One of the most popular types of microphones out there, especially for those who happen to be doing professional voice work, is the condenser microphone.
This microphone is marked by its extreme sensitivity, high-quality audio output, and its generally high price. While they may not be for everyone, those of you who need or want high microphone quality, you have no real option besides a condenser mic, they are just that good.
In this article, we aim to help those of you who are in the market for a really good condenser mic by reviewing some of the best ones that are currently being sold. If you want to skip ahead and know the best condenser mic, it is the XLR Condenser Microphone.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Condenser Mic 2022:
Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The first product that we want to review is the Audio-Technica AT2020. This is the microphone that we have picked to start off our review list because it is such a good middle of the road option.
On the one hand, you have those microphones that are extremely cheap but that don’t offer much in the way of features. On the other hand, you have those microphones that are relatively expensive, but that are also well-made and designed. The AT2020 sits firmly in the middle of the pack.
Firstly, let’s start off the review by talking about the most important thing that you need to look for when it comes to any condenser microphone, which is its sensitivity.
As you will find out a bit later on in our article when we do our buying guide, one of the main aspects of this microphone is how extremely sensitive they are. This is what makes them so good for use in any sort of closed in environment (like a recording studio). Despite not being the priciest entry on this list, the sensitivity, and thus the sound quality, of this mic is amazing.
While we really like this microphone overall (as you can probably see from our relatively glowing review), it does have some problems that need to be discussed.
In particular, there is the fact that unlike a lot of other similarly made microphones, the Audio-Technica AT2020 doesn’t come with any sort of extras. This means that you will inevitably need to invest some of your own money into important extras like pop filters.
- Great sensitivity.
- Amazing overall sound output.
- Good mic at a very reasonable price.
- You need to buy a lot of extras to make it work as well as possible.
XLR Condenser Microphone
We are going to be following-up that our last review of that moderately priced microphone by doing a review of an extremely inexpensive microphone in the form of the XLR Condenser Microphone.
While this mic does have some other good qualities that we will be exploring in this review, we also want to be upfront that easily the biggest reason to get this particular option is because of just how inexpensive it is.
While good condenser mics can be hard to find on a budget, the XLR Condenser Microphone manages to give you relatively good audio performance at a price that is amazing for a condenser mic (around $50).
At the same time, it is also impressive how this mic manages to offer quite a huge array of extras, many of them extremely important, while still remaining inexpensive. It further cements the XLR as being a mic that is worthy of being on this list.
- Most inexpensive option on this list.
- Good attachments included.
- Balances price and quality very well.
- Probably not designed to last as long as some pricier mics.
Stellar X2 Large Diaphragm XLR Microphone
For the final microphone review on our best condenser microphone list, we wanted to review a microphone that is basically the exact opposite of the last 2 that we took a look at.
Whereas both of those microphones were relatively moderately priced, the Stellar X2 does not attempt to hold back when it comes to costs. Rather, this is an explicitly high-end microphone that charges a high-end price.
While that cost is going to make this a non-starter for some of you out there, we also know that people who really appreciate good audio quality will be willing to pay the $200+ price of entry.
As is befitting such a pricey microphone, the audio quality that one can expect from the Stellar X2 is simply amazing. Every aspect of this mic is well-crafted, and you will definitely notice it in the final product.
With the right set of attachments (such as a good stand, a filter, etc.) you will experience a degree of clarity in your recordings that you never thought possible before. You will be able to pick up things that other mics wouldn’t be able to, such as subtle shifts in voice tone (important for a singer).
However, don’t get the wrong idea, this mic is for more than just singing. In fact, we would say that the quality of this microphone means that it can easily be used for any sort of activity that requires a high-end microphone. This includes podcasting, recording videos, doing online presentations, and much more.
- Really high-end microphone.
- Comes with a lot of useful extra components.
- Made with high-quality components.
- An ideal candidate for studio recording.
- The priciest microphone of the 3 that we have reviewed.
Condenser Mic Buying Guide
While we don’t want to overload you with information on this best condenser microphone list, we do want to include this short buying guide to go along with out review list.
In this guide, we want to explain (very quickly) who condenser microphones are designed for. The very short answer would be anyone who is recording in a studio, but let’s go into a bit more detail on that matter.
For Professional Singers
Obviously, some of the most important users of condenser microphones are professional singers.
Anyone who is trying to record their singing, for whatever reason, should be using a good condenser mic. It doesn’t matter what type of singing you are doing or what level you are at, you need one of these mics.
A lot of singers make the mistake of waiting until they are more established before investing in a good mic, but you really should get a good one right out of the gate.
For Voiceover Work
If you are trying to make a living doing any sort of professional voiceover work, then you are going to want to invest in a condenser mic.
However, you don’t want just any condenser mic, you want one of the highest quality options that you can find as professional voiceover work requires that your voice come through in the highest quality possible.
For Podcasting
Everyone and their mother seems to be starting a podcast these days. It is increasingly becoming a popular medium for people who are into just about any type of hobby.
If you are thinking of getting into podcasting, or if you know someone who is, then you should be interested in a good condenser mic. It is an essential tool for any podcaster and it also happens to be a good gift idea.
Video Makers
Much like podcasting, YouTube videos are also a very popular hobby and/or job for a lot of people. If you happen to be interested in making YouTube videos, then you are also going to need a well-made condenser mic to go along with your video camera.
Conclusion
If you still have any questions relating to our best condenser mic review list, we would say to go ahead and use our comment section below to let us know what you want answered.
