Don't buy these popular microphones. Get these instead.

I am not sponsored by any of these mic companies. In this video I talk about many alternatives to popular microphones you should avoid and to consider other microphones instead.
00:00 Neewer NW-800 and better alternatives
00:25 MXL 990, MXL 770, AT 2020, RODE NT1A
1:21 Synco Mic D2 and better alternatives
2:04 CAD E100S and better alternatives
3:43 Blue Yeti and better alternatives
5:06 Shure SM7B budget alternatives
6:04 The final mic

[@Itsanasmusic]

Dude. I used to look for videos like these when I was a beginner and was so frustrated NO ONE kept it simple. This right here? GOLD. No intro, no outro, Straight to the point, GREAT arguments and amazing pace. THANK YOU for this video and please keep making more. Again, this is GOLD.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Exactly. Clean. To the point. I’ve always looked for outliers. Those mics with exceptional value that no one has discovered….yet. I picked up my sE VR2 ribbons for less than half of what they’re going for now. I still have a full compliment of JTS NX series mics I picked up for 40-60% the cost of an SM58. Most singers (but not all) who are given them to try at sound check choose them for the gig. There is so much affordable gear out there that punches well above its weight that you can pretty much do 90% of what you’re trying to achieve for a modest outlay Remember, when it comes to quality, assuming you have a half Ok microphone, the order of importance is 1. Performance 2. Mic position / placement 3. Instrument 4. Room 5. Mic 6. Pre / signal chain 7. Converters A good performance cut on a wax cylinder is going to be more appealing than a soulless performance at some famous studio.

[@troublemnarco8313]

Same here, this is the video that every person looking to buy a microphone should see

[@senpai_mangue6141]

i thought it was maybe attention span or adhd or something, but its not apparently, its people going on and on about useless crap. (i likely dont have ADHD) (i just wonder when somebody wont shut up and wont get to the point.... orr someones talking way too much and is feeding too much infomation too quickly[my teacher])

[@gabrielgabo9914]

yieap, looks like

[@Miodekolega]

Bro jumped out of nowhere and gave best mic advices ever

[@Jorda5s]

Straight to the point appreciate it. I already have an audio technica 2020 for 10 years but now i know what to upgrade to on my budget.

[@Dracomies]

Nice!! You're definitely going to notice a difference between AT2020 and a KSM32! :D

[@Jorda5s]

@@Dracomies Im excited to see! if you got iPad I’d love to see a video breakdown of what interfaces work best with iPad as in latency app compatibility etc. I know most newer ones work fine but I got an old fast track pro and the latency is bad but I think it’s cause iPad don’t have the drivers. But with you having a lot of good gear it would be interesting to see! Keep up the good work!

[@JonathanWoodall]

Those 2020’s aren’t bad tho. Super durable for condensers.

[@euphoria6938]

@@JonathanWoodall fr i love mine with the right noise cancelling software. has great lows

[@productamadeus8745]

Homeboy jumped right to the point with a quickness!

[@scole402]

Usually my ADD makes me skip into videos extremely fast, but yours I can watch from beginning to end with minimal issues! That audio interface vid was gold too

[@Dracomies]

Thank you!! I intentionally cut out a lot out of the video to make it more to the point :D

[@AlienSpyFul]

bro just dropped the greatest video on microphones ever what the heck

[@lordhammerwind]

Wait, that's honestly what you came away with from a video giving opinions vs true, side by side comparisons with audio examples on multiple sources? Wow... 👀

[@AlienSpyFul]

@@lordhammerwindyes

[@Skrenja]

​@@lordhammerwindWhat makes a recording or piece of gear good is almost 100% subjective. Tech specs are only part of the equation.

[@lordhammerwind]

@@AlienSpyFul Stick to VIDYA GAMEZ.

[@lordhammerwind]

@Skrenja If you wanna go molecular--- GOOD SONGWRITING>ALL ELSE

[@LeoDrums_cba]

Recently I started to learn about drum recording, mics, etc. This content is GOLD! Keep it up mate!

[@BoothJunkie]

Blue Snowball gang here. Get hyped!

[@Dracomies]

OMG it's the Boothjunkie!!! Love your content good sir!! :D

[@grape5465]

@@Dracomies HyperX Quad-Cast S RGB here, because for streaming :D and for studio i use an Shure SM7B

[@fattymc.fattyface6944]

@@DracomiesI thought the Wave 1 was discontinued. I got lucky and bought it before the sale ended, and it was like $50 on its own. With EQ, it punches way over the price I paid for it.

[@rdkone33]

Man this has been the best video I've seen yet on this topic. I've been researching which mic I want to get and have watched dozens of videos... This is the only one I needed. Thanks, keep it up!

[@craigtodd8297]

I like your style. Simple, honest, to the point.

[@jazzanarchy]

Thanks for this video. I love when people cut through the hype surrounding equipment and give more reasonable alternatives. I can't count how many times I've seen musicians on Twitch streaming their guitar from their bedroom with a U87. I would recommend Aston Microphones for quality mics that punch way above their cost. To get started the Aston Stealth is a good SB7B replacement for about $100 less, and the Aston Spirit is an excellent LBC for $379 usd.

