Best ASMR Microphone For Any Budget
Learn from an audio professional what microphones are best for ASMR and why.
With the explosion in popularity of ASMR content, writers from all over the world have created articles claiming to recommend the best ASMR microphones.
However, most of these articles are written by money-hungry individuals with little to no audio experience.
This article changes that. Jared Blake is an audio professional who has spent years researching, using, and understanding what makes the best microphone for a specific purpose.
In this guide to ASMR mics, you’ll truly find the best products available, recommended by a professional in the field.
You’ll also learn about what specifications are important when choosing an ASMR microphone so you can make an educated decision and the best purchase for your specific needs.
If you’re in a hurry and would simply like to see Jared’s ASMR microphone recommendations, please see the comparison table below ↓
Compare Models
- Rating
- Self-Noise
- SNR
- Included Accessories
- Purchase
-
Blue Yeti
- Best Budget
- N/A
- N/A
-
Stand Mount
USB Cable
-
Rode NT5
- Good Value
- 16 dB
- 78 dB
- x2 Foam Windscreens
x2 Stand Mounts
3/8" to 5/8" Thread Adapters
Carrying Pouch
-
sE Electronics sE8
- Best Value
- 13 dB
- 81 dB
- Stereo Bar
x2 Foam Windscreens
x2 Stand Mounts
Carrying Case
-
Rode NT1a
- Low Noise
- 5 dB
- 8 dB
- x2 Shockmounts
x2 Pop Filters
x2 XLR Cables
Carrying Pouches
-
Lewitt 540 SubZero
- Lowest Noise
- 4 dB
- 90 dB
- Shockmount
Foam Windscreen
Carrying Case
Carrying Pouch
Best ASMR Ear Microphone
3Dio Free Space
The 3Dio Free Space is the best ear microphone for ASMR.
With only 14 dB of self noise, the Free Space is very quiet and well suited for capturing subtle ASMR triggers with little background hiss and incredible detail.
It’s available with either a 3.5mm or XLR connection for your convivence.
What Makes A Good ASMR Microphone
Before selecting a microphone for any recording purpose, it’s critical to determine what specifications are most important.
Some microphones are great for some purposes and poor at others.
For example, the best microphone in the world for recording drums is a very poor choice for recording vocals.
When it comes to selecting a microphone for ASMR, noise and stereo image are the most important specifications to understand and consider before purchasing.
What Is Microphone Noise
Microphone noise, also called “self noise” measures how much static hiss a microphone generates when powered.
All microphones have some level of noise, but some have more than others and you generally get what you pay for.
The noise is created by electrons moving in circuits and sounds like the static hissing of white noise.
Manufacturers can minimize microphone noise by selecting the best combination of tubes, transistors, resistors, and the layout of the PCB, but this requires substantial research and development. Hence the increased price for low noise microphones.
So what’s the problem with self noise?
Too much self noise can ruin a recording. This is especially true when recording quiet sounds, like many of the most popular ASMR triggers.
When recording a quiet sound, it generates a very weak audio signal. This signal can easily be overpowered by the noise of the microphone and result in a low quality recording with lots of hiss.
The specification used to measure the relationship between signal strength and microphone noise is called the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
SNR is one of the most common ways to measure microphone noise and can usually be found under the specifications for any microphone in question.
What Is A Good Noise Level For ASMR Mics
Microphone noise can be measured as SNR, dB, or equivalent input noise (EIN).
To best help you with your research, I've created the table below that compares all three measurements.
For ASMR microphones, I recommend selecting a microphone with a "very good" rating or higher.
| Self-noise (dBA) | EIN (dBu) | SNR (dB) | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 10 |
-130 | ≥ 82 |
Ultra Quiet | Extremely low self-noise. Undetectable even under the most critical recording conditions. |
| 11-15 | -126 | 78-81 | Very Good | Very slight noise discernable when recording the quietest signals. |
| 16-19 | -119 | 74-77 | Good | Good enough for most purposes. Noise noticeable in quieter recordings. |
| 20-23 | -110 | 70-73 | Fair | Noise obvious when recording anything below speaking level. |
| ≥ 24 |
-100 | ≤ 69 |
Poor | Not recommended unless you only record waterfalls, alarms and jets (very loud signals). |
Mono Or Stereo
Mono recordings will play the exact same audio in each of the listener’s headphones.
Stereo recordings give the ASMRtist more creativity by allowing you to “place” specific sounds in the left or right ear of your listeners.
This difference between left and right channel audio creates a stereo image.
When your listener closes their eyes, the stereo image will recreate a 3-dimensional soundscape for them to experience.
For creating the most powerful ASMR triggers, recording in stereo is a must.
