Best Condenser Mics Under $1,000

[@sweetwater]

Which of these microphones do you want to add to your mic collection? Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more videos like this one - thanks for watching!

[@joseluiz9495]

AT mic. Price?

[@BelaPuma]

What guitar is that i really like the sound of it and the song you were playing?

[@Bip4e]

@Sweetwater Can you do this with vocals pleaaseeee 🙏

[@finnohidayat3305]

Slate VMS ML-1 2:42 Warm Audio WA-87 3:59 Lauten Audio LA-320 5:05 Neumann TLM102 6:04 Mojave MA-201FET 7:10 Rode NTK 8:14 Blue Blueberry 9:17 Audio Technica AT4050 10:13 Shure KSM44A 11:21

[@COPiX]

bless

[@ramencurry6672]

AKG C414 XLS is usually discounted as B stock by authorized dealers if you’re patient

[@COPiX]

@@ramencurry6672 what's different about the B stock?

[@ramencurry6672]

@@COPiX To my knowledge B stock can be a returned item or an item on sale. I think technically authorized dealers are not permitted to discount particular items so they will call it B stock or refurbished. Occasionally if the box or case is slightly damaged or scratched they will also discount it too. This year, I bought an AKG C 414 for around $700 brand new and it was categorized as B stock.

[@COPiX]

@@ramencurry6672 nice deal! I'll have to looking into that

[@Thandidladla]

Thanks for the demonstration of the mics! Some reference for me: 2:42 Slate Digital VMS ML-1 3:58 Warm Audio WA-87 5:04 Lauten Audio LA-320 6:04 Neumann TLM 102 7:09 Mojave Audio MA-201 FET 8:14 RØDE NTK 9:17 Blue Microphones Blueberry 10:13 Audio Technica AT4050 11:20 Shure KSM44A

[@JD..........]

Thanks!

[@darkpotato6577]

“The temptation is to buy a whole ton of microphones” *bold of you to assume I have money*

[@Crich1]

You don't have desires? Why knock this just because multiple mic's are beyond your budget? This comparison seems a useful tool in case you can afford only one.

[@Shawneverette]

The blueberry was to far away so it lacked low end. That mic really benefits from being close to the source. Great demo. The tube mics shined.

[@peterm3964]

Shone Pepe , shone .

[@hotdog7334]

That neumann really had a sparkle on the top end. Listen on some good headphones.

[@diwattos]

2:42 dslem1. 3:59 warm 87 5:05 la320 6:05 Neuman 102 7:10 ft 8:15 ntk 9:16 blueberry 10:12 audiotecnika 11:20 shure44

[@Sonnivate]

I love the juxtaposition of the mojave fet immediately followed by the ntk. Really gives a great sense of the spectrum these mics are capable of. Going from such an intimate rich set of high frequencies to such a deep warm room. Personally and I've said it before and I'll say it a million times, the NTK is such an underrated gem with midrange mics! They get even better with tube swaps, I put a NOS telefunken in mine and man, love it.

[@maxxrkboitlung3602]

Some reference for me: 2:42 Slate Digital VMS ML-1 3:58 Warm Audio WA-87 5:04 Lauten Audio LA-320 6:04 Neumann TLM 102 7:09 Mojave Audio MA-201 FET 8:14 RØDE NTK 9:17 Blue Microphones Blueberry 10:13 Audio Technica AT4050 11:20 Shure KSM44A

[@TiagoNugentComposer]

the real star of the show was Mitch's playing! he makes all the mics sound great :)

[@hqeliteproduction]

Rode NTK Mic took it for me

[@L.Scott_Music]

OK, first off, it's really nice to see you, Mitch, playing some lovely classical guitar. Very nice. It's worth pointing out to aspiring music producers that the Slate microphone can be a great educational tool, allowing one to experience the sounds of microphones one might otherwise never get to (due to expense).

[@kvlen5767]

One thing to be considered is the slate vms ml1 needs a good preamp/interface in order to get its full potential. When used with a scarlet 2i2, solo, or similar interfaces it gives off a lot of sibilance and a somewhat unnatural sound. This can be said for a majority of mics when used with a cheaper interface, but I’ve found an sm58 and a Scarlett interface sounds better than the ml1 and a Scarlett interface

[@L.Scott_Music]

@@kvlen5767 Well, honestly the Ml1 needs the VMS Preamp. It used to be that you couldn't buy them separate. But I suppose a really good clean high headroom pre will do.

