Miniature clip-on condenser microphone

• Captures drum audio with ease
• Small size allows it to be placed virtually anywhere
• Durable and sturdy clip and attachment
• Can be used with nearly all instruments

• A bit more expensive than it needs to be
• Won't perform as well as professional mics

Audix F90 Microphone Review

Anybody who has tried to record an album or a band rehearsal knows that the drums are one of the most difficult and annoying aspects to capture. One minute you're failing to capture the percussion and the next minute it's bleeding into the audio of other instruments. The Audix F90, though, attempts to end these annoying occurrences once and for all.

You'll notice right away that the Audix F90 is miniature and comes with a handy and durable clip. This makes it easy to place it in tight spaces; any drummer knows that tight spaces are easy to come by with even the most modest sets. You can place it in under cymbals, between heads, and nearly anywhere else you can imagine.

But does it pick up sound properly? Luckily, the answer is yes. The F90, thanks to its 50Hz-18Khz impedence, allows it to capture audio evenly and faithfully. The mount is also very trusty and dependable, ensuring that the mic won't fall off in the middle of a recording session. The phantom power adapter is another nice touch; it allows band mates to keep recording in the middle of a particularly inspired jam. And in case you think that the mic only works well with drums, keep in mind that it can easily handle complex guitar fretwork as well as most brass. It may cost a bit more than most mics its size, but it also outperforms the vast majority of them.

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The AKG C411 L is tailor-made for string instruments, picks up finger picking easily and faithfully, and doesn't require you to drill holes in your instruments. It also has suitably loud output capabilities.

It does need an external power source, and it loses its integrity when playing speed gets too high.

Very few mics are dedicated to stringed instruments but there are enough of them out there to give the AKG C411 L a little competition. Harman's small but powerful mic certainly outperforms a lot of the competition but it still has a few drawbacks of its own. The best pickers may find that the mic doesn't meet all their needs. But for the non-virtuoso, you can expect great performance time and again from the C411 L.

 AKG C411 L Microphone Review

By Harmon

Musicians and bands who have cut tracks know how difficult it can be to get just the right sound. Nowhere is this problem more apparent, though, than with string instruments. Fingerpickers in particular find it very hard to record the complex tones and notes that they create. And the more intricate the strings (violin, mandolin, etc.), the tougher it is to reproduce it faithfully through a mic. The AKG C411 L, however, attempts to make recording string instruments much easier.

The first thing you'll notice about the C411 L is that it is very small. This allows it to be placed very close to the bridge of any string instrument you're using so that it can pick up even the smallest note variations. The amount of rich tones you can get in this little condenser mic may even astonish seasoned recording veterans. The output is also very loud and earthy, helping the player to be sure that his or her noodling will come across exactly as it was meant to be heard.

The best part, though, is that the device clips onto the instrument, meaning that you won't have to drill holes into your pretty acoustic instrument. All in all, the C411 L is a very handy mic, though it does come with a couple drawbacks. For one, it requires phantom power, which means you'll need to buy a cable if you don't already have one. These cables can be a bit pricey, especially after you add in the cost of the mic. Also, the virtuoso players among us might notice that the mic doesn't pick up each and every note if the playing surpasses a certain level. For the vast majority of us, this problem doesn't apply. To the very few players who can play at blistering speeds, though, this might pose a problem. But players of that caliber will likely have better equipment to record with anyway.

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Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Mic is a lightweight shotgun condenser mic which offers professional quality audio recording both indoors and outdoors. It also offers clean and clear audio output.

It can produce an annoying humming sound at high volume. The mic tends to pick up handling noise as well. It is important to have the mic at the right distance: too far and it won’t pick up sound well; too close and the sound will be too muddy. Also the battery life is not great.

Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Mic

Battery or Phantom Powered Mic

This condenser shotgun mic offers professional quality audio recording. It has a narrow pick up pattern for clear recording. Designed for use by film, video, television and other sound professionals, the Rode NTG-2 Mic is great for voice over work by media professionals. It works both on phantom and battery power.

It comes with a windscreen to minimize extra sound and works gives decent sound. It also works with a boom or hotshoe. The sound sometimes does not sound great in the mid-range, but for the price it offers quality sound and does the work.

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Blue Microphones has introduced the first USB mic offering high performance digital recordings. A professional quality mic, it uses the company’s proprietary tri capsule technology. Simple plug and play interface, solid and durable, it can record all kinds of sounds from soft to extremely loud.

The major problem with this is that it is big and heavy – at a height of one foot and a weight of 3.5 pounds it is not easy to lug around. The knobs are also flimsy and seem more likely to break. The mic also tends to pick up smallest sounds thus marring the recordings.

Blue Yeti Pro Multipattern Condenser Microphone

The first USB microphone that combines 24 bit/192 kHz recording resolution with analog XLR output.

