Best Studio Microphones Under $200 a Month

The Best Microphones Under $200 a Month

Recording at home? Don't let a small budget stop you from stocking your studio with the best microphones around! With zZounds' monthly installment plans, you can split the cost of that new mic into 4, 6, 8, or 12 easy payments. In this buying guide, you'll find our picks for the best microphones under $200 a month -- from Neumann, Shure, Audix, Sennheiser, AKG, Rode, and Beyerdyamic.
Neumann: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
Don't let the small size of the Neumann TLM 102 fool you -- it's a monster of a mic! With a slight presence boost above 6 kHz, this cardioid large-diaphragm condenser yields "that Neumann sound" on vocals and just about everything else. Try the larger, lower-noise Neumann TLM 103 for a brighter top-end sound, courtesy of its wide, smooth presence boost starting at around 4 kHz. Upgrade to the TLM 103 Anniversary Edition microphone to score the matching Neumann shock mount and case.

With a gentle boost around 9 kHz, the legendary Neumann KM184 is the acoustic guitar microphone. Thanks to SPL handling of 138 dB, this classic cardioid small-diaphragm condenser also shines on loud sources like brass and percussion.

Neumann TLM 102 Studio Microphone

$729.00

  • 12 x  
    $60.75
  • 8 x  
    $91.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $121.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $182.25

Neumann TLM 103 Studio Microphone

$1,195.00

  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $99.58
  • 8 x  
    $149.38
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $199.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $298.75

Neumann TLM 103 Anniversary Microphone with Shockmount and Case

$1,495.00

  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $124.58
  • 8 x  
    $186.88

Neumann KM184 Cardioid Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

$849.00

  • 12 x  
    $70.75
  • 8 x  
    $106.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $141.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $212.25
Shure: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
If you're recording aggressive rock/rap vocals -- or any powerful singer -- the Shure SM7dB is a solid bet. Capable of handling 180 dB SPL, the SM7dB loves loud vocalists, and it's also an industry-standard mic for voiceover. Shure's KSM series of premium studio mics includes the KSM32 and KSM42 large-diaphragm cardioid condensers -- both heavy hitters for tracking vocals.

Next time you're at a concert, look above the drum kit. You're likely to see a pair of Shure SM81 small-diaphragm condensers hanging there. These workhorse cardioid mics are known for their outstanding transparency and realism on drums.

Shure SM7dB Active Cardioid Dynamic Broadcast Microphone

$499.00

  • 8 x  
    $62.38
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $83.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $124.75

Shure KSM32 Studio Condenser Microphone

$599.00

  • 12 x  
    $49.92
  • 8 x  
    $74.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $99.83
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $149.75

Shure KSM42 Large Dual-Diaphragm Side Address Condenser Microphone

$849.00

  • 12 x  
    $70.75
  • 8 x  
    $106.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $141.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $212.25

Shure SM81 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

$399.00

  • 8 x  
    $49.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $66.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $99.75
Audix: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
A smash hit since its 2002 release, the rugged Audix D6 has gained a reputation as the modern bass drum microphone for rock and pop. The Audix drum mic packages are serious values -- the kits we've chosen here all include a D6 for your kick, plus a selection of Audix condensers and dynamics to cover the rest of the drum kit.

Audix DP7 7-Piece Drum Microphone Package

$1,049.00

  • 12 x  
    $87.42
  • 8 x  
    $131.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $174.83
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $262.25
ONLY 2 LEFT

Audix DP Quad Drum Microphone Package with Case

$699.00

  • 12 x  
    $58.25
  • 8 x  
    $87.38
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $116.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $174.75
BACK IN STOCK

Audix Micro-D Trio Miniature Condenser Clip-on Microphone 3-Pack

$699.00

  • 12 x  
    $58.25
  • 8 x  
    $87.38
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $116.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $174.75
Save $20

Audix D6 Large Format Bass Drum Microphone

$199.00

  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $33.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $49.75
Sennheiser: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
Capable of handling sound pressure levels (SPL) up to an astonishing 150 dB, the mighty Sennheiser MD 421 microphone is a go-to cardioid dynamic for loud sources like guitar amps, rack toms and powerful vocals. Its 5-position bass roll-off switch makes it super-versatile. Need a high-SPL dynamic mic that's less bulky than the 421? Clip the Sennheiser e604 on tom or snare rims.

