Best Acoustic Guitar Recording Mic (2024 Update)

I recently installed a stereo pair of these mics on a grand piano for recording purposes. I was absolutely blown away by the quality of sound they delivered. The KM184 makes the recording sound like I am sitting in the same room as the piano. It has a very smooth response across the entire spectrum, and with the right placement you can achieve the perfect balance to make a piano sound better than you ever could have imagined, with crisp tone and no discernible hammer noise at all. Whether you are testing the waters of recording or if you are a seasoned veteran in the field, this is definitely the microphone to use if quality is of any concern.Steve

This Pair of Neumann KM184 arrived well-protected in a well-made wooden box that is handy to carry around, with all their attachments included. I needed to record a group of string players, so set them up as overheads and they did a brilliant job of capturing the sound.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I'd kept a vintage pair of km84s in an old sunglasses case in my drawer.. finally decided to give them a proper home. This box was designed for 2 km184s, but my pair of 84s fit fine. The foam cut is a tiny bit too short length wise, but they still squeeze in there just fine. Unfortunately I keep my clips fitted with quick releases, which prevents them from fitting in their designated slots.. I prefer AKG SA60 clips for km84s, which fit perfectly with room for the badge, and are almost $50 cheaper than the neumann clips intended for 184s, and they also are also more rugged. The Neumann wn110 windscreen doesn't quite fit in the windscreen slot without being squished, so ultimately I'm only storing the mics in here, which seems a little wasteful, but it still feels more secure to store the 84s in this box rather than a random drawer, so I'm glad I picked it up.Michael

I looked up and down everywhere to see what's the best mic for all around, Like the hidden gem in the cornfield. People told me the rodemic, Razer and snow xlr mic, But from looking past the "Normal" I seen the sm57. A famous hidden mic no one really knew about, Basically has the same tone sm7b just a little different. $100ish instead of $400 count me in, I been using it for zoom calls, Twitch, Discord and everyone i talked to said i went from a very noisy and outland voice to a solid nice tone. I personally use mine with a boom arm, the a81ws, focusrite. No issues with it and i had it for about 3 months, I'm not the gentlest on it either so I feel comfortable using it on a day to day basis. Who would i recommend this to? To be totally honest everyone, You want it to do something? Trust me it will. 10/10Bradleigh, K

I've only had chance to do a quick sound check miking my Bugera V22 and recording the sound using my new Tascam DP-008 EX 8-track recorder. Sound quality was very good, especially for a basic home office recording setup. I can see why this mic is so popular in the industry. For perspective, I am a hobbyist and don't perform, but like to have the best sound for my limited budget to make recordings for myself and maybe friends and family. This mic lives up to its rep for being a great value for what you pay, punching above its class, no doubt.Steve

I set up in my basement with it a few weeks ago and started messing around, have found nothing to be disliked. The overall sound is good, it has strong low end for my growls, and it doesn't have any problems with recording at any volume. I even put it in front of my drumset to see if it'd pick up okay, which it did surprisingly well with. I haven't been doing vocals for very long, but from what I can tell it easily competes with mics twice the price. 10/10 would recommend, worth it. P.s. get a pop filter toothe wheat man

I have one first generation version, which lacks the headphone jack, and this is my 2nd of the newer generation. If using this in an application where you want a shock mount, be sure to buy the Audio Technica shock mount that is made for this exact form factor. I have both of mine on boom arms. I like the side address form factor and the ability to get cheap pop filters that are semi-cylindrical. Compared to the much more expensive gold standard Shure SM7B, this sounds a bit brighter and has a wider, flatter frequency response. That makes the AT2020 better suited for instrumentals and other sound sources, whereas the SM7B tends to be very specifically suited to voices. I own USB and XLR versions of this mic, and the integrated analog-to-digital conversation seems very good, not introducing detectable noise.Matthew

I think for the price this is a decent mic. It gives a clearer sound then what I had in my arsenal for my acoustic guitar. I've not tried it on anything else, so I haven't had a need to use the pad. I was trying large condensers on the acoustic and they were too muffled. This comes across much cleaner, maybe a little on the bright side but that's better than muddled. I'm using it to mic at the fingerboard and it gives a better, cleaner and more full bodied sound. I would note it's a little sensitive to being bumped. I found if I bump it I have to readjust the connection to get rid of a bit of hum it seems to pick up after the bump.Z

I used this product on a number of things. Timbale,Drums Overheads,Acoustic Guitars,String Quartets, Vocal Choirs,Steel Drums and well as room mic's. It comes with a 20db pad which is very helpful when recording loud percussion like Timbale,Steel Drums, and loud Drums. Make sure you have a low noise pre amp and you get really good results. I only wish it came with omni capsules or at least had that option. These mic's are great for the money.Joseph