[@huberttorzewski]

I've never used KSM32 but I've listened to the audio samples on Thomann and was shocked how smooth and full it sounded

[@JohannesLabusch]

Total classic. Bought mine two decades ago when I didn't know squat about mics, and it's still one of my top three.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

That was phenomenal sir. Clean and to the point. Bravo 👏 I’ve always looked for outliers. Those mics with exceptional value that no one has discovered….yet. I picked up my sE VR2 ribbons for less than half of what they’re going for now. I still have a full compliment of JTS NX series mics I picked up for 40-60% the cost of an SM58. Most singers (but not all) who are given them to try at sound check choose them for the gig. There is so much affordable gear out there that punches well above its weight that you can pretty much do 90% of what you’re trying to achieve for a modest outlay Remember, when it comes to quality, assuming you have a half Ok microphone, the order of importance is 1. Performance 2. Mic position / placement 3. Instrument 4. Room 5. Mic 6. Pre / signal chain 7. Converters A good performance cut on a wax cylinder is going to be more appealing than a soulless performance at some famous studio. I also look for other people’s _broken dreams_ There is so much used gear out there, when you’re a tech, and when you buy enough of it, and average out the purchases that weren’t ideal, I fitted myself out for less than a third of the discounted / street price budget I drew up. Pro tip. If you like Rode, have a look at BeezNees mics. A little more expensive, but I have a couple of his cheaper units I purchased used, and they are phenomenal value, with excellent customer service.

[@iposhi2Videos]

the way this video is structured is so rare to see nowadays, absolutely goated

[@Dracomies]

Thank you! :D

[@1RandomLemonYT]

Rocking the xm8500. Legit one of the best microphone recommendations video one can see. Have been looking for some different mics to try out so I am saving this video for later

[@Dracomies]

XM8500 has no business being $20 and sounding as good as it does. I feel like the next step past the XM8500 are mics like SEV7, SEV7MK, maybe the RODE M2.

[@milesmccollough5507]

samson QTU was what i grabbed on a random whim when i needed a desktop USB-capable mic, and the XLR connectivity was enough to convince me that it was something to keep around. lo and behold, when i got it home, it sounded better than any other mic i’d used up to that point. even with the popguard removed, a bit of distance and proper angle makes it work perfectly.

[@StevensSounds]

Hot takes here, but I agree with everything you said, with one slight difference: With the U87, it can still be worth getting IF youre a studio that already has all the other mics you mentioned and are looking to expand your mic selection. This is especially applicable since brand power sometimes makes a difference in how people perceive your level of professionalism. Personally though, I would prefer to get the Lewitt LCT 1040 because for a similar price it gives a lot more options.

[@Dracomies]

I agree here. Despite my comments in the vid. It took me a while to understand this but if I was a studio who needed to service 700 voiceactors (as an example) what is the ONE microphone that would make all 700 sound good/acceptable/great. Probably the U87. I think there is truth when I say that a mic 'can' sound better than a U87 at a fraction of the cost. But - as you mentioned - the big selling point of the U87 is its versatility.

[@lanceevans1689]

@@Dracomies Having the tools customers/clients want or expect, often deters them from trying to push blame in your direction. It helps them rationalize what they are paying you. And, on very rare occasions, improves the work. Rarely to a level anyone but us notices.

[@paulw.3967]

There is no mic that is really that versatile, certainly not the U87. You only get real versatility with EQ and with a variety of mics with different off-axis sounds, to do things that EQ cannot do. (Because you can't EQ the on- and off-axis sound separately.) The U87 has an overall FR curve that's pretty good for a variety of sources, but not ideal for most of them. Neumann's engineers chose a particular FR curve that de-emphasizes the high frequency response of the K67 capsule, but does it in a crude way. The capsule has a broad resonance peak in the treble, and they chose to roll off the treble. But that doesn't just bring down the peak and flatten the mic. It also affects higher frequencies, so you get less high-frequency extension. (Very high frequencies drop off.) That's bad when you want to capture the high frequencies in, say, cymbals. There's also a bass roll off that's good for many sources, but not for others, and only perfect for a few things. For most things, you'll want either a little more bass extension or a little less. You can mostly more or less fix these things with EQ, but if you're willing to use EQ to get the effects you want (and know how) there are LOTS of fine mics that are similarly versatile, most of them costing much, much, MUCH less than a Neumann U87, and some of them sounding very much like a U87AI, if that's what you really want, with a little EQ. Like most conventional condenser mics, the U87 has a particular sound largely determined by how the off-axis sound differs from the on-axis sound, which is mostly down to the physics of its K67 capsule design (and fairly acoustically transparent headbasket). For close miking things on-axis in a relatively dead room, most decent condenser mics can be EQ'd to sound much like the others. In live rooms, with reverberant sound hitting the mic off-axis, and/or with multiple instruments arrayed in space, the off-axis sound matters. A U87 sounds different from a U47 or a C12, and EQ can't make any of them sound just like the others. The Townsend Sphere emulating mic (and plugin) can often do a pretty good job of that, though, because it captures the sound hitting the back of the mic separately from the sound hitting the front, and can EQ them differently to approximate the off-axis sound of different mics. The U87 is not nearly as versatile as the Sphere, which is an expensive mic but still a fraction of the price of a U87. The u87 is a ridiculously expensive mic for what it is. It is not the be-all and end-all mic, and calling it especially "versatile" is just misleading. It is no more versatile than many much cheaper mics that sound pretty much like it, but with somewhat different overall FR curves. The U87 is a pretty imitable mic, because its K67 capsule is fairly easily copyable, and has been copied quite well, and its circuit is good but really not all that special; it can be slavishly copied (and has been in boutique mics) or bested by any reasonable standard other than slavish copying. This worshipful mystique about classic Neumann mics is kind of disgusting. (BTW Neumann engineers don't talk like Neumann fanboys. They're kind of annoyed by being handcuffed to their old designs as if they were somehow the pinnacle of mic engineering.) If you want versatility, buying a U87 is not the way to get it. Spending the same amount of money on a number of fine mics with different kinds of capsules (large and small, center-terminated and edge-terminated, single and dual diaphragm, different polar patterns, etc.) is a much better way. And above all, learn to use EQ! Or fix the acoustics of your space before throwing money away on expensive mics, which can't fix bad acoustics. Get some bass traps, especially, because most "unidirectional" mics are close to omnidirectional at low frequencies, and the "room mode" low-frequency resonances will get into your recordings unless you radically EQ the bass out.

