The Best Microphones of 2024: Affordable Recording
Some of the year's most exciting mic releases.
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In this roundup, we’re looking at some of the best microphones released in 2024 for streaming, content creation, and home recording.
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When it comes to microphones, one would think that manufacturers would eventually run out of ways to improve on their designs. Well, this simply isn’t true, because although the microphone technology that enables audio recording may be old, there are many other features we can use to make recording easier and more fun.
The Best Microphones of 2024
As time goes on, microphones are becoming more compact and versatile, with a range of digital features and sonic characteristics that need less and less work in post-production.
The Best Microphones of 2024: Shure SM4
Designed for home recording and content creation, the Shure SM4 is a dual-diaphragm condenser microphone that will help you capture vocals and other instruments quickly and easily, without needing to spend hours editing after recording.
The SM4 is a cardioid mic with a 1-inch brass dual-diaphragm capsule that delivers a modern, clean sound. In addition, it’s equipped with an internal pop shield to reduce plosives and sibilance when you get closer to the mic.
Overall, the SM4 is built to compensate for untreated spaces, with Interference Shielding from RF noise. Whether you’re doing YouTube content or recording your next EP, the SM4 is bound to become an indispensable tool in your home studio.
- More from Shure
The Best Microphones of 2024: Lewitt RAY
Based on the design of the popular LCT 440 PURE, the RAY is an innovative condenser microphone designed for modern content creation, streaming, and recording workflows.
The exciting part about the RAY mic is its unique AURA sensor that automatically gauges your distance from the diaphragm and can mute or reduce the gain accordingly, depending on how you set it up.
This functionality is extremely useful for lengthy podcasts or streams because you won’t need to edit the entire recording to create silence between the passages of speech. What’s more, you can also use the AURA sensor effectively in vocal recording.
- More from Lewitt
The Best Microphones of 2024: Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt
The MD 421 Kompakt is a smaller and more affordable version of the renowned MD 421 microphone from Sennheiser. Although it was originally designed for broadcast applications, there are few mics that are as versatile as the 421.
With its extremely rugged construction and high-SPL handling, the MD 421 Kompakt can achieve great results on roaring guitar amps and also on drums. Like its larger brother, this Kompakt version can capture snare drums and toms with amazing detail.
What’s more, as it’s nearly half the size of the original 421 you can easily add them onto the drum kit without cramping the drummer’s playing style. Overall, it’s a great choice for home recording and pro studios.
- More from Sennheiser
The Best Microphones of 2024: Shure MV7+
This year, we saw Shure upgrade the popular content creator mic with the MV7+. With its USB-C connectivity and cardioid pickup pattern, the MV7+ provides 24-bit 48 kHz recording capabilities and compatibility with a range of desktop and mobile devices.
When combined with the ShurePlus MOTIV desktop app, you get quick access to a wide range of digital features such as automatic gain, denoiser, compression, reverb, and creating your own user profiles.
In addition, the Digital Popper Stopper function reduces harsh plosives and there is a range of DSP profiles and EQ presets that allow you to get a crisp, clear sound quickly on your stream or podcast.
- More from Shure
The Best Microphones of 2024: sE Electronics sE4100
Announced at NAMM 2024, the sE4100 is a cardioid-only version of the renowned sE4400 large-diaphragm condenser mic. Constructed with a 1-inch gold-sputtered capsule, the sE4100 is ideal for vocal recording applications.
However, you can also get great results on acoustic guitars, and amp cabinets. For dealing with high-SPL sources like amps, the pad switch (-10 / -20 dB) is useful, so you can ensure you optimize your gain on the way in.
In addition, the low-cut switch (80 / 160 Hz) removes any unwanted rumble from your recordings. With its detailed sonic quality, the sE4100 is an excellent alternative to the famous AKG C414, providing great value for the price.
- More from sE Electronics
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