The 10 Best ASMR Microphones (2023) for a Clear and Immersive Sound
ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, is getting more and more popular among people of all ages, as they find ASMR videos highly relaxing and stimulating. If you are looking for the best microphone for ASMR video production, you are at the right place.
ASMR videos are great for relieving stress and anxiety and calming the mind as they produce a tingling sensation and activate the part of the brain associated with hormones, including endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin. These hormones promote feelings of joy, relaxation, happiness, and peace, which are why people are addicted to ASMR videos.
From soap to sand cutting, eating food, whispering or brushing hair, ASMR YouTube videos tingle sensations like no other videos can. But, to produce ASMR videos, you will need high-quality equipment to have high-quality video and audio to invoke the senses and feelings in the audience successfully.
My top recommended ASMR microphone is the Blue Yeti USB Microphone, a highly popular ASMR mic with great sonic versatility and quality.
If you want something on the more affordable side, you can check out the Audio-Technica AT2020, an affordable and versatile mic for home studios.
Contents
- The Best ASMR Microphones (2023) – At A Glance
- 1. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
- 2. Audio-Technica AT2020
- 3. Rode K2 Multi-Pattern
- 4. Shure SM7B
- 5. HyperX QuadCast
- 6. Zoom H3-VR 360°
- 7. Rode NT-USB
- 8. Marantz Professional MPM-2000U
- 9. Rode NT1-A
- 10. 3Dio FS Pro II
- What is an ASMR Microphone?
- Can any microphone be used for ASMR?
- How to properly record ASMR?
- Why is self-noise so important?
- What to look out for when buying an ASMR Microphone?
- What type of microphone should you get for ASMR recordings?
- USB or XLR Mics for ASMR Recordings?
- Omnidirectional or Binaural Mics for ASMR?
- Summary
The Best ASMR Microphones (2023) – At A Glance
And now onto the full list:
1. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
Blue Yeti USB Microphone is one of the most popular microphones among the ASMR community as well as broadcasters. Its great sound quality and versatility, along with its ease of use, make the mic highly attractive for users.
Pros
- Good sound quality with a wide frequency range
- Versatile with several polar patterns
- Easy To Use
- Affordable
Cons
- No XLR output
- Sensitive to pops and shocks
One of the best aspects of the mic is its ease of use, as you can start using it by just plugging the USB cable into your computer without the need for an audio interface or preamp. The mic does not require phantom power either.
The sound quality is fantastic with a wide frequency response range, especially when the price is considered. Plus, you can use the polar pattern easily with a switch on the microphone. There is a headphone jack and mic gain knob on the device.
The mic performs great when capturing brushing, tapping, and water sounds, while it is also good for broadcasting and video conferences.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Material | Metal |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8, Stereo |
There is not much to say against Blue Yeti, a great ASMR mic with an affordable price. It is sensitive to pops and shocks, but it can easily be fixed with a good pop filter. There is no XLR output on the mic, which can be an issue for some users, but it is not a big deal as a USB connection makes it easier.
Overall, Blue Yeti USB is a great microphone for ASMR video producers who want great sound quality without struggling with audio setting adjustments and start producing immediately.
2. Audio-Technica AT2020
Audio-Technica AT2020 is a popular choice among ASMR content creators, musicians, podcasters, and any home studio appliance, due to its excellent value-for-price ratio. The affordable mic provides a high-quality crisp sound, which is great for ASMR sounds as well as vocal recordings.
Pros
- Good sound quality with a wide frequency range
- Great value for the price
- Versatile mic
- Well-engineered construction
Cons
- Slightly high noise level
- Only cardioid polar pattern
- Comes without XLR cables or shock-mount
The mic needs an audio interface to work as it is an XLR type mic. However, for a few bucks more, there is the USB version. The mic is well-built with durable metal construction and feels built to last.
The sound quality is great, with nice crispiness on the higher frequencies making the mic ideal for ASMR sounds. The microphone self-noise level is a bit high, but nothing to worry about. The cardioid mic blocks the sound from the rear and the sides pretty well, but the polar pattern is fixed to cardioid, making it less versatile.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | XLR |
| Material | Metal |
| Impedance | 100 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Overall, Audio-Technica AT2020 finds the greatest balance between price and quality with its versatility, which you can use for different home projects, and good crispy sound.
3. Rode K2 Multi-Pattern
Rode K2 Multi-Pattern is a high-performer condenser mic with a multi-functional cardioid pattern and a pro-level, warm, and smooth sound. The valve mic provides a highly-detailed sound, capturing every whisper, cause, and source in every detail, which is great for ASMR recording.