To do this, you will need a stereo microphone like the Blue Yeti, or a pair of microphones; one routed to the left channel and one routed to the right channel.
Stereo Microphone Setup
Recording stereo ASMR content with a pair of microphones is a straightforward process that only requires a few elements.
Besides a pair of low noise microphones, you’ll need:
An audio interface
x2 XLR cables
A stereo bar OR x2 stand mounts
Audio Interface For ASMR
An audio interface does two jobs: it powers and connects your microphones to your computer for recording.
For recording in stereo, you’ll need an audio interface with two XLR inputs.
Since an audio interface can add noise to your recordings, it’s important to select a low noise audio interface for ASMR use.
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2x2 USB Audio Interface is one of the most popular audio interfaces on the market thanks to its ultra low noise design and affordable price.
XLR Cables
If your microphones don’t include XLR cables (most don’t) you’ll need to purchase a pair of them.
The best and most affordable XLR cables on the market are made by World’s Best Cables.
Their mission was to build the highest quality XLR cables and offer them at affordable prices.
You won’t find a better deal, short of building your own XLR cables from scratch, than the XLR cables offered by World’s Best Cables.
Stereo Bar
A stereo bar is used to hold a pair of microphones with a single microphone stand.
They’re extremely useful for setting up stereo ASMR recordings.
Additionally, most stereo bars have engraved distance and angle measurements to help you precisely position your microphones in various stereo configurations.
Best ASMR Microphones
In this section, you’ll find detailed information about the microphones Jared recommends for ASMR use.
Best Budget ASMR Microphone
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti is the best microphone for beginner ASMRtists on a budget.
The best feature of the Blue Yeti is its ability to be used without the need for any additional accessories like XLR cables, shockmounts, or an audio interface.
Simply plug the Blue Yeti into your computer, via the included USB-A cable, and you’re ready to record.
Additionally, the Blue Yeti can record stereo triggers without an additional microphone.
To do so, select the bi-directional polar pattern with the knob located on the back of the microphone. The icon looks like a figure-8.
Although there is no noise measurement listed by the manufacturer, the Blue Yeti is quiet enough for recording most ASMR triggers with little hiss.
Bottom line: the Blue Yeti is the most popular ASMR microphone for beginners thanks to its affordable price, stereo capabilities, simple setup, and low noise performance.
Best Value ASMR Microphone
sE Electronics sE8 Matched Pair
The sE Electronics sE8 is the best value microphone for recording ASMR content.
The sE8 has earned this title by offering incredibly low noise performance at an affordable price.
With only 13dB of self noise, the sE8s are very close to being an “ultra quiet” option.
Additionally, a matched pair of sE8 microphones includes many useful accessories:
a stereo bar - used to hold the pair of microphones with a single microphone stand
x2 foam windscreens
x2 stand mounts
a rugged carrying case
Bottom line: with only 13dB of noise, the sE8s match the low noise performance of professional microphones like the Sennheiser MKH 8040s but are 5 times less expensive!
With the included accessories, the sE8s are an incredible value.
Ultra Low Noise ASMR Microphone
Rode NT1a
With only 5 dB of self noise, the Rode NT1a microphone is ultra quiet; perfect for recording the most subtle ASMR triggers.
The NT1a also includes several accessories that add great value to the already impressive microphone:
shockmount
pop filter
XLR cable
carrying pouch
Be sure to purchase two of them if you desire stereo sound.
Bottom line: the ultra low noise performance of the Rode NT1a has made it one of the most popular microphones in the world for recording vocals. It's best for ASMR professionals seeking a "tried-and-true" microphone to upgrade their sound.
Lowest Noise ASMR Microphone
Lewitt 540 SubZero
The Lewitt 540 SubZero is the quietest microphone in the world.
With only 4 dB of noise, it’s capable of recording the quietest ASMR triggers with no background hiss.
Included with every 540 SubZero is a nice set of useful accessories including:
shockmount
foam windscreen
magnetic pop filter
soft carrying pouch
pelican carrying case
Lewitt’s manufacturing standards are so tight, every 540 SubZero has the exact same sensitivity and frequency response. Simply purchase a pair of them for perfectly balanced stereo recordings.
Bottom line: the Lewitt 540 SubZero is the best ASMR microphone hands-down. It's built like a tank, includes many accessories, and offers the best noise performance for ASMR professionals seeking the ultimate sound quality.
Final Thoughts
There are many good options when it comes to ASMR microphones, no matter what your budget is.
I hope you’ve gained a solid understanding in what makes a good ASMR microphone and feel confident and capable of making the best decision for yourself.
If you found this article helpful in your search for the best ASMR microphone, please use the links on this page to make your purchase. For no additional cost to you, I will receive a small portion of your payment. Thank you!
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Thanks for reading,
-Jared
