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Background & cover photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

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If you’re recording audio or video with an Apple device, this mic can seriously improve the sound quality of your recordings. Multi-directional. Great for vox pop recordings.

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Why It's Better

Wins the popularity contest.

The MV88 is so packed with features that even those new to mobile recording are considering all the possibilities. What will you do?

The audio you've wanted.

Especially for mobile devices, sound has always taken a back seat to video. That just changed. Almost a century of audio excellence informs this plug-in mic that's everything you'd expect from Shure.

Always the right direction.

Tilt, rotate or flip the MV88 up to 90° to get stereo clarity with amazing flexibility. Use the DSP preset modes to get going quickly, so you never miss a beat.

No excuses.

You'll never miss with the real recording capability of the MV88. Small enough for your pocket and durable enough to take just about anything you can dish out. Anywhere, every time.

Easy, friendly control.

The ShurePlus MOTIV Audio and Video apps give you the ability to record studio-quality audio-and so much more. Trim and share in multiple formats with a few quick taps.

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MV88 - Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone

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Mounted via Lightning, your iOS device now sports the mic with best-in-class stereo audio. The MV88 records video with crystal clear sound, gets that interview with clarity, and captures the performance of a lifetime. This multi-directional masterpiece tilts, rotates, and is made to withstand demanding conditions. Like music festivals and influencer meetups.

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This inexpensive lavaliere set is great for recording interviews with mobile devices. Not top of the line, but it gets the job done.

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This explanation of polar patterns is easy to understand and includes excellent diagrams. Regardless of the sales pitch for Shure mics, this resource is worth taking a look at.

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The polar pattern of a microphone is the sensitivity to sound relative to the direction or angle from which the sound arrives, or easier worded how well the microphone "hears" sound from different directions. The most common types of directionality are: Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Supercardioid

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The polar pattern of a microphone is the sensitivity to sound relative to the direction or angle from which the sound arrives, or easier worded how well the microphone "hears" sound from different directions. The most common types of directionality are: Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Supercardioid

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Sweetwater does a great job breaking down the differences between various types of mics and polar patterns. If you're looking to purchase a mic, this is a great place to start.

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How to choose a studio microphone

Professional recording engineers know that creative microphone selection is an essential ingredient in every great recording. If you're new to recording, however, the subject of microphones is probably shrouded in mystery. With a bit of studio experience under your belt, you learn that certain mics work well for recording particular instruments, but without an understanding of acoustic theory, you likely won't understand why. Do you reach for a dynamic or a condenser mic? Tube or solid-state? With so many mics to choose from, it can seem overwhelming, so a basic understanding of microphone types and their uses will serve you well. A bad mic choice usually comes back to haunt you - sticking out like a sore thumb in the mix - but not to fear! Sweetwater's Studio Microphone Buying Guide unravels the mysteries of the microphone, putting you on the path to awesome-sounding recordings. And as always, Sweetwater's mic experts can help you choose. Call (800) 222-4700!

Types of microphones

Dynamic Microphones

In a dynamic microphone, the audio signal is generated by the motion of a conductor within a magnetic field. In most dynamic mics, a very thin, lightweight diaphragm moves in response to sound pressure. The diaphragm's motion causes a voice coil suspended in a magnetic field to move, generating a small electric current. Dynamic mics are less sensitive (to sound pressure levels and high frequencies) than condenser mics, and generally can take more punishment. They also tend to be less expensive. Dynamics are perfect for drums and electric guitars. The most popular snare mic of all time is the Shure SM57 (also great on guitar amps). Many engineers swear by the Sennheiser MD421 on toms. The purpose-built AKG D112 is an excellent choice for bass drum.
Click here to browse dynamic mics
Condenser Microphones

When it's absolute fidelity to the source you're after, reach for a condenser microphone. Condensers are more responsive to the "speed" and nuances of sound waves than dynamic mics. This simple mechanical system consists of a thin stretched conductive diaphragm placed close to a metal disk (backplate). This arrangement creates a capacitor which is given its electric charge by an external voltage source - a battery or dedicated power supply, or phantom power supplied by your mixer. The diaphragm vibrates slightly in response to sound pressure, causing the capacitance to vary and producing a voltage variation - the signal output of the microphone. Condenser mics come in both solid-state and tube variations and a wide variety of shapes and sizes - but they all function according to these principles.
Click here to browse studio condenser mics
Ribbon Microphones

