(Part 2) Best instrument condenser microphones according to redditors

TB and Jessie normally recommend the Samson C01U.

Here it is on its own: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HXE4BYW

He may have meant one of these kits:

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075FY43DK
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00REV0GKC
  
  Here's some previous discussion of this question:
  https://www.reddit.com/r/cynicalbritofficial/comments/89pfap/tb_mentioned_a_podcast_starter_kit/
  
  
  Edit:
  
  He may have meant this kit, which I'm not able to find on Amazon:
  
  http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/microphones/usb-microphones/c01upak
  
  It's been discontinued because it included the C01U, which has been replaced by the C01U Pro.
  
  Edit2:
  
  You can get the accessories individually if you want to mix-and-match your own kit:
  
  
• MD5 Stand: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MYIIRG
  
  
• SP01 Shockmount: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQLDM2
  
  
• PS04 Pop filter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7JKW46

What you are looking for is a lavalier mic (also called a lapel mic). They come in several different varieties. Do you want one that is wireless or one that is wired? The wireless ones are nice if you are moving around a lot or doing commentary away from your desk. The wired ones are nice because they don't require a battery pack and you never lose signal (not really an issue anymore). Tehre are also some that are made to plug into your cell phone so that you can record onto your phone.

For the best quality of wired lavs I would go with an XLR setup. You will have to spring for a mixing board or an audio interface, but you will get better sound quality and the ability to adjust your sound on the hardware. I suggest the Audio Technica Pro70 or the Shure SM93. You will also need to add a board to that as well.

If you go wireless you'll probably be paying much more than $200 for a decent lav mic. Probably $300-600 just for the mic and receiver. You'll also need a mixing board or audio interface on top of that.

There are also some budget options, like the Rode SmartLav+ which is pretty good for the price and you can record off of your phone or the 3.5mm input on your computer. You won't get as good of audio or the adjustment as an XLR setup.

There are also products like the invisilav that allow you to wear the mic underneath your clothing to hide it. I would definitely do some research on how to wear a lavalier mic to get the best sound. They can be pretty tricky sometimes because they can rub against your shirt/jacket or the cord can rub and make sound. Best of luck!

This is a really common issue with recording gaming clips that most if not all let's players encounter! First of all, just realize that many viewers that watch lets play videos inherently ignore the clicks because they are used to hearing it. However, you didn't ask this question to get a simple answer like this so I will try to give you some actual solutions!

1. Install O-Rings - This is possibly the best physical solution to the issue! O-Rings are rings sold on EBay, Amazon, and many other online sellers and they dampen the sound drastically! This is my favorite solution because it allows you to keep your gaming mechanical keyboard (unlike the other tip)! The rings work on most keyboards so you should be good to go! Oh, you don't believe me when I say the clicking gets better? Check this out! And this video shows the different types of o ring options!
   CONS:
   Time Consuming - Main Issue with this solution is that it is slightly time consuming, and requires the person to install the ring on each and every key.
   Dangerous - No no don't worry they aren't dangerous to you, but what about your nice expensive gaming keyboard?? Well to be honest, you shouldn't have any issue with damaging your keyboard, especially because most rings come with a simple to use kit... however if you snap a key or something I don't want you to get all pissy with me. So just be careful and you will be fine!
   Not Perfect - I know I say this like 10 times in this post but I want you to understand NOTHING is perfect, especially not you (jk jk please dont report me ;) ) and this solution will not fix the issue totally! However check the audio comparison above! It really is amazing!
   
   
2. Change Microphone Position - I did research on your microphone and I can see that it is a cardioid microphone (shape of polar pattern / mic reception is like a heart) What does this mean to you? Well, the microphone picks up more sound directly in-front of the microphone, rather than the side or behind! I would recommend secondly, getting your keyboard as far away as possible from your microphone! If you can't, then change the microphone position, if money allows I would strongly recommend a microphone arm! This will allow you to change the height of the microphone as well as the angle - directing it away from your clicking mouse and keyboard, as well as in front of both!
   CONS
   Not the Best Fix - This fix really is more of an additional help to the issue, but from a solution. I do strongly recommend getting a mic arm anyways but dont use this solution only because it will not provide a full fix!
   Costs Money - Yes, things cost money! But there are options that are cheap that you can use!
   
   
3. Change Keyboards - This may be too drastic to be a possibility however if you have the budget for it, I recommended searching online for a gaming MEMBRANE keyboard or a keyboard with rubber key bottoms (dampens noise)! These type of keyboards are created differently than Mechanical keyboards (commonly used keyboards for gaming) This different design usually produces less clacketly clack clicking! Check it out here for sound comparison: Keyboard Comparrison
   CONS :
   Loss of Clicking - I get this is what you want, however losing the clicking upsets some people as it is more gratifying to hear than membrane clicking.
   Mechanical is Better? - This is total opinion however the online consensus have leaned more towards the fact that mechanical, at least in terms of gaming, is better. I won't detail as to why, however if you want detail I would be glad to help!
   
