So you have a noisy environment and you’re looking to record some audio. Whether it’s for a podcast, live stream, or gaming, you’re going to need a specific type of microphone that will provide the best room noise isolation possible.
You need a dynamic mic with a directional polar pattern, such as a cardioid or supercardioid.
That’s because the cardioid microphone picks up sound mostly from the front while rejecting sound from the sides and back.
This makes them ideal for environments where you want to reduce unwanted background noise or isolate a specific sound source.
There are also supercardioid mics, which are even more directional than cardioid, making them better at reducing background noise and providing a greater proximity effect.
But they are also more sensitive to mic placement, so they’re not always the best choice.
Dynamic or condenser microphone?
Dynamic microphones are simply less sensitive than condenser mics and require more sound pressure to produce a given output level.
That means they’re less likely to pick up the unwanted background noise, making them better to use in noisy environments.
The condenser mic is generally so sensitive that it can even pick up the sound of someone breathing from across the room, so imagine what it can do in a noisy environment!
For that reason, you’ll want to use a dynamic microphone to reduce background noise.
Here’s a list of the 5 best microphones that will not only isolate unwanted noise but also deliver excellent audio quality:
Rode PodMic
Compare prices: Amazon | Thomann
The Rode PodMic is a dynamic microphone that works great in almost any environment. I have used it extensively for podcasting and live streaming and it has never let me down.
The sound quality is exceptional, and it does a great job at minimizing background noises.
The PodMic is also quite cheap, making it a great option for those on a budget.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Integrated pop-filter and shock-mount
- Very durable
Cons:
- Quite heavy (can actually be a good thing, you just need a stable mic stand)
- Can be too sensitive for some
- Low output (might need an extra gain boost)
Shure SM7B
Compare prices: Amazon | Thomann
This is one of my all-time favorite microphones. This mic is not only good for recording in a noisy environment, but it also sounds amazing on guitar amps, drums, and recording music in general.
The SM7B is a dynamic microphone that has been used on countless hit records and is one of the most popular microphones in the world.
It’s also quite expensive, but it’s definitely worth the money if you’re looking for the best possible sound quality.
I would rate this as the best mic for noisy environment and also the best all-around studio microphone for recording instruments, and vocals.
Pros:
- Provides natural, rich, and warm sound
- Bass roll-off and mid-boost switch
- Wide range of uses
- Flat frequency response
- High-quality pop filter built-in
- Built like a tank
- Excellent at handling noise
Cons:
- For some, the price
Shure MV7
Compare prices: Amazon | Thomann
This is another great microphone from Shure, and it is called a hybrid because it has both an XLR and USB output and an integrated A / D converter.
You can plug it directly into your computer via USB or use it with an audio interface like any other XLR microphone.
Headphone out for monitoring, EQ presets, touch panel interface, and integrated shock mount – make it a very versatile microphone.
This mic is specifically designed for the human voice, so it’s perfect if you want to use it for any kind of voice recording.
I would rate it as the best all-around USB microphone with decent noise cancellation.
Pros:
- USB and XLR output
- Integrated A / D converter
- Headphone out
- Very versatile
- crisp sound
- High-quality audio
Cons:
- Maybe too techy for some people
- Too many options and settings to tweak the sound (which can be a good thing for many)
Shure SM58 LC
Compare prices: Amazon | Thomann
This mic is maybe not that popular as a podcaster’s first choice, but it definitely deserves a spot on this list.
The Shure SM58 LC is a cardioid polar pattern vocal microphone that has been around for decades and is still one of the most popular mics in the world, especially in live environments and among singers. It’s an industry-standard mic that can even take guitar amps.
It provides decent noise isolation and sounds great on the human voice. The SM58 is also very durable and can take a lot of SLP, which is why it’s often used in live shows.
If you’re looking for a cheap vocal mic that will serve you well for many years to come, the Shure SM58 LC is definitely worth considering.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Sounds good on recording vocals
- Decent noise cancellation
- Wide frequency range
Cons:
- Non
Sontronics Podcast Pro
Compare prices: Amazon | Thomann
This is the coolest-looking microphone on this list, offering superb noise isolation and decent sound quality for an affordable price.
It has a supercardioid polar pattern, which means it’s very directional and will reject a lot of background noise.
If you work in really noisy places, this mic will isolate your voice very well. But one downside of supercardiod is that it is more sensitive to mic placement, so you really need to keep your sound source steady in front of the mic.
Available in 3 cоlоrs – black, red, and cosmic-grey.
All in all, the Sontronics Podcast Pro is a great budget mic for podcasting and other voice recordings in very noisy environments.
Pros:
- Cool design
- Affordable
- Superb noise isolation
- Sturdy metal construction
Cons:
- The integrated pop filter isn’t very effective
- Frequency response only up to 15khz
- Not as versatile as some of the other mics on this list
Final words
So there you have it – 5 great microphones for recording in noisy environments. This is definitely not a cоmplete list of all the great mics out there, but I think it’s a great starting point for anyone who is looking for a good quality mic that will reject a lot of background noise.
Do you have any experience with any of the microphones on this list? Or maybe you have a different mic that you would recommend?
Let me know in the cоmments section below.
Happy recording!