The suggestion of condenser mics is good, however I typically prefer a decent dynamic mics over cheap condensers for a number of reasons - they're often less sensitive to plosives and sibilance, less sensitive to handling noise, and the frequency response curve tends to be more flattering to the voice. A Shure SM57 is a good example of a cheap dynamic mic that can sound better than most cheap condensers, although there is always some discussion/argument over which mic or type of mic is best.

Cheap condenser mics often have a boost in the high frequencies, which typically does not sound terribly nice. This is usually down to poor design - many cheap condensers copy the design of the Neumann K67 capsule which has a fairly harsh treble boost, as the capsule was designed to be paired with a mic circuit that has a corrective EQ to remove that treble boost - but most of those cheap condensers circuits do not have that corrective EQ, and considering that they typically use cheap parts, that hyped treble out of the condenser capsule can distort the mic circuit! And even worse, this can be the case on condenser mics up to $200-300! No problems like this on any dynamic mic!

That said, I have a fair amount of condensers in my personal collection, though they typically get less use than dynamics for me. Don't ask me what my favourite mic is, I have too many favourites!


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