I was reluctant to believe that I could make any type of Splash using this microphone to do my first ever voice over gig, but honestly it was all I could afford at the time. It came out smelling like a rose! Of course at that price point you're not going to get anything close to a u87ai. And the noise floor in my opinion leaves quite a bit to be desired, but with the little bit of offset compression and some other tweaking, this mic can sound as good as anything Shure has on the market, or possibly even the sm58 for voiceover work.RB

This pair of small microphones give beautiful rich sound. I placed one near 12th fret and was rewarded with natural and clear harmonics. It seems no need to add any artificial reverbs. Great value if one needs to record acoustic guitar.Krzysztof

I wanted a pair of pencil condensers for the home studio; that I could use primarily for recording acoustic guitar, but that also sounded great in other applications as well. (overheads, room mics, etc.) On an acoustic as a pair these sound fantastic, the dry signal itself sounds practically record ready (Taking into consideration the instrument quality and room setup as well). There are probably "better" mics out there in this category, but not that I know of at this price, and in terms of sound quality alone maybe not by much. These NT5's absolutely blow away any lower end mics I've used (MXL, CAD) and as far as I can hear sound basically just as good as most higher end microphones that you'd spend twice as much on. (Go to Youtube and watch some Mic Shootout comparisons with these) I grabbed one of Rode's stereo bars for the pair which makes setting them up nicely convenient. (Couln't find this on musician's friend, GC, or Sweetwater though. Went to RODE's website and ordered separate.) A phenominal set of pencil condensers for the home studio recorder. At 0.5" capsules, they don't overkill high frequencies, but certainly don't lack in the bottom end either. I use these mostly recording acoustic & acoustic rock styles and the tonal balance is perfect in my opinion. Excellent clarity as room mics, haven't tried as kit overheads yet.Cully

I haven't had a chance yet to fully experience the microphone in any situation, but so far it's been pretty good. Definitely adjust the gain based on the distance it is from the source. Always keep it a little lower than you would usually like it because that will prevent it from clipping and you can always increase the volume in post production. Worth the money in my opinion.Zachary

Overall: Great Sound. Great Build Quality. It comes with a nice case and a windscreen, and mic clip. The high pass filter is quite useful. Took my acoustic guitar recordings up to the next level. Through and through it is a professional mic. Only cons are the high pass switch is little odd to move and compared to other condensers it needs a lot of gain, but not as much as a dynamic mic. Overall, I recommend it anyone looking to recording acoustic guitar or other instruments any day. I'm very happy with it. I will be keeping it for a long long time.Steve

If you want a mic to record the actual sound of whatever you're trying to record, with good mic placement, this is a great mic. I'm using them as an ORTF stereo pair for acoustic guitar and they are perfect. If I want more air (to replicate certain top end biased mics) I can dial it in with a good EQ and the top end stays beautifully smooth, but if I've got a lovely sounding acoustic guitar, these babies do a wonderful job with very little EQ needed. Well made and should last many many years, highly recommended!John

Great for high school plays, etc. Placed several of these @ 3 feet from the small platform stage. They were @ 24 inches off the ground and aimed upwards towards the kids. I had no idea if this approach was going to work. Much to my surprise, everything worked out great. I ISO recorded the three mics and mixed later. 'Used Adobe De-Reverb to reduce some of the echo from the hard walls at the back of the stage. As the kids moved across the stage, I would simply pick them up with whichever mic was nearby. I'm sure there were much better approaches to this problem, but considering the quick time frame, I'm pleased with the results.Dave

I think for the price this is a decent mic. It gives a clearer sound then what I had in my arsenal for my acoustic guitar. I've not tried it on anything else, so I haven't had a need to use the pad. I was trying large condensers on the acoustic and they were too muffled. This comes across much cleaner, maybe a little on the bright side but that's better than muddled. I'm using it to mic at the fingerboard and it gives a better, cleaner and more full bodied sound. I would note it's a little sensitive to being bumped. I found if I bump it I have to readjust the connection to get rid of a bit of hum it seems to pick up after the bump.Z

I used this product on a number of things. Timbale,Drums Overheads,Acoustic Guitars,String Quartets, Vocal Choirs,Steel Drums and well as room mic's. It comes with a 20db pad which is very helpful when recording loud percussion like Timbale,Steel Drums, and loud Drums. Make sure you have a low noise pre amp and you get really good results. I only wish it came with omni capsules or at least had that option. These mic's are great for the money.Joseph

I was reluctant to believe that I could make any type of Splash using this microphone to do my first ever voice over gig, but honestly it was all I could afford at the time. It came out smelling like a rose! Of course at that price point you're not going to get anything close to a u87ai. And the noise floor in my opinion leaves quite a bit to be desired, but with the little bit of offset compression and some other tweaking, this mic can sound as good as anything Shure has on the market, or possibly even the sm58 for voiceover work.RB

