ASMR has been one of the trendiest things on YouTube for some time now. The main reason for ASMR being on the trending list is the soothing and calming effect it has on our minds.
ASMR is the short form for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.
This can be referred to as the tingling sensation you get by specific triggers it can be either visual or auditory or both.
Recordings for ASMR are done on the sounds that are difficult to hear usually and are soft. These types of sounds are difficult to record using normal microphones; hence, there are special microphones for this purpose called ASMR microphones.
The ASMR microphones are much more sensitive than normal microphones. These ASMR microphones can catch even the slightest movement and even the sound of the lowest frequency.
The technology in the ASMR microphones also allows us to hear different sounds coming from different directions.
ASMR microphones are different from normal microphones as the ASMR microphones are meant to pick up whisper or lower sounds without background noise.
An Important Part of ASMR Content
The most important part of ASMR content is not the video but the audio. It’s not that video is not important but the audio has a more important role in the ASMR content.
The most basic qualities of an ASMR microphone are that it has to record in stereo and has to be able to capture frequencies below 20 hertz.
Another feature that is almost present in every ASMR Microphone is that they have built-in sound-dampening technology. This technology can eliminate the background noise from the recording.
There are many similar features in the normal and ASMR microphones as well.
Cardioid and bidirectional patterns are desirable for most applications because they are less susceptible to feedback than omnidirectional or figure-8 microphones.
Now for the difference, the most crucial difference between the two is the frequency response.
An ASMR microphone emphasizes high frequencies — typically in the range of 1kHz to 10kHz. This helps to produce the unique audio quality that many people find relaxing or tingling.
The qualities considered best in normal microphones are considered effective in the ASMR microphones.
If you are new to the ASMR community, buying the ASMR microphone can be a challenge.
Hence to help you with it some of the best ASMR microphones in the market today are mentioned below.
ASMR Microphones: Hot Picks From Amazon
- Blue Yeti USB Condenser
- Shure MV88+ Stereo Condenser
- Audio-Technica AT2020
- Rode NT1-A
- AKG C214
- Behringer C-1
Blue Yeti USB Condenser
The Blue Yeti is so far the most popular and most used ASMR microphone.
It has various settings that allow you to record in many different environments.
Blue Yeti is not just for ASMR but it can also be used for voiceovers, podcasts, and other purposes as well.
This ASMR microphone also offers studio controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain that puts you in charge of every level of the recording and streaming process.
This microphone offers four pickup patterns which are cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo pickup.
This variety of pickup patterns allows you to record in ways that would generally require multiple microphones. You can even control the sensitivity of the mic capsules to achieve broadcast-quality sound.
The cardioid mode best suits podcasting, game streaming, zoom calls, vocals, and instruments.
It captures the sound source which is directly in front of the microphone. This mode delivers a rich, full-bodied sound.
The Omni-direction mode picks up sound equally from all directions. This model is the best for conference calls and it can perfectly capture the feeling of ‘being there’.
The bi-directional mode records from both the front and the rear of the microphone. This mode is ideal for recording an interview between two people.
The stereo mode uses both the left and right channels while recording. This mode is ideal for capturing a realistic sound image with multiple sound sources in front of the mic.
This is also the mode that is best for ASMR recording.
This microphone also has Blue Voice software which allows for enhanced effects, advanced modulation, and HD audio samples.
Shure MV88+ Stereo Condenser
This microphone as the Blue Yeti has a choice of patterns to choose from such as Mono, Stereo, Bi-Directional & Raw Mid-Side.
The Shure MV88+ also comes with an app that allows you to customize and monitor the sound as well.
You can connect the microphone to your Mac or Windows computer and download the free ShurePlus MOTIV Desktop App to configure the microphone to suit any given recording situation.
The great thing about this microphone is that you can also use this microphone with a video kit.
You just have to take the additional Phone Clamp, Mobile Phone Clip, and Lightning Cable and use your MV88+ with your mobile device and configure your mic using the MOTIV audio and Video apps, and there you have it, a perfect setup for a video.
The app also allows you to set Gain, Limiter, Compression, EQ, and Monitor Mix.
Now the feature that makes this microphone one of the best for ASMR recordings is that it gives a clean and clear recording, whether you’re inches away from the source.
It cancels the background noise and focuses on the sound that you want in your videos. You can configure it with the app to make the recording clearer.
The app also allows you to work on the sound while or before recording it so you can get the best recording and don’t have to record it again.
Hence it is a multipurpose microphone that covers your every need.
Audio-Technica AT2020
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a cardioid condenser microphone.
A Condenser microphone such as the AT2020 contains a delicate diaphragm. This delicate diaphragm captures the vibrations of the sounds you’re wanting to record.
The diaphragm is so delicate that it requires powering through the XLR cable, ensuring every aspect of your instrument or voice is captured in crisp detail.