[@Bakamatsu-GojiFanArchive]

When i first started doing KZbin as a hobby. my father (Who had a band that would play gigs at bars all over) gave me a couple of Behringer XM8500's and an old band interface that fortunately had an dual channel rca output that i used an rca to aux cord to link to my mic port on my PC. though the old and loud band interface crapped out my two 8500's still are being used today. RIP dad you saved me a lot of money gifting me these affordable goated microphones!

[@ryanriggs9963]

No preamble, no nonsense, straight to business. Nice.

[@Delbs1]

V7 user here, and I am DEFINETLY happy with my purchase! 100% worth it.

[@thegamingdrummer8807]

so happy to see no complaints about the warm audio stuff

[@amattenet]

thank you for your videos! to the point, super clear, not here to sell us anything, it's super appreciated

[@cautious_possum]

I loved the video and the advice. As an (ahem, and get off my lawn) older guy, I’d love it if you kept the camera on the alternatives for about twice as long as you do. Same for the very funny inserts. I needed to use the pause/play button and the “

[@felixelton]

I hope this reach people who are looking for a mic and thinks that the only option is spendin 400 bucks on a SM7B. There are plenty of good budget options like you showed! Great vid!

[@JooJoo-nr2km]

real helpful been half a year since I got my mic

[@bordermayorsbeat6528]

Excellent overall information with any fluff!!!👍🏽

[@varsing_3786]

Wish I saw this video before getting the mxl 770. Great video 🙏

[@Ryu_Yin]

Great video, thanks! How come there is no Lewitt LCT 440 Pure? The 440 Pure is definitely very competitive and goes head to head with some of your top picks.

[@valerie98]

I just wanted to ask that same question...

[@tyc.miller]

5:41 Hey, that's the microphone that I use! I remember upgrading to it from my Samson Q2U when I decided it was time, and it's been doing me really well in terms of what I like to do (that being making music).

[@cgraugaard]

Last year I got a slightly used KSM32 for 220. Tracked a whole EP worth of acoustics and vocals with it. Killer.

[@darnleytalksvee-oh8990]

You're amazing! Thanks for putting this out here. It's great value.

[@Dracomies]

Thank ye!! :D

[@8LAZ3GAMING]

I have the XM8500, I've had it for 6, maybe 7 years now and with just a simple EQ you can make it sound ridiculously amazing! Huge vouch!

[@paulw.3967]

Yes. Julian Krause has a video that says exactly how to use any parametric EQ plugin to make the XM8500 sound very much like an SM7b, for about a twentieth the price. (At least for the kind of simple talking stuff that most people want an SM7b for.)

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

Great video! Straight to the point. Personally, I'll stick with my Blue Yeti. Got it at a heavy discount when I bought it (half it's current price here in Brazil), I like the different cardioid condenser options on it, and Logitech G-hub has a lotta functions I find useful.

[@onepath5978]

U87 is a amazing microphone with exceptional build quality, and is a very versatile very good investment in my opinion.

[@Skrenja]

For that price you could probably fully treat your recording space, which would be a better investment for 99% of people getting into recording.

[@paulw.3967]

@@Skrenja THIS. A U87 usually doesn't sound much different from a decent Chinese-made $150-$200 mic with a K67-type capsule, give or take a little EQ. Neumann's K67 condenser capsule (used in the U87) is one of the easier capsules to copy, and there are pretty good Chinese copies (from Takstar and Beijing 797 Audio) for about $40. (If you want to go all out, you can get an essentially perfect copy from Arienne Audio for $200.) K67-type capsules naturally have a bright frequency response, and the Neumann U67 & U87 have EQ built into the mic to roll off the highs a few dB. Many Chinese-made mics have a K67-type capsule with a similar frequency response and a flat circuit, or one that rolls off the highs some, but not as much as Neumann's circuits. If you use those mics, you can make them sound much more like a multi-thousand-dollar Neumann just by doing Neumann-style EQ in your DAW, rather than in hardware. There is nothing wrong with using EQ to make a K67-based mic less bright. That's what Neumann's engineers did in the hardware. Doing it in software accomplishes the exact same thing, with the benefit of introducing a tiny bit less noise. BTW, for build quality I'm really impressed with AKG Perception 200 and 400 (or P220 / P420) series mics, which use K67 style capsules from one of the aforementioned Chinese companies, I forget which). They're a little too bright, but that's easy to fix. And SKRENJA IS RIGHT ABOUT ACOUSTICS. If your acoustics suck, no amount of money spent on mics will fix it, and EQ can't fix it either. If you only have a few thousand dollars to spend (like most people if they're LUCKY), you're way better off spending most of that on fixing your acoustics than blowing it on an overpriced German mic. Neumann has made great contributions to mic technology... mostly in the past... but the U87 especially is among the mics that have been most successfully copied for much lower prices. (It's easier to copy its K67 capsule reasonably well than, say, the CK12 capsule in an AKG C12 microphone. The latter is a real pain in the ass to manufacture and there are no good cheap copies.) BTW I agree that the U87 is versatile. But so is an AKG Perception 420 (which sounds very much like it but a little brighter and with better bass extension) for less than a tenth the price.