[@chunpwerlitser4659]

damn Mitch, top tier salesman, gear guru, who knew you played so beautifully! thanks for another very helpful video

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

That Blue Blueberry was something! It was a bit intense but that quality of sound, damn

[@MajorSeventh]

My home studio mic was an original KSM44, the mic in this video (KSM44A) is noticeably hotter and quieter. Sounds like Shure improved it very well without altering the character. All of these mics sound good, but the Lauten impressed me the most. By the way, the song Mitch plays is called "Jeux Interdits", and a lot of us "guitar players of a certain vintage" learned it as a good beginner piece.

[@BelaPuma]

Do you maybe know the guitar model name? I really like the sound of it

[@benloved7917]

@@BelaPuma Its an: Taylor Builder's Editon 517. I would recomend buying something similar sounding for a cheaper price.. Its a round-shoulder dreadnought with Spuce top and Mahogany body.

[@maxlarsen]

One negative thing about this video, you never do a mic shoutout without telling what Preamp or Interface it goes throught, exept that good vid ^^

[@prd004]

Everyone of those sounded beautiful on the guitar.

[@froductionbeats2022]

Becuz he can play haha

[@TheWiseMonk]

It would be marvellous if y'all come up with a video for entry level condenser microphones as well!

[@minkfranchise6389]

Meh...

[@nimblefred2932]

I'm starting to get interested in the Mojave mics

[@josephbeyer4579]

Excellent video for introducing these excellent mics. All of them sound great at reproducing Mitch’s guitar. A couple were better than others at capturing the jangle of the strings. Always love to hear that as it really faithfully reproduces a true live guitar sound. I listened to the videos several times back to back to get a better impression of each one. In my opinion the cleanest midrange was delivered by the Warm Audio mic. It also did a very good job with the higher notes. The clearest difference between all the mics and the Warm Audio was in the last couple bars of the song where there was a descending base run. The base notes were as crisp and clean as the notes in the higher register. I’ll be taking a closer look at the Warm Audio for recording our group that includes guitar, mandolin, violin and banjo!

[@maxlarsen]

Amazing Harmonics from that Shure mic, insane, vibrating harmonics amazing! that mic really supriced me on that guitar

[@COPiX]

It might just be bias since I own it but the KSM44a might have been my favorite out of these. Would love to hear these compared to each other again but on vocals and spoken word!

[@GuitarJesse7]

I love that classical piece you played, it’s one of my favs to play.

[@ijakari]

Love the mics but wow you play this instrument so beautifully I love the song !

[@guoyijiao4589]

sorry weird question anyone know the name of the song being play in the guitar test?

[@UniqueThaPoet]

I own the Blue Blueberry abd the Neumann tlm 102... love them both.

[@ryken_]

the tlm 102 is such a pleasing familiar sound

[@manifestgtr]

The blueberry has always been my personal benchmark for the $1000 and under category. It sounds more expensive than it is, it’s highly versatile and it’s been responsible for some of my favorite vocal and acoustic guitar sounds of all time. If you wanna hear that microphone in action, listen to V by Spock’s Beard. It’s on all of Neal’s vocals, acoustic guitars and many of the orchestral instruments as well. That record is absolutely pristine…

[@kesamek8537]

Rode NT1 and done.

[@GregoryTubb]

REALLY!!

[@danmeme7740]

Yes the black one not the silver one.

[@JoseyStranded]

Never liked it. Too spitty.

[@danmeme7740]

@@JoseyStranded Yeah to each their own, everyone sounds better on certain mics due to tone, sibilance, spitting etc.

[@shoshoda]

@@JoseyStranded it sucks.

[@uncleoregon4586]

Great resource Sweetwater especially for an acoustic guitarist! Good stuff!!

[@kennethgithinji5631]

Torn between the Rode K2 and Lauten Audio 320. They are both tubes under the same pricing

[@JPGProducciones]

Great Vid! just missing the Avantone CV12.... :/

[@cameronwhigham8253]

Agreed

[@Firstinversion899]

I got the Cv12 BLA & love it

[@elifarmer3815]

Could you provide a lossless version of these demos somewhere?

[@rafvonpaste7580]

how is the piece called he plays?

[@richardbailey511]

Mitch Gallagher great videos and even better information! You rock dude

[@madamsoulfood]

Is it good for background music and voice overs ?

