The ideal mic for an untreated room is a condenser microphone.
This type of mic is more sensitive to sound than a dynamic or ribbon mic, and it records directly on the diaphragm.
This means that it will pick up all vibrations and frequencies in the room, not just those that pass through the air as other mics do.
It’s especially useful for studio recording because it can pick up sound from a wider range of frequencies than other types of microphones.
An advantage to this type is that it has an M/S switch, which means that you’ll be able to capture stereo signals if you’re recording with two mics at once.
The downside of this, however, is a greater susceptibility to feedback and noise from nearby electronic devices or even people talking nearby.
So what’s the best microphone for an untreated room?
If you are just starting out and recording vocals on a budget then the AKG C1000-B Professional Dynamic Studio Microphone might be a good place to start.
The C1000-B is a “must-have” in every studio because it has a very solid sound quality, very low noise floor and most of all it’s pretty affordable.
This microphone has been used by artists such as Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, The Game, Bee Gees, McFly, and even the BBC.
AKG is one of the more popular microphone brands that professional studios use and for a good reason – they’re affordable and reliable.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Microphone for an Un-treated Room?
Size of Mic
The size of the mic is usually the first thing that comes into consideration when buying a mic for your untreated room.
The size and type of the room will determine what size you are going to buy, as some rooms are wider than others.
If you want to avoid background noise, it is important that you get a mic that can cover all areas in the room so whether your sound is coming from one end or from another, it will be picked up by the mic.
Audio Quality
The audio quality of your recording is important when buying a microphone for an untreated space because regardless of how cheap it may seem or how expensive it may seem if there are noticeable cracking and popping noises in your recording then what’s the point? It’s not worth it.
As I said above, because of the nature of untreated rooms, you may have to sacrifice a bit on audio quality because there is no way to avoid noises that tend to set in when using untreated rooms.
There are good and cheap mics that have been tested and proven for recording sound in untreated spaces so you can find these on the market.
Room Echo & Reverb
As I mentioned earlier, you are definitely going to get some kind of echo in your sound if you’re recording with a room microphone.
The echo can ruin your audio so we want to avoid it as much as possible.
If you have ever listened to music recorded well in an untreated space (not the music that is already reverberating) then you would clearly notice the way that there is something added to the sound that makes it better.
This is called reverb. Reverb is basically echoing and we want to get rid of it if possible.
This can be done through the use of a room microphone and the best thing about it is that it won’t impact the sound quality that you get from your untreated room.
Price
If you don’t want to spend hundreds on new mics for untreated rooms, then there are plenty that you can find online or in stores.
You may even be able to find some second-hand ones.
These mics may not be as good as the expensive ones but they will get the job done if that’s what you’re going for.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Related Guides :
Best Wireless Microphones for Zoom Calls
__________________________________________________________________________________
10 Best Microphones for Untreated Room
No products found.
1 – Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
No products found.
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is an analog XLR microphone that is plug and play compatible with computers. It features a USB output that allows for audio to be digitally recorded and edited.
This mic has been optimized for live recording vocals. The build quality is on the better side of comparable models out there in its class, but it does not have the most rugged durability when compared to other, more expensive models. The sound quality is excellent with low-noise levels. It does a pretty good job at rejecting ambient noise as well so it can be a good choice for those who do not have the most quiet environment where they could record vocals in peace and quiet.
If you are looking for an affordable, high-quality microphone that will be perfect for many uses, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ should be at the top of your list. It’s very durable, easy to use and also has a plug n play design making it very portable.
2 – Shure SM7B
No products found.
The microphone is heavy and can be quite unwieldy. It weighs a little over two pounds, which is not that lightweight for some people to handle.
For those who want the quality without the have to upgrade their gear, or for those who are looking for a backup SM7B, it doesn’t make sense to buy a new one when you could just purchase this one second-hand and save some money.
The sound is rich and clear, with an added sense of depth that many models lack. The mic has good build quality and durability — it will last you a lifetime if you don’t abuse it (it does stand up well against abusive handling). When used in untreated rooms, noise rejection can be adequate but not optimal.
3 – Shure SM58 (Unmodified)
No products found.
The SM58 is a cardioid pop filter microphone that can be used in many situations. It is a versatile all-purpose mic with good tonal quality and it’s also rugged and durable, which makes it a great buy.
4 – Rode NT1-A
No products found.
The NT1-A is a small diaphragm condenser microphone that can be used both in the studio and on stage. It features a low self-noise level, with its most attractive feature being its wide frequency range.
