Finding the best microphone for youtube channel can be tricky. That's why Youtubers change their mic very frequently as they hike up in their career. I've personally changed more than 30 microphones for my usage. I've tested more than a hundred microphones while setting up home studios for my clients. I thereby know the in's and out's of microphones (you're in expert hands).
If you wish to produce quality youtube videos, you need to take care of the audio. Audio is a vital element of the video. Your eyes can endure 144p videos, but it can't handle an HD video with lousy sound. A lot of people who start doing youtube invest a good amount on DSLR, but they forget about the second part of the equation - audio. For a professional grade video, you need good audio. Fortunately, there are a lot of manufacturers out there. There is always a microphone which will fit your budget and quality expectations.
In this article, I've not only mentioned the best microphones for youtube, but I've also mentioned some other important factors which would profoundly help you in making the right purchase. If you're in a hurry, you can check the table above or jump straight to microphone listing. But I highly recommend reading the pre-purchase tips.
Best Microphones for Youtube : Youtube is home to a huge variety of content creators. We have vloggers, tutorial videos, prank videos, normal in home videos, voice over style, podcasts and much more. Make sure you purchase a microphone which is right fit for you.
You can also checkout :
Best Voice Over Microphones
Best Smartphone Microphones
Best USB/XLR Microphones for Youtube
Blue Yeti
You’ll find this microphone on the top of pretty much every Best Microphones for Youtube list. There are tons of reasons why this microphone receives so much praise. Yeti has a very thick metal body and would look huge on your table (seriously massive). This mic has been used and appreciated by a lot of YouTubers. This microphone has been around for quite a while and has received tremendous amounts of love. A lot of people know “blue” as a brand, only because of this microphone (or snowball).
Rode NT USB
The microphone deserves a lot of praise for its versatility and studio quality audio performance. NT USB is aimed at the users who want start recording from the comfort of their homes and thereby ranks second in our list of Best Microphones for Youtube.
The microphones run on cardioids pickup pattern and is a side addressing microphone. Like other USB microphones, Rode NT USB microphone is a plug and play microphone, which means that all you need to do is just plug it in and start recording. You don’t need any external instruments or accessories to record with the microphone. It captures audio up to the 16bit/48khz resolution.
Samson GO
This one is the cheapest microphone in this list. But don’t judge it for its price and size. You’ll discover that it offers quite a lot more than what you can expect at this price range. This microphone is cutest and smallest microphone that I’ve used so far. Surprisingly, it is metal bodied, and measures around 70.5 X 43.5 X 23mm.
The microphone employs two back to back, cardioid capsules. What this means is, it offers two recording modes – cardioid and omni pattern. You also get a mic storage clip, which has an awesome swivel joint that lets you set your microphone at whatever angle you require.
Blue Snowball
Snowball is a proper condenser microphone, and like most of the USB Microphones, it is plug and plays as well, with its sound card built right inside it.
You don’t need any extra accessories, just plug-in the microphone, open audacity and start recording right away.
The microphone offers two recording patterns, and there is a switch on the back that lets you jump between these two. Inside the microphone, there are two twin capsules.
The cardioid pattern will help you record with a -10db for loud sources like musical instruments, the standard cardioid pattern, is for close up vocal and then there is omnidirectional which is ideal when you’ve got a room full of people.
Audio Technica At2020
At2020 is an affordable and versatile condenser microphones that run on cardioid pickup pattern.
From its appearance, it looks as if it has a large diaphragm. Although it is has a 16mm back-electret capsule, which translates to the fact that it has a medium diaphragm.
The design of this microphone is straightforward, and the microphone body has no buttons.
Audio Technica didn’t pack a lot in this microphone. The body has no buttons, and on top of that, the box comes with a threaded stand mount, pivoting mount, and pouch (no wire).
You’re most likely not to use the mount given in the package and purchase an external one instead. The microphone has been around for a long time and lures the budget conscious buyers.
The success of this very microphone inspired Audio Technica to produce the successors Audio technical AT2035, and At2050 models. Making it secure a rank for Best Microphones for Youtube.
Audio Technica At2100
This microphone has an awesome metal body and feels quite decent. The grill feels sort of plastic, or maybe it is just coated in plastic.
The microphone also has an LED light on its front which indicates when the microphone is connected to the USB port and is receiving enough power. There is an on/off switch feels somewhat flimsy.
The bottom of the microphone has a USB Port which connects the microphone to computer.
You also get a live headphone jack to monitor what is being recorded. You also get to control your volume via the volume control. You also get an XLR plug so that you can plug in your microphone into an amplifier, preamp or a mixer.
Best Camera Microphones for Youtube
Rode Videomic Go
Some of its salient features include being a high-quality microphone which requires no batteries, lightweight, and a two-year warranty.
The microphones come with basic stuff such as a shock mount, windshield, cold-shoe mount with 3/8 thread and 3.5mm mini-jack output jack. The microphone undoubtedly delivers crisp, clear and directional audio and is easy to use.