Used extensively in the golden age of radio, ribbon mics were the first commercially successful directional microphones. Today, ribbon mics are enjoying a comeback, thanks to the efforts of a handful of companies such as Royer. Ribbon mics respond to the velocity of air molecules moving a small element suspended in a strong magnetic field, rather than sound pressure level (SPL), which is what "excites" most other microphone types. In studio applications this functional difference isn't important, although it can be critical during an exterior location recording on a windy day! Vintage ribbons such as the RCA 44 and 77DX were notoriously delicate; today's ribbon mics - such as the Royer R121 and R122 - are designed to handle the rigors of daily studio use.
Click here to browse ribbon mics
USB Microphones

A recent development in microphone technology, the USB mic contains all the elements of a traditional microphone: capsule, diaphragm, etc. Where it differs from other microphones is its inclusion of two additional circuits: an onboard preamp and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The preamp makes it unnecessary for the USB mic to be connected to a mixer or external mic preamp. The A/D converter changes the mic's output from analog (voltage) to digital (data), so it can be plugged directly into a computer and read by recording software. That makes mobile digital recording as easy as plugging in the mic, launching your DAW software, and hitting record!
Click here to browse USB mics
How to Read a Microphone Frequency Response Chart

A microphone's frequency response chart can tell you a lot about which situations are appropriate for a given microphone and which situations are not. In theory, frequency response charts are generated at the factory by testing the microphones in an anechoic chamber. An anechoic chamber is a specially constructed room just for audio testing. The idea here is to create a controlled atmosphere where each microphone can be tested equally, so the room is completely dead, without any form of sound reflection. Generally, a speaker is set up in front of the microphone that is being tested and pink noise is played (pink noise is all frequencies with equal energy in every octave). The microphone is routed into a spectrum analyzer that measures the output and a frequency response chart is produced. The chart is usually over the 20Hz to 20kHz range, which is the range of human hearing.

So, how do you read it? The horizontal numbers in a microphone frequency response chart represent frequencies (again, usually over the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range) and the vertical numbers represents relative responses in dB (Decibels). As you look at a frequency response chart, you can tell how a given microphone performs at certain frequencies. How is this information helpful? Well, let's look at the famous Shure SM57's frequency response chart:

The frequency response of the SM57 makes it especially good for certain instruments such as a snare drum because the fundamental frequency of the snare resides in the 150Hz to 250Hz range - right where the SM57 frequency response chart shows that the SM57 response is flat, or neutral. In other words, at this frequency, what you hear going into the microphone is what you will tend to hear coming out - nothing more, nothing less. The presence bump to the right of the chart is just where the frequency of the "snap" of the snare resides. In addition, its rolled off low end makes it great for de-accentuating the kick drum which is often very close in proximity. This combination is what most engineers are looking for in a great snare drum mic - the ability to capture the true sound of the snare, accentuate its snap and reject other instruments in close proximity.

Understanding microphone polar patterns

Cardioid

Mics with a Cardioid polar pattern "hear" best what happens in front of them while rejecting sound from the sides and rear. The graphic representation of the pattern resembles a heart (thus, "cardioid" shape. The ability to reject sound from the rear makes Cardioid patterns useful in multi-miking situations, and where it's not desirable to capture a large amount of room ambience. Popular in both studio and live use (where rear rejection cuts down on feedback and ambient noise), Cardioid mics are used for a very high percentage of microphone applications. Keep in mind that like all non-omnidirectional mics, Cardioid mics will exhibit proximity effect (increased bass response when the mic is very close to the sound source).
Click here to browse Cardioid mics
Supercardioid and Hypercardioid

A Supercardioid polar pattern is more directional than Cardioid; Hypercardioid even more so. Unlike Cardioid, both of these polar patterns have sensitive rear lobes (smaller in the Supercardioid) that pick up sound, which can make positioning these highly-directional mics somewhat tricky.
Click here to browse Supercardioid mics
Click here to browse Hypercardioid mics
Omnidirectional
Click here to browse Omnidirectional mics
Omnidirectional microphones detect sound equally from all directions. The graphic representation of the pattern is a circle. An omni microphone will not exhibit a pronounced proximity effect. All mics are born omnidirectional. Additional engineering is then applied to create directional polar patterns. Omnis are great for capturing room sound along with whatever you're recording.

