Ultimate Microphone Tier List! (don't hate me)

[@fredoverflow]

The SM7b is so overrated that it would be the _only_ S tier microphone in a list of overrated microphones!

[@randyrektor]

Hahahaha pinned 😂

[@NicholsonStudios]

All really fair choices. Also that was a harsh burn on the Aston Spirit! 10:00 And agreed on the S tier picks. I would probably just add the 416 in S tier for everything it can do between Voice on Set, Voice in Studio, foley, etc. Yes the CMIT replaced it in many cased but most mixers still keep the 416 around for when the Shoeps decides fail based on humidity or some stuff lol. Fun video!

[@randyrektor]

This is such a great take! Yeah, you’re probably right with that 416 point. It’s such a beast eh? Especially for the price! I haven’t really had enough experience with the Spirit. Im sure it has amazing use cases, but I haven’t found many myself :p thanks for watching!!

[@RemitheDreamfox]

MmMMmMmmm I always love a microphone tier list. My go to 'start recommendation' to other people has always been the Yeti, though I'm not super aware about more recent stuff. What would you suggest as decent alternatives near that same price point?

[@randyrektor]

I totally get that! I think it’s the same for a lot of people. I’d recommend the Audiotechnica AT2020 USB, Røde NTUSB, or Sennheiser Profile USB. All fantastic desk-mount options :)

[@RathOX]

Im still choosing between 416/ntg3

[@randyrektor]

What’s your application?

[@stanleyassor3172]

AKG mics are just so valuable

[@randyrektor]

Agreed! Build like a hammer too

[@DapperDanLovesYou]

The Aston Spirit has always sounded very harsh and brittle to me. I've never understood the love for it, but I also have a sibilant and scratchy voice.

[@randyrektor]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I’ve heard so much hype but I haven’t experienced much positive with them yet!

[@BetterMixes]

I always thought the 87 was interesting. You hear so much about it being THE holy grail mic, but in my 7 or so years working in a commercial studio, very few engineers grabbed it as a first choice for almost anything. In my experience, they're a great workhorse mic. They sound *good* on almost everything, but rarely sound AMAZING on anything. That being said, for their versatility, I'd probably put it in the A tier! Great video!

[@randyrektor]

Ahhh I love hearing this perspective. Funny almost every studio lists their Neumann mics first too. The hype is real. Out of curiosity, what was the most common vocal mic in your experience?

[@BetterMixes]

​@@randyrektor For a long time it was the U67 that a lot of people gravitated towards. The 251, and a little surprisingly the RE20 got a fair bit of love as well. Eventually, we got a Soyuz SU-17 tube, and that became the go to for a lot of people including for a couple massive artists (Shawn Mendes and The Lumineers for instance).

[@randyrektor]

@BetterMixes this is fascinating. Thanks for sharing. Also… LOVE the RE20. I think it’s wildly underestimated, even in the streaming and podcasting space. The top end is so nice compared to other dynamics in my opinion! I’ve gotta get my hands on one of these Soyuz mics to try

[@BetterMixes]

@@randyrektor Totally agree! And yeah, definitely worth checking out Soyuz! I've used all but their newest mic (the 1973), and they're all fantastic.

[@tabodee]

When I listen to the final product, (in music recording,) I ask myself, “Does this mic find its place in the mix better than the others. Or does it work best with other gear in the chain? And most importantly does it present the vocal or instrument in a way that enhances the mix. Great to have a toolbox of variety. Great video!

[@randyrektor]

^^^^ I wish more people thought like this. I see so many videos that are like "THE BEST studio mic ever", and I think no real recording professional would ever say something like that. They are all tools with unique personalities.. Pros.. and cons. Knowing your kit and how to use it makes you the expert!

[@Boofcan]

Randy do you have a video on how to properly treat a home studio office?

[@randyrektor]

Working on this AS we speak!! Should have something this month but it’s taking a while to get everything filmed

[@Boofcan]

@@randyrektor hell yeah Man! Will definitely look out for it.

[@RemitheDreamfox]

9:17 - I remember hearing the hype around it, and then I heard a friend of mine speak through it and thought "wow, that's... really underwhelming" xD

[@randyrektor]

Yeah I’m not sure why they seem to be so bright, but it was an obvious cut in our 9-microphone shootout we did. It was just painful on the ears :(

[@richardv5942]

Sm 58 shoul be S tier, damn thing is a tank with great audio quality for 99 bucks

[@randyrektor]

Yeah fair point

[@ElevaHer]

So if you are a woman looking for voice over or AudioBook you want to purchase a mic that he's quality and affordable. Better for speech no singing strictly speech? Please help

[@matoflynn]

Love this video concept! Interested to learn about Schoeps

[@randyrektor]

Thanks for watching! Schoeps' quality is just so next level!

[@matoflynn]

Figured! Definitely not there yet personally @@randyrektor

[@aivo3887]

I wonder in that case, what microphone should I buy myself... Mackie audio interface (Onyx Artist 1-2) is on the way and I don't know which microphone should I buy for it. You said in one of your videos that condenser mics should be more focused on. But what if I don't wanna have any fear for condensers to be burnt out when something goes wrong with phantom power or blackout happens? Because I heard of such a thing. Is this real?

[@randyrektor]

Honestly, I’ve never seen a condenser have an issue like this in my whole career. I’ve yanked the power out of mine, hot-swapped cables, had power outages, and never had an issue with this. I think really old condensers may be victims in this situation, but I think any modern mic will be totally fine!

