Mics are some of the most diverse pieces of gear we can own as recording engineers and producers. Some are super versatile and sound great on lots of different sources, and others are a bit more purpose-built. As you look to expand your collection, consider some of the best cheap microphones for any situation!
But first, we’ll explore the different kinds of mics and their general uses.
Dynamic Microphones
These are perfect starters for a home studio. They’re pretty high up on the list of cheap microphones, they’re built like tanks, and work on just about everything you can think of.
Dynamic mics are named for their moving coil magnetic diaphragm. Sound pressure vibrates a coil inside the mic which converts acoustic energy into recordable electric energy. This means they can withstand huge SPLs (sound pressure levels), making them a great choice for loud instruments like electric guitar or bass, drums, and the like.
For instance, the longstanding industry workhorse Shure SM57 is a classic example of one of the finest dynamic mics ever made. It’s practically guaranteed to have been used on your favorite record in any genre!
Condenser Microphones
Condenser mics, also called capacitors, have a conductive diaphragm that sits on top of a metal backplate. The diaphragm acts as one plate of the capacitor, which stores electrical energy.
Condenser mics pick up sound by vibrating the diaphragm which in turn changes the capacitance to produce a recordable audio signal. Since condensers use capacitance instead of physical moving coils, sound quality is much more detailed than a dynamic microphone. This makes them the most widely used type of microphone in the studio. They’re more sensitive than dynamics but not necessarily more fragile, making them a good choice for vocals, acoustic instruments, and more.
While dynamic mics don’t require any external power because their design is mechanical, condenser microphones require +48 V phantom power. This is supplied by your audio interface and is switchable on and off. Some condenser microphones are tube-powered and come with their own dedicated power supply.
Ribbon Microphones
Ribbon mics use a thin metal ribbon suspended in a magnetic field to create sound. The ribbon connects to the microphone’s output, and its vibration in response to sound within the magnetic field generates the recordable electrical signal.
Ribbons are similar to moving coil mics in that they both produce sound by means of magnetic induction, but are much more sensitive and physically fragile than a moving coil dynamic mic.
Ribbon microphones are able to capture high notes without the harshness, and they have a warm, “vintage” sound to them. They were used frequently on horns in the early days, actively mellowing out the brightness found in instruments like a trumpet.
The Top 10 Cheap Microphones for Your Home Studio
Lauten Audio LA-220 V2
- Style: Large-diaphragm condenser
- Uses: Vocals, acoustic guitar, drums, guitar amps
- Cost: $59
Lauten Audio’s LA-220 is a super versatile condenser microphone meant to be an all-around workhorse. It features premium components, including a hand-tuned transducer that introduces subtle compression to sound sources. Out of the box, the sound is stellar. Additional features are both a high- and low-pass filter, the latter of which rolls off around 12 kHz for a mellower, vintage-style pickup not frequently found in affordable modern condensers.
Shure SM57
- Style: Dynamic
- Uses: Electric guitar, drums, vocals, etc.
- Cost: $99
The SM57 is one of the most famous mics of all time, and for good reason. It’s simply one of the best cheap microphones ever produced. They’re practically indestructible, can be found on sale for less than a hundred bucks, and they sound great. What more could you want?
SM57s typically find themselves on electric guitar cabinets, snare drums, and other loud sound sources. But don’t limit yourself to what’s most common — try a 57 on anything you’d like, and the results will probably be pleasant surprise!
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure
- Style: Large-diaphragm condenser
- Uses: Vocals, acoustic guitar, drum overheads
- Cost: $269
The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure is a 1-inch true condenser studio microphone, with a cardioid polar pattern. One thing that a lot of people talk about with Lewitt microphones is how accurate the sound is. Lewitt does not bring a lot of color to their microphones, and instead they allow you to do that yourself in-the-box with plugins, mic preamps, or however else you want to color the sound. This one is no different!
The LCT 440 is fantastic all-around condenser for under $300, making it one of the best cheap microphones you can get to start your collection.
Audio-Technica AT2020
- Style: Medium-diaphragm condenser
- Uses: Vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar amps, drum overheads, percussion
- Cost: $99
The AT2020 sets the standard for affordability and performance in cost-effective microphones. Its low-mass diaphragm is custom tailored for both detailed transient and frequency response. Fortunately, the AT2020 is also cheap enough to purchase in a pair, so you can easily set yourself up for stereo recording without breaking the bank.
- Style: Dynamic
- Uses: Kick drum, bass guitar
- Cost: $199
The D112 has been around for decades and is a go-to mic for low-end instruments like kick drum and bass guitar. It’s a cleverly designed mic because it accentuates the lows, but also the highs as well. This helps bass-heavy instruments, which can start to sound muddy, cut through a dense arrangement with an extended high-end.
Røde NT1
- Style: Large-diaphragm condenser
- Uses: Vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Cost: $269
This is an alternative to the incredibly popular NT1-A. Lots of users have described the NT1-A as harsh because it has a very prominent high-end boost, but the NT1 mitigates that.
The NT1 is designed with a midrange focus, smoother highs, and warm, round, bass reproduction.
Audio Technica AT2021
- Style: Small-diaphragm condenser
- Uses: Acoustic guitar, piano, drum overheads
- Cost: $89
Small-diaphragm condensers are known for being super detailed and bright — great for stuff like hi-hat, overheads, and acoustic instruments like piano or guitar. The AT2021 is no exception, and it’s a good idea to have a small-diaphragm or two in your arsenal.
sE X1 R
- Style: Ribbon
- Uses: Vocals, electric guitar, woodwinds, brass, acoustic guitaar
- Cost: $229
Ribbon mics roll off some top-end and emphasize mid- to low-end frequencies. The result is a mellow, warm sound — sometimes we call this “vintage” too!
The sE X1 R is great on brass, guitar amps, and vocals as well. Sometimes using a condenser on brass instruments is too bright and harsh, and a dynamic mic is a little too dull. Enter, the affordable ribbon!
Roswell Mini K47
- Style: Large-diaphragm condenser
- Uses: Vocals, acoustic guitar, drum overheads, strings, electric guitar, piano, room
- Cost: $349
Even though it’s on the pricier end of cheap microphones, the K47 is fantastic and still very much affordable. The capsule is modeled after a certain vintage German mic, so if you’re going for that vibe on a budget, look no further.
Cascade Fat Head
- Style: Ribbon
- Uses: Electric guitar, drum overheads, woodwinds, brass, strings, piano
- Cost: $195
Another extremely affordable ribbon is the Fat Head by Cascade Microphones. Anything you want to mellow out and make darker, reach for a ribbon. The Fat Head is recommended on electric guitar cabinets and drum overheads — loud, potentially harsh sources that could use a bit of massaging in the high-end.