I think for the price this is a decent mic. It gives a clearer sound then what I had in my arsenal for my acoustic guitar. I've not tried it on anything else, so I haven't had a need to use the pad. I was trying large condensers on the acoustic and they were too muffled. This comes across much cleaner, maybe a little on the bright side but that's better than muddled. I'm using it to mic at the fingerboard and it gives a better, cleaner and more full bodied sound. I would note it's a little sensitive to being bumped. I found if I bump it I have to readjust the connection to get rid of a bit of hum it seems to pick up after the bump.Z

I used this product on a number of things. Timbale,Drums Overheads,Acoustic Guitars,String Quartets, Vocal Choirs,Steel Drums and well as room mic's. It comes with a 20db pad which is very helpful when recording loud percussion like Timbale,Steel Drums, and loud Drums. Make sure you have a low noise pre amp and you get really good results. I only wish it came with omni capsules or at least had that option. These mic's are great for the money.Joseph

I was reluctant to believe that I could make any type of Splash using this microphone to do my first ever voice over gig, but honestly it was all I could afford at the time. It came out smelling like a rose! Of course at that price point you're not going to get anything close to a u87ai. And the noise floor in my opinion leaves quite a bit to be desired, but with the little bit of offset compression and some other tweaking, this mic can sound as good as anything Shure has on the market, or possibly even the sm58 for voiceover work.RB

I've used this product for many years going back to the regular 451 with a ck-1 capsule. this is one of the finest if not the best cymbal mics available for high hat or overheads. A bit pricey for overheads, but it is what it is. I can take one and make a snare and hat blend very well. great on anything you want to pick up hand sounds such as conga's, Horns, saxes. they're not cheap, but they are flat, very clear and transparent. you don't get a lot of the mid range metallic sound on Hat's like you do on a lot of mics. great mics all around.SteveinLR

I got this mic to record accoustic guitars, banjo and mandolin. It is a solid mic that emphasize fast transients and lifts up the high frequencies of the instrument. If you noticed that Jack Johnson has recorded most of his giitars with this mic, it will give you an idea of the type of tool we are talking about. Interestingly, although few people use SDC mics for vocals, it worked very well on my voice when using the windscreen. It delivers some nice and crisp vocals. Comparing the AKG451b to the famous Neumann SDC standard, the sound is a little thinner but in some case it actually helps fit the instrument in the mix. Basically, when this mic is the right mic for the job it is perfect.grapinet2006

This microphone is the gold standard for vocal recording, and I can't believe that I used anything else before now. What's the secret to the sauce? While besides the decades of experience backed by the Shure name, this microphone features a VERY defined cardioid pickup pattern. What's a cardioid? Why do I care? If you're asking these questions, I'll simplify it by saying this: if you're recording in a situation where you want the least amount of background noise, this is the pattern for you. Especially vocal recordings, podcasters, and the like, will enjoy the dynamic range that won't clip or cut out at loud sounds like you do with condenser microphones. The pickup range is not directional, but you do need to be conscious of distance, as I'm sure you'll find once you start using it. I did use this microphone plugged into an audio interface into my computer, so that may have introduced a tiny bit of noise, but I was blown away by the results I got from recording. This is nothing like the lower cost and less dedicated microphones I have used in the past. Very well made, as you would expect from a microphone at this price point, and the frequency response modes are set by sliders on the back of the mic. The mounting and cable connector are set up for a boom arm or a stand. Because of the integrated pop filter cover for this microphone I toyed with the idea of using it without a pop filter, but I think i'm just too "spitty" for that, so I've shifted to using one. I highly recommend this microphone. If you're someone who records vocals, spoken word, etc, this will change your game.dronedad

The Shure brand is synonymous with quality microphones, and with the SM7B comes the top-notch build as well as the dynamic range appropriate for multiple applications. Its versatility, craftmanship, and overall reliability make the Shure SM7B a must-own for serious recording. Out of the box you'll notice the mic comes with only a few accessories (cover plate, large foam windscreen, thread adapter) and no XLR cable. You should be familiar with your own audio applications and interfaces to use this mic, as it is no joke. It is pretty weighty and should be mounted on a good microphone stand or hung firmly from a boom. The swiveling bracket adjusts easily for precise positioning. The SM7B feels great, slim and smooth, and its construction feels reliable and sturdy, though I personally limited my usage to studio and workspace recording. In my testing, the SM7B sounds amazing. It has just a very clean output for my instruments and vocals alike. It performs exceptionally well in my small, soundproofed studio affixed with foam wall fixtures. But I was more impressed with the sound quality in a non-optimal, unfixed bedroom environment. The flat, wide-range frequency response is unmatched; there is zero feedback and no static interference whatsoever, even around several operating laptops, two external monitors, and numerous electronic devices. The included windscreen makes up-close vocals and whispers move without the pops and crackles of lesser microphones. Bottom line, this is the microphone that provides the professional performance you need to be taken seriously in any recording environment. Shure's SM7B is everything you need in a dynamic microphone, with its rugged build, versatile application, and unparalleled quality. The brand you should trust with your recording needs did it again, and it isn't a surprise. This is the mic you want to have. Full disclosure, I received this product for my honest, unbiased review.NJRY