Check the reviews -- zZounds customers love the Sennheiser e609S Silver on guitar amps and more. It's super-easy to place: just hang it over the top of the amp and let the mic's grille rest on your amp's grille. Recording vocals at home? Try the affordable Sennheiser MK4 -- Sennheiser's first side-address large-diaphragm condenser.
BACK IN STOCK

Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Cardioid Microphone

$429.00

  • 8 x  
    $53.63
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $71.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $107.25

Sennheiser e604 Evolution Dynamic Cardioid Rack Tom and Snare Microphone

$149.95

  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $24.99
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $37.49
ONLY 2 LEFT

Sennheiser e 609 Silver Guitar Amp Microphone

$99.95

  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $16.66
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $24.99

Sennheiser MK 4 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

$349.00

  • 8 x  
    $43.63
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $58.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $87.25
AKG: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
If you've spent much time in recording studios, you know the AKG C414 microphone -- a classic large-diaphragm condenser known for its accuracy. Its smaller sibling is the AKG C214 -- an excellent fixed-cardioid condenser for the home studio.

AKG C 414 XL II 9-Pattern Condenser Microphone

$1,319.00

  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $109.92
  • 8 x  
    $164.88

AKG C 414 XLS 9-Pattern Condenser Microphone

$1,319.00

  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $109.92
  • 8 x  
    $164.88

AKG C214 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

$479.00

  • 8 x  
    $59.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $79.83
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $119.75

AKG D112 MKII Dynamic Bass Microphone

$229.00

  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $38.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $57.25
Rode: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
Rode microphones are much-loved studio workhorses, and with zZounds' payment plans, you can score one for under $200 a month. For sources where you might use a pair of small-diaphragm condensers -- like in front of an acoustic guitar, above a choir, inside a piano or over a drum kit -- try the Rode NT4 stereo condenser mic for incredibly easy placement.

For tracking vocals, a tube condenser like the Rode K2 or Rode NTK can help capture detailed tracks while adding a bit of tube character to your digital studio. The NTK is a fixed-cardioid design, while the K2 gives you a continously variable polar pattern to give you more flexibility in the studio.

Then there's the Rode NTR ribbon microphone. A newer Rode offering, the NTR can reproduce detailed high frequencies in ways that many ribbon mics fall short. Try this mic on sources where you'd use a condenser and see what kind of flavor you get.

Rode NT4 Stereo Condenser Microphone

$529.00

  • 8 x  
    $66.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $88.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $132.25

Rode K2 Tube Condenser Microphone

$699.00

  • 12 x  
    $58.25
  • 8 x  
    $87.38
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $116.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $174.75

Rode NTK Tube Condenser Studio Microphone

$529.00

  • 8 x  
    $66.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $88.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $132.25

Rode NTR Premium Active Ribbon Microphone

$799.00

  • 12 x  
    $66.58
  • 8 x  
    $99.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $133.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $199.75
Beyerdynamic: Best Microphones Under $200 a Month
With their smooth, natural, and thrillingly detailed sound, Beyerdynamic microphones have been a studio staple since the golden era of recording. Use their dynamic, ribbon, and condenser mics on vocals, electric guitar, drums, and hard-to-mic instruments.
ONLY 3 LEFT

Beyerdynamic M 160 Double Ribbon Dynamic Microphone V1

$799.00

  • 12 x  
    $66.58
  • 8 x  
    $99.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $133.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $199.75
LAST ONE

Beyerdynamic M 88 Hypercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

$499.00

  • 8 x  
    $62.38
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $83.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $124.75

Beyerdynamic M 201 Small-Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone

$399.00

  • 8 x  
    $49.88
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $66.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $99.75

Beyerdynamic M 70 PRO X Dynamic Broadcast Microphone

$249.00

  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $41.50
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $62.25