No One Cares About Your Audio Gear - Diminishing Returns on Microphones

Today I share my thoughts on diminishing returns and microphones, where the threshold his for dynamic mics and condenser mics, and what you might be getting for the higher price point.

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00:00 - Intro
00:35 - Category 1: Dynamic Microphones
04:33 - Diminishing Returns on Dynamic Microphones
07:03 - Category B: Condenser Microphones
10:14 - Diminishing Returns on Condenser Microphoens
12:19 - Summary
15:04 - Conclusion

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[rollingrock]

'Hollywood' recording engineer here. Buy what you need for the job at hand. The Neumann's are mostly for clients to be confident and happy. But if you don't need it, don't get it. Get what works for you for the job at hand, even if it's Behringer. Just my two cents.

[alexandre]

I think spending way too much on audio stuff and then not even using it after 1 month is just part of the process 😁 don't you think ?

[Kragatar]

It's crazy how good the XM8500 sounds. If you mixed it into a blind test with a bunch of $100+ dynamics I would never notice.

[DaveZNoisebox]

I absolutely LOVE how you do the review while talking into the various microphones. I wish more reviewers would take your approach.

[UnmatchedSkills]

I think the law of diminishing returns applies more heavily in general case usage for today; an affordable microphone is not going to make or break your content (so long as it's setup and is being used properly)-- and you won't see "better" content generally speaking by spending a considerable amount more. What matters first and foremost is the content you are making. For example if you are recording a song, if that song is good, it won't really matter initially so long as you're using a serviceable mic. The fancy stuff comes after.

What I'm saying is, don't let the lack of "gear" stop you from trying to create whatever it is you're doing. You don't need the best of the best to get started-- and at the end of the day you could have most expensive, and highest professional equipment that money can buy-- but the quality of your own content will also fall into the law of diminishing returns.

[curtisjudd]

Well said, Bandrew! I actually find that the U87 Ai doesn't fit my voice very well, as one example of where not only diminishing returns kicks in, but where fit with your voice is also a factor.

[DragonsinGenesisPodcast]

When I ditched my Blue Yeti (freaking garbage) for a cheaper XLR my listeners noticed. After that I invested a little in acoustic treatment for my recording space. People noticed that improvement in quality as well. But no one really asked what my gear was.

[NotAFanMan]

I don't care, I care about my audio equipment, therefore I will spend an arm and a leg.

[LoversinPH]

Still THE BEST microphone comparison channel ever! You’re a legend 🔥🔥

[pn]

finally, now it can be told - the SM7B is a waste of 400$ for 99% of podcasters. Neodymium dynamics are a game changer, like the Behringer Xm8500. Mic placement and vocal technique are more important than the mic. Joe Rogan still pops his plosives on every single podcast even after 20 years, the SM7B is doing him no favors and vice versa.

[PJSOFT]

My recommendation is; buying just two “opposite” mics. A thick sounding one for narrations that would easily “fill the whole screen”. Such as RE20 or large diaphragm condenser. And another one is anything sounds lively and energetic, like NT3. One of them will fit any voice in any project with minimum adjustments.

[michaelmoorehouse]

Unless your Guild's/Team's discord is full of audiophiles wearing senns, Audezes and blessings 2s, no one is gonna be able to tell the difference between a $200 mic/interface combo and a $2000 mic/interface combo.

I can definitely tell when someone is using a blue yeti in an untreated room though lol

Edit: I wish the sm7b wasn't the standard for streamers/podcasters. The RE sounds SOOOO much better

[BasicFilmmaker]

And...they were pointed in the correct direction. Yes, I'll never live that down. :)

[xjet]

The microphone you *have* is always better than the microphone you *want* -- simply because the one you have can be used and the one you want can't (until you buy it).

[jacobharley]

RE20 vs SM7b is night and day (in favor of the RE20) imo.

[brandanleiter]

I don’t think the average listener could objectively identify the difference but they’ll subconsciously notice.

[Static_Age]

You were feeling yourself in this video and I am here for it. I love the positive energy! THanks for putting out some unique content and not "just another review" I love the change up.

[frida]

What about skills vs equipment? I don't know anything about this really but I have a feeling that if you have no skills/knowledge you might not get the value out of the expensive equipment anyways and that it takes some skills and effort to get decent sound out of a low budget mic.

So my guess is that as a newbie you might be best off getting something a bit over the super budget option, if you can afford, but after that you will probably get more improvement by learning how to use it properly than from upgrading. But tell me if I'm wrong!

[JR-lxnn]

I agree. Pretty much ANY $75 to $100 microphone should do the job IF USED PROPERLY AND WITH GOOD MIC TECHNIQUE, because microphone technique is 95% of the story. I personally recommend the Sennheiser e835, with a street price of only $99 (including free shipping from a number of mainline vendor) - NOT $120. I believe DYNAMIC microphones ARE BETTER than CONDENSER microphones for this use, because dynamic microphones generally do a better job of rejecting ambient noise than condensers and sound plenty good, with a typical rise in frequency response curve above 2000 Hz - which is good for vocal clarity (um ... ahem ... two of the main reasons they are used for live vocals are lower pickup of ambient sound and that little lift around 2500 Hz for clarity) Of course one does not look as cool with a performance style dynamic microphone, but it is much easier to dial in a good result with a one. MY credentials? I have been a independent professional microphone test and review writer for more than 20 years serving the computer audio and speech recognition trade - both as a software and hardware beta tester for IBM, DragonSystems, Kurzweil AI, Lernhout&Hauspie, Microsoft, Nuance, ScanSoft, and product test and review writer for numerous online retail vendors. Of course, this is just MY take ... your mileage may differ. TT

[ahriik]

Pro tip: Stick with the XM8500, sE V7, NT1, LCT 440, etc and use some of the savings to support creators like Podcastage, Curtis Judd, or AudioHaze that make exceptional product reviews, so you can make more informed purchases and continue to save some cash!

Btw, I love that you keep promoting the XM8500. It truly is one of those "just buy it" microphones because you'll be able to find a use for it in so many situations, while also not needing to worry about it getting damaged/stolen cuz it's freaking $20 (also easy to repair). I recommend it to pretty much everybody.