[@thane_snipes]

I was nodding along enthusiastically throughout the whole video haha :D As someone who had a bad experience with an E100S and who shills the KSM32 to anyone who asks, I was especially delighted to see you recommend the KSM32. What a wonderful microphone. Will send this video to anyone who thinks they need a U87. Great job!

[@KaspersDomain]

Keep making shit like this, man. Subbed.

[@wunder8048]

what he said

[@zengetsu4927]

Quick and simple explanations, love this video

[@saalvarez98]

I have used the Audiotechnica AT2035 for two years now, and it has been my VO microphone for almost everything I have done so far. It has worked great, and it has helped me deliver several high quality pieces of work to several clients. I'm glad that you believe that it's a good solution in comparison to the AT2020 😁

[@brooklynboy1000]

So many people don’t know anything about mics have never tried many but insist on needing to spend huge money. Personally I love the sE2200A. I got it new for under $200 on a close out cause they upgraded something. Now it’s a lot more. I’ve wanted to try the v7s for my portable writing rig. Good vid man

[@squashbeatszw]

Haha am happy my KSM32 passed. This couldn't have come on my suggested videos at a better time. I was actually considering upgrading my mic to something U87ish lol. Subscribed.

[@Dracomies]

KSM32 is the goat. Whenever I see a KSM32 with expensive mic shootouts I'm thinking, "just use that. That's enough!" :P

[@squashbeatszw]

@@Dracomies I love it. I think I just had FOMO, wondering what’s better out there.

[@Gatchi]

As an owner of the NT1-A, who totally loves the mic and uses it for all kinds of sources, and has never had an NT1 to compare it to, what are the main differences you notice? And what is it about the NT1-A that makes you say not to buy it, in favor of the NT1 instead? Very curious. Great video, thanks!

[@modular7even717]

The nt1 s more neutral sounding, the nt1-a is harsh and siblant at the higher frequencies.

[@fromage5474]

If you do have a deeper voice and don't have a very sibilent voice (like me) it's actually an awesome mic still. I like how it sounds on my voice to this day. That's the most important part that you like how it sounds in *your* application. If you use it in a studio with female vocals the NT1 would probably be a wayyy better choice due to the more neutral sound signature (like modular7even717 is pointing out).

[@coldacre]

@@modular7even717i don’t find the NT1A harsh or sibilant at all. its a great sounding mic. very detailed and clean.

[@mechpade]

I use my NT1a pair for micing acoustic guitars. They work great for picking up sounds details, much better than NT1's, IMHO, which sounds dead flat straight to HO. I think almost all microphones have a use case, it just depends on your budget and sensibility 🤷

[@Ashvra_]

i was planning to buy an baifeili c414, im glad that it is better that it`s alternatives

[@NightSprinter]

One thing to consider about the Elgato Wave, is the Wave Link software. It can use VST effects to fine-tune the sound, and mix in software other apps and hardware inputs. Plus, it can be controlled via the Stream Deck.

[@MrMainA]

Loved your video. Are there any microphones you'd recommend "professional" or at least "higher level" for voice over work?

[@bgsxsmoke187]

Good videos man! As far as the mics you compared to the Blue Yeti I can recommend the Tonor TD510, Maono PD200X, Fifines AM8 is solid. All mics i listed can be used both USB and XLR which leaves a upgrade path along with room to be versatile in many situations. I've tested the first 2 and can vouch for them. I haven't tried Fifines AM8, but i have worked with them before and tested their products. I definitely would love to see a video from your Perspective on the Tonor TD510.

[@Dracomies]

I don't like Tonor anything though. I tested a lot of thier mics. They're a step below. AM8 is good though, about on par with the Fifine K688. I don't like Moano as much either imo they're a step below Fifine and Samson as far as USB mics go.

[@bgsxsmoke187]

@@Dracomies solid take, I respect that!

[@alococuccoyo6103]

I've been using a Shure SM57 with a Triton Audio Fethead and it's been my go-to for any and everything between voice work, podcasts, Discord calls, and guitar recording (acoustic and amplifier). Extreme versatility and it really should cost ~$150 between the mic and preamp.

[@alpham8754]

Besides my dynamic mic for music gigs and streams, I got my Mackie EM-USB which was available with discount for 80 EUR. I decided to go with a USB mic, because I can only apply phantom power for two of the slots on the scarlett focusrite 4i4 interface. Really good mic, you can stand far away and it recognizes you. The downside: The front volume panel which disallows anit-vibration mounts by its nature.

[@who_is_dis]

I got my U87ai with the case and shockmount for half price pretty much brand new. Couldn't be happier with it.

[@---pp7tq]

100% agree with your take on AT2020 vs AT2035. Shame so few people are aware. But that's not the alternative in the same price point. Maybe Neat Worker Bee would so the trick here. Not a fan of Blue Ember or Aston Origin.

[@CocoKoi321]

already cant take this p0s seriously the audio technica AT2020 was used on a billie eilish on album which made millions of dollars its a literally very respected microphone in the industry, the fact youre crapping on it makes you sound uneducated

[@khlymore]

great video my favorite mic s jz v67 got that ember too no match but the best first microphone is... Sennheiser MKH 416

[@Daftsins]

Great video, straight to the point and some really good takes except for one and that has to be the U87. I would say its the most versatile mic when it comes to post-production (I work a lot with folley recordings). It never sounds dull, never sounds sharp, you can EQ the fuck out of it and it still retains good clarity and sound integrity, really versatile IMO. For the usage that most people have it for though? Yes - overpriced, less versatile for recording setups and other mics could probably serve their needs better. PS: Does Shure KSM32 sound better to you? I haven't had the chance to work with it yet but to me it sounds a little more "closed up" if it makes any sense.