SUMMARY: As we dip our toes into the world of podcasting, we all start with an elementary setup that might be as simple as aiming your face into your cell-phone camera and talking into its microphone. But if you get serious, you will soon want a better audio/video setup. The Shure SM7B cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone will be a fine choice until you’re so famous that you have your own professional studio with a production crew and your name on the building. Honestly, most people’s hearing and their listening equipment can’t hear any improvements as you advance beyond this level of studio mic. FEATURES: • The switches under a cover at the back end allow you to set up the dynamic response of the mic. Shifting curves give you a visual indication of what frequencies you are pushing or reducing. • Excellent sound reproduction. • Fits standard mic mounts. • The Cardioid sound pick-up pattern is very direction and ignores sounds coming from anywhere in the room except the front making it a VERY quiet mic for studio use. • Two Year Limited Warranty. PROS: • Pop Filter, Air Suspension and Shock Isolation assure only the voice gets through without ambient studio noise. • Advance electromagnetic shielding prevents interference or hum from monitors and computers in the studio. CONS: • At this level of mic, it’s assumed you’re probably upgrading your system, so if you don’t already have certain other audio items like Mic Stand, Cable or Mic Activator, you’ll have to purchase them separately to begin using this mic. It won’t simply plug into your cell phone. CONCLUSION: The SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone won’t hold you back in creating excellent sound quality.JimF

A few years ago I was cutting vocals with my AKG 414 TLII when a friend came by with 2 of these 214’s his church had bought. We decided to cut the harmony vocal with the 214 and compare to the 414TLII. It sounded terrible and I trashed the takes and used a TLM 67 instead. The 214 sounds like a Chinese condenser from Amazon. I understand people want the AKG pedigree for an affordable price point, but this mic is not it. You may not be able to hear it right now, but trust me and the other experienced ears that have said similar. This mic is the sonic equivalent of a sugar loaded donut. It sounds good if you have few examples to compare it to, but the sound has no “nutritional value” and will fatigue you fast. Especially if you use this for most of your tracks. It is very much worth it to not skimp on microphones. I have bought and sold many, many mics in my career so trust me and save a little longer and get something a little better. No matter what price point you’re buying at.Marty

. Used this on and off for a few years, but was never really happy with it. Very average sound…better on piano, weaker on vocals. Sold it on Ebay and picked up the C414 XLII. WOW!! On the piano it is fantastic. Vocals are excellent too. Much more detailed, nuanced, smooth sound. Really, really like the C414 XLII .Daniel

This was my first condenser microphone that I have purchased for my small in home studio. After months of research I decided upon this mic based off the price and versatility of the product. I am a full time guitarist and vocalist but have never been much on the production side, pretty much saying I know what sound I am looking for. I use this mic mainly for vocals and I’ve got to say that the recordings sound so good out of the mic that I really don’t have to do much as far as mixing goes which I love. This mic has definitely helped boost my confidence in my recording ability and I know that if the track doesn’t sound great it’s from my personal error not the mic. Overall would definitely recommendBrennan

The RODE NT1 has long been a mainstay for any recording studio. This was my chance to get one and I have to say it's reputation has not been overstated. I have and have worked with many microphones in the last 50 years and the RODE NT1 has just become my all around "go to" mic. From it's almost noiseless "floor" (4.5) to it's crystal clear warm overtones, this microphone is pure joy to work with and at an affordable price. Top that off with RODE's 10 year manufacturer's warranty and you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal. I couldn't. Thank you Sam Ash for being close by and having my order in record time. KUDOS, Navy House Studio, Richmond, VA.Budmoe

Note the pop filter is no longer the same steel one pictured in the product photos, RODE uses a more standard circular mesh filter compared to the steel mesh. Nonetheless, still works amazingly and for the price/bundle + quality for a starting XLR set, it’s fantastic. Sounds clear, professional, there’s a reason the NT1 has been popular for so long now. Only gripe I have is the USB power – using my M1 iMac (which has only USB-C), even using a dongle in the thunderbolt port didn’t seem to power the mic enough which resulted in a LOT of crackling. Had to buy a USB-C cable capable of 100W and plugged in directly to my iMac, solved the issue. If you’re a Mac user, I recommend swapping the cable unless you have a USB type-A port capable of properly powering this mic. However, that’s just my experience, your experience may differ especially if you’re using PC, which I can’t vouch for. Overall though, highly satisfied.WhoelsebutCoop

