Let me tell you a story. It’s the year 2020, and I’m about to shoot my first YouTube video. I was all set, the script was polished, and the lighting was spot on, but then I hit a stumbling block. My audio quality was awful. As much as I love sharing stories with you, I’ve learned a thing or two about audio equipment since then. So, let’s talk about how to choose the right microphone for YouTube.

Roundup of The Best Mics For YouTube

Blue Yeti: 

This is a popular USB microphone that is known for its versatility and sound quality. It has four different polar patterns, so you can choose the one that best suits your recording needs. It also comes with a built-in headphone jack for monitoring your audio.

Rode NT1-A: 

This is a high-quality condenser microphone that is known for its natural sound. It is a good choice for recording vocals, instruments, and podcasts. It requires an audio interface to use.

Shure SM7B: 

This is a dynamic microphone that is often used by professional broadcasters and podcasters. It is known for its low-noise floor and ability to handle high SPLs. It also requires an audio interface to use.

Audio-Technica AT2020: 

This is a budget-friendly condenser microphone that offers good sound quality for the price. It is a good choice for beginners or YouTubers who are on a tight budget. It requires an audio interface to use.

MicrophoneHyperX QuadCast: 

This USB condenser microphone features a built-in pop filter, shock mount, and LED ring light. It is a good choice for YouTubers looking for a microphone that is easy to set up and use. This also looks crazy futuristic if you have a more modern or gamer channel.

Characteristics

First off, let’s dive into something called the polar pattern. This is a fancy term for how a microphone picks up sound. Picture this: three major patterns, cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional. Now, if you’re like I was and want to focus on capturing your voice while minimizing background noise, a cardioid pattern is your best friend. Why? It picks up sound from the front and rejects it from the sides and back, just like a loyal golden retriever, it sticks right by your side. On the flip side, omnidirectional patterns are like social butterflies, picking up sounds from all directions, and bidirectional ones are great listeners to both front and back.

sensitivity

Next up, is sensitivity. Imagine you’re whispering a secret to your microphone. A highly sensitive microphone would pick up even your most discreet whispers, while a less sensitive one might need you to raise your voice. It’s all about how loud it can capture sound.

frequency-response

Now, let’s discuss frequency response. It’s like a microphone’s hearing ability. A flat frequency response means the microphone hears all frequencies equally, no bias here. But some microphones might have a boosted or cut frequency response. They’re like that one friend we all have who only hears what they want.

self-noise

Then, there’s self-noise. No, it’s not the microphone talking to itself. It’s the noise a microphone makes on its own. The quieter the self-noise, the less background hum you’ll hear, which is crucial for recording in quiet environments like late-night ramblings or hushed vlog updates.

Maximum SPL

Maximum SPL is the microphone’s tolerance for loudness. If you’re like me and sometimes get a little too excited while recording, you’ll need a microphone with a high maximum SPL. It’s like a patient friend, tolerating even your loudest ramblings without distorting the sound.

Price

Let’s not forget the price. Just like choosing a dinner spot for a first date, you need to set a budget. Microphones can range from the cost of a Starbucks latte to a fancy steak dinner, and it’s essential to know your limit before you start browsing.

Pro-Tips:

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let me share a few extra tips from my journey:

1. For those noisy environments, a dynamic microphone is your knight in shining armor. It’s less sensitive to noise and perfect for bustling surroundings.

2. If you’re focusing on vocals as I did in my latest music video, condenser microphones are your go-to. They’re the maestros of natural sound and capturing detail.

3. Recording instruments? Consider a microphone designed specifically for that purpose. There are some tailor-made for recording guitars, drums, and other instruments.

4. On a budget? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There are many wallet-friendly microphones under $100 that work wonderfully.

5. If you’re a bit of an audiophile like me, a high-quality microphone could be a worthy investment. They can provide a significant boost to your sound quality.

So there you go, my journey, and what I’ve learned about picking the right microphone for YouTube. It’s not as intimidating as it seems, trust me, you’ve got thi….[inaudible..]