[@djcuda]

My anxiety flared up by how he’s moving his hands side to side im thinking he’s gonna knock one of them over lol

[@ApolloParanormalTV]

He is slapping them around, huh.

[@davemoordigian6807]

Miktek C7 is a great microphone. Could easily be part of this group @ $899.

[@markallen381]

Great guitar playing Mitch!

[@artprojectsnz]

Great summary. Thx. Love my TLM102 - so it's good to hear some others. JPMusic

[@edbell5771]

The Rodes Ntk was unbelievable on my end

[@leocubiasmusiclifestyle7460]

Loving this video , so much great information here . Keep up the great work!

[@anthonycunningham4598]

Very useful! Thanks Mitch!!

[@1960chucks]

To my ear, the Mojave was the fattest sounding. More bell-tone harmonics from the upper bout of the guitar body. Excellent!!!

[@majapapaya7334]

The guitar sounds great, so all the mics sound good 😊

[@Bronwyn031]

Joel from the Last of Us, is that you?

[@Khordmaster]

Lol

[@JoseyStranded]

They all sound good but the Mojave and Shure had something more to them. If I had to describe their sound some way I would probably use words like "lively" or more "three dimensional".

[@maxlarsen]

Ya i agree it's more love in them duo to the vibrating harmonics

[@gezor20]

thank you for this awesome comparison.

[@saucyg6371]

All are great mics, I would probably pick up the 201fet or 301fet. However, I am surprised to see no Lewitts in this one.

[@johnh.george9059]

AT4050 Is a great mic on anything and everything

[@antoniofiscella2575]

Hi Mitch! I really like the sound of Blue microphones. Do you find the Blueberry suitable for voice over? You are always so knowledgeable, so I really value your opinion! Thank you very much!

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Antonio! Thanks for checking out this video. I haven’t used the Blueberry specifically for voiceover, but it’s a great vocal mic with good presence and a smooth overall sound. It works well on many sources, and I would expect it would sound great for VO applications, as well. Thanks again, Mitch

[@cityrecordsllc972]

The wa 87 I have In I don't like for vo

[@larrycom]

Nice guitar playing!

[@NURREDIN]

Have you guys considered selling MXL mics? They have a new U-47 clone called the Revelation II for $500.

[@Mjo742]

I wouldn’t pay 500 for an MXL. That brand excels at the sun $100 price point. For 500 an ML-1 is best bang for buck (when it’s on sale)

[@alexlechanteur3606]

The mojave and the shure have a little something more on guit, a little flavor that make them shine

[@jadonwalker4070]

Woah! Amazing video

[@phuongloan1000]

Really Informative

[@redcomn]

Slate modeling mic can sound like anything Proceed to play romanza

[@3P1Cpha1l]

Mitch must be taking classical guitar lessons

[@redcomn]

@@3P1Cpha1l it's on a steel stringer to boot instead of nylon

[@silvestre139]

Agree, I bought the slate mic on sale, and I totally regretted it, the sibilant on it is terrible, and it lacks at the lower frequencies, you end up with a really thin sound, it is way overpriced, not a bad mic, but does not live up to the hype

[@TheZeroSbr]

Neumann TLM 102 is easily the best. The Mojave is good too.

[@stephenfell4338]

What a player that Mitch Gallagher wow

[@DJIronChef]

Suggesting the V1 lolli kit! Under 750, pension condenser and switches heads out[4 head with different polar patterns] to a larger diaphram microphone capsule

[@DarkPa1adin]

My first mic is MK 4. my first used mic for first project was AT4040 and I realised I should have gotten dynamic mic for speeches in a semi treated room oh well..

[@2011Rollsroyce]

Why dont I see the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Modeling Microphone in this list?

[@opeya454]

My voice is prominent in the mid range and treble. What should I buy?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Matthew. Thank you for checking out our video. There are lots of microphones that work well with male vocals. Some of the mic choices will be dependent on the style of music you are looking to record. Here are a few of my go-to microphones I recommend to male vocalists: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM7B--shure-sm7b-cardioid-dynamic-vocal-microphone www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WA47--warm-audio-wa-47-large-diaphragm-tube-condenser-microphone www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TLM103Anniv--neumann-tlm-103-anniversary-edition www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C414XLII--akg-c414-xlii-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UT47FET--united-studio-technologies-ut-fet47-large-diaphragm-fet-condenser-microphone www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/OC18--austrian-audio-oc18-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone If you have any more questions about these or want to talk through options, please give me a call. Thanks, Grant Embury, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1647, [e-mail]