[@SoundKillerOfficial]

I got a presonus pd70 as a cheaper alternative to the sm7b and has been so good. I haven't used or know how a sm7b would sound but before the pd70 i owned a newer nw800 (dogshit mic) and the upgrade from that cheap mic to the presonus was mind blowing. Now the presonus is a bit gain heavy and need a lot of gain for it to work. But it's really clear and sharp and gives it a really nice warm tone to my voice, and doesn't pickup other sounds other than my voice. I'm looking to get a new shotgun mic as well to have as a B mic for my camera and the At875R is really attractive for just that!

[@Dracomies]

PD70 imo veers towards thin when it comes to dynamics. Hear how it compares to other dynamics on 3 people here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4elZ32Ihct9oMU

[@SoundKillerOfficial]

@@Dracomies I've never felt it bright or thin how it sounded in the video linked, i even boost the high's and remove a bit of low when mixing the mic even. Really interesting to hear this comparison, already bought it and still loving it though 😂😂

[@Dracomies]

It's brighter and thinner in comparison to other dynamics for dang sure. // You boost the highs on the PD70? What headphones do you use to monitor your audio. There may be a disconnect. It's either that or your voice is naturally more deeper than the average cat :P @@SoundKillerOfficial

[@acdi33]

​​@@DracomiesOn a similar tangent tho (based on the manufacturer lol), you might want to consider the Revelator Condenser/Dynamic as another substitute for the Blue Yeti. They're both, like, half off at the moment ($80-100), great build quality, and both have onboard DSP which is great for the streamer/content creator-types as well lol

[@paulw.3967]

@@Dracomies Have you tried EQing it? Brightness or thinness is often trivially fixable with appropriate EQ. Room EQ Wizard (free software) can often be really handy for measuring the differences between mics and EQing them mostly away. (Anybody reviewing mics should learn to use REW to get some objective data. You don't need an anechoic chamber or even a calibrated measurement microphone to measure the differences between mics, to make one sound more like another. And with an inexpensive measurement mic, you can do some pretty good measurements of mid to high frequency stuff; you get some anomalies in the bass without an anechoic chamber, but for condenser mics it's usually pretty easy to understand what's the mic and what's a room mode causing a bump in the low frequency FR.)

[@milkandhenny]

I saw the NW-800 in the first few seconds and almost started shouting in the comments, glad I finished the video. Good video. Rode Video Micro was extremely surprising though.

[@Dracomies]

Thank you for the kind words!! Oh it's not the Micro. It's the Go 2.

[@milkandhenny]

Ahhhh, thank you for the correction! @@Dracomies

[@hotrodjones74]

Yeah, more expensive doesn't always = more better. I need to pick up some microphones here soon for my rock music. You really can't go wrong with a Shure SM 57 for micing up a guitar/bass guitar amplifier. For vocals/acoustic guitar another microphone would be needed , maybe even two. It can become an expensive rabbit hole but doesn't need to be that way.

[@breezyoakk]

the u87 is a great mic but for vocals i can't get my head around why so many people buy it. sure it depends on the voice but often times the 87 just doesn't do the trick for most voices, there are better options out there

[@Dracomies]

That's what I'm saying too!!!

[@lunascomments3024]

7 minutes of lifetime incalculable experience. what a wisdom. cannot thank you enough. I will buy XM8500 as my starting mic.

[@Dracomies]

Awesome! Make sure you buy a windscreen with it. It sounds much less sibilant with it and helps with plosives. And bring the mic about 3 fingers away. Watch my Sm7B video on proper mic technique with dynamic mics. That mic is awesome and is about as good as $100 dynamics :D

[@lunascomments3024]

@@Dracomies oh do you mean mic foam? we called it foam here. I already heard xm8500 need foam from a YT videos too.

[@Dracomies]

I use the Onstage ones but yip it benefits greatly from one. www.amazon.com/Stage-Ball-Type-Microphone-Windscreen-Black/dp/B0002GXF8Q@@lunascomments3024

[@roljavi]

I have XM8500 for 2 years I think, I recorded shit ton of stuff with it, both vocals and electric guitar. It's a must have mic, I can't recommend it enough.

[@derinrodoslu7555]

I recently bought a mackie em-91cu USB mic im probably only gonna use it to sample my vocals i really do wanna know your opinion on that microphone. Thanks for the amazing video!

[@Dracomies]

The EM91C (XLR) was much better imo. But the EM91CU sounded like most USB mics.

[@RafaelPSchaefer]

I get that the MXL 990 doesn't sound good at all at stock, but i think people buy this microfone because it's a awesome mod plataform. For like $100 you can make it sound as good as a u87

[@Just1n2802]

I stay away from condenser mics because of room echo so maybe it's because I'm on the opposite side of the mic world, but I've never heard of modding them. I'll have to look that up since I'm looking to make a treated space soon for one. Thanks for letting us all know.

[@lucas_laux]

mannn i bought a mxl 990 to make recordings at home, i use waves plugins, do u think i can make ac guitar and voice sound good??

