Recording guided meditation is becoming an art form by itself. There is so much going into the content creation and production of guided meditation that one can write an entire book to discuss all the nuances in creating a successfully guided meditation starting from writing, recording, and finding the right background music all the way to production, distribution, and monetization.
In this week's Wednesday Wisdom Blog, I focus on a small aspect of the guided meditation creation process which is finding the right microphone - the one that is professional, affordable, high-quality, and will meet your recording needs as a guided meditation creator.
I am going to introduce my 5 favorite microphones. These are the options that either I personally used/tested or I found through my research and consultation with fellow composers and recording engineers.
In the end, I also introduce a bonus recording equipment bundle and a great resource for mediation creators. So continue reading.
Before starting...
Before introducing my top choices of microphones, I would like to first answer some frequently asked questions.
How much do I need to spend on a professional microphone?
My advice is not more than about $100. I know some people might argue that $100 microphone is not a professional one, but I believe that is not true anymore. This advice might have been true a decade ago. However, these days with the advance of technology, you can find a professional microphone for $100, and even less than that!
Condenser VS dynamic microphone. Which one do I need?
The answer is you need a condenser microphone to record guided meditation in your home studio.
The dynamic microphone is good for capturing loud and strong sounds such as drums, guitar. It is mainly used in concert settings. On the other hand, the condenser microphones are built to record more delicate sounds, and it is used to record vocals and voiceovers in studios.
What is an audio interface and do I need one?
An audio interface is a piece of recording equipment that converts the signals from your microphone into a format that your computer and audio software understand.
And the short answer is no, you don't necessarily need an audio interface to start recording. There is plenty of microphone options that work with a USB cable and with your computer's internal audio card. However, having one will take your home studio to the next level. There are some affordable options out there that I will introduce towards the end of the article. So continue reading...
Now, without further ado, here are my top 5 mic choices...
5 best budget microphones for recording guided meditation
1- Behringer Bigfoot
With the price of $79, this microphone is the most affordable option on our list. In my opinion, the sound quality, considering its price, is decent. Even better than microphones in the same price range or even more expensive ones. It comes with a stand and connects via USB cable.
You can learn more on Behringer's official website.
2- Blue Yeti
With the price of $99, this is one of the most popular microphones for podcasters and voiceover artists. The quality is great. The sound is clear and very personal. I would definitely choose Blue Yeti over Behringer Bigfoot if you can afford the extra $20. This microphone also connects via a USB cable.
You can learn more on Blue's official website.
3- Mackie EM-USB
This mic also cost only $99. I really like the warm sound of the Mackie EM. This microphone comes with recording software, and plugins, as well as a tripod stand. It can be a great option if you are just getting started. It also connects via a USB cable.
You can learn more on Mackie's official website.
4- Audio Technica AT2020 USB & XLR
I absolutely love Audio Technica, and I personally own several recording equipment from this Japanese brand including their AT2020 XLR recording mic. Their prices are unbeatable and the quality is fantastic.
AT2020 comes in 2 formats:
AT2020 USB: This one connects with the USB cable and you DO NOT need an external audio interface.
AT2020 XLR: This one connects with XLR cable and you DO NEED an external audio interface.
The AT2020 XLR costs $99, and the AT2020 USB costs $132 on Amazon at the time of writing this article.
Make sure to pick the ones that suit your needs.
You can learn more on Audio Technica's official website.
5- AKG P120 XLR
The AKG is also a very well-known company. P120 is a popular choice for songwriters and home-studio owners. It is a high-performance general-purpose recording microphone. The price is $105. The only drawback of this mic is that it only works with XLR cable, and you need an external audio interface.
You can learn more on AKG's official website.
6- [Bonus] Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio - BUNDLE
If you haven't purchased any pieces of equipment and you are just getting started. I would recommend checking out this bundle by Focusrite.
Focusrite is known for its bestselling audio interfaces for home studios. They created a bundle of Scarlett 2i2 Studio which includes everything you need to set up your recording studio.
The bundle includes:
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Their bestselling Scarlett USB interface
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CM25 MkIII condenser microphone
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HP60 MkIII professional closed-back headphones
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XLR and USB cables
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And a series of audio software and plugins such as Pro Tools, SoftTube's plugins.
You can learn more on Focusrite's official website.
Essential accessories you need
Depending on which microphone you purchase, it may or may not come with some accessories. There are 2 pieces of accessories that are essential for successful recordings, and they only cost a few dollars. So I would highly recommend purchasing.
1- Pop filter: Don't forget to grab a pop filter to reduce or eliminate the popping sounds from plosives during recording.
2- Microphone stand: Some of the microphones in this list comes with a stand, if your choice doesn't, you need to grab one.
What is next...?
If you are just getting started, I am sure you have a ton of other questions. I know that his process of buying recording equipment, setting up your home studio, finding the meditation music, purchasing audio editing software and plugins, editing your voiceover, mixing, etc. can be quite daunting and time-consuming!
If you are serious about recording meditation and in general creating content for spirituality. I would highly recommend checking out our Meditation Creators Patreon Group.
In this private Patreon group, we provide you with everything you need to get started in your meditation recording and content creation journey.
By joining our group you will receive the following benefits:
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2 free meditation music downloads every month.
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Free recording, audio editing, and mixing tutorials.
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Free one-on-one consultation on any music and audio-related topic.
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Bonus music & audio content - free download.
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And more.
👉 Join us now and start creating!
And my last advice before you go...
If you can, before purchasing the microphone of your choice, visit a physical store and see the microphone in person as it might change your initial decision. In the larger music stores such as Guitar Center, sometimes you can actually test the microphones, headphones, and all the other equipment before making any purchase. Also, you will probably get some valuable advice and maybe an additional discount.
I hope this week's Wednesday Wisdom Blog was helpful and valuable.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us.
Enjoy creating!