There has never been a better time to start recording than now. The amount of affordable, incredible-sounding gear available is staggering, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the number of high-quality microphones priced under $1000. After some enthusiastic discussion among Sweetwater’s staff, we agreed on a list of 10 of the best mics you can pick up for less than a grand. So, whether you’re buying your first mic or looking to upgrade, here are some great mics that will blow you away!
Quick Picks
Warm Audio WA-87 R2
Warm Audio is on a mission to deliver pro audio equipment with top-notch components at a price anyone can afford. They’re able to achieve this through streamlined manufacturing — by buying parts in bulk and producing gear in large quantities. The Warm Audio WA-87 R2 is the company’s spin on a venerable, studio-workhorse FET microphone known for its smooth, rich tone that flatters most voices. Cutting no corners, Warm Audio assembled the WA-87 from premium components, including Fairchild FETs and a genuine, USA-made CineMag output transformer, to create a mic that soundly outperforms its price point.
Neumann TLM 102
Another mic known for its clarity and transparency, the Neumann TLM 102 has a flat response up to 6kHz. After 6kHz, it has a slight presence boost for modern-style vocal sounds. The TLM 102 attributes its pristine sound to a transformerless design, from which it also gets its acronym. In designing the unit, Neumann chose to use an electronic circuit that doesn’t significantly color the sound but still minimizes radio-frequency interference — a big plus for home studios where that can be an issue. The TLM 102 also has the smallest form factor of the mics on this list. It’s lightweight and visually unobtrusive, which can help when a singer needs to maintain a line of sight with the band or the recording engineer.
Mojave Audio MA-301fet
Mojave Audio’s MA-201fet has long been a favorite of many engineers here at Sweetwater and the world over. The MA-301fet takes everything loved about the 201fet and cranks it up a notch by adding three selectable polar patterns, a highpass filter, and a -15dB pad. Even aside from these features, the MA-301fet also delivers some of the smoothest, richest vocal sounds around on account of its Jensen audio transformer, military-grade FET, low-noise resistors, and 3-micron gold-sputtered capsule. In short, the MA-301fet sounds good on just about anything, and Sweetwater studio engineers think you should strongly consider adding a stereo pair to your collection.
AKG C314
A lower-priced sibling of the revered AKG C414 XLS, the legendary studio workhorse, the AKG C314 is a seriously versatile condenser microphone. Made in Austria using AKG’s famous XLS microphone capsule, the C314 has a natural, open sound with a pleasant high-frequency lift. Unlike some condenser microphones, it has a superb off-axis response, so you’ll get a great sound even if your singer moves out of the sweet spot. The C314 truly stands out as a microphone that performs well on nearly everything you throw at it. Engineers at Sweetwater commonly use it on acoustic guitars, electric guitar amps, strings, and brass, but it’s also excellent as a drum overhead mic. If you’re looking for a single mic that can do it all, the AKG C314 is a superb choice.
Audio-Technica AT4050
The Audio-Technica AT4050 is another workhorse microphone that delivers excellent sound recordings of any source. Like the TLM 102, it relies on a transformerless design to minimize noise and low-frequency distortion, and it accurately reproduces transients and tames sibilance. Audio-Technica is known for offering products with a high performance-to-cost ratio, and the AT4050 is no different. It includes premium components such as dual gold diaphragms that are pre-aged to remove moisture and stabilize the capsule, a nickel-plated acoustic-element baffle that ensures every nuance of a performance is captured, and surface-mounted electronics that guarantee years of reliable use. Additionally, the AT4050 offers three selectable polar patterns — cardioid, figure-8, and omnidirectional — an 80Hz highpass filter, and a -10dB pad for recording loud sources.
Rode K2
As the sole tube mic on this list, the Rode K2 presents a different flavor than its compatriots. Due to its valve-based design, it has an unmistakably rich and full-bodied tone. However, unlike some vintage tube mics and vintage mic clones, the K2 boasts a modern, bright top end that is well suited for pop-style productions. It also looks and feels like a pro-studio microphone with satisfying heft, a beefy external power supply, a heavy-duty shockmount, and a molded flight case to keep everything safe. The K2 has a variable polar pattern from figure-8 to omni, so you can use it in numerous circumstances, and an internal shockmount that helps reduce rumble.
Shure SM7B
When recording enthusiasts discuss vocal mics for the studio, the conversation typically revolves around the type of large-diaphragm condenser mics that make up the bulk of this list. However, there are incredible dynamic microphones that handily tackle vocal recording duties — and the Shure SM7B is one of the best. A ubiquitous choice for broadcasters, the SM7B has a pleasing, thick tone with a smooth, forgiving top end that’s perfect for spoken word applications. However, it also has a long legacy of pro-studio use. Michael Jackson famously used the SM7 (the SM7B’s predecessor) on Thriller. The SM7B is also a go-to choice for many rock and indie artists, including Anthony Kiedis, Serj Tankian, Jack White, and Kevin Parker. The SM7B has a less accented high end than many condenser mics. Additionally, it works great on snare drums, guitar amps, bass cabs, and more, so you’ll get a ton of mileage out of it.
Beyerdynamic M 88
If you’re a Phil Collins fan, then you’ve definitely heard the Beyerdynamic M 88, as it’s been Phil’s favorite vocal mic for a long time. Of course, he is but one of the many who have fallen for the M 88’s wide, 30Hz–20kHz frequency response, hypercardioid polar pattern, and sensitive Hostaphan diaphragm. One of Sweetwater’s favorite things about the M 88 is that its high-power output means you don’t have to crank the gain (and, subsequently, the noise floor) like you do with many other dynamic mics. This gives you the response that you want and expect from a dynamic mic but with a much cleaner signal. So, if you’d like a classic vocal sound that won’t break the bank, then give the Beyerdynamic M 88 a spin!
Slate Digital VMS ML-1A
Now for something completely different. The last entry on this list is the Slate Digital VMS ML-1A modeling microphone, which gives you access to a virtual mic locker of some of the rarest, most renowned studio microphones. The mic provides a neutral platform with a clean, uncolored sound. But, when used in conjunction with Slate’s Virtual Microphone System software, it becomes a sonic shapeshifter, taking on the characteristics of a host of famous German, Austrian, and Japanese mics. The VMS ML-1A is an ideal microphone for artists and engineers that enjoy having numerous options to choose from when building the tonal character of their recordings.
Check out our Vocal Mic Shootout to hear many of these mics side by side! And, if you’re interested in exploring other affordable options, read our inSync articles “Best LDC Mics Under $500” and “Best Mics Under $300 for Recording Vocals.”
If you have questions about any of the mics featured on this page or any others, don’t hesitate to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700. We love talking microphones. Hit us up!