[@JasonLorette]

Not a single Deity mic, not one...!? Randy, tsk, tsk! 🤣

[@randyrektor]

Hahaha when they start making studio mics, I’ll be SUPER interested!

[@JasonLorette]

@@randyrektor Hey you put a blue yeti on there! 🤪

[@JasonLorette]

@@randyrektor now you need to do a USB mic tier list. 🤪

[@randyrektor]

Oooo that’s a great idea :) I just don’t have a lot of experience with them, but I’ll do some digging!!

[@shinkyuuvoices]

What kind of microphone would you suggest for someone with a slightly low set baritone voice for voice over? I've been using the Aston but I'm considering switching to something else.

[@randyrektor]

The Aston is great! I find it a tad bright and sibilant for my liking, but it’s really nice. The differences in sound in the upper price range of mics it’s really subtle, so I’d guess most mics would work great. I’d look for something with exceptionally low self-noise as you can get quiet without introducing too much noise. The TLM 102 and 103 are great for that, but a little pricey.

[@EL_Beta]

Out of curiosity, do you have any experience with microtech gefell microphones? I have heard good things about the M 930 and M 310, but don't often see them reviewed

[@randyrektor]

I’ve actually never heard of them, but I’ll definitely have a look! 👌🏻👌🏻

[@AntonEmery]

I've got a pair of Gefell M300's, they are my main acoustic guitar mic. Love em

[@xdanielpatrick]

For me, the MKH50 is an S tier. I think there is a misconception that it’s dramatically better than a shotgun mic in an indoor environment. It definitely is an improvement but you’re still going to get reflections and reverb in a recording with any microphone (including the 50) in very untreated and reflective environments. The MKH50 has a more “aggressive” sound than the 416 imo. Of course, VO artists love the 416 too as you can use it up close unlike the 50. I really like my RE20 as well, except I tend to get a lot of plosives but that’s probably more on me than the mic.

[@randyrektor]

That’s interesting about the mkh50 being more aggressive! I’d love to hear them side by side someday.

[@mr.awesomesauce8412]

Where would you put the Se Electronics v7?

[@randyrektor]

Believe it or not, I’ve never used an SE mic! And not for any particular reason. I think the company came out after my time in audio school -where I likely would’ve been exposed to them. I just haven’t gotten my hands on one, for one reason or another. I’d love to try the lineup though!

[@xmeowpvp]

listen i dont know shit about mics but if I want a mic for professional voiceovers on youtube videos should I just buy SM7B or overrated trash?

[@randyrektor]

If you’re doing professional voice overs, I’d STRONGLY recommend a condenser microphone. The SM7b is a great mic, but even with the update, it’s still a gain-Hungy mic. Because of this, it’s not ideal for VOs because you’ll be introducing a lot of preamp noise. Instead, I’d recommend a low selfnoise condenser. Something like the NT1 5th Gen is significantly cheaper and will give you much better results. (I worked at a VO online marketplace for 5 years so I feel equip to answer this lol)

[@indochinetoto]

it seems nobody needs to see the names of the mics in the description, am I an exception?

[@kaetce]

Damn… I use a yeti… maybe I’ll stop lol

[@matahari1576]

Sennheiser 835, far better than the Shure stuff like the ooooverrated dollhouse sm7b and the SM 57.

[@randyrektor]

Oh interesting! I dont think I’ve ever got my hands on one. I’d love to try

[@caseyzx]

good video, unfortunately you put my mic below S tier therefore i disliked unsubbed reported (joking, ty for making this)

[@randyrektor]

Hahahah oh boy im sorry :( lol

[@JeyBott]

Prepare to be roasted!!!! j/k. Love this - nice work. Obvi, I want that 416 in S...MKH50 down in A, TLM103 in B??? Come on, it's an A at minimum...no? You don't like the hype it gets, yeah? It CAN'T be in the same tier as SM7B!??!....that's what troubles me. Lastly, love the handhelds, but I want them in B. But also (lastly) Yeti/Aston..BYE! Junk. OK...that's my RETORT, completely uneducated and unsolicited ;) Consider yourself roasted! -Sennheiser Guy

[@randyrektor]

I like the 103 a lot but I feel like I knocked it down because I don’t gravitate to using it over other large diaphragm condensers, and the accessories are BONKERS expensive. Totally fair with the 415 vs 50! I guess I figured a 50 is SLIGHLY more versatile? Way less popular though, so who knows 🤷🏻‍♂️ hahah thanks for watching and weighing in bro!

[@JeyBott]

@@randyrektor re: accessories, the MK4 shock mount works for the 103 - so, that’s WAY cheaper. I have one sitting around if you need one 🤣.

[@randyrektor]

Ooooooo good to know!

[@johnviera3884]

in a blind audio test you wouldn’t be able to pick out any of them, so what’s the point?

[@randyrektor]

Any engineer worth their salt should be able to hear very distinct differences between all of these microphones. Would they guess them all correctly, likely not, but they should have an arsenal of microphone preferences and tastes that help them create awesome recordings. That's like saying a painter wouldn't tell the difference between brushes.. Just not the case.

[@johnviera3884]

@@randyrektor i know. microphones are fun. i just can’t afford anything over a p220

[@randyrektor]

P220s are awesome! 👏 great quality mics for sure