Pros
- Pro-level warm and smooth sound
- Versatile with several polar patterns
- Great engineering, durable construction
Cons
- No-low frequency cut switch
- A bit pricey
The mic can be used with Cardioid, Figure 8, Omnidirectional polar patterns, which gives it a good versatility. The frequency range is wide, and the mic reacts fantastically to the slight nuances.
The multi-pattern tube microphone is also well-built, which feels quite durable, although it is made from plastic. The connection is a traditional XLR, and it needs phantom power to work. There is no low-frequency cut switch on the mic, but it is not ultimately necessary for most ASMR recordings.
The bundle includes a plastic molded travel case, power supply with 30′ cable, an SM2 shock mount.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | XLR |
| Material | Plastic |
| Impedance | 200 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid, Figure 8, Omnidirectional |
Rode K2 Multi-Pattern is a bit pricey mic but is the ideal choice for anyone who wants the best audio quality possible for their records.
4. Shure SM7B
Shure SM7B is a great dynamic microphone, often used by podcasters (such as Joe Rogan) and streamers. Thanks to its rich and balanced sound, the dynamic mic is great for any vocal-related project. The mid-range emphasis and the bass roll-off are great for capturing the crisp sounds.
Pros
- Great quality rich and balanced sound
- Built-in pop filter and shock suspension
- Versatile, performs well with different appliances
Cons
- Relatively low overall output, it sounds better with a pre-preamp (such as cloudlifter or fethead)
- A bit pricey
The Shure quality can be felt all over the device and its performance. As I mentioned before, it is quite a versatile product you can use for different projects. Plus, it has a built-in pop filter and shock suspension.
The steel and aluminum construction provides a sturdy yet lightweight product. The polar pattern is unidirectional, and the mic has a very flat and wide-range response.
It is a very quiet mic, which means you will need some extra gear like a preamp to boost some gain. And, also as with most Shure products, it sits on the higher end of the price spectrum.
| Type | Dynamic |
| Connection Type | XLR |
| Material | Aluminum, Steel |
| Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 50 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Unidirectional |
Overall, Shure SM7B is one of the best mics in its price range for vocal recording, thanks to its mid-range emphasis, which results in a clear and crisp sound that you seek for ASMR recordings.
5. HyperX QuadCast
HyperX QuadCast is a gaming mic that performs great for ASMR recordings due to its features like high precision control and anti-vibration shock mount. The USB condenser mic is plug-and-use, which is great for beginners.
Pros
- Good audio quality and clear sound
- Versatile and multi-purpose mic with several polar patterns
- Comes with shock mount and adapter for boom stands
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- No XLR output
- Only 48KHz / 16-bit recording
The mic has several polar patterns, making it a multi-purpose device combined with good audio quality. The frequency range is wide, and the sensitivity is great with a -36 dB level. The package includes a USB cable, shock mount, and adapter for boom stands.
For the price offered, the mic has great value and accessories. Of course, the USB connection fixes the resolution 48KHz / 16-bit, which may not be enough for professional use. The lack of an XLR output here may be an issue.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Material | Plastic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, and Stereo |
In short, HyperX QuadCast is an ideal mic for beginners ASMR producers who want a versatile yet affordable mic for different projects.
6. Zoom H3-VR 360°
Zoom H3-VR 360° is one of the latest devices of the handy recorder specialist brand Zoom. The recorder features 4 unidirectional condenser microphones that provide an Ambisonic-spatial recording that captures the ambient sound perfectly with deep, crisp, and even sound.
Pros
- Ambisonic-spatial recording with 4 condenser mics, great for ASMR recordings
- Can run on batteries, long battery life
- Deep, crisp, and even sound
- Remote control with a smartphone app
- Options for various recording formats
- Can be used as an audio interface and handy recorder
Cons
- Small buttons
- Not for recordings focused on just one audio source
- Susceptible to handling noise
The device can be used as a portable recorder and a USB interface. It can run on battery-power recording to an SD card, or you can directly record to your computer via USB connection.
The device is pretty versatile, allowing you to create Stereo, Binaural, 5.1 Surround, Custom L/R type recordings, making the device an ultimate all-in-one solution for spatial audio. It captures the ambient sounds perfectly, which is great for ASMR recordings, but the device cannot focus on only one sound because it also captures ambient noise.
Also, it is highly susceptible to handling noise, so you have to stabilize it well before recording. Some users also complained about the small buttons, which are hard to control. But, you can control the device through your iOS smart device with the dedicated app.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Material | Plastic |
| Impedance | Not specified |
| Frequency Range | Not specified |
| Polar Pattern | Unidirectional |
Zoom H3-VR 360° is a great device if you are looking for an all-in-one solution for your spatial audio recordings for ASMR projects.
