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Microphones compared: audio samples

March 28, 2022

Choosing a microphone is never an easy task, so it can be helpful to compare recordings from different microphones and choose what works best for you.

In this page you'll find a list of audio samples recorded using different microphones. All samples were recorded using Audacity on Ubuntu 21.10.

Ps: I will keep adding new samples here as I get to test new microphones.

Shure SMB7

A professional microphone especially designed for capturing voice. Definitely the best microphone I have tried so far. This mic requires additional devices to be connected to your computer (check the device page for more info).

Clean recording without background noise:

Recording with background noise:

Amazon link

Corsair Virtuoso Headset

The Corsair virtuoso headset can be used both as USB wired and as wireless device. The wireless operation requires a USB dongle to be connected to the machine. The sound quality is quite ok, but the microphone is a surprising good find. Because it's directional and stays right in front of your mouth, the headset microphone (which is detachable) doesn't capture much background noise, making it ideal for gaming (and hands-free meetings).

Wireless Mode: Clean recording without background noise

Wireless Mode: Recording with background noise

USB Mode: Clean recording without background noise

USB Mode: Recording with background noise

Amazon link

Shure Aonic Earphones

A noise-cancelling earphone from Shure, seems popular with musicians. Although the sound quality on this device is fantastic, the microphone is not that good unfortunately.

Clean recording without background noise

Recording with background noise

Amazon link

Built-in microphone - Lenovo Carbon

As with any built-in laptop microphone, this one captures a lot of background noise.

Clean recording without background noise

Recording with background noise

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