[@lucas_laux]

@@Just1n2802yes noise is a problem… im experimenting in my bedroom, i like to record ac guitar after midnight cuz its silent in my neighborhood

[@RafaelPSchaefer]

​@@lucas_laux Absolutely. It isn't the best mic for those things, but it surely can do a little bit of everything if you know how to mic position and EQ/compress it. And never forget: "The best mic is what you have."

[@jackmanstudios]

I agree with everything in this video. I thought I was the only one that felt this way.

[@dan1mmm]

agree especially sm7b part. Most people don't need a 600$ mic set for daily usage.

[@KaisuiSTFC]

I'm really happy with the Neat Worker Bee II, looks funny but i like it, i don't have too many mics to compare it with but for $60 i think is a deal.

[@lukeleunes]

I was on set for a broadcast show with the 875r as a 2nd boom op. It’s great. Limitations are dynamic range, no horror films and not as forgiving if you can’t be as close you normally are booming that being said it would rarely be a problem . 95% of the time it’s great on set. I would recommend over sennheiser.

[@Dracomies]

It's one of the things I noticed about the AT875R too :P , it's a horrible video microphone because it won't pick you up far away. I remember it sat in my cabinet for years. One day I grabbed it as a last resort to a place I was traveling to. Brought it up close and realized it rejects everything. It's fantastic for rejecting ambient noise about and it became my travel mic. It shines as a voiceover mic but isn't the best for video :P

[@mfkrwill]

I cant remember if podcastage had a bad experience with that fifine or not, but in terms of a 7b alternative im definitely a Rode Podmic guy. Can throw a neat king bee in there too for a great bang for the buck condenser

[@NVizz-kq3lm]

now I found this after getting my at2020 in the mail why didnt I find your videos sooner 😭 (I also got an audio interface you said not to get)

[@cassio_zambotto]

good recommendations actually, agree with most of them. u87 is amazing tho.

[@cassiomorais6573]

Better mic video ever. I bought a AKG Lyra, yesterday. What do yoi think about it?

[@goaway2174]

I have never used the USB microphones but largely agree with your analysis of the XLR microphones. The XM8500 suffers from handling noise and depending on the use case it may be better to buy a $100 handheld from Shure, AKG, EV, Sennheiser, etc. I really like the KSM32 but do prefer the U87. It is subjective and voice dependent. You are paying a lot for a German handmade through-hole constructed microphone from a premium manufacturer, it is highly sought and the other patterns are very useable on other sources in addition to voice. You certainly don’t need to have it but it is a great microphone to own.

[@paulw.3967]

Yes, for handheld applications, the XM8500 can suffer relative to a $100 mic with better internal shockmount. But conversely it can sub for a $400 "broadcast" mic, with a bit of EQ. (You don't usually hand hold an SM7b.) Through-hole construction isn't necessarily better than SMD unless you're modding (as I do) or re-capping. It's nice, and if I paid $3000 for a mic I'd certainly want to be able to replace the capacitors in 25 or 50 years... but for most people, mics with mostly SMD circuits (that cost way less) are fine. Multipattern mics aren't usually all that, though; most of them are optimized for cardioid and aren't really great in figure-8 or omni. For figure 8 you may want a ribbon, which has less phasing issues due to the shorter distance around the side of the ribbon, and for omni you likely want an omni SDC. One funny thing about multipattern is that the on-axis frequency response is usually pretty different in different polar patterns, and best in cardioid. To me, that's usually a bad thing, but for some people who are afraid of just using EQ it's a good thing, because it gives them options with different EQ implications without admitting they're using EQ.

[@goaway2174]

@@paulw.3967 in the context of broadcast or podcast of course handling noise is of little relevance and the XM8500 become a more attractive option sonically. It seems as though many in those groups prefer to use a more “broadcast” looking option vs. handheld stage microphones so likely won’t consider it. Aside from modding, repair, etc. I prefer using through hole leaded parts as often higher quality components are available e.g., film caps, older higher performance JFETs, etc. Yes the performance is a compromise regarding noise, frequency response and even the pattern itself to a certain extent when using multipattern condenser microphones. All of them will exhibit variation in frequency response with a change in pattern. I suppose the physical limitations of combing the front and rear capsule output could be compensated using a DSP or something similar but I’ve not seen anything practical that does that. The compromises must be acceptable as many of us still use them in addition to ribbons and SDCs. if you need one, you need one and Neumann multipattern LDCs are a respectable option.

[@jankennethpingol5617]

Hi bro! I was gonna buy one of those thanks for the heads up. I’m doing r&b recording and the store person suggested rode nt1 usb+ or nt1 gen 5. I was about to buy at2020 combined with focusrite solo 4th gen but idk if i really need an interface. Hope you can help me 🙏🏻

[@HARPEXbeats]

Hi Dracomies this video is just FIRE. What do you think of the SE 1XS?

[@Dracomies]

I heard it's a good mic but never got around to testing it.

[@chronicmayhem]

The presonus revulator dynamic is $98 right now and is an absolute steal. The Maono pd400x is also a great shure mv7 alternative

[@Dracomies]

I can't speak on the Presonus mic but I can speak on the Moano PD400x, it's a thin sounding mic. Get the AM8 or K688 instead.

[@KaptainCnucklz]

I've been using the same $20 Toner condenser mic for years now. I'll definitely be eyeing that XM8500 now, since my mic stand busted anyway and I don't need professional quality.

[@Dracomies]

Just note that it will need an audio interface.

[@---pp7tq]

Tonor perhaps

[@Dracomies]

Imo I'd rank Tonor lower than Fifine mics, Blue mics, Samson mics etc. There isn't a Tonor I actually liked the sound of.