The Audio-Technica Cardioid microphones capture what’s in front of them in a rough heart shape, from the pinnacle of sound capture at the front of the microphone to the graduated capture off to the sides.
This cardioid pattern improves the isolation of any desired sound source for rich and accurate recording.
This microphone has a low-mass diaphragm and is custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. With rugged construction for durable performance, the microphone offers a wide dynamic range.
The cardioid pattern of this microphone is what makes this microphone suitable for ASMR recordings.
As already mentioned above the cardioid feature improves the isolation of any desired sound source for rich and accurate recording of the ASMR sound you want.
Rode NT1-A
Much like the Audio- Technica AT2020, Rode NT1-A is also a Cardioid Condenser microphone.
This means that the heart’s polar pattern (the directions it picks up sounds from) won’t allow it to pick up any of the sound coming from behind the microphone reducing background noise in your final recording.
Another feature that makes this microphone recommended for ASMR is its high sensitivity.
High sensitivity means that it is good at picking up low-level sounds. This microphone has a sensitivity of -31.9dB which makes it good at picking up low noises and hence one of the best for ASMR sounds.
Combine the high sensitivity with a max SPL (the loudest sound the microphone can take without distorting) of 137 dB(SPL) and this microphone has a pretty great range that it can record without needing to do too much in the post-production process.
All the features, especially the high sensitivity mentioned above make the Rode NT-1A one of the best ASMR microphones on the market.
AKG C214
The AKG C214 is an affordable alternative to the high-end C414 family. It is a professional large diaphragm condenser microphone.
The feature that makes it a good choice for ASMR is the supreme one-inch capsules present on the integrated suspension to reduce mechanical noise.
It also has many other beneficial features with respect to ASMR. One such feature is the switchable bass cut filter.
This filter allows the close-up recording without being affected by the proximity effect. Another one of these features is the attenuation pad.
This microphone has a switchable 20dB attenuation pad which allows for the recording of sounds up to 156dB SPL.
Hence the AKG C214 is yet another great choice for ASMR recordings.
Behringer C-1
The Behringer C-1 is one of the best condenser microphones available on the market.
This microphone is an all-rounder studio mic, it can be used for capturing vocals, instrumentals, and even ASMR.
It also has a Cardioid pickup pattern which allows for outstanding feedback rejection as well as source separation.
The ultra-low noise and the transform less FET input allow the elimination of the low-frequency distortion which is ideal for ASMR recording.
With all these features it also has the lowest price among the others previously mentioned.
The Behringer C-1 may not be the best ASMR microphone but it is the best cheap microphone on the market.
Some of the most common questions asked about ASMR microphones are to be answered below.
ASMR microphones: FAQ(s)
What microphone do ASMR artists use?
There are a lot of microphones that are used by different ASMR artists.
The best ones are mentioned in the above article with all their features as well.
Now the most commonly used microphone by most ASMR artists is the Blue Yeti. It is considered the favorite for ASMR recordings.
It is not only the best choice for ASMR but it also has many other features for many other purposes as well.
What is an ASMR mic called?
An ASMR microphone does not have a definite name as there are many options that are used for creating ASMR.
If you just type ASMR microphone on the internet you will find a lot of different options of mics with different features and within different price ranges.
Hence ASMR microphones do not have another name but there are many options out there for the same.
Is ASMR a sound or visual?
ASMR can be either sound or visual but more often than not it is both sound and visual.
ASMR i.e. Autonomous sensory meridian response is a tingling feeling produced after certain triggers.
These triggers can be auditory or visual and even both. You can find many instances of ASMR around you in your daily life.
Some of these instances are the tapping of nails on a surface and the crumpling of paper.
If you notice the above instances carefully in your daily life you will see that while the sound is the main part but the visual also plays a key role in ASMR.
Who benefits the most from ASMR?
ASMR produces a tingling response in the human body which gives a soothing effect. This soothing effect can calm the person with anxiety, it can even help promote sleep.
Many studies have been done and many will be done on the benefits of ASMR, but to date, all the studies show that ASMR is the most beneficial to individuals with high anxiety and neuroticism.
As ASMR content has soft sounds and low frequency it can calm a highly anxious person in just a short time.
As suggested by the doctors it can be used as an intervention for anxiety in general as well.
Conclusion
An ASMR recording is considered right only if it produces a tingling feeling in the audience. If it doesn’t it is just a video with loud sounds.
The microphone used plays a key role in the recording of the ASMR sounds. The right choice of microphone can take the sound recording to another level.
Hence you need to be careful when choosing the microphone you use while recording. First, you need to understand the basic needs of a microphone for an ASMR recording.
The sensitivity and direction of sound waves are some factors that play a role in the recording.
You can find all the related information on how to choose the microphone and some options as well in the above article.
Hope this helps…
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