If you are considering the purchase of your first condenser microphone, then I highly recommend the Rode NT1 Kit. – High build Quality – Everything you need comes in the kit – Strong signal – Low noise – Perfect on vocals and acoustic guitar When broadcasting on JamKazam and micing my acoustic with the NT1: someone that I play with frequently on JamKazam asked me; "What guitar are you using?", before answering I asked why do you ask? They said it sounds amazing. Then I told them its my Ovation elite that I always play, it is just that I am micing it with my new Rode NT1. To which they replied…Wow it sounded like you had a different guitar…it sounds so full and rich. I have had this microphone for a couple of weeks now and it has met and surpassed my expectations. Before buying I did my research into all condenser mics in the $300 range; compared specs, product reviews like this one. If you are on the fence about which condenser mic to buy to get started with, get off the fence and get yourself the Rode NT1 Kit. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.David

I spent a long time going through reviews and videos trying to decide between this microphone and a C414. Honestly, after buying this microphone I'm really glad I chose this one. Not only it is better on the wallet but the sound quality is insane for the price. Using the spirit I found no frequency gaps in my voice and acoustic guitars that I sometimes notice when using cheaper microphones. When I'm singing and have a live feed into my headphones. I can hear every single detail of my voice, it's actually crazy and as a result, it's helped me improve my singing performances whilst recording. This microphone really does show you what you put in and adds a little high-frequency sparkle to get that modern pop vocal sound. On the acoustic guitar, the spirit is natural and picks up a lot of the wood sound of the body, again no frequency gaps. It picks up my room beautifully as well even in cardioid mode. The microphone looks great and is very robust too. Personally, I cannot recommend trying the Aston brand and these microphones enough, and will definitely purchase more in the future. Watch the videos, do the research, and happy microphone hunting 🙂Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I might be slightly premature giving this mic such a high rating since I have only had it a relatively short time, but as of right now…this is a solid add to my studio. I have owned a mid sized studio for around 30+ years. I mainly record Acoustic based music up to about Medium Hard Rock styles. I have a decent Mic Locker that includes about 40 or so mics including some higher end Name Brands all the way down to the simplest of anything that works solid for my needs. I buy and only keep what works for me. I have Dynamics, Ribbons, Small and Large Diaphragm transformerless and transformered Condensers, as well as tubed versions. I had seen and heard many You-Tube reviews reviewing the Spirit and liked what I heard, but the quality of those reviews were all over the place, so I was a little skeptical. So far I have only did some preliminary vocal tracks and some Upright Bass tracks for a good friend of mine that is a Texas Singer Songwriter. On Voice the mic was clean, clear and weighty. The louder the singing the more weighty it got while staying clear and in control… no issues with overload or distorting. It also handled my soft Baritone Vocals with equal aplomb. I am predicting this is going to be a really good all-rounder in the studio and the Multi-Pattern option really are useful. I hope to write additionally once I get more time under my belt. the only nit I have… lol… is the shockmount. Looks great, the design is solid… but… the spring loaded pads,while extremely convenient, need to be slightly tighter while holding the Spirit as it allows it to lean a bit and not hold it upright solidly. If there is a way to tension up the springs a bit, it would be super excellent. Oh… and the Black finish is major cool!t_mix

This thing is such a huge improvement for my home studio. Arrived safe and in perfect condition. Packaging was done well. It has some versatility, which you can read about online in the electronic manual, but it works great right out of the box as a plug-n-wail upgrade. Worth every penny.Evan Vacek

Overall: Seeing the pictures online made me think one thing. But then seeing in my hand made me think another. This is a rather small microphone in comparison to what I've used in the past. Transitioning from a monsterous Sterling Audio ST-79 to the TLM-102 made a HUGE difference. The depth of the vocal is outstanding. The frequency range is great and the Higher SPL makes it able to withstand some of the loudmouth vocalist rappers it will be used on. I myself have a deeper raspier voice and this mic works wonders on the clarity of it. In the mix there is much more control on dialing in to get the sound you want. This little Big Dog is now my Go to mic for Vocals out of my collection which includes: a. (1) ST-79 -Sterling Audio – Condenser b. (1) ST-55 – Sterling Audio – Condenser c. (1) MXL 990 and (1) 991 – MXL – Condensers d. (2) Fathead I – Cascade – Ribbon e. (1) TLM-102 – Neumann – Condenser (these are just my Vocal specific mics) All in all I love the mic and the mixing flexablity, its smaller size, and its versatility in use. Sure there is not a bass roll-off, or pad switch so it may not be best for SOME RANDOM VERY SPECIFIC NEED. But for the typical use of a microphone this thing has become my best friend.Chris

