{"id":41734,"date":"2023-02-27T19:04:40","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T18:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hofa-college.de\/?p=41734"},"modified":"2025-01-17T15:34:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T14:34:25","slug":"these-7-budget-mics-belong-in-every-studio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hofa-college.de\/en\/blog\/these-7-budget-mics-belong-in-every-studio\/","title":{"rendered":"These 7 Budget Mics Belong in Every Studio"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Not so long ago, a professional recording studio with millions of dollars worth of equipment was needed to produce even a demo of a song. While many of the expensive analog devices still have fans in professional sound and music circles and are still frequently in use, conveniently, with the advance of computer technology, many technical necessities have gradually become optional. Today, even some Grammy winners produce from the bedroom and signal chains are shorter than ever before. However, a few pieces of equipment are still needed, of course. Besides the obligatory audio interface, the right studio acoustics and monitoring, it is above all the right microphones that no (home) studio should be without!<\/p>

Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank these days to make professional recordings even in your own home environment with the right knowledge and skills. It doesn’t have to be the vintage U47! A few hundred bucks for an audio interface and the right microphone is really enough for a start. The selection is large, but can be confusing and the manufacturers’ advertising all sound more or less the same.<\/p>

In the following, I would like to recommend 7 really good but budget-conscious microphones for various applications that should not be missing in any good (home) studio:<\/p>

Aston Spirit<\/h2>
\"Aston
Regular price: \u20ac320<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Aston Spirit is a fantastic all-rounder! It is a robust large diaphragm condenser with switchable polar pattern and a very natural sound with a slight top boost. The signal-to-noise ratio is a bit lower than you’d expect from many modern condenser microphones, but this is completely unproblematic in 99% of recording situations.<\/p>

Recommended applications: guitars, overheads, kick, room, strings, amps, vocals<\/p>

By the way: The Spirit also has a little brother with a fixed cardioid pattern, the Aston Origin, which is even available for less than \u20ac200.<\/p>

SM7B<\/h2>
\"SHURE
Regular price: \u20ac360<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The SM7B is one of the most popular microphones of our time. It is a moving coil microphone, but relatively close in sound to a condenser. The SM7B is – typical for moving coils – not too sensitive to room acoustics and ambient noise and is delivered with a simple built-in pop screen. This makes it a perfect companion for songwriting sessions or podcast recordings. However, it also does a fantastic job on a guitar amp or snare drum! On the back, the SM7B has two selectable filters that can be used to adjust the frequency response directly at the microphone. Be aware that the output level of the SM7B is relatively low, which can be problematic with some mobile setups and\/or low-priced preamps. For extra gain reserves, you can use a simple inline amplifier such as Cloudlifter or FetHead.<\/p>

Recommended applications: vocals, podcasts, guitars, snare, hi-hat, amps<\/p>

By the way: For more sonic flexibility, especially with instrument recordings, you can grab the SM7B’s integrated foam filter by the plastic ring and take it down to expose the microphone basket for a little more air in the top end.<\/p>

SM57<\/h2>
\"SHURE
Regular price: \u20ac105<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The true classic on snares and guitar amps! But also on guitars or pianos, the SM57 often makes an amazingly good figure. Typical of a moving coil, the SM57 can handle high sound pressures very well. Chances are good that you or someone in your immediate circle already owns one or more SM57s. And since it’s widely considered nearly indestructible, I’m sure no one would mind lending it to you for your next session. If you regularly record pop or rock instruments, you can never have enough SM57s!<\/p>

Recommended uses: guitars, amps, snares, percussion, brass<\/p>

By the way: If you only have an SM58 at hand, but want to record instruments, you can simply unscrew the grille and open up the sound a little.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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