The Yeti Pro USB microphone can be used in four modes: stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional making it truly versatile. It has on board gain and mute controls. The quality of sound is very good most of the time, but it does have the ability to pick up extraneous sounds, specially when you are working in an environment which has some unwanted noise.

The MSRP on this product is usually around $250.00

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This is a microphone that is in its own level since it is designed with excellent patterns that enable it to pick up sound from relatively long distances.

The low cut frequency that is produced by the Audio-Technica AT897 is approximately 80 Hz and it has a steep slope. This means that when you want to remove the rumble it is important not to leave any audio information that you have intact. This device should also be handled with care because any form of fumbling when using it causes a lot of annoyance. You can easily loose the data and this is also attributed to the fact that it also does not have a button to witch it on and off.
 

Audio-Technica AT897 Microphone Review

This microphone falls in the shotgun category mainly because it is 11 inches long and less than an inch wide. In addition to this, the Audio-Technica AT897 is very light and weighs approximately 5 ounces. It has been finished nicely to a grayish color and it usually comes with a vinyl case that is padded.

The microphone has a windscreen that foams completely and has a stand for the batter & the adapter. The audio connection that is used for this device is made from a XLR connector that is of the standard type. It comes with a user manual though the process of plugging it in and using it is relatively simple.

This microphone also operates with the phantom power that is normally supplied by some mixers and cameras. The Audio-Technica AT897 is operated by only one AA battery that is able to keep it operational for approximately 1200 hours.

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The Audio Technica Pro 44 offers a very crisp sound. Everyone that is in the location will be able to hear as well as to understand what is being said. The design is very compact, so the microphone can be used in a variety of flexible locations.

The Audio Technica Pro 44 microphone is more expensive than some other options on the market. If you plan to use it often then it will pay for itself, but if you don’t plan to use it very much it may not be the best investment.

This particular microphone is very easy to use. It also doesn’t distort sounds which is helpful. Many people have different voice volumes and this microphone works well for all of them. It is also very light so that it can easily be moved around or even carried around the stage by a presenter.

This particular microphone may not be ideal for large groups where many people will be taking turns talking. It tends to be better suited for more intimate locations or for a limited number of speakers at once.

Audio Technica Pro 44

Price:  $119.00

The Audio Technica Pro 44 microphone offers a half spaced pattern that is designed to easily mount on any surface. The microphone offers high quality sound in all types of situations and structures. It is also a low profile design so if you are looking for a microphone that isn’t highly visible this is a great choice. It can be used with a wide number of different applications.

The back plate construction of the Audio Technica Pro 44 offers a fixed charge. This is better  because it improves the overall frequency ,while reducing the chances for the sounds to be distorted.  It is also very flexible to enable you to easily position it. Plus, it has a high durability design so you can depend on it to last a very long time.

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Can operate on both phantom and battery power. The cardioids system minimizes the pick-up of stray sounds from either the rear or sides of the microphone. The instrument adapter makes the microphone work excellently in picking up acoustic guitar.

It is difficult to get enough volume if you use the microphone in a noisy or large room that has no feedback.

Audio Technica Pro 70 Review

Perfect recording with the right adjustments

Audio Technica Pro 70 achieves a very dependable and consistent performance because of its full-sound pickup ability.

The microphone is ideal for both speech and music production.

The design of Audio Technica Pro 70 allows it to operate effectively without grabbing attention.  It comes with a number of accessories, including a guitar mount and clothing clip, enabling the microphone to function like a clip-on lavalier.

The microphone is light and flexible enough to suit different applications in different positions. You do not have to worry about staying still to maintain the desired level with the microphone. The belt clip included with Audio Technica Pro 70 helps to attach it to a guitar, working as an interface to XLR microphone cable.

Audio Technica Pro 70 makes it possible to minimize noise in a room through the use of a low-frequency roll-off switch.

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Better isolation from tape mechanism, and is unidirectional. It has great sound and good directionality.

It is so sensitive that it picks up the zoom motor of the camcorder and any other touches and bumps. It also has no battery light, weak/flimsy mounts.

Audio Technica ATR- 55 Review

Perfect recording with the right adjustments

Audio Technica is well- known in manufacturing different kinds of product and is specialized in microphones and many more has now created a cheaper but incredible product, bringing at this instant the Audio Technica ATR- 55 out in the market. The Audio Technica ATR- 55 is made for an easy use. It is a condenser shotgun microphone; it offers intelligible production for close-, medium-, and long- distance pick- up. The price of the Audio Technica ATR- 55 is very affordable and the quality is impressive parallel to its price.