Figure-8
Click here to browse Figure-8 mics
A Figure-8 polar pattern is one in which the mic is equally sensitive to sounds picked up from front and back, but rejects sounds coming from the sides. This produces a pattern that looks like a "figure-8", where the mic capsule is at the point of crossover on the 8. This pattern is also known as bi-directional.

Multiple Pattern
Click here to browse mics with multiple patterns
Many professional condenser mics have switchable polar patterns. Omnidirectional, Cardioid, and Figure-8 patterns are typically included. An extreme example is AKG's C12VR - which sports the aforementioned patterns, plus six intermediate settings, for a total of nine polar patterns!

Understanding microphone diaphragm sizes

Why Size Matters

Condenser and dynamic mics are classified according to the size of their capsule, Traditionally this has resulted in two classes: large diaphragm and small diaphragm; each has its place in a well-equipped studio. The medium diaphragm mic - a relatively recent development - can be considered a hybrid, blending characteristics of both large- and small-diaphragm mics.

Large Diaphragm
Click here to browse large diaphragm mics
Large-diaphragm condenser mics such as the venerable Neumann U87 are a studio staple. From vocals to strings to brass to percussion, you can use large-diaphragm condenser mics to record just about anything. The multiple pickup patterns and pads found on many large-diaphragm condensers make these the most versatile mics in your studio. There are also large-diaphragm dynamic mics that are well suited to capturing loud sources with robust bass energy (such as kick drum or toms). The esteemed Sennheiser MD421 falls into this category.

Medium Diaphragm
Click here to browse medium diaphragm mics
The definition of medium diaphragm is a potentially controversial subject. Historically there have been large-diaphragm and small-diaphragm mics, but more recently the medium size has begun carving out its own category, though not everyone agrees on the precise upper and lower limits. Most professionals and manufacturers agree that any microphone with a diaphragm of roughly 5/8″ to 3/4″ in diameter can be characterized as medium diaphragm. Generally speaking, medium-diaphragm microphones tend to do a good job of accurately catching transients and high frequency content (as a small diaphragm would) while delivering a slightly fuller, round and potentially warmer sound (as a large diaphragm might).

Small Diaphragm
Click here to browse small diaphragm mics
Often perceived by the newbie recordist as living in the shadow of its large diaphragm counterpart, small-diaphragm condenser mics actually shine in applications that leave their bigger cousins struggling to keep up. Their characteristic ultra-responsiveness is precisely due to their smaller, lighter-mass diaphragms. The hands-down choice for acoustic guitar, hi-hat, harp - or any instrument with sharp transients and extended overtones, many recording engineers actually favor small diaphragm mics as drum overheads. A bonus with these bantamweights (often referred to as pencil mics, due to their typically thin cylindrical shape) is that they are easy to position.

Typical microphone applications

Drums

For starters, you'll normally want to stick with cardioid dynamic mics on the drums, a cardioid small diaphragm condenser on the hi-hat, and a matched pair of either large- or small-diaphragm condensers for the overheads. Note that condenser mics can certainly be used on the snare and toms (and for the more adventurous, even kick). It's a case of, once you know the rules, feel free to break 'em. After all, you're an artist, painting with sound...

Drum mic placement requires a lot of experimentation: ask the drummer to play, listen; move a mic a few inches, listen again. Better yet, stay in the control room and have your assistant (if you're fortunate enough to have one) move the mics while you listen. With some experience, the process becomes streamlined: you'll know which mics you like, and where you're going to place them. But that's just a starting point; even professional recording engineers will change mics and positioning on an inspired whim.

