ASMR Microphone Types – Extensive Guide

What are the different ASMR Microphone Types:

There are different types of microphones available some of them are used for recording binaural videos and some are used for recording tapping, scratching and whispering, etc. videos. If we talk about the types the different types include:

Condenser ASMR Microphones:

If we talk about condenser microphones, these microphones are generally used the most and are very effective, these require an external power source as they consume more power than a normal microphone. As far as their build quality is concerned they have fragile inner parts hence they need to be handled with care, but if great quality audio is your concern. Then condenser mics are the best bet for you.

Dynamic ASMR Microphones:

Dynamic microphones are normal microphones that are commonly used; they have comparatively sturdier build quality as they don’t have fragile parts in them. Most of the dynamic microphones work through a 3.5mm audio jack and they don’t require any external power.

Binaural ASMR Microphones:

Binaural microphones are very popular nowadays, these microphones are used to record high-quality ear to ear ASMR videos. You need an omnidirectional microphone to record binaural videos. So what really happens is a pair of microphones is used with a gap in between them and each microphone is used to record audio for each ear. This helps in creating more engaging and immersive content.

Since there are two channels simultaneously recording, it creates a 3D effect where the listener can actually hear the left and right channels separately which is great to hear.

There are proper binaural microphones available like the 3Dio series or you can use a pair of omnidirectional microphones.

Check out the Best ASMR Microphones

Recorders:

Recorders are basically microphones and recorders both; they have built-in microphones but are not as effective as a standalone microphone. They have XLR ports in them which can power up your standard condenser microphone which requires external power.

Recording Direction / Polar Pattern:

A polar pattern is basically the tendency of a microphone to record sounds from different directions, for example, some microphones catch sounds from the front and cancel out the sounds from sides and back. There are several different patterns that I will be explaining below. However, before explaining the polar patterns. I would say that the choice of the polar pattern totally depends on the type of ASMR videos you are looking to record. Let’s check out the different polar patterns:

1. Cardioid
2. Omni-Directional
3. Lobar
4. Binaural Microphones.

Cardioid Microphone:

So the first polar pattern is cardioid, it is basically a microphone that picks up sound from the source directly, although it slightly catches the background noise, mostly it records the sound from the source.

These types of microphones are best for recording voice-overs, whispers, and other close sounds.

Cardioid microphones work the best in environments where the background noise is controlled. So if you are thinking to get a cardioid microphone to record ASMR, you should make sure that you have very less or no background noise.

Omni-Directional Microphone:

Omni-Directional Microphones are microphones that can catch sound from all directions. These types of microphones catch sound equally from the front back and both sides.

The best example of an omnidirectional microphone is the well-known Blue Yeti Pro. It has the settings to be used as an omnidirectional microphone.

If we talk about binaural recording, we can use two omnidirectional microphones to record binaural ASMR with a gap in-between the microphone.

However, we cannot do the same with the Blue Yeti, it is because the Blue Yeti doesn’t come with an XLR input. It only powers with a USB port.

Lobar Microphones:

Lobar Microphones are basically shotgun microphones, these also catch the sound directly from the source and the source needs to be very close to the microphone to record perfectly.

These microphones have great in-line focus and are great in off-axis noise rejection. Lobar Microphones are mostly used on stands for recording talking, whispering, and brushing ASMR videos.

Binaural Microphones:

Binaural Microphones are taking away the majority of the space in the ASMR community, the concept behind binaural ASMR is that two microphones are used with a decent gap in-between them.

This is done to differentiate the sound for each ear left/right. The microphone on the left is used to record the sound for the left ear and similarly the right microphone for the right ear.

Conclusion:

Thanks for reaching the end. I hope you loved this detailed guide on the different types of ASMR Microphones.