick it up.

 

[staticV3]

Which one do you recommend? There are multiple Neat microphones reviewed.

There's not one good Neat mic and all others are trash.

Watch the reviews, have a listen, and check local prices.

 

[dasdoing]

Shure MV7+

they made it to have a cheaper alternative for the classical SM7b that you see on 90% of famous podcasts
watch comparisons on Youtube, I actually liked the MV7 better in those videos

 

[daos]

Shure MV7+

they made it to have a cheaper alternative for the classical SM7b that you see on 90% of famous podcasts
watch comparisons on Youtube, I actually liked the MV7 better in those videos

I said in the OP "better performing than a Fifine AM8 and at the same price or lower".

 

[dasdoing]

wow. At that price range I don't know if it is possible to get quality.
you are probably better off looking for used stuff. an old audio interface + a good used condenser (in a quiet room).
for voice acting you need quality. the contractor of the audition doesn't even listen to your samples if he hears bad quality in the first two seconds.

 

[Blumlein 88]

There won't be much data on mics in this budget range. Maybe a CAD U37 or U39. This company makes better than average mics at lower prices.

 

[digitalfrost]

Amazon.de

This is a fantastic mic. It used to be over 200€. Beware it is heavy and you will need a sturdy mic stand to handle it.

I don't have an audio interface right now and I don't want to buy one just to get an XLR port.

Well this is a problem.


I also own this one: https://www.thomann.de/de/the_tbone_mb88u_dual.htm

It sounds quite good and comes with USB connection.

 

[Lambda]

Get an audio interface so you can set up the gain properly.
Most USB Mics don't have analog gain control.

If you want a cheap low noise condenser:

next better thing is the maybe the Rode NT1

If you want a Dynamic mic look at the Behringer XM8500

 

[digitalfrost]

Get an audio interface so you can set up the gain properly.
Most USB Mics don't have analog gain control.

Pretty much this. Also, a good mic stand or arm is essential. These in high quality can easily cost 50€+

 

[daos]

I listened to the Samson Go after just hearing the Newmann U87 in this video

I'll probably just buy the Samson Go considering how good it sounds.
Now question is how do I EQ it to squeeze every bit of quality out of it. Are there any in depth guides that I can follow on how to EQ it to make it sound "pro level"?
Thank you.

 

[dasdoing]

Now question is how do I EQ it to squeeze every bit of quality out of it. Are there any in depth guides that I can follow on how to EQ it to make it sound "pro level"

It depends on the voice, the mic, and the room.
the easiest way to get acceptable results without much knowledge/experience/training is to use something like this: https://www.sonible.com/pureeq/

 

[AnalogSteph]

Also I can't find it Neat BumbleBee II on amazon.de and I can't buy from a non EU website or warehouse since if I do I have to travel to a special post office that is 60KM from my home because all non EU packets get sent there and it's a huge pain for me to pick it up since my working hours are too similar to theirs and can't reach it in time to pick it up.

Since you seem to be in Euroland, I would have a look at what Thomann has to offer. The Fun Generation USB One (also available in a "Podcast bundle" with a presumably janky mic arm) seems to be sounding decent even if the build is reported to be plastic fantastic so may be asking for some DIY improvements.

 

[DVDdoug]

You might get lucky with a cheap mic and you might not.

You'll probably want a cardioid (directional) mic so it doesn't pick-up background noise from all directions.

A lot of more expensive mics come with noise-isolation mounts. A pop filter is also a nice accessory.

The microphone on your cell phone is usually very good so you can use your phone for recording and then transfer the files to your computer for editing, etc. The downside is that it's omnidirectional and you may not be able to get an isolation stand.

If you get an analog XLR mic, get a "studio condenser", not a dynamic mic. Dynamic mics have about 20dB lower output than condensers and most interfaces don't have enough gain unless you are recording a loud source like a guitar amplifier or a drum. A lot people end-up using a Cloudlifter (booster). You'll see an SM7B (dynamic) in a LOT of podcasts and they are probably using a Cloudlifter, a separate preamp, or a mixer.

The Blue Yeti is a super popular USB podcast mic and it's under $100 USD. It's got built-in zero-latency monitoring and multiple pick-up patterns. Ther are some complaints of noise with Yeti (which gets into the analog electronics through the USB power). I don't know if it's more susceptible to noise than other USB mics (or USB powered interfaces) or if there are more complaints because millions of people use the Yeti.

Rode makes a USB mic too (for more money). Rode has an excellent reputation and you probably can't beat them for value.

With a USB mic, you can only use one microphone but the built-in USB interface is essentially free.

You might find this video interesting - Where Does The Tone In A Microphone Come From?

 

[dasdoing]

Yeah, not sure why everybody wants a dynamic. it makes sense on a debating table with several guests, but if you are alone a condenser is a much better choice. just need to be sure to not record near a road or something, they pick up everything.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Yeah, not sure why everybody wants a dynamic. it makes sense on a debating table with several guests, but if you are alone a condenser is a much better choice. just need to be sure to not record near a road or something, they pick up everything.

If you're just recording speech and nothing else, dynamics will do a good job and are a lot less finicky than condensers.

Now question is how do I EQ it to squeeze every bit of quality out of it. Are there any in depth guides that I can follow on how to EQ it to make it sound "pro level"?

There's a lot more that separates a cheap mic and a good mic than just the frequency response curve. You can't EQ noise floor or distortion or interference.

I produced over 400 episodes of one of the most popular sports broadcasts in Canada and I cannot stress enough: If you really want "pro-level" sound, invest in an SM7b or MV7 and learn how to use compression and limiting to get a consistent, smooth volume level. The biggest differences between a podcast that sounds good and a podcast that sounds amateur come down to quality of the initial recording, and properly compressing/limiting speech so that you're not jumping up and down by 20dB as you move slightly off mic or raise your voice.

 

[dasdoing]

If you're just recording speech and nothing else, dynamics will do a good job and are a lot less finicky than condensers.

I don't agree. with dynamics you have to get very close and small head movements have a big impact....you also produce this radio bass because of the proximity effect.
with condensers, you stay in "hang loose" distance and you can move your head much more freely. you can even angle the mic to the side and won't need a pop filter which degrades the sound a little, but even with a pop filter they still sound much more crisp than dynamics.
they both require some getting used to. with condensers you have to be more careful in order to avoid transients/pops....but with dynamics, you have to care about consistent levels all the time (head in a vice). you get used to both after some practice. atm I give online classes with my condenser (MXL 2006), up to 30 hours a week...not finicky at all for me.