   
4. Audio Removal - If you can't make any physical changes to the situation, altering the audio itself can be a feesable option, however it is not without its issues. This process can be done on the glorious free audio editing program - Audacity There are many detailed videos describing noise removal, here is one for you! However if you want a quick explanation of the process, it goes something like this... At the end of your commentary recording continue to make plenty of clicking noises on your keyboard only for around 5 seconds and then do the same for your mouse. Then, drag the audio into Audacity and select the keyboard clicking selection alone and then use the Noise Removal filter on the entire audio file (see video above for more details), Audacity will attempt to remove the sound from the clip where it can. Repeat for mouse clicks. This process is possibibly the best option for cleaning up the issue after the recording has already been recorded!
   CONS: Like said before this process is far from perfect!
   First issue is that it is impossible to perfectly remove all clicking, this is expected however I wanted to just state it
   Secondly, this process can effect audio quality if the filter intensity is too high. To be brief, don't go overboard with the filter! Use it as a way to dampen the sound, but if you go too far you will be affecting the quality of the entire commentary - way more than its worth!
   
   EXTRA TIP: Type Softer - Like previously explained, no matter what keyboard you will use, you WILL have clicking. That's because the click is produced when the key is fully pressed down over a short amount of time. If you were to type softer then this sound will be reduced! This most likely will not be possible, as gaming requires fast clicking! However, I just wanted to give you this little tip as a reason as to why you can't remove the sound totally!
   
   CONCLUSION To wrap this post up I just would like to once again explain, there is NO way to totally fix the clicking, however all these options WILL help significantly with the issue. For my main recommendation, I would suggest you: Install O-Rings (Improvement is crazy amazing), Change mic position in relation to keyboard (use mic arm), and lastly edit all audio clips in Audacity with a few different filters, including noise removal- at a lower intensity, to prevent audio quality reduction.
   
   I really really hope I could help in any way! If you want more of an explanation for any of the above topics, please just ask and I would be glad to help! I can guarantee that if you do any of these options, the issue will improve! Combining these tips will provide even more, especially my recommendation! Good luck with everything and long live Reddit!

Well you could probably get something like this and only your dog would know the difference: http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Perception-Professional-Instrumental-Microphone/dp/B00M9CUL60/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

u/javo78 - you probably want a small diaphragm cardioid condenser for indoor dialogue, not a shotgun.

You can get a decent cardioid mic such as the $219 Rode NT5 or the $199 Oktava MK-012 and get it up on a boom with a decent shock mount for a reasonable amount of money.

In indoor settings, these mics will give you more natural sound than a shotgun, as seen in this comparison video between the NT5, the MK-012 and the $599 Audio Technica AT4053b.

Of course, the gold standard for indoor dialogue is the Schoeps CMC641, but it 's over $1000, even if you buy it used.

That said, renting a Schoeps might be the most cost-effective solution.

Hope this is helpful and good luck finding the right mic for your needs!

Just starting out and learning to produce and am having a lot of fun grinding these busyworkbeats videos lol. Also don't wanna make my own thread but how is this https://www.amazon.com/MXL-Large-Capsule-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0178DOWK0?th=1 mic?

My birthday is coming up soon, and my girlfriend keeps asking me what I want. I'm thinking about getting a new mic with a boom. Anyone got any suggestions? So far this is the best option I've come across (that's somewhat cheap)

https://www.amazon.ca/Neewer-NW-700-Condenser-Microphone-Kit/dp/B073TQPQ4Y/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1516737378&sr=8-8&keywords=mic+with+boom

I'm not really in the position to spend $5k on a microphone...but I've heard a lot of love for this mic over more expensive tube mics.

I'm going to add another mic to the arsenal soon, but I was planning on it being an AKG 414. Think there's a better multipurpose mic than that one for less than $1k? I have my doubts...

I have a Sennheiser ME 2 lapel mic tucked into the chin pad of my Shoei GT Air and it works great. You can use a cheaper mic but I don't know how well it would work. Here's a link to a clip recorded with this mic connected to a Sony HDR AS200V.

Sure man! It's from amazon! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DU16F68/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've ordered three of them, 2 iphone 5's and a 6 and they have all been perfect besides the last one needed the slightest modification of the home button hole..which could have been the aftermarket home button since the others worked flawlessly with oem home button. Can't tell any difference between OEM and the kit comes with all you need.

I have done it. Depends a lot on the mic quality. Does a decent job for dialogs. Get a good lav mic or plug in a cheap shotgun on a boom to the phone. Both will give you similar results.

I got a cheap lav mic from amazon to bring up my total for 2 day free shipping and was surprised how this $6 mic worked so well with my phone. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JGFDF74/

Welcome. Here's an economy mic by the same folks that's currently available: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Recording-Microphone-Compatible-Podcasting/dp/B01M25X7FV/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Earamble&qid=1549667533&s=Musical%2BInstruments&sr=1-4&th=1

• Shure SM57
  
• Audio-Technica PRO 35
  
• Blue Snowball
  
• Audio-Technica AT2020 (XLR) - Audio-Technica AT2020 (USB)
  
• Knox Clip-On Gooseneck
  
  ​
  
  I can not guarantee all those are good for brass instruments, but I have seen all them used for instrumentals.

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