[@Fl4ppers]

I've a FiFine K669D. Great, dirt cheap mic for narration, back of open guitar cabs, you name it.

[@iocan]

I'm trying to stream 'gaming' on Twitch. I've been using a gaming headset for a mic (Turtle Beach Px22) and it's been amazing up until the headset broke. I'm looking to push my stream further with quality so which microphone would you recommend for a first time desktop mic buyer? And which headphones would compliment that? Thanks

[@BobbyDotTV]

You should have put a multipattern mic in that last lot too I just sold my ksm32 because my at4050 covers mostly the same ground. Maybe tlm107 over tlm103, etc. I also have a Miktek C7e but would try the United Twin87 as an alternative.

[@Dracomies]

You might be a musician. For most voiceactors they never use the multipattern polar pattern.

[@BobbyDotTV]

​@@Dracomies I am a recording guy, and record voiceactors often, and there are plenty of variations of patterns "they" use. Some cardioids are much wider than others. And you yourself use hypercardioid mics! And figure 8 is a godsend if you need to shrink a room and also eliminate the sounds on the side. There are folks who talk into RE635's and RE50's and other omni broadcast dynamics and they go on tv.

[@IcanFixHer]

i got the razer seiren v2 x it's literally is the same as seiren mini but it have the headphone jack and its like 80$ its good for budget mic tho no ?

[@static-san]

I was a bit sad you said not to get the AT2020 - buuuuut it was in favour of the obviously better AT2035 which actually makes sense. To be honest, though, I use my 2020 for video calls and so its not working hard. And I didn't know about the 2035 when I bought it either. But the 2020 is the favourite of all the mics I own (and I have an EV N/D-757 in the drawer).

[@Dracomies]

Oh for sure! It's something I noticed all the voiceacting Discords were telling all new voiceactors. Pay the extra $50 and get the 2035 over the 2020.

[@russellwiley7869]

Personally, I love their headphones, but hate the 2020. There's just something about it I absolutely despise. There are far better sounding mics in that price range. I don't know why so many people recommend it. It sounds horrible. NT1 or Aston Spirit sound way better. NT1 needs a bit more eq help than the Aston Spirit, but both provide a good quality sound where the at2020 to me sounds like a cheap $20 mic.

[@Dracomies]

Agree! I get triggered when people say AT2020. SO many other microphones to consider over it these days! :P@@russellwiley7869

[@CocoKoi321]

already cant take this p0s seriously the audio technica AT2020 was used on a billie eilish on album which made millions of dollars its a literally very respected microphone in the industry, the fact youre crapping on it makes you sound uneducated

[@NTATchannelNickTaylor]

I have the RE20, excellent for my vocal pattern. Running through my SSL-2 so Cloudlifter needed.

[@Dracomies]

Often considered the goat of dynamics

[@NTATchannelNickTaylor]

@@Dracomies Yessir...

[@timshort3220]

I don’t even know why this video was recommended to me but now I just want to buy a microphone. I don’t even need one, lol. Absolutely the best review video I’ve ever seen.

[@chanselur]

The Equitek E100S is discontinued, sure, but what about the currently available E100SX? Any opinions? PD, congrats on the blown up video! keeping it simple sure does the trick. Seems like everyone's loving it in the comments. Except for that remyrad guy lol. whats his deal?

[@Dracomies]

E100sx isn't a replacement or substitute for the E100s. They sound nothing alike. The E100sx is like a muffled Mackie Em91C.

[@muhamadmma3916]

What is better in terms of sound quality AT 2035 or RODE NT1?

[@Chee.Y4ng]

I just got my sm7b last month and now I really want the NT1 too

[@Dracomies]

Save your money lel.

[@Chee.Y4ng]

@@Dracomies lol you’re right tbh but the NT1 looks soooo good tho.

[@Alexduncan-wc4zo]

Hi man, good video but just a technical question for the newbie that i am, between the NT1 and the Pror c414 which one would you choose for vocals with powerful power. For singing loud with a range that varies from not loud to very loud ? Thanks by advance, keep it up best video out there..

[@Dracomies]

I'm unqualified to answer this question because (1) I don't know your voice (2) I don't do singing. So test both. Listen back. Return what you didn't like. There is a difference between the 4th gen and the 5th gen/Signature Edition. The 4th gen has more lowend is smoother so I think it's better. I'd take a 4th gen over the PROAR. I think in terms of build quality and future, I'd bank on the RODE over the PROAR.

[@thehandsontime]

Thankyou so so much man for the answer ! I have a loud voice, but you know what, I'm going to take the rode signature series, it's going to be better than my shure sm58 for recording at home I'm sure. I just needed to know if the baifeili c414 was really a bargain or not because i don't have a lot of budget. again thanks man, you rock ! A big hello from Paris France.

[@Aysha_fo]

You’re doing gods work dude

[@retrofizz727]

I got the sm7b and I have to admit I absolutely didn't need it, and most people don't. But I had the budget for it and I really like this mic so I was like "oh well why not". I'm surprised you didn't mentioned the sm57/58 though.

[@Dracomies]

SM58 is very hit and miss on many voices I feel, which is ironic because it's such a classic. Sm57 is great but I'd rather take the v7 MK over it at the same pricepoint.

[@retrofizz727]

@@Dracomies Fair enough. I didn't even know about this model!

