The AT2020 | Source: Audio Technica
Looking to buy a new mic? Make sure you do your research.
If you spend $500 on a new mic, you’ll end up with a great mic regardless. But with cheaper prices comes a higher chance of low-quality mics.
So I want to go over five of the best studio microphones under $100.
What To Look For In A Studio Microphone
There are a few factors to consider when buying a studio microphone.
One of the main factors to consider is the type of microphone. The main ones are dynamic and condenser. They both have pros and cons and are meant for different sound sources.
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive and more durable, so they do a good job of capturing loud sound sources. This would include guitar amps, drums, and percussion.
Condenser microphones are sensitive, so they don’t typically do well on loud instruments. They work best on vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano.
And the other main factor is the price. You’re clearly looking for a mic under $100, so you’ll want to make sure the mic is of the highest quality for the cost.
So here are those five studio microphones...
Shure SM57
Best for: Guitar amps, drums, acoustic guitars, other loud instruments
Ask any music engineer or producer about the Shure SM57 and they’ll have something good to say. Shure is a reputable name -- they make microphones that deliver what they promise.
It has a cardioid pickup pattern, which means it captures sound from the front and not from behind. This helps you record only what you want, not room noise or unwanted frequencies.
Features and specifications:
- Dynamic microphone
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- Shock-mount system (reduces handling noise)
- Frequency response: 40-15,000 Hz
sE Electronics sE7
Best for: acoustic guitar, piano, overhead drum set
sE Electronics hasn’t been around as long as Shure, but they make some decent microphones, including the sE7. It’s is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone, so it works well on acoustic guitar, piano and even as an overhead mic on a drum set.
According to the company, it’s “the quietest pencil mic in its class” because of its short signal path. It also has a -20 dB switch to help capture better sounds on loud instruments. And the phantom power (which is required to power the mic) can give you a gain increase of 28 dB.
All these things make it one of the best studio mics in this price range
Features and specifications:
- Small-diaphragm condenser microphone
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- -20 dB pad
- 80Hz high‑pass/low-cut filter
- Frequency range: 20-20,000 Hz
- Phantom power required
AKG PERCEPTION 170
Best for: acoustic guitar, piano, other loud instruments
The AKG Perception 170 (AKA the P170) is similar to the sE7. It’s a small-diaphragm condenser microphone, making it great for acoustic guitar and piano. It can also work on louder instruments, thanks to the -20 dB switch.
It will give you a nice airiness and a pretty high-end sound. Its self-noise is a bit louder than other mics in its class, but it’s still a great option.
Features and specifications:
- Condenser microphone
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- -20 dB pad
- Frequency range: 20-20,000 Hz
AT2020
Best for: vocals, acoustic guitar
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a good all-purpose microphone. It’s a condenser microphone that has a balanced sound, so it works best on acoustic guitar and vocals.
The self-noise is above average, but Audio-Technica makes high-quality microphones, so it’s still a solid choice.
Features and specifications:
- Condenser microphone
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- Frequency range: 20-20,000 Hz
- Phantom power required
Shure SM58
Best for: vocals
The SM58 is Shure’s most well-known microphone. Go to any concert and you’ll see at least one of these on stage.
However, because it’s a dynamic mic that both captures great sound and is durable, it does very well in the recording studio. It’s able to record your instrument while minimizing background noise.
Features and specifications:
- Dynamic microphone
- Cardioid pickup pattern
- Shock-mount system (reduces handling noise)
- Built-in metal pop filter
- Frequency response: 50 to 15,000 Hz
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Caleb J. Murphy is a singer-songwriter and music producer based in Austin, Tx., and the founder of Musician With A Day Job, a blog that helps part-time musicians succeed.
