The 4 Best Radio Microphones
Today we live an interconnected life therefore many of us need to record voices for different reasons. If you want to set up a small radio studio, record and stream podcasts, or simply record vocals in the best quality possible, you need microphones that meet certain characteristics that radio studios seek. Let's take a look at the best radio microphones you can get at entry level and at affordable prices.
- Comparison Table of the 4 Best Radio Microphones
- 1.- Audio Technica AT2035 Radio Microphones
- Buying Guide For The Audio Technica AT2035 Radio Microphones
- 2.- AKG P420 Microphones
- Buying Guide For AKG P420 Radio Microphones
- 3.- Neumann TLM 103 Microphones
- Buying Guide For The Neumann TLM 103 Radio Microphones
- 4.- MXL 770 Microphones
- Buying Guide for the MXL 770 Radio Microphones
- Important points that I should know before buying radio microphones of any make or model
- Which Radio Microphone Should I Buy?
- Conclusion
- Comparison Table of the 4 Best Radio Microphones
Comparison Table of the 4 Best Radio Microphones
1.- Audio Technica AT2035 Radio Microphones
The Audio-Technica AT2035 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone designed for the studio. There’s no need to buy the world’s most expensive microphone when you can get great quality sound with the Audio Technica AT2035.
Designed for the professional studio and for new musicians, the AT2035 offers low noise and very high sound details.
This is a lateral direction cardioid microphone that can handle high levels of sound pressure without difficulty. It has a 10 dB pad, and its 80 Hz high-pass filter is switchable.
In addition to the high-end specifications, this microphone has a robust design and provides consistent performance. It comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth, a pop filter to eliminate noise and a 3 meter XLR cable.
The cardioid polar pattern also minimizes sound pickup from the back and sides, making it easy to isolate sounds. The XLR cable makes it easy to connect to the interface or mixer, and the fiber cloth lets you clean the microphone without fear of damage.
Buying Guide For The Audio Technica AT2035 Radio Microphones
The AT2035 is a well-designed microphone that offers solid performance. The sound quality is good and its custom switch is well done. The inclusion of a protective bag is also a good feature.
Price-Quality Ratio
This is an excellent microphone and its price is acceptable. The value this microphone adds to your equipment is for sure more than its cost in money. That is why this is our first recommendation.
Highlighting Features
Its great recording sound quality is its best weapon. Undoubtedly this is a great microphone.
Technical Specifications
Where To Buy The Audio Technica AT2035 Radio Microphones?
Available at Amazon.com
- Gran diafragma para un sonido uniforme y natural y bajo ruido
- Capacidad para manejar elevados niveles SPL y amplia gama dinámica que proporciona una versatilidad inigualable
- Amortiguador especial que proporciona el máximo aislamiento
- Filtro pasa alto conmutable sintonizado a 80 Hz y atenuador 10 dB
- Patrón polar cardioide que reduce la captación de sonidos procedentes de los laterales y la parte posterior, mejorando el aislamiento de la fuente sonora deseada
2.- AKG P420 Microphones
If you have a somewhat shorter budget but want to get the highest quality possible with little money, the go to microphone is the AKG P420. A great brand with very good technology applied to this equipment.
AKG is praised as one of the best audio brands on the market. The P420 is relatively inexpensive, but it guarantees excellent performance. What makes this model unique is its ability to switch between various polar patterns. The P420 offers cardioid, omnidirectional, and 8-shaped patterns.
Depending on the occasion, you can easily switch to a suitable preset. Use the omnidirectional pattern to record multiple people at once, or to experiment with various microphone settings and positions. Since it offers a maximum SPL of 155dB, you can count on the P420 to deliver a warm and natural sound.
With enough time spent finding the right position, you can even use multiple P420s for some great ambient sound recordings, if that’s what you’re looking for. Perfect for much more than studio recording, this model will easily replace any microphone you need for other occasions, such as podcast recording or casual PC use. Speaking of PC, you may also be interested in the list of Microphones for PC that we have on our page.
Buying Guide For AKG P420 Radio Microphones
There are very few better microphones than the AKG P420 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone, both in its price range and features.
Price-Quality Ratio
Great value for the price. You won’t get any better at that price.
Highlighting Features
Its alternation between several patterns, together with its sale price makes it a great acquisition.
Technical Specifications
Where To Buy AKG P420 Radio Microphones?
We got the AKG P420 Radio Microphones from Amazon.com
- Ancho de banda de frecuencia 20Hz - 20 000 Hz
- Patrón de captura cardioide
- Relación señal/ruido de 78 dB
- Sensibilidad de 20 mV/PA, consumo de alimentación fantasma de 44 V a 52 V
- Almohadilla conmutable de -20 dB para un SPL de hasta 155 dB y filtro de corte bajo 300 Hz 12dB/octava
3.- Neumann TLM 103 Microphones
Neumann is a leading manufacturer of fine studio and stage microphones. The Neumann TLM 103 microphone is made with a large diaphragm, making it one of the best high quality microphones for almost all advanced and semi-advanced applications.
It features a circuit with no transformer to achieve a low noise level (as low as 7 dB-A) and the highest level of sound pressure. It provides clean, direct sound with powerful bass transmission down to the lowest frequencies, and its pattern is unidirectional – cardioid, providing a highly balanced sound and excellent attenuation of external noise.
This microphone is setting new standards; it is equipped with a very large presence boost, ranging from 6 to 15 kilohertz, which helps vocals cut through the mix. The package includes a microphone, a shock absorber and a briefcase for safe store. The Neumann TLM 103 SET is exactly what you need in a professional microphone at a high price.