The microphone has been made to focus only what is on its front which reduces the surrounding and background sound and makes sure that the subject is quite isolated from any distracting background noise.
Rode Videomic Pro
Videomic Pro got upgraded from the previous models which had a ½ condenser capsule that provided quality audio. It has a brilliant 1/8 stereo mini-jack connector which outputs in mono form to both right and left channels.
The microphone is also capable of delivering low self-noise of just 14DB. Surrounding sound is minimized because of the supercardioid pattern to ensure that your recording is focused on the subject which is in the front of the camera.
Sennheiser MKE 600
Sennheiser MKE 600 is to your go-to microphone if you need professional audio without reading a lot of technical info on blogs.
It stands out as one of the best shotgun microphones due to amazing production sound, as well as ease of use. Shotguns from Sennheiser have been widely used on soundstages worldwide for a long time.
The company knows a lot when it comes to audio production. The size of the MKE 600 provides you the capability to either attach it on top of your camera or attach it to a boom arm.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a vast production set or a tiny space, the shotgun can always manage to get superb audio without any problem.
Best Multi Purpose Microphones for Youtube
Zoom H1
Colored in black, the H1 handy recorder from Zoom is versatile and easy to use digital audio recorder that can comfortably fit in your palm. The microphone was the reason for the later released microphones H2, and H3n, and brings the professional audio recording to a more affordable and compact form.
The microphone is perfect for podcasters, journalists, musicians, and youtubers. H1 records superb quality MP3 and WAV files to deliver quality audio.
H1 records on an X/Y pickup pattern but is not very useful in removing background noise. The background noise can, however, be removed via free audio recording program like audacity.
You also get a built-in speaker so you can listen what you record making one of the best microphones for youtube.
Zoom H4N Pro
Another product from Zoom that makes it in the list of best microphones for youtube. On one side, Zoom H6 is the best possible digital audio recorder for professionals, but it is also quite expensive. The Zoom H4n is nothing but a more comfortable version of H6 and is capable of recording high-quality audio with versatility. The main difference between Zoom H4n and Zoom H6 is that H6 has more XLR inputs and is capable of more recordable tracks and microphones. Both of these microphones although record at the same bit rate and high sampling frequencies.
H4n Pro uses MP3 and WAV playback formats. You can also convert the WAV files to MP3 to compress the audio file size. This is an important feature because H4n by default only comes with a 2gb storage space which would be easily filled for an hour of live recording in WAV format. You can add external card up to 32GB.
Rode smartLav+ Lavalier Microphone
The Rode SmartLav+ can be used with your android or apple device which is designed to output high-quality audio on the go. The lavalier microphone can easily clip on lapel or shirt. It has an omnidirectional, sensitive condenser capsule which captures the audio from all sides of the microphone. Hence, the design leads to efficient, and hands-free recording of interviews, speeches, and dictations.
Buying Guide to Buy Best Microphone for Youtube
1. Budget
This can be first and most important criteria if you're just starting out. It is logical. You're only going to start; you don't know if it's going to be profitable or not. Thereby, all of the YouTubers begin with an entry level microphone. Don't aim very high for the first microphone thinking that it's going to be the best microphone for youtube and last.
Interesting fact: Jacksepticeye started his youtube channel with the microphone inside his webcam.
There is a quite big range of microphones when divided by price point. In this article, I've covered microphones of all price ranges to make sure that you find one that fits your budget.
2. Microphone Usage Scenario
This is the most crucial question that you should be asking yourself before you continue reading further. Youtube is a huge platform, and there is a huge variety of content available. It is essential that you grab the microphone that is fit for your needs. Once you figure out what purpose you need the microphone for, you should understand the type of microphones.
USB Microphone:
Quite popular due to ease of use and a wide range of applications. USB Microphones are plug and play. This means that all you need to do is plug them into your computer and you're ready to record. There is no need for any additional types of equipment. They are great for filming at, or near your computer. This can include videos like podcasts, gaming, walk-through, interviews, tutorials, voice overs and much more.
Camera microphones:
If you film outside ( vlogging or travel ), this is the microphone you need. These are shotgun microphones placed on top of your DSLR.
Lavalier microphones:
They're the little clip microphones placed on t-shirt/shirt in news or interviews. These are also used in seminars, speaking performances and more. This microphone might not be very common, but they can be useful for you if you want your microphone to be hidden ( like in prank videos ).
XLR Microphones:
Youtubers usually upgrade from USB microphones to XLR microphones after they start making money. XLR Microphones can be used to record songs or videos where you don't have to be very far from the computer table. Unlike USB Microphones, XLR microphones need extra equipment to get up and to run.
3. Additional Accesories
There is much more that goes into using a microphone apart from the microphone. This includes things such as pop filters, shock mounts, microphone stands, and wind shields. When you're about there purchasing the best microphones for youtube, make sure to grab some accessories as well.
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