10 Best Microphones for ASMR in 2020

If you are one of those people who are into making ASMR videos or you are looking forward to being one of them. The most important thing which you need to have in your setup is an amazing microphone. A microphone that is capable of fulfilling all your needs and requirements for making the best ASMR videos. Getting the best microphone for ASMR will not only make your videos better and more professional but they will also get a much better positive response from your audience and it will surely increase your channel’s subscribers and viewers. In this guide, we will let you know the best ASMR microphone.

Choosing the best ASMR Microphone:

As I mentioned above the microphone you use in your ASMR videos plays a very vital role in making your ASMR Channel reach from a novice/beginner level to a professional level. So buying a cheap microphone or picking up a microphone on the suggestion of someone else doesn’t do justice to your ASMR channel because microphones come in different shapes, sizes, technical specifications, and many other factors. So with that being said you need to understand the technical terms and features of the microphone you are looking forward to buying so that you can better understand and ask yourself if that specific microphone is suitable for you? Will it work the way you want?

Before going into further deep details of each microphone. We would like to let you know a few important technical details of the microphones you are going to look at as stated above.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best ASMR Microphone:

There are three main factors that you need to look into the microphone you are going to buy, to get the best ASMR experience.

• Microphone SELF-Noise
• Recording Direction of Microphone
• Power Source

Microphone Self-Noise:

Microphone self-noise is one of the most challenging parts of any ASMR Artist’s life. If they do not have a good microphone they need to post-process the audio for better results which takes more time than investing in a better microphone. Microphone self-noise is basically the hissing, buzzing, the crackling and humming noise you get in the background, produced automatically by your microphone which generally happens when you are recording low-level sounds. To overcome this you obviously need to have better equipment.

There are two technical terms that determine the microphone self-noise which are called Self-Noise or S/N (Signal to Noise Ratio) although both are the same things. If we talk about self-noise it is measured in the dBA unit. The lesser the dBA, the lesser self-noise. It is ideal to get a microphone for ASMR having 15dBA or lesser the better. OR if you are determining self-noise w.r.t S/N ratio. It is vice versa of self-noise. It is determined in dB. The best S/N ratio for the microphone used for ASMR should be 80dB or above.

Recording Direction of Microphone:

Recording directions of microphones are divided into further types but the most commonly used directions for ASMR are Omni-Directional and Binaural.

Omni-Directional:

In these kinds of microphones, the audio is picked up equally from everywhere. These kinds of mics are mostly used in assortment videos, brushing, tapping, etc. The best microphone example of this kind is the Blue Yeti.

Binaural:

This is an amazing technique used in ASMR in which two microphones are used with space in between. Each microphone records the left and right channels separately. These kinds of mics are mostly used for talking, ear cleaning, mouth sounds, etc. The best microphone example of this kind is the 3Dio Free Space Pro.

Power Source:

There are two types of Power Sources in microphones, that are called Phantom Power and USB Power.

Phantom Power:

The high-end condenser microphones require a special connection called XLR connection which is then connected to a separate recorder/adapter which provides enough power so that your microphone can run. This external power is called Phantom Power. One of the recorders is the ZOOM H4N.

USB Power:

These are the types of microphones that require simple USB input and power. They can only be connected to your computer for recording. They consume less power and they are less difficult to set up. Blue Yeti is an example.

Detailed Overview of Best Microphones for ASMR:

 

1.Blue Yeti USB MicrophonePOPULAR

If you are starting out, looking for something easy to use, great sound quality, cheap in price. Then Blue Yeti is the microphone you should be looking at. It is one of the most popular microphones among ASMR Artists for making Tapping, Brushing, and Water Sound, etc.

It has a capsule type design that features different polar patterns to choose from when recording. This beautiful microphone is best for catching the sound in up to 16-bit/48 kHz resolution. You can also choose different directions for recording which are cardioid, omnidirectional, bi-directional and stereo.

The Blue Yeti microphone connects to your Windows Computer or Mac with a USB cable that powers it. The Blue Yeti features a 3.5mm audio jack in which you can plug in your headphones to listen to real-time what you are recording. This feature is good for ASMR artists. You can also change the settings, volume and polar pattern of the microphone using controls on the front of the microphone.

 

An ASMR video recorded using The Blue Yeti Microphone by a popular ASMR artist AnoASMR:

Pros and Cons of Blue Yeti USB Microphone:

2.Blue Microphones Baby Bottle Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The Blue Baby Bottle Microphone takes the second place in our list. This is a versatile microphone that offers great recording capabilities. It can be used for recording podcasts, general ASMR videos and can even be used for streaming. This microphone is a high-end version of the Blue Yeti and costs almost double the amount, but its recording quality justifies its price.