7. Rode NT-USB
Rode NT-USB is one of the most popular USB condenser mics, thanks to its great audio quality as well as comprehensive accessory package. The mic captures the audio with crispiness and clarity while it is highly easy to use with its USB connectivity.
Pros
- Good audio quality with crisp and clear sound
- Great accessories
- Low noise
- Easy-to-use, plug-and-use
- Integrated pop-shield
- Headphone jack for monitoring
Cons
- Only 48KHz / 16-bit recording
- Only cardioid polar pattern
- Unstable tripod
It comes with a pop shield, tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch, and 6m (20’) USB cable. Plus, it has a headphone jack for real-time monitoring.
Additionally, it has an integrated pop shield to prevent any pop or hiss noises, and it has a low microphone self-noise allowing you to record with clarity. But, like all USB mics, the resolution is fixed to 48KHz / 16-bit, which is not enough for pro-level recordings. Also, the mic features a cardioid polar pattern that can not be changed.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Material | Metal |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Rode NT-USB is ideal for you if you are looking for an easy-to-use mic with great audio quality. But, if you want versatility and flexibility, this is not the one.
8. Marantz Professional MPM-2000U
Marantz Professional MPM-2000U is a USB condenser mic that provides studio-quality recordings with a tight cardioid pickup pattern and large capsule. It can capture all the richness of the vocals and ASMR effects, while the large capsule gives more control when it comes to proximity.
Pros
- High-quality rich and crisp sound
- Good noise rejection
- Low self-noise
- Durable construction
- Great accessory pack
Cons
- Lack of headphone jack
- Only cardioid polar pattern
- Only 48 kHz / 16-bit recording
The tight cardioid pattern is highly successful when rejecting background noise, making the mic more focused in one direction. Plus, it has low self-noise, providing you with clear recordings.
The mic has a full aluminum body, shielded with a quality grille and placed into a shock mount. The body is highly sturdy and does not feel cheap. Additionally, the device comes with a great accessory pack, including an onboard interface, USB cable, custom shock mount, and carry case.
The drawbacks are the lack of a headphone jack for monitoring and that the mic is fixed to 48 kHz 16-bit recording resolution, along with the cardioid pattern.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Impedance | 55 Ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 18 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
If you are looking for a plug-and-use style USB mic for your ASMR recordings, Marantz Professional MPM-2000U might be the ideal choice with its great sound quality.
9. Rode NT1-A
Whether you are a musician, a podcaster, or an ASMR content creator, RODE NT1-A-MP is one of the best condenser mics for your home studio. It is an extremely popular mic, mainly thanks to its price and performance ratio. It provides dynamic, original voices with amazing clarity that challenges the highest-end mics on the market.
See our video of the Rode NT-1A below:
Pros
- High audio quality with amazing clarity
- Ultra-low self-noise
- Great build quality
- Integrated shock mount and pop shield
Cons
- Needs phantom power
The mic shines with its design as it features ultra-low self-noise of only 5dB, ultra-low distortion, and high SPL capability. Plus, the construction is sturdy with a nickel-plated body. It comes with a shock mount, pop filter, and dust cover.
The only drawback I can see for the price offered is that the condenser mic needs phantom power to work. That means you will need an audio interface to use the microphone, which adds to the price and makes the mic a bit more complicated than a USB mic.
| Type | Condenser |
| Connection Type | XLR |
| Material | Metal |
| Impedance | 100 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
In short, Rode NT1-A-MP is a great performer that provides you with almost the highest quality ASMR recordings.
10. 3Dio FS Pro II
3Dio FS Pro II is one of the best ASMR recordings today, used by many ASMR artists. It captures the realistic sound that’s almost similar to what we hear in real life, as it provides binaural recording and 3D stereo sound, which is ideal for ASMR videos.
Pros
- One of the best mics for ASMR
- 3D realistic sound
- Low self-noise
Cons
- Pricey
- Needs phantom power
The mic has a wide shape with two ears on the sides where mics are located. One ear records for the right channel while the other for the left channel. The device needs phantom power to work, so you will need a phantom power source like an audio interface or a field recorder like Zoom H4n.
Furthermore, it has low self-noise, which is excellent for clear recordings. The mics successfully capture the ear rubbing triggers, and tapping sounds great while they are not ideal for vocal recordings or breath sounds.
| Type | Binaural |
| Connection Type | XLR |
| Material | Metal |
| Impedance | 30 – 40 ohms |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Omnidirectional |
Overall, 3Dio FS Pro II is a great choice for professional ASMR video producers or ones that want to take their ASMR projects to the next level. It is a bit pricey device but worth it if you are serious with ASMR.