Electric Guitar

No need to over-think this one. If you can spare just one mic, use a dynamic (the iconic Shure SM57, for example), positioned close on the speaker cabinet. If you have a large-diaphragm condenser, try placing it a few feet back (if the source is loud, engage the pad, if the mic has one). You can mix these mics together at the console, or record them to separate tracks, if tracks are not at a premium. If you're overdubbing the guitar (or you can place the guitar cab in another room during tracking), you don't have to be concerned with (drum) leakage. Assuming the cab's in a decent-sounding room, experiment by backing up your condenser mic to soak up more room sound. If the mic has multiple polar patterns, try switching it to omnidirectional. You can, of course, use more than two mics - just watch your phase relationships.

Acoustic Guitar

A small-diaphragm cardioid condenser is preferable here. As a starting point, aim it down, looking at the 12th fret, from about 6-8 inches away. Large diaphragm condensers can also work nicely on acoustic guitars, as well as ribbon mics. Have fun experimenting with different mics and placements to find what works best for you.

Vocals

When it comes time to overdub vocals, you'll want a large diaphragm condenser mic. For a lead vocal, you should match the mic to the vocalist - who may also have a personal mic preference. The best way to approach this is to set up three or four likely mics, and have the singer sing the same (critical) section of the song into each of them. Record each of these passes to individual tracks, then invite the singer into the control room for playback to decide which mic best matches his or her voice (and the song).

Acoustic Piano

Usually recorded in stereo. Use two large-diaphragm condenser mics, or a large diaphragm for the low strings, and a small diaphragm for the highs. Piano mic placement is highly variable, so a certain amount of experimentation is in order. There are also piano mic kits that take the guesswork out of mic choice and placement.

Strings

Violins, violas, cellos, double bass. Just about any high-quality condenser will do. Or, if you're fortunate enough to have a ribbon mic, this may well be what you prefer.

Brass and Reeds

Ribbon mics are incredibly flattering on brass instruments. And for reeds and double reeds, ribbons will capture the tone and pick up less of the mechanical sound of the keys. Large or small diaphragm condensers work well too.

We hope you've found this Studio Microphone Buying Guide helpful. And if you have questions, remember that your knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineer is just a phone call away:
(800) 222-4700. Now go record something cool!

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Professional recording engineers know that creative microphone selection is an essential ingredient in every great recording. If you're new to recording, however, the subject of microphones is probably shrouded in mystery. With a bit of studio experience under your belt, you learn that certain mics work well for recording particular instruments, but without an understanding of acoustic theory, you likely won't understand why.

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ANNIVERSARY EDITION

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF YETI USB MICROPHONE

Since 2009, millions of musicians, podcasters, YouTubers and game streamers worldwide have used Yeti to raise their voices, share their stories and create amazing content. Ten years later, thanks to the support of the creative community, Yeti has become the world's #1 USB microphone. We dedicate this limited edition 10-Year Anniversary Yeti to them in celebration of this revolution in creation and streaming. Here's to the next 10 years!
BUY AT BESTBUY.COM

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Since 2009, millions of musicians, podcasters, YouTubers and game streamers worldwide have used Yeti to raise their voices, share their stories and create amazing content. Ten years later, thanks to the support of the creative community, Yeti has become the world's #1 USB microphone.

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This fall, Synth was shut down

Thank you for believing in the power of audio, from podcasting in the classroom to building relationships asynchronously.

We've turned our attention to Focusable, a new tool for students, teachers, and those seeking to improve their ability to focus.

If you need help getting access to your content please reach out at support@gosynth.com

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This fall, Synth was shut down Thank you for believing in the power of audio, from podcasting in the classroom to building relationships asynchronously. We've turned our attention to Focusable, a new tool for students, teachers, and those seeking to improve their ability to focus.

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Transistor doesn't offer a free plan (free trial available) but has a fairly rich set of tools if you are looking to take your podcast to the next level.

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Free plan limits you to 2 hours of new content/month. Episodes are deleted after 90 days. Only paid plans allow you to remove ads from your public page.

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Trusted by over 100,000 podcasters

Buzzsprout is the easiest way to get your podcast online and distributed to your listeners.

Join over 100,000 active podcasters who trust Buzzsprout with their podcasts.

Get Started

Tools to make your podcast look and sound amazing

Sound amazing with
Magic Mastering

It's like an Instagram filter for your audio.