The Blue Baby Bottle Microphone can be used to record different ASMR videos like tapping, scratching, water sounds, brushing, whispering, etc. it can also be used for role-plays. It is a mid-level microphone that is suitable for professionals as well as starters. If you have enough budget, we highly recommend you to buy this instead of the Blue Yeti.

Now coming to the technical aspects of the microphone. It is a Cardioid direction microphone and has the frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHZ. Its sensitivity is rated at @ 1 kHz into 1 kOhm: 33.5 mV/Pa and the noise level is rated at 87dB.

As this is a condenser microphone you need to have an XLR cable and recorder to run it. To use it with USB cable you need to buy a $40 adapter separately, which can be bundled with the microphone while buying.

 

An ASMR video recorded using a pair of Blue Baby Bottle Microphone by a good ASMR artist ASMR Darling:

Pros and Cons of Blue Baby Bottle Condenser Mic: 

3.Rode NT1-A Stereo Vocal Condenser Microphones, Cardioid (Pack of 2)

 The Rode NT1-A is one of the best bangs for the buck microphone. It sounds the same as many high-end microphones which cost more than $1000. This microphone is absolutely amazing because of its extremely low self-noise. It almost gives no background noise. It is popular for recording audiobooks worldwide so this is a great product for recording ASMR videos as well. Rode NT1-A is also one of the top-notch microphones for recording vocals. This package comes with two microphones so that you can record the left and right channels separately.

The Rode NT1-A is a cardioid microphone having Self-Noise of about 5dBA which is amazing for ASMR. This microphone is used by professional music makers for recording musical instruments because of its low self-noise. The Rode NT1-A has a one-inch diaphragm which gives a wide frequency response and a perfect low S/N ratio. The RODE NT1-A doesn’t run off a USB port. It requires phantom power off a recorder/adapter which is connected using XLR connections.

 

An ASMR video recorded using a pair of RODE NT1-A by a good ASMR artist Just Tingles:

Pros and Cons of Rode NT1-A Stereo: 

 

4. 3Dio Free Space / XLR

3Dio Free Space comes in the league of professional microphones. It is indeed one of the best binaural microphones you can get for making ASMR videos. 3Dio has categorized this model into two. The 3Dio Free Space is without XLR input and is cheaper whereas the 3Dio Free Space XLR features XLR input and It is a little expensive than the normal one. We will feature the normal variant in the article but we will link the XLR version also if you want to buy that one. The 3Dio Free Space has the capability of recording very low voices and it produces very less self-noise.

A 3Dio Free Space is a binaural microphone having an omnidirectional structure and has a frequency range of 100Hz to 10kHz. The 3Dio Free Space has a unique style that imitates a pair of the human ear. The microphone itself is shaped like human ears made of silicon and on/off buttons in the middle. The 3Dio Free Space two has Primo EM172 capsules in each ear.

The microphone features a standard 3.5mm jack and a male to male 3.5mm cable which is used to connect the microphone to an external recorder. The 3Dio Free Space supports tripod so that you can mount the microphone on it.

 

A great ASMR video recorded using 3Dio Free Space by FASTASMR:

Pros and Cons of 3Dio FreeSpace:

5.Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Tube Condenser Microphone

The next microphone in our list for professionals only, The Sennheiser MKH416 costs a fortune but offers great value for money. The microphone is suitable for experienced ASMR artists who know what they are doing. This microphone has been widely used in recording professional voice-overs and in a number of motion pictures.

This microphone has a cardioid direction recording. As it is a shotgun tube condenser microphone, it can record even the tiny bit of sound. So you need to make sure you are careful with sounds while recording and your neighborhood are quiet.

As far as technical aspects are concerned, it has an all-metal body which is very tough and rugged. Its pickup pattern is super-cardioid/lobar. Its noise level is 13dB whereas sensitivity in the free field is 25 mV/Pa +- 1 dB. As this is a professional microphone it requires an external audio recorder and an XLR cable.

This microphone is highly recommended for professionals who are looking to upgrade their starter gears.

 

A great ASMR video recorded using Sennheiser MKH416 by Pelagea ASMR:

Pros and Cons of Sennheiser MKH416 Condenser Mic: 

6.ZOOM H4N Pro

Zoom H4N is a portable recorder. It is an all in one device which works as a microphone, a recorder, and an audio interface. The ZOOM H4N produces high-quality sound with superior control. You can connect an external microphone to it as well to use it as a recorder.

The ZOOM H4N Pro comes with X/Y Stereo Mic configuration which is capable of 140dB SPL. The ZOOM H4N comes with two low-noise preamps with the combination of XLR and ¼ inches inputs. The ZOOM H4N can simultaneously record 4 audio channels with higher rates and resolution than CD quality. It records the audio in mp3 and Wav formats.