Buying Guide For The Neumann TLM 103 Radio Microphones
This microphone is great if your budget allows it and it’s Ideal for studio recordings.
Price-Quality Ratio
Product quality: Excellent but with a higher price. When investments of this magnitude are made, the product must be of great value, and this microphone will be surely a great investment.
Highlighting Features
Its clean, clear, high-quality sound is unbeatable.
Technical Specifications
Where To Buy The Neumann TLM 103 Unidirectional Microphone?
We got the Neumann TLM 103 Radio Microphones from Amazon.com
- Diafragma de gran tamaño.
- Probado.
- Gracias a la utilización de los probados circuitos sin transformador en que se basan los micrófonos Neumann, el TLM 103 presenta muy bajo ruido y el más alto nivel de transmisión SPL.
- La cápsula, que parte de la utilizada en el modelo U87,es de patrón cardioide, está acústicamente bien equilibrada y ofrece una extraordinaria atenuación de señal por la parte trasera.
- Incluye micrófono, maletín de aluminio y un soporte suspensor de goma elástica EA-1.
4.- MXL 770 Microphones
The MXL 770 has a black metal finish with a black grille. Its design, apart from being robust and durable, is attractive to the eye. For this price we think that you cannot demand much, however it is a high quality device. Its multipolar condition makes it very versatile and sought after by radio connoisseurs.
The microphone has an attenuation switch that reduces unwanted noise or low frequency sounds. And the -10 dB switch will come in handy to lower the sensitivity of the condenser microphone when recording loud noises.
It is ideal for live streaming too as you don't need to apply post-processing to remove unwanted background noise. With its changeable patterns, you choose whether you want to record just the lead voice, or you want to record ambience. And having this function at this price is already profit.
In the kit comes, the Microphone, Shock mount, pop filter, 6 meter XLR cable and a cloth.
Buying Guide for the MXL 770 Radio Microphones
The MXL 770 is a small diaphragm multipurpose microphone that is suitable for voice work and for string instruments. It is also one of the best entry-level professional microphones.
Price-quality ratio
This microphone has a great value for its price. MXL fully entered this sector of the market with this microphone.
Highlighting Features
Its great quality, plus all its accessories at this incredible price, is what stands out.
Technical specifications
Where to buy MXL 770 Radio Microphones?
We got these Microphones for Radio MXL 770 at Amazon.com
- Con diafragma pequeño, cálido sonido con una claridad adicional en el extremo superior
- Utiliza un preamplificador FET de alta calidad con salida balanceada para un amplio rango dinámico
- Excelente para las voces, pianos y cuerdas
- Ideal para la grabación de hip-hop y el rock duro
Important points that I should know before buying radio microphones of any make or model
Let's see some things you should know before buying radio microphones.
Types of radio microphones
Let's look at the most important features of the three types of microphones out there today.
Dynamic Microphones
Inside the capsule of a dynamic microphone, there is a coil wound around a magnet. This coil is attached to a diaphragm (a thin, flat membrane). When sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates causing the coil to move back and forth along the magnet. Magnetic induction creates an analog signal and this signal travels through the microphone cable to the preamplifier that raises it to the line level.
If the audio interface or mixer has a USB output, it will convert the analog signal into a digital signal. Its main characteristics:
Condenser Microphones
Condenser microphones have two plates, a lightweight polymer membrane, and a fixed plate. A constant voltage of 48 V is applied to the plates to create an electric field. Positive charges accumulate on the fixed plate and negative charges accumulate on the diaphragm, when sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates, and this changes the balance of the charges or the capacitance. Its main characteristics:
Ribbon Microphones
Previously, ribbon mics had two magnets and a very thin aluminum foil (metal element) suspended in the strong magnetic field. However, this thin ribbon was prone to breaking and bending.
Dynamic and condenser microphones became successful and widely adopted due to these limitations. But advances in nano-material design in the past decade have resulted in newer and stronger ribbon microphones. Its main characteristics:
In the past, a sound engineer would not expose a ribbon microphone to a phantom source. Today's ribbon microphones use phantom power. Still, they need careful handling, and can be quite expensive.
Which Radio Microphone Should I Buy?
The four Radio Microphones that we have review in our guide, are of very good performance and sound quality, each in its respective price range. Of course there are high-end microphones that do not enter this comparison.
They are really expensive and exclusive for professional studios and artists. However, the quality of those named here meets expectations of price and range, even exceeding them in some cases. You can also check out the top 3 studio microphones on this site. These microphones are mid-range and you will see why they are considered the best for studio use.
The Neumann TLM 103 is the best on the list. But it is the most expensive. However, if you compare its quality and great value with its price, it is a very good option. If your budget allows it, do not hesitate to buy it.
The AKG P220 is another great microphone at a low price compared to its value. And this microphone is very versatile, being able to use it in different functions of your studio or radio.
The MXL 770 is the most economical of all. But this does not mean that it is of low quality. Analyzing it well, it is the one that gives the most value to every penny you spend.
Conclusion
We hope we have helped you with all this information about these 4 radio microphones. We have made our evaluation, based on its own characteristics, user opinions and opinions of experts in the radio environment and compared to other models to save you time and do not have to review each of the many options on the market today. We already did the heavy lifting, and we leave you with these great options. It is up to you to adapt your budget to your needs and the characteristics you want. Good luck with your purchase and enjoy it.
Comparison Table of the 4 Best Radio Microphones
Última actualización el 2024-04-20 / Enlaces de afiliados / Imágenes de la API para Afiliados
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