Magic Mastering uses advanced technology to automatically sweeten audio files and then optimize them to match industry best practices for spoken word or music-heavy productions.

Buzzsprout is certified by The Podcast Standards Project

Buzzsprout is proud to be certified by The Podcast Standards Project, a grassroots industry coalition dedicated to creating standards and practices that improve the open podcasting ecosystem for both listeners and creators.

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Buzzsprout: Podcast Hosting, Promotion & Analytics

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Buzzsprout is the easiest way to start a podcast. It gets your podcast online and into Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Then you can track your show with the most advanced podcast statistics.

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Basic plan (free) limits you 5 hours of content and 100GB of bandwidth/mo. Unlimited audio starts at $9/mo.

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Free Podcast hosting and Monetizing Platform | Podbean

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Podbean podcast hosting and monetizing platform helps you start a podcast. All the tools you need to create, promote and monetize your podcast.

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Joins an unlimited number of tracks, but does not allow editing within the app. Supports crossfade. and most audio formats. Files are deleted from their server a few hours after you stop working with them.

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Merge songs online, combine mp3 - Audio Joiner

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The app can combine multiple songs online without having to install anything on your computer.

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Browser-based single-track audio editor. Waveform zooming allows you to cut audio tracks precisely. Fade in/out. Files are deleted from their server a few hours after you stop working with them. Open files from your hard drive, Google Drive or URL. Supports most audio & video formats. If you open a video file, audio will be extracted.

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Audio Cutter Audio Cutter Pro Audio Converter Audio Joiner Video Converter Video Cutter Voice Recorder Video Recorder Archive Extractor PDF Tools

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Must be 13 Terms of Service

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Get to know Spotify for Podcasters, the free, all-in-one podcast platform for every creator.

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Must be 13 Terms of Service

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POWERFUL PODCAST STATS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Understand how your podcast audience is growing and how they engage with your show using our detailed geographic stats and analytics on podcast plays, downloads, devices, apps, directories, and so much more.

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Create a Podcast >> Start Podcasting | Hosting by Podomatic

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Publishing Podcasts for Free since 2005. Record, Publish, Distribute, and Monetize Your Podcast on Desktop or Any Mobile Device. Share Your Voice with the World.

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Vocaroo is a quick and easy way to share voice messages over the interwebs.

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Twisted Wave Reference Manual

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TwistedWave is a browser-based audio editor. You only need a web browser to access it, and you can use it to record or edit any audio file.

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Online multi-track audio editor. Add the app to Chrome or access via their website.
Documentation

Podcasting with Beautiful Audio Editor (Video)

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The in-browser, multi-track audio editor for Desktop and mobile. Make podcasts, mixes, and more.

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Garage Band for iOS
Beginners Tutorial (YouTube)

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GarageBand for Mac has everything you need to learn, play, record, mix, and share incredible music, even if you’ve never played a note.

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Zamzar - video converter, audio converter, image converter, eBook converter

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Free online video converter, audio converter, image converter, eBook converter. No download or account required.

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Audacity Manual/Tutorials
Mike Russel's Youtube Playlist of Audacity Tutorials
Complete Audacity Tutorial (Pat Flynn–YouTube)

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Audacity ® | Free Audio editor, recorder, music making and more!

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Audacity is the world’s most popular audio editing and recording app. Edit, mix, and enhance your audio tracks with the power of Audacity. Download now!

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Requires you to download their launcher application before recording.

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Please download the desktop version to enjoy more features.

Sorry, the current Mac version doesn't support recording system sound online, please download desktop version instead. Thank you for your understanding.

Your browser doesn't support recording system audio. Please try another browser (such as Chrome), or download the desktop version.

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Apowersoft Free Online Audio Recorder - One-click to record audio

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Please download the desktop version to enjoy more features. Sorry, the current Mac version doesn't support recording system sound online, please download desktop version instead. Thank you for your understanding. Your browser doesn't support recording system audio. Please try another browser (such as Chrome), or download the desktop version.

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If you are recording on a Chromebook, when you Save your file, you must also click the link to Show in Folder and drag the recording to your own Drive, otherwise it will be lost.

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Online Voice Recorder - Record Voice from the Microphone

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Please allow access to your microphone to continue…