What is an ASMR Microphone?
ASMR means autonomous sensory meridian response, a tingling feeling that moves down the spine from the scalp when watching videos. To create the sensation, you will need a good ASMR mic, which can capture the sound effects well to elicit a pleasant response from listeners.
ASMR mics are microphones that can perfectly capture ambient sounds and sound effects. The sound effects vary from water sounds, whispers, paper crinkles to the sounds of nail taps and cutting fruit or any object with a knife.
Can any microphone be used for ASMR?
While you can use any kind of mic for ASMR recordings, the best results come with a sensitive mic that can capture low-level sounds in detail. A large-diaphragm condenser mic is considered to be the ideal choice for ASMR recordings.
How to properly record ASMR?
Recording ASMR is pretty straightforward. You should aim for a distance of 12 inches from the mic while trying to minimize the background noise by preparing the room as silent as possible and listening to your recordings for any unwanted noise.
Why is self-noise so important?
Self-noise is the signal the mic produces by itself when no sound is present. As ASMR videos are recorded with low-noise levels and require more gain, self-noise is more present in recordings. The lower the self-noise is, the more successful the ASMR effects are.
If you are experiencing too high self-noise in your recording, you can try to tweak some adjustments to get rid of it. You can lower your mic’s gain, making it less sensitive, and move closer to the mic. Or you can switch to another mic. Dynamic microphones are less sensitive than condensers which are better at eliminating unwanted noises.
What to look out for when buying an ASMR Microphone?
When buying an ASMR microphone, the most important aspects are the self-noise levels, polar pattern, build quality, and price. A good mic for ASMR projects should have a good combination of these aspects.
Self-Noise
The lower the self-noise is, the better and clearer your ASMR recordings will be. A good ASMR mic should have a self-noise ratio above 80 dB to do the trick, as ASMR recordings require more gain levels.
Polar Pattern
Polar Pattern choice is also essential when choosing an ASMR mic. Depending on your needs, you can go for cardioid, super-cardioid, and omnidirectional mic. Cardioid mics will pick up sounds coming from the front direction while rejecting sounds from the back. Omnidirectional mics pick up sounds from every direction.
Build Quality
Build quality is vital if you want your mic to have a long life. The metal, nickel, or aluminum bodies are more durable than plastic ones.
Price
Price is another important factor. If you do not have a large budget, you should go for mics with a high value-for-price ratio.
What type of microphone should you get for ASMR recordings?
You should always choose condenser mics instead of dynamic mics for ASMR recordings. Condenser mics are a lot more sensitive to external sounds, which is very important in ASMR. XLR mics are preferable over USB mics if you have the budget. Also, omnidirectional or binaural mics are the preferred mic patterns as they allow for an immersive experience.
USB or XLR Mics for ASMR Recordings?
XLR mics are superior to USB mics because they almost always offer better sound quality. However, they are generally more expensive because you need to use an audio interface to convert the audio signal into a digital signal that the computer can interpret.
Quite a few good USB mics have come out in recent years, which has made recording more accessible to a lot more people.
If you are using an XLR condenser mic for ASMR (which is recommended), then you will need to get an audio interface with phantom power.
Omnidirectional or Binaural Mics for ASMR?
The omnidirectional microphones pick up sounds from all directions. A binaural microphone setup uses two separate omnidirectional microphones to create an immersive sound.
Omnidirectional microphones are great for creating ASMR content that focuses on cutting, brushing, tapping, and scratching sounds.
Binaural microphones are where two omnidirectional microphones are utilized to record the sounds in the left and right channels separately. This can create a very immersive 3D stereo soundscape for your audience. If you have the budget, it’s well worth checking out binaural microphones.
Summary
When it comes to creating entrancing and tingling ASMR content for your audience, the one thing that can make or break your efforts is the microphone. ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) has become a very popular trend over the last few years. People of all ages find ASMR videos stimulating and relaxing.
Some of the ASMR dedicated channels on the internet have millions of subscribers for stimulating content that provides the viewers’ relaxation, helps them avoid anxieties, and fall asleep.
When it comes to venturing into creating ASMR, you need high-quality equipment. The most fundamental equipment besides the video camera is the investment into a quality microphone for ASMR videos. A sub-par microphone will ruin the sanctity and calmness of the sensational experience that ASMR offers.
My top ASMR microphone pick is the Blue Yeti USB Microphone. It is a highly popular ASMR mic that offers great sonic versatility and quality overall.
My budget ASMR microphone pick is the Audio-Technica AT2020. If you’re looking for an affordable and versatile mic for home studios, this is one to consider.
