Today I want to help you find the best USB condenser mic under $100. So I hope you find this article helpful so you can get started recording as quickly as possible.
One of the dilemmas of an aspiring musician is whether to create a home studio or rent one. But with such a budget constraint, people tend to just build one equipped with budget-friendly gadgets.
For every home recording studio, one of the most important devices is a studio microphone. With a budget as an issue, finding the best USB condenser mic under $100 can be challenging.
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Most microphones within $100 can be harsh, dull, and bright. Recordings using a low budget condenser mic can be tough to mix and adjust.
But with strong competition in the microphone industry today, there are companies that offer good quality microphones even with such a low budget.
Before diving into stores, here are some things you need to know about microphones:
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Things to consider:
- The microphone must be versatile. It should record both vocals and instruments. Instrument recordings must produce pristine and crisp tune and must capture honest vocals.
2.The microphone must have a clear and clean recording. It must be significantly the same as the actual vocals or sound.
- The microphone must be affordable. It must be on a reasonable price considering that there are other software and application to complete a home studio.
To help you decide which is the best mic for your home studio, we came up with a list of good quality mics that can fit your budget:
Best USB Condenser Mic Under $100
1. Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone
The AT2020 Microphone from Audio Technica is one of the excellent professional condenser microphones in the market. It comes with a single cardioid pattern. This item combines quality and price.
This microphone is a plug and play mic It is best for people who want to achieve a clear audio for podcasting or voiceover. This microphone needs an XLR cable but not included in the unit. It has a small leather carrying pouch which makes it portable.
The AT2020 has excellent sound quality. It captures a fantastic voice in a professional setup. The sound with an At2020 is warmer and more precise compared to a USB-connect microphone.
The AT2020 is more suitable for a professional application which requires extra setup and pieces. It can give you professional sounding recording, and flexible adjustable that comes from an analog mixer.
The AT2020 provides amazing audio but would require additional parts to be set up. But for people who are serious about audio quality in recording, then the AT2020 is a good choice.
Pros:
- Sound quality is excellent
- Reasonable price
- Captures honest vocals
- Comes with analog mixer for professional use
- Best for podcasters and home studio recordings
Cons:
- Not USB Microphone
- Cables not included
- Lacking mic stand
2. Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone
The Audio-Technica ATR2500 is best known for voice-overs, home studio, and podcasting. This microphone tends to be made for voice projects. It features a large diaphragm condenser which can be connected via USB to your computer, Mac or PC.
This microphone is a perfect choice for those who want to achieve a good quality sounding without the need for technical knowledge. This USB microphone offers 30Hz to 15kHz which gives a fine sound with a clever EQ.
The Audio-Technica ATR2500 has a cardioid polar pattern and 180 degrees. When you test this product, it gives you more sound from voices rather than a keyboard. For a reasonable budget, this microphone I fairly nice.
It sounds good with acoustic guitar and electric guitar as well. If you are doing a podcast or a recording session, then this microphone will do a fine job.
Pros:
- Amazing sound
- Decent sound isolation
- Good quality
- headphone monitor output
- Volume switches
- Comes with mic stand, microphone clip, and USB cable
Cons:
- Bad microphone mount
- USB Microphone
- Microphone stand is plastic, not sturdy
3. CAD GXL2200 Condenser Microphone
This condenser microphone is one of the budget-friendly microphones offered by CAD’s GXL series. It has a large diaphragm, a cardioid microphone that gives a precise, clear, and quality sound.
The CAD GXL2200 Condenser Microphone gives a 30Hz to 2-lHZ frequency response and has high sensitivity because of its large diagram. This microphone offers a perfectly fine sound, especially for professional applications.
It gives a flat response with a boost in high frequencies. This microphone also eliminates harshness that might occur because of its boost. The CAD GXL2200 Condenser Microphone
Also has a very accurate sound reproduction from its original source. Compared to other expense condenser microphones CAD GXL2200 Condenser Microphone gives worth for what you are paying within its sound clarity, detail, and overall performance.
The design of the CAD GXL2200 Condenser Microphone is inspired by early European microphone designs. It has a vintage looking style with a shock mount, this microphone will definitely look great in any home studio.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Can produce professional sound
- Excellent vocal and acoustic instrument microphone
- Perfect for home studio
Cons:
- Some accessories are loose
Conclusion:
Searching for the best USB condenser mic under $100 can be a challenging and stressful job. Choosing the best gear for your studio must be accurate. Microphones come in many designs, shapes, sizes, and applications.
This list above is one way to help you decide. They can be very cheap but they offer the most out of a 100 bucks for a quality microphone there is in the market.
Lastly, when choosing a microphone, it is important to remember these three things:
- Exact budget – when doing the screening, make sure to prepare the exact budget. Upon seeing different selections, you may want to bargain a little more or less.
- Type of microphone – There are different types of microphones depending on its use and purpose.
For a $100 budget, you can get a USB microphone that is fine for studio recording at home while dynamic microphones are best used in live performance or with louder instruments.
- Extra gear – if you are on a $100 budget, then having extra gears would be impossible.
But if you choose to add a little more, there are packages and bundles around $150- $200 that offers almost complete accessories for an entry-level microphone.
And check out this article if you’re looking for the best condenser microphones for under $400 that will give you indusry standard quality when recording vocals.
Thanks for reading best USB condenser mic under $100. Peace!
Last update on 2023-05-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