[@Dracomies]

Me neither! I found out about it like last week and it's an awesome mic! @@retrofizz727

[@josku5]

@@DracomiesDamn you’re one of the few people who seem to be self aware and have working ears. The sm58 just isn’t that good of a mic. You can get the sE V7 for the same price and it’s so much more versatile.

[@Skrenja]

SM7B is the most overrated microphone (and maybe one of the most overrated pieces of gear) of all time. Requires way too much gain and is boomy /muddy with almost no detail in the high end. There, I said it.

[@deadnameisdead]

Where were you 5 years ago!!!! I NEEDED A VIDEO LIKE THIS!!

[@Dracomies]

Honestly I wish someone made this vid too!! haha!! I'm not even joking!! Most mic reviewers are scared to bash on mics :P

[@Genew1218]

I have a audio technica 2040 its 99 and paired with a wave xlr sounds really good

[@HughManatea]

I feel like whats good about “low quality mics” is there ability to capture grit. This feels especially true when I want to record the reverb of a room while tracking instruments seems to help with getting a darker tonality.

[@Dracomies]

You might be right - this video is more about voiceover and podcasting. Instruments might be a different story altogether.

[@HughManatea]

@@Dracomies damn. I got so hooked on this video thinking of mixing applications. Some of the mics on here definitely seem worth experimenting with. Thanks for the heads up.

[@Jorj0r-Wel]

Love my Shure SM57, probably the most versatile mic in the game for the money imo. 100 bucks and some elbow grease and you can have a solid mic for vocals, micing up an amp, sfx, whatever really. And they are EVERYWHERE.

[@angelo3353]

would you say the same thing for recording artists vocals? or is this solely for a podcast. Also nice vid btw

[@Dracomies]

So my thoughts here are for voiceacting and podcasting. But not for singing. Singing is out of my field of understanding ^_^

[@angelo3353]

@@Dracomies i see i seee. Thanks a lot bro

[@MissRedrum]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!

[@everybodyhasoul5438]

Some good stuff here! Unpopular opinion is that a Shure SM58 or SM58 Beta is the best budget mic for voices, even if it doesn’t look as cool on camera.

[@Dracomies]

I have the SM58 and heard it on hundreds of people. But for voiceover (not talking singing) (but voiceover) it's hit and miss. It feels like there's an equal amount of people who sound good AND eh on it. Whereas the Shure KSM32 sounds good on everyone.

[@everybodyhasoul5438]

@@Dracomies Definitely favors some voices over others. The Sennheiser e835 and sE V7 are good options for other voices

[@cheif80]

Man i bought that Audio Technica 2035 like back in 2012 and Its been by far a better mic than any other mic ive used...Love that microphone...and to mention ive never seen 1 bad review on it either....Helluva pawn shop find! 🤑

[@Dracomies]

Solid microphone. I actually know a few voiceactors that have booked some bigtime projects with that mic alone. :D

[@geraldcortez826]

Which mic is the best for both vocals and voice acting? You really didn't say the best one I don't think. Thank you for any info, want to upgrade from my Blue Yeti 2 pro. And want the best for the money.

[@Dracomies]

So this vid is more about voiceacting. Some people commented about singing and I don't have experience with that. It also depends on your budget as well. What's your budget? Also do you have something like a Guitar Center near you, somewhere you can test microphones. Also vocally who would you say you are closer to? Are you closer to Podcastage (tenor), Curtis Judd, Obscure Mics, Boothjunkie (baritone), Anton Browne (bass) ie who are closer to?

[@jamesmoreno3434]

Great review!

[@perrykeshahwalker5321]

Honestly I never had any issues with the MXL microphones. They may be cheap but if you set them up good you can get a usable sound out of them . I just purchased the 512 audio microphone for 50 bucks and that mic is totally amazing. No it's not a u87 or any of the high-dollar classics but today in audio you don't need all of that to get a very good high-quality professional sound. You just have to know what you're doing that's all

[@kennethlaino9115]

I keep seeing Maono PD200x being recommended. Did you have any opinions on it compared to like the FiFine K688?

[@Dracomies]

K688 and Am8 are better. Imo the PD200x is thin and sibilant sounding by comparison. People new to audio like that thin sound though but I'd go with AM8 or K688.

[@kennethlaino9115]

@@Dracomies thanks for the reply, appreciate you’re always straight to the point!

[@smoke.5551]

I have a mxl 990 right now and the main issue i have with it that mxl's qc is not the best and the one i have has major noise issues with it creating an almost fart sounding electrical noise that happens many times and randomly and sometimes the signal will just fade out then come back in a minute later. Tried everything to fix the issue new cables and trying out a different mic on my interface and i narrowed it down to the mxl 990 not really happy with it.

[@krebuu]

I have a realistic alternative to the U87 for you, the Earthworks QTC50. Its MSRP is $1,399 and is one of the flattest (if not the flattest) mic in the world with a response of 3Hz to 50kHz.

[@Qimchiy]

Another K688/SM7B Alternative would be the Fduce SL40X. The SL40 non-X has a USB connection and headphone out with headphone and mic volume controls but the sound over USB is bass boosted, sound over XLR (because the SL40 has that too) is nominal.

[@Dracomies]

I tested that one too. That's good though I feel it's a step below the Q2U. Whereas I do feel the Fifine K688 was one step above the Q2U :P

[@Qimchiy]

@@Dracomies oo good to know!

[@TechWizard2169]

Amazing vid Here before this video blows up :)

[@billy2896]

Aha, back in the early 90s, Steve Albini was producing and helping record Failure's (the best band in the solar system) debut album. They tied a Neumann U87 to a piece of rope and swung it from the ceiling for a track.