As based from the user’s experience using the Audio Technica ATR- 55, in a normal mode and with the filter the ambient noise is gone. It is preferably better indoors. In a TELE mode and the wind filter, the voice is clear and the ambient sound is gone. The audio quality is very remarkable. Audio Technica ATR- 55 is reasonably light in weight. There is a difference between the up- close cardoid pattern and the long range shotgun setting. The Audio Technica ATR- 55 rejects mechanical noise compared to the built-in microphone (just don’t touch the cable or fiddle around with a long zoom lens).

The amplified TELE feature seems to reach out and grab sounds without picking up hardly any surrounding noise. It is uni- directional, as expected from it. The normal zone is about 120 degrees V in front of the microphone and the TELE are about a 90 degree V- zone. Filming a football game using the Audio Technica ATR- 55– one half in TELE mode and the other half in the NORMAL mode. The TELE mode was almost eerie, as it could pick up the voices out in the field, however, all the surrounding noise (crowd cheering/fans) could hardly be heard, while the NORMAL mode picked up a little more audience noise, so it sounded more natural, but nevertheless still filtered out the other people chit- chatting in the location(press tower).  The TELE mode is preferably good in lectures as it does not pick up distracting noises, including that of the camcorder’s mechanism. You must also be aware that this is not a stereo, so you should either get a mono-to- stereo adapter to use with it, or set the sound input on the camcorder to mono. Otherwise, you will only get sound coming out in only one speaker on stereo playback.

The Audio Technica ATR- 55 requires the use of one AA battery that is installed inside its aluminum shell. The battery seemed to last pretty well as one consumer has never depleted a battery in it, but routinely replace it once a year. As an extraction the Audio Technica ATR- 55 in a STANDARD MODE has great sound with good directionality, but is poor in range, while, TELE MODE has thin sound, good directionality, and does well in range. You just have to keep it mind though that it is a 40-dollar microphone not the usual $400 and its pretty perfect for a price like that already.

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The microphone picks up absolutely every sound. The microphone’s casing is very sturdy. Shock mount helps to eliminate unwanted noise when moving the microphone around.

The fact that the microphone picks up absolutely every sound can be a bad thing as well. The microphone doesn’t come with an XLR cable, which is rather annoying.

MXL 2006 Microphone Review

Perfect recording with the right adjustments

The MXL 2006 is a condenser type microphone with a cardioid pattern. Its greatest use is as a dynamic microphone thanks to its amazing levels of sensitivity, which are unmatched. Users’ MXL 2006 microphone reviews suggest to the device in a well-insulated recording environment, otherwise it will record the sound of the heartbeat of the person in the next room!

The MXL 2006 microphone comes in a pretty solid brass casing that does not dent easily. Although it requires an external power source, it does not have a power switch, so as soon as you plug it in to your mixer you are ready to go. You WILL need a mixer to record using the MXL 2006 as you will need to regulate the amount of sound the microphone picks up.

Experienced users’ MXL 2006 microphone reviews mention the product as a great choice if you’re going for a recording of live acoustic guitars. With the correct placement of the mic and minor adjustments to the levels of pickup on your mixer, you will be able to record the guitar in the best way possible. Most users have described the sound recorded through the MXL 2006 microphone as ‘silky’ which speaks volumes for the exact quality of recording through this awesome mic. In fact, it is said that with the proper levels set on your equalizer, the MXL 2006 will not sound any different from a mic 4 times its price! Such is the great equilibrium of sound maintained by this truly magnificent microphone.

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The microphone offers 3 separate polar patterns for recording, which can be used according to your specific requirements. It offers great quality when recording from the low-end of the frequency spectrum.

Does not add much coloration when recording vocals using the microphone within a studio environment.

Shure KSM44 Microphone Review

Great on the low-end

To begin this Shure KSM44 microphone review, this product is a heavyweight when it comes to recording capabilities. It sports three types of polar patterns; cardioid, omni and figure-of-eight. It is a condenser microphone that can be used in a studio environment or for live shows and is designed specifically to capture vocals. However, the Shure KSM44 microphone sports an impressive lower-end response, which means it can be used as a bass microphone or a pickup mic for the bass drum on the drum kit.

A toggle switch on the microphone’s body allows you to change between the above polar patterns or between the different filter modes: 6dB/octave cut below 115Hz, 18dB/octave cut below 80Hz, and bypass. The capsule of the microphone is shock-mounted, which helps to filter out low-frequency noise.

During recordings, the Shure KSM44 microphone provides steady high notes as well as extensive response to bass. The cardioid mode captures the sound of a single voice with much efficiency while the omni mode captures a pure open sound that is ideal for recordings of live shows.

As a conclusion to this Shure KSM44 microphone review, the device is a great choice for a multi-pattern microphone, and gives a little extra with the extended low-end response, which places it a cut above other condenser multi-pattern microphones.

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