I play acoustic fingerstyle guitar and I was looking at some mics options to do some recordings… this mic is absolutely brilliant ! It captures amazingly the sounds of an acoustic guitar, very detailed and all nuances can be heard. Very rich and natural sound and exactly what I was looking for acoustic guitar recordings. Furthermore the look is stunning and the quality amazing. Love it! I am now considering getting another one so I could pair it nicely with the one I owe. Highly recommended!! Here is a recoding I've made with this mic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIThVYPlJ5MReviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: I just bought Neumann TLM 102 for a few sessions on my vocals and nylon & acoustic guitar. I do noticed, TLM 102 does have a little more presence and somewhat compressed on the bass. If you want to tame the bass, then you'll be happy with TLM 102 (note: There’s no cut low/high filter switch). If you're asking a flat sound, it's not here. Presence is strong? "yes." A lot more than mine Oktava MK 319. Treble? a little less than mine. If you want a little more treble for your vocals, you might want TLM 103. But remember, 103 is two times for you to pay. Do you want something "warm'ish" in your vocals? It's all right. It's not the best for a warm warm sound. BUT it is good though. You may have to turn up the mid a little more when you mixed. On my vocals and nylon & acoustic, I had to decrease -10 db on the bass. After my recording and testing, I decided to return mine TLM 102. For me, It's just not worth it –especially it’s 8x than my MK319. I really expected a lot more, but I know there are a lot of people that they love it. They say, they would pay 10 times. For the rest of my sessions, I went back to my MK 319. RECOMMENDATION?? Well, if you have a budget….sure. It would be nice recording a few acoustic rhythms. But, I know there are few more mics that are a lot cheaper than TLM 102 with the same quality sound.Xylor

A few years ago I was cutting vocals with my AKG 414 TLII when a friend came by with 2 of these 214’s his church had bought. We decided to cut the harmony vocal with the 214 and compare to the 414TLII. It sounded terrible and I trashed the takes and used a TLM 67 instead. The 214 sounds like a Chinese condenser from Amazon. I understand people want the AKG pedigree for an affordable price point, but this mic is not it. You may not be able to hear it right now, but trust me and the other experienced ears that have said similar. This mic is the sonic equivalent of a sugar loaded donut. It sounds good if you have few examples to compare it to, but the sound has no “nutritional value” and will fatigue you fast. Especially if you use this for most of your tracks. It is very much worth it to not skimp on microphones. I have bought and sold many, many mics in my career so trust me and save a little longer and get something a little better. No matter what price point you’re buying at.Marty

. Used this on and off for a few years, but was never really happy with it. Very average sound…better on piano, weaker on vocals. Sold it on Ebay and picked up the C414 XLII. WOW!! On the piano it is fantastic. Vocals are excellent too. Much more detailed, nuanced, smooth sound. Really, really like the C414 XLII .Daniel

This was my first condenser microphone that I have purchased for my small in home studio. After months of research I decided upon this mic based off the price and versatility of the product. I am a full time guitarist and vocalist but have never been much on the production side, pretty much saying I know what sound I am looking for. I use this mic mainly for vocals and I’ve got to say that the recordings sound so good out of the mic that I really don’t have to do much as far as mixing goes which I love. This mic has definitely helped boost my confidence in my recording ability and I know that if the track doesn’t sound great it’s from my personal error not the mic. Overall would definitely recommendBrennan

I own one of these already, and wanted to add more reinforcement of these microphones to my collection. Using the microphone I already own as a Internet Radio DJ microphone, adding on a desktop boom stand, and a professional dual-mesh pop filter. I purchased two additional AT2035 microphones to allow guests on the radio programme. The unit comes with a compact, well designed shock mount, and a convenient carry pouch. The shock mount attaches easily with some force, but the pouch is useless if you want to keep the shock mount attached to the microphone and travel with it. The pouch would better be useful if it were a protective satchel or bag. It feels like the included protective pouch was designed to just protect the microphone, before the inclusion of the shock mount. In either case, the microphone and shock mount are a good combination, and has nice warm sound. Using it mostly for vocal speech DJ hosting work, can't say much for the singing. My original AT2035 microphone has been in service, doing weekly radio programmes for more than a couple of years now, without fail. So the unit is well designed, robust, and even though I marked "Heavy/Bulky" under "Cons", it is ACTUALLY a PRO. This microphone is not intended to be hand-held, and should always be mounted on a boom, or microphone stand, along with some form of shock mount, and therefor, the heaviness and bulkiness of the unit is a POSITIVE thing. This quality not only adds to the sturdiness of the unit, but its stability in its use. Metal construction on the outside, and thick metal wire mesh to protect the internal cardioid capsule, the microphone can not be picked up without feeling that the unit is built with some degree of durability. This quality comes across as a sense of ruggedness for the touring or concert performance arena.LadyCuddles

This microphone brings out all the subtle details of an acoustic instrument or voice. Although it has a cardioid pickup pattern, it picks up two voices very nicely on a video call, better than with a typical dynamic mic. If you want to be kind to your audience don't rely on the microphones built into laptops or video cameras. My Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 provides phantom power, monitoring and a digital interface with my laptop. I prefer a single audio interface with quality preamps over a mic with USB interface. The shock mount works beautifully. A pop filter is a useful accessory but not always necessary.Peter