The Rode NT1-A is a dynamic microphone with cardioid polar patterns, a three-position filter switch, a phantom power supply, and an XLR cable. The frequency response is 50Hz to 18kHz (-10dB). This mic comes ready for wireless recording with a wireless transmit unit that connects to an iPad or iOS device via the iOS dock connector. It features a no-scratch pad and is clear of handling noise.
This microphone is built for recording guitar & vocals and instruments in a home studio.
The NT1-A has a frequency response of 50Hz – 20kHz(±3dB). The tone of the mic is very clear and upfront, but doesn’t sound harsh or boomy.
While the NT1-A isn’t as quiet as some other microphones, it does feature a no-scratch pad and is very resilient to handling noise.
At first glance, this looks like an average all-purpose mic at a better price point than some other models are priced at on the market today — but considering that it doesn’t come with any accessories, there are better options for those who really want this specific use case (like someone who plans to use this mic on stage and needs a shock mount
5 – Electro-Voice RE320
No products found.
The Electro-Voice RE320 is a vocal microphone with a rugged design. It features a laser-trimmed edge and has been designed for live sound applications. It has excellent feedback rejection, thanks to the frequency gooseneck equipped with the mic. It’s an expensive piece of gear, but considering how durable it is and how well it performs, you might be willing to make that investment for your business if you have some spare cash sitting around.
6 – AKG Pro Audio P220
No products found.
The P220 is a cardioid microphone that was designed for use in untreated rooms. This means that it will provide you with good noise rejection capabilities, even if your environment is not very quiet. The sound quality of this mic is excellent and it’s also really durable — you’ll be able to get a lot of use out of this without having to worry about damaging it.
In addition. the AKG Pro P220 has a high-quality construction and comes with a unique shock mount. It’s not the most affordable mic out there on the market but you do get what you pay for — this is a high-quality microphone that’s designed to last and will give you a lot of good use.
7 – Blue Microphones Yeti Pro
No products found.
The Yeti Pro is an all-purpose microphone that can be used in many different modes. It also has excellent sound quality and build quality, and it’s great for those who want to record either indoors or outdoors. If you want a microphone that will be able to record in a variety of situations, this could be the one for you.
The Yeti Pro comes with a neat carrying bag and includes a clip for easy positioning. It also has a sturdy shock mount.
8 – AKG C1000-S
No products found.
If you are just starting out and recording vocals on a budget then the AKG C1000-C Professional Dynamic Studio Microphone might be a good place to start.
The C1000-C is a “must have” in every studio because it has a very solid sound quality, very low noise floor and most of all it’s pretty affordable. This microphone has been used by artists such as Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, The Game, Bee Gees, McFly and even the BBC.
AKG is one of the more popular microphone brands that professional studios use and for a good reason – they’re affordable and reliable.
Most people would agree a good mic is essential if you want to get serious about recording music or podcasting.
9 – AKG C3000B III
No products found.
The AKG C3000B III Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Cardioid and Omnidirectional Patterns and XLR inputs is the perfect microphone for just about anything you need.
This mic is a real workhorse and can be used for everything from voice overs to instruments. It has two different polar patterns, one for recording louder sounds like drums or guitar amps and another for recording softer sounds like pianos or vocals. The best thing about this mic is that it doesn’t pick up on room noise which is great if you’re looking to record a podcast in your home studio without any unwanted noise from traffic outside.
Each microphone has a smooth, flat frequency response and works well in live performance or studio settings.
These microphones are designed specifically for indoor use even though they can be used outside occasionally. In the end, it doesn’t matter what you choose as long as you choose your mic wisely.
FAQs
What is the best microphone to not Pickup background noise?
The best microphone to not pick up background noise is the Rode NT1. The NT1 has a super-sensitive electret microphone, which is designed to not pick up sound from the room.
This is because the NT-1 or NT5U are special electric condenser microphones with extremely low background noise pickup (e.g. a small fan blowing by a stairway).
What type of microphone is the most sensitive?
The best microphone to be the most sensitive is the Cascade. The Cascade picks up every sound in a room and it is not designed for stage use.
What is a good room mic?
The NT1 is a good room mic.
One of the best microphones for recording audio in a room is a condenser microphone. If you are on a budget, you might want to consider an inexpensive model like the Audio Technica AT2020 or the Shure Beta 58A for example to reduce noise coming into your recordings from other sources of sound.
Which microphones are considered to have the best quality?
The best microphones for quality are typically condenser microphones.
The best microphones for tone are electret microphones, which are inexpensive and easy to use.
The best microphones for money are dynamic microphones, which have a voice coil that is attached to a magnetic field.
Each of these types of microphones will sound different depending on the microphone and the way the signal is produced.