The ZOOM H4N Pro uses micro SDHC card for storage purposes and USB connection to transfer the recorded data to your pc. It powers up with an AA battery which can last up to 12 hours. It also has a 3.5mm jack to plug in smaller microphones like lavalier microphones.

 

A great ASMR video recorded using ZOOM H4N Pro by Hushtone ASMR:

Pros and Cons of ZOOM H4N PRO:

7. 3Dio Free Space Pro II Binaural Microphone 3D Sound Recording Mic

The 3Dio Free Space Pro has two versions as of now. The second one was released after the first one with betterments and more benefits. The 3Dio Free Space Pro Binaural Microphones are specifically designed for ASMR artists for binaural videos.

Almost every professional ASMR artist has one of these microphones because of the shape of the microphone having dummy ears. This doesn’t only make it look good in the video but its quality is great as well. The 3Dio Free Space Pro microphones have dummy ears that give absolutely amazing sounds. They feel like they are ears of a real human. These microphones are used by the experts in the community and are really loved by the viewers/listeners.

The 3Dio Free Space Pro microphones have omnidirectional recording patterns. The version one of this mic requires XLR connections to power whereas the latest one which is the second one also supports a 9V alkaline battery.

 

An amazing video recorded using 3Dio Free Space Pro II by The ASMR Cast:

Pros and Cons of 3DIO FREE SPACE PRO II:

8.Audio-Technica AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

Audio Technica is one of the best and renowned companies in making audiophile grade headphones and microphones. The AT2050 is an all-purpose microphone which can be used for making ASMR video, streaming, voice-overs, and podcasts etc. it has a low self-noise and provides great value for money.

The Audio Technica AT2050 can be used for recording ASMR videos like tapping, scratching, water sounds, brushing, whispering and crinkling sounds, etc. it offers crispy and high-quality recording capabilities. This should be the go-to mic for people who don’t like Blue mics or they already own one.

Coming to the technical aspects of this microphone. The AT 2050 features three polar patterns which are Omni, cardioid, figure-of-eight. It offers a large diaphragm for smooth natural sound and low noise. It has a Switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and 10 dB pad also it comes with shock mount & protective pouch. Its signal to noise ratio is 77 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa and frequency of 20-20,000 Hz.

It is also a condenser microphone thus it requires external power source via an XLR cable.

An ASMR video recorded using Audio-Technica AT2050 by Focus ASMR:

Pros and Cons of Audio Technica AT2050 Microphones:

9.Roland CS-10EM In-Ear Monitors/Microphones

The Roland CS-10EM monitor earbuds are the best binaural microphones in this price range. These earbuds are comparatively cheap and portable having high standard condenser microphones on each earbud.

The Roland CS-10EM has few drawbacks as well. There built quality is quite fragile. You have to use them carefully. Another drawback about the Roland CS-10EM is that the earbuds look small in size but they require separate power called phantom power as explained in the post. So if you are looking to get these and you are on a budget, don’t forget that these earbuds require a power source and you have to buy a recorder/adapter separately to power them up. If you already don’t own one. These earbuds are good for almost any type of ASMR video but they require care when in use.

Lastly, I would also like to mention that these earbuds work well in binaural ASMR recording, if you put them on a dummy head or your friend because that way sound recorded will be way more realistic than putting them on yourself.

 

An ASMR video recorded using Roland CS-10EM by Transcend ASMR:

Pros and Cons of ROLAND CS-10EM Microphones:

10.Tascam DR-05 Digital Portable Recorder

The Tascam DR-05 is a recorder as well as a microphone like the ZOOM H4N. The Tascam DR-05 comes with two built-in microphones that are capable of recording up to 125dB SPL. It also has an XLR connection for external microphone use if you already have a good microphone that requires phantom power.

The Tascam DR-05 is great for recording tapping, scratching and brushing sounds. It produces high-quality sounds with the S/N ratio of 92dB. The Tascam DR-05 saves the recording in mp3 and wave format. It powers up with two AA batteries which are enough to power this little beast for 16-17 hours.

The only drawback about this microphone/recorder is that, you need to be close to the microphone if you go a little far away the sounds might not be recorded the way you want and can sound faint. So this microphone is good for making close-up/ assortment type of videos and does the job perfectly.

If you are looking to buy this microphone/recorder for recording your voice, then this is not a good choice at all.

 

A brushing ASMR video recorded using Tascam DR-05 by Gyo ASMR:

Pros and Cons of TASCAM DR-05:

 

Conclusion:

Conclusively, I would like to add that the above-mentioned products are hand-picked by us. By reading their reviews from here you can feel free to buy any microphone that suits your pocket and your needs.