It's basically an upgraded at2020, and very much worth the money for the mic. It sounds just as good if not better then more expensive options, within reasonable expectations. It's not going to compete with an vintage mic, nor is it going to compete with a much more expensive mic with a specific sound signature. But for a flat, basic microphone, it is one of the best within it's price range. It picks up vocals where it is supposed to and drastically reduces sound from things like speakers positioned behind it. It is probably the best microphone you can get for video calls, streaming, and other activities where sound cancelation is important. Paired with a basic XLR interface with phantom power and it is the most clear you can get for your coworkers or friends for a very reasonable price. As someone that does work remote and as someone that hangs out with friends having a good mic is very important. My at2020 usb started having issues so it was only a natural progression to get the next tier up and an inherently better usb interface for it. I love this mic and your coworkers will thank you, if they are anything like me.Jonathan

Its a good price microphone with amazing sound quality, i would recommend to buy a separate audio interface like scarlett audio interface for even better audio like studio quality. You dont get a xlr to xlr cable with the package but you can just order one for 5$ which is not a problem. You also get a shockproof mount and also a pop filter which also fits perfect and have the audio technica logo on them. The audio is just amazing and sounds just like studio mics i tested for over 1000$+ so i can recommend it to anybody who wants to take their next step in their music career.liaradin0

With the Sam Ash ASH ROCK rock group program, I record a lot of original music with the student bands. I'm always trying out different microphones, and just did a couple of projects with the AT4040 to record vocals. The signal was absolutely incredible, capturing all the dynamics low to high, soft to loud, from singers that varied greatly in style and vocal delivery. There was no noise whatsoever in the track, just crystal clear vocals. With my recording setup, I'm plugging the mics directly into an M-Audio interface, and not using high end processors…so microphone quality is very important, and this one delivered better than ones comparably priced. Highly recommend!Preston Nash LC Indy

This microphone is hands down the best thing that Ive purchased for less than $500. I truly love the vocal clarity. With a flip of two switches, I can A. set the pad switch at 0db for artists with light vocals or -10db for stronger vocals or B. I can adjust the low cut to remove low frequency background noise ie. outside traffic, room noise, a/c units, rumble, etc. if youre using a decent preamp, this mic will literally give the higher end mics a run for their money. I use a lot of outboard gear in my studio. I spoke one word into this mic & I was instantly amazed with the definition of my reverb, dynamics & compression; in addition to the clearness of the word that I spoke (of course). I seriously believe that I can mumble an entire song & it would sound like I recorded it on a SSL with the fancy outboard bells & whistles. I dont work for the makers of this mic. But as an engineer, I wanted to give my honest opinion about this unit. If you work with rappers or if you are a rapper whos looking for a microphone thats going to bring quality to your work, this is one of many mics that you should seriously consider. I already own a MXL990 & a Samson C03. I highly doubt I will ever use them again. The only way Ill unplug this mic is to use a mic thats of a higher quality than this one. SERIOUSLY! Its not a bank breaker but its definitely not a low tier unit. If you asked my honest opinion, I say this unit is underpriced based on the quality that it kicks out.rickodean

The Aston origin has been a complete game changer for me. It works on virtually every source, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and of course vocals. This mic makes a vocal cut and sit right in the mix. Throw some traditional eqing on it and it's the complete wow factor. People probably think that at this price point, it can't be as good as some of the big boys in the industry. Those people are terribly wrong. This mic should be in everyone's collection, it is a workhorse and in my opinion will eventually become an industry standard. Thank you Aston for making such a great and affordable microphone that sounds as good as as it looks.Rick

In the past, I've owned the Rode Classic, Rode NTK, Neumann TLM 103, and currently own an MXL Revelation Solo, Neumann TLM 49, and Rode NT1. The Origin is easily as good or better than any of the mics that I've owned up until now. It's amazing what you get for the price! Unlike the TLM 103, which sounds almost hyper-real, the Aston sounds completely natural. It was love at first-listen! I was intending on buying another 103, but since I bought the Aston, what for? It's that good of a mic! Ignore the price. This mic takes me further on the dollar than any mic I've ever used. I was a little concerned about the SE Electronics connection, because I had tried and returned a quite lackluster SE mic in the past, but this little mic wipes the floor with the SE mic I tried. And, unlike the new Rode NT1, which is a pretty good mic for the price, the Aston doesn't make you feel like you wish you were using something a little better. It sounds GREAT!!!! After experiencing what this mic can do, I can't NOT get the Spirit!Oklahoma Crooner

Sounds great, excellent design, integrated pop shield works beautifully. Light enough for desktop mic stands too. No daft rubberised coating to peel and flake off in a couple of years either. I don't think I'll ever need to buy another large diaphragm condenser.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

