Basic Entry-Level Microphone for First Timer (Budget < $70)

Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 12:17
Last edited 23/11/2020 - 13:16 by 1 other user

Hello friends - looking for a basic first mic to record simple voice audio (not for gaming). Not fussed about background noise at this point, and looking to upgrade later on anyway.

I'm currently looking at this but don't understand all the jargon.

There also seems to be cheaper ranges on Amazon like this one which is a ~$35 difference, but I'm assuming without the arm, the mic is pointless? Unless you can buy mic stand attachment/tripod?

Would OzB be able to decipher what all the terminology means, and recommend a cheap mic?

Would like a peripheral, separate from phone/computer mic as I'll be multitasking whilst speaking. Preferably stand alone, rather than headset/earphones or attachable to clothing.

Not brand specific as long as the output quality & reviews are half decent.

Also don't have any attachments like amps, so ideally a simple plug n play into eg. USB/USB-C or speaker-to-3.5mm jacks.

Happy to download software required to convert/edit files (was thinking of using something like Audacity but also open to recommendations).

Thanks a million OzB friends!

Electrical & Electronics Microphone

Comments

  • xuqi on 22/11/2020 - 12:51

    Nvm, shipping kills it….

  • danielarenaa on 22/11/2020 - 14:04
    +1

    BM 700 (the NW 700 you linked is just a rebrand of this oem mic), BM 800 and BM 8000 are all pretty much the same and sound pretty good (check comparisons on YouTube) you can find a BM800 microphone and boom arm kit for $25 delivered on eBay.

    • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:12

      Thanks @danielarenaa gonna check the YT comparisons out!

      The BM range seems to be the same? I can't tell the difference HAHA

  • brendanm on 22/11/2020 - 14:24
    +1

    Just keep in mind you will most likely need a pre-amp/phantom power for any condenser mic like that.

    • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:13

      Are you able to suggest the simplest, cost effective set up? Not looking to buy AMPs, and didn't even know what condenser mic meant lol

      • brendanm on 22/11/2020 - 16:19
        +1

        The neewer mic you listed. Something like a Behringer um2 to plug it into.

        • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:25

          Hmmm I'm not an IT-type guy. Any other ways to avoid the pre-amp? Or suggestions of a very basic/cheap one? haha

          • brendanm on 22/11/2020 - 16:50

            @Brodo Faggins: Neither am I really, but you have to learn things sometimes. The one I listed is a very basic/cheap one, it connects to your computer by USB and is exceptionally easy to set up, I have one myself.

            • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 17:06

              @brendanm: So just found one with a 48V phantom power & USB.

              What are your thoughts on this one? Seems very cost-effective given the extras lol

              Smells like a case of too good to be true - anything specific that it's missing?

              • brendanm on 22/11/2020 - 18:23

                @Brodo Faggins: Pretty sure that the USB is only for providing power, and it will only provide power, it doesn't seem to be a pre amp.

  • pjetson on 22/11/2020 - 14:35
    +2

    You said that you just want to record simple voice, but what is the simple voice for? You can buy a USB microphone on a stand for about $12 in Kmart. Or, you could spend hundreds on a professional microphone and pre-amplifier. What is your usage case?

    • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:21

      Initially, I'd be using to record and listen to my own speaking - hear my speech/tonality/pronunciation/pitch/pace.

      Later down the track, I'd want to be doing podcasts and dubbing videos, where quality would need to be increased, and background noise to a minimum.

      With that said, would you know the quality of the Kmart ones? I'd need to hear clear output, as I will be slowing down voice recordings for self-improvement.

  • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 15:17
    +1

    You get a lot of stuff for your money with Neewer. I'd go for a branded label mic like Rode, but you can get this whole big rig you linked to from Neewer for half that. Amazon lets you return stuff so if you don't mind going to the post office anyway, why not give it a shot.

    • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:22

      Yeah I love Amazon, tried the Prime trial and considering signing up for full membership haha!

      Thanks for your input! Is Rode a basic entry level brand? Any other brand you'd recommend?

      • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 16:34
        +1

        Rode is probably a basic entry level brand, it’s not especially cheap though. They are Australian so probably that’s why people rate them. But I’ve only ever had one Neewer product I wasn’t happy with, a cheap Bowen’s adapter.

        • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:41

          Amazing cheers for your info - I'll dig around into Rode and see if it's worth the investment, as I'm planning to upgrade later on anyway.

          Any other entry level brands that you know of? Or Amazon-type rebrands?

          • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 17:13

            @Brodo Faggins: I don't really know anything about mics. I've been making silent videos up until now. I just know I didn't want it to sound bad so i figured the $80 Rode lapel mic must be a minimum standard or something. I do record it to smartphone like others here suggest, sounds fine. Wouldn't surprise me if it were no better than $10 Chinese mics though. But for only $80 it didn't bear overthinking.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/11/2020 - 16:34
    +1

    Any smartphone has inbuilt apps which allow you to record voice, high enough for your uses.

    But if you must go all out, its good enough for train stations…
    https://www.jaycar.com.au/pc-desktop-microphone/p/AM4089

    • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 16:44

      I've thought of this, but depending on where I'm at and what I'm reading/speaking, might not be the best as I have to multitask whilst speaking, and it might pick up loud phone handling noises which defeats the purpose.

      Thanks for your suggestion with JayCar too!

  • CrispyChrispy on 24/11/2020 - 11:09
    +1

    A used Blue Snowball or Blue Snowball Ice are really cheap and they sound good as well. Maybe give them a look on eBay or Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.

    • Brodo Faggins on 25/11/2020 - 01:17

      Awesome thanks for your input!

      What has your experience been with them?

  • dexx on 29/11/2020 - 19:25

    Which affordable mikes (or their software) help blockout non-voice noise such as keyboard clicking?

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