[@davegordon6737]

Which mic is best for male baritone voice?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Dave! Thanks for your interest and great question. Ultimately, the best microphone for a male baritone vocalist is going to be fairly subjective and depend on the type of recording, genre of music (or voiceover), and the kind of sound that you want to achieve. Some good mics to start considering could be the WA-87 for a warmer, classic sound which is great for baritone vocals or the AT4050 if you want to capture a more transparent representation of your baritone. Feel free to reach out to your Sales Engineer to dig into what you want to achieve, and they can help get it narrowed down with you! Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail]

[@SyncdAlien]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@marike1100]

I'll take the Shure or the Mojave, but they are all pretty awesome mics.

[@Trentonpage]

The style of mic I'm looking for would be a electro voice re 16 or 18

[@papahuge]

🤩 Such a great video!!

[@keisaboru1155]

Shure KSM44A WOW !

[@markallen381]

Microphone with rich harmonics for Alto Male?

[@sonicase]

'what should we do to test out the microphones' 'iunno' ... Mitch "uh,...i guess i could play guitar" 'ooo cool like classical guitar?' Mitch "um,...sorta yeah"

[@jasperthecat3845]

is he freestyling @ 5:04 or is that a song?

[@kadosuniverse]

lmaooo clicked cuz i thought mitch wus rappin loll

[@dollario]

Nice video ! 👌

[@sharmashivanand]

Which track is he playing on the guitar?

[@JustinLeeRazo]

Romance by My chemical Romance

[@Lepaulorig]

Lauten has an awesome vibe to it. Idk. I hear it on a record

[@soymajia]

I'm not so savvy on tech terms, I just need a real good mic for Voice Over work

[@jayy5790]

If you are still looking, get Tyne Neumann 193 and if that’s too expensive get the tlm 103 either one of these will blow you away if you have a good room

[@djalilderr2831]

@@jayy5790 what about a condenser mic for podcasting wich one do u recommend

[@davidmorris1677]

@@djalilderr2831 Tlm 103 or nt1

[@yarbgreat1]

I like the one that sounds like an acoustic guitar.

[@mindwalk6105]

Hello Sweetwater. Your web page is not working . Is it me ?

[@maxlarsen]

When i saw slate, then i knew this list was serious!

[@TheBennik]

Mojave Audio is the winner here

[@powerseostrategy]

Rode NTK for me.

[@diwattos]

shure44 is the best for me

[@LaidbackSounds]

Wassup Mitch ?!!!

[@todddammit4628]

Weird that the KSM44 beat all of these mics.

[@tylerjohnson-martin7871]

Take a shot everytime he says microphone.

[@anemaldemomusic8182]

I passed out bruh

[@peterm3964]

Great playing by the way .

[@aidanswiftofficial]

no C214, a great mic

[@SavoPaddy]

I think he featured this in under 500 dollar range, 414 might be in this bracket though

[@Niccks]

The fact that warm audio isn't warm is a shame

[@allinthemind2006]

Rhode ntk sounded the tightest

[@jamesbondaygee]

Did anybody hear any difference between any of these microphones? They all sound the same to me

[@frankjameseagles9670]

would have been nice to actually hear some vocals instead of the guitar.

[@KeithRiggle]

They all sound the same to me lol!

[@ARTHMUSIC]

Sir meh rapper. Phone par record Karne ke wajah seh quality Sahi nai aati. Aap Dekh sakte ho mere gaane. Meh aapko promise karta hu jab meh khudseh earning karunga tab apko mic Ka paisa louta dunga. I'm just 16, so filal Kuch kaam nai karta but 1,2 Saal meh apko sure mic ke paiseh return kardunga. Please help.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Get a Lewitt

[@gibsonwingo1206]

Not a big fan of this video simply because you never include vocals and yet you keep talking about how great they are on vocals not convinced by a little guitar picking

[@neysara]

So the moral of the story is if you play well then all microphones are good enough!

[@tthemillerss4555]

I accidentally got a condenser microphone for my gaming pc..

[@mickdenny1677]

Why do salesmen do sound samples of different mics ? Surely they are only demonstrating the speakers I am listening on .

[@Markcgreer]

No difference between any lol.

[@321CatDaddy]

Dear Lord please stop saying “mikaphone”