It has a reputation, because it is that good. Takes any vocal and places it at a higher level. Clarity, warmth, presence, yep. If you could only buy 1 piece of gear and youre doing vocals, forget everything else and get this microphone. Run through any interface with a daw, and youll see the difference. Its expensive, yep, but its an investment. Been doing more serious recording over the past 2 years, now I want to go back and re-record all the prior vocals.wdalgabbar_0

An ultimate aspirational mic for me. I have compared this with a vintage u87. For vocals, the vintage U 87 has a slightly more noticeable presence. By presence, I mean that you feel like the microphone is a noctilux-level macro lens focusing in on the singer's articulation and bringing them up close to your ear. All that, but it doesn't sound like it's trying. The new U 87 Ai is almost the same as the old U 87, but a bit more neutral. Less emphasis of sounds like ch (as in, chess), and the specs say less noise. That's my two cents, at least! The U 87 Ai is an amazing sounding mic and lives up to its name. I'd agree with so many reviewers who say that it's just plain good on anything.Peter

I own a lot of microphones for an individual (not a studio), from SM57-58 types, up to the AKG 414 XLII and a bunch in between. As I prepared to move to a greater focus on writing and recording, I decided it was time to purchase a couple of microphones that were the type I have used in a professional recording studio. The first of those that came to mind was the Neumann U87. It was one of two mics (the other being the AKG 414, mentioned above) that I have seen in literally every professional studio I have ever walked into. To say it is a recording industry standard is quite the understatement. Let's talk cost: yes, it costs more than many others. In the world of professional microphones, it's actually on the cheaper end of the spectrum when compared with tube microphones, and it costs many times less than vintage originals. But is it expensive? NO, IT IS NOT. Expensive is a relative term, and refers to the amount of money an item costs… relative to what it is. When what it is happens to be one of the most meticulously built, most heavily copied, and highest performing microphones out there (that is in the estimation of the top-tier professionals in the business, not Joe Equipment-reviewer on your local forum) , the cost is reasonable, and as mentioned, low in comparison to others in its peer group. And how does it sound? Clear and honest. If you sound bad or ameteurish, you will get a very clear rendition of a bad and ametuerish sound. Don't blame the mic. If you put great sound into it, you get incredibly great sound out, and you can hear every nuance. In testing at home, it was sometimes shocking how much more revealing the U87 was. I can only compare it to my experience with any other top of the line equipment. It just keeps surprising you with "oh yeah" moments. Ultimately, nothing is for everyone. And if you don't have the ears to hear the difference, don't waste your money. But if you're up to it, I promise you this mic is up to it as well.Rick In TX

I have the AKG 414 xls. use it in my home studio ,and bring it to other studios. we have done many shoot outs against everything you could imagine either vintage or recent, even those costing ten time more, and the 414 constantly is the last choice.ruhtra

I prefer this over the XLII, Modern Sounding and great detail. Pair with a good mic pre and you will not be disappointed. But this is not a vintage voiced mic. I use on everything with 1290 Neve, 610, and stock ensamble pres.david001002

Nah, that's probably a bit of false bravado– also not alot of Irish traditions in my family, and to say that my admiration for this mic will extend to my dying day, that I will breathe my last breath holding onto it and capturing some musical performance– a nice picture, but how realistic, really? I guess I just metaphorically, in a Clint Eastwood kinda way, want to impress on you that, if we were all cowboys, this mic would be the six-shooter that everyone longed to have– lawman, outlaw, everyone in between. There's a reason it's a standard of the industry and you've heard its coolly accurate wondrous alive-sounding exceptional capture on a gabazillion records. It gets and gives you what's really there. The self noise is so low, 6 decibels, that there is no self noise. Everything comes through crisply and clearly. I will confess to you– I've cobbled together a subsistence farming kind of audio life, recording singers and ensembles, and I've always made do with gear that checked in much lower on the food chain than this. So when the house tech at a classical quartet concert had a pair of these and set them up just basically at the front edge of the stage, and offered to feed them into my tape deck, I swooned. Back in the studio mixing that performance, the 414's were smooth and airy and cast a lovely perspective on the players. Okay, that's it, I am getting myself a pair! What did I hear when I set up a pair of these for the first time in front of a guitar player? Within the ringing density of the guitar sound, a whole rainbow of colors, a detailed picture down to the granular level. The dual capsule will give you any and every polar pattern, from omni to hypercardioid, with halfway settings in between each setting! Also, four versions of low-cut roll-off, and also three levels of volume pads. A finely crafted German-engineered shockmount, and double sided (the best kind!) pop filter to affix to a mic stand. And a windsock. There are going with me everywhere from now on. Although– this overblown elaborate packaging with all this cut-out foam– no, give me all-put-together-and-ready-to-go in the smallest space, please. (I attach a picture of the pair suited up and ready for the showdown.)Joel