RØDE - NT1 5th Generation

Definitely this. Great mic, and can switch to using it with interface once the piggy bank runs to one

Rode Condenser 5th Gen. Just a heads up Rode will be ghosting you when you present them with issues. Like they’ll reply and then you’ll reply and then ghost. And it happens like that unless you are on their ass.

I got the Nt1 5th gen and i got no problems in my untreated room, but its not that loud where i live but the vocals are really good

The Snowball is a cheap condenser mic. They tend to pick up more transients in my experience and I've measured increased ambient sound with them but they are *crisp* and can record in higher fidelity. Dynamic mics have to be closer usually and seem to have a tighter pickup pattern. They sound slightly more compressed as well. Usually a new person working with a dynamic mic can get away with more than a condenser. MXL makes some decent cheap condenser mics but ifg you want a good one, the Røde NT1 5th gen (XLR and USB) or the Signature Edition (same but XLR only) is a very good starter mic. It will pick up the cat in the litter box downstairs, though. DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am in fact an asshole. !

The Rode NT-1 Fifth Generation is an absolute win. Internal self-noise nine dB better than a $4,000 Neumann U-87, plus a built-in 32 bit floating point A/D and USB 3 interface on a USB-C connector hidden between the pins of the XLR. 32 bit float is a total game changer for VO, especially audiobooks, video games, and animation. It’s not about more “punch“, “kick“, or “air, LOL.  It’s about headroom and never again clipping, without ever having to ride a gain fader (because there isn’t one).  Regardless of the material I’m doing, I can fearlessly, whisper, or scream my brains out, and as long as I don’t physically shock the microphone diaphragm, I can deal with any dynamic range issues later.  As far as additional storage requirements go, memory has become “too cheap to measure“.  You can always export in whatever bit rate and sample size the client wants. It’s like shooting with a 4x5 view camera and distributing super sharp wallet size photos. 😁 Here’s some background: https://www.wired.com/story/32-bit-float-audio-explained/ https://youtu.be/6V52O2ELcz8?si=ZWFT6qpgUd3J4sUr https://www.reddit.com/r/LocationSound/s/OuofccZSRt Zoom UAC-232 set up video https://youtu.be/6iwMcqN6kus George Whittam has a nice piece on it as well: https://georgethe.tech/service-page/training-module-32-bit-float-recording-2024-1713484863459x875899476379435000 PS - That means you don’t need an interface either, and at a retail of about $250 for the mic, that means you’re almost getting it for free.

Rode NT1 - 5th gen if you need to start with USB, signature series if you already have an interface For that budget: AT 2035 (bit of a richer sound than the AT2020, because it has a larger diaphragm), AT 875R if you want a shotgun (good for less-than-ideal spaces) Need more recs? Audio Ninja Recommended VO Gear - [https://www.jordanaudio.ninja/recommended-voiceover-studio-gear](https://www.jordanaudio.ninja/recommended-voiceover-studio-gear) My VO Resource Doc (look for "Step 2: Home Studio") - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HYWjTw1j97KkfYR6\_ORM3VAfkwa7SWw6MGlXq8-sohA/edit?tab=t.0](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HYWjTw1j97KkfYR6_ORM3VAfkwa7SWw6MGlXq8-sohA/edit?tab=t.0)

NT1 by a mile. It is a much better mic with the option to improve its sound over time by using the XLR output instead of usb when you’re ready to upgrade. It’s not even a question.

In this case, using the xlr over the usb output is the “upgrade.” The usb connection is decent but it relies on using a DAC (digital audio converter) that is less powerful than those found in an interface.

I would probably advise you to go with the Samson Q2U. I have 3 mics: Rode NT-1 5th Generation, Fifine K688, and the Samson. I believe the Samson is the best sounding for my setup, or let's say the easiest to deal with in terms of noise and clarity - I record in a room with some basic sound treatment.

NT1 5th gen is a little over your budget, but what I like about it is that you can use it with USB audio on your phone, but you’re still able to use it as an amazing mic later, if you decide get an audio interface.

If you can stretch the budget a little, Rode NT1 5th Gen ($220), Lewitt LCT 440 ($249) SE 2200 ($299) The 200-300 range is the sweet spot for a mic that could last your whole career. If you have to stay under $200, Rode Signature Series ($150), AT857R ($179), a used SE2200 ($185) or a used Sennheiser MK4 (This is a 300-400 mic that regularly goes used for as low as $125!) [https://www.ebay.com/itm/388758631449?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-166974-028196-7&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=388758631449&targetid=2274951440814&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9193741&poi=&campaignid=22608732687&mkgroupid=181016090140&rlsatarget=pla-2274951440814&abcId=10333673&merchantid=5594975691&geoid=9193741&gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=22608732687&gbraid=0AAAAAD\_QDh-3WmbCtLMTd9ig4NvbIxxK-&gclid=CjwKCAjwlOrFBhBaEiwAw4bYDXm5Kpi0-dYcsKonby2LJ21Hg03UDkOpBoW4MJzeX9uz5-r7cnvH2hoC0rsQAvD\_BwE](https://www.ebay.com/itm/388758631449?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-166974-028196-7&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=388758631449&targetid=2274951440814&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9193741&poi=&campaignid=22608732687&mkgroupid=181016090140&rlsatarget=pla-2274951440814&abcId=10333673&merchantid=5594975691&geoid=9193741&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22608732687&gbraid=0AAAAAD_QDh-3WmbCtLMTd9ig4NvbIxxK-&gclid=CjwKCAjwlOrFBhBaEiwAw4bYDXm5Kpi0-dYcsKonby2LJ21Hg03UDkOpBoW4MJzeX9uz5-r7cnvH2hoC0rsQAvD_BwE)