The Complete Guide to ASMR Microphone – What You Need to Know?

ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, is a tingling feeling that generally begins at the scalp and goes down down the neck and upper back. The phenomena can happen on its own, but more often than not, certain noises and pictures function as triggers. Triggers might range from tapping to clawing to the contentious mouth noises. We don’t know why it happens, and it seems strange, but it doesn’t make ASMR any less popular. It’s a viable market for creators, and the key to success is a good microphone. Let’s look at the finest ASMR microphones at Cuzgeek.com.

Look for a low noise floor

The noise floor is one of the most important specifications to look for in an ASMR microphone. Because isolating your trigger sound is critical in ASMR recording, use a microphone with a low noise floor. ASMR triggers are frequently silent and inconspicuous. That means you’ll need a sensitive microphone with little self-noise to fully record each sound’s tingle-inducing qualities.

Self-noise, also know as comparable noise level or noise floor, is the sound pick up by a microphone when no other sound source is present. This level should be as low as feasible for ASMR — somewhere under 15dBA. You’ll be capturing very delicate noises, and a high noise floor may interfere with or completely drown them out.

The signal-to-noise ratio is linked to self-noise, but they are not the same thing. The SNR of a microphone describes the connection between the self-noise of the microphone and the genuine signal passing through the microphone. A greater SNR indicates that you are getting more of the sounds you desire and less of the undesirable noise.

ASMR microphones: dynamic vs. condenser

When looking for an ASMR microphone, you will most likely come across two types of microphone construction: dynamic and condenser. Dynamic microphones are more robust and do not need external power to operate, although they are often less sensitive. They do not generate noise on their own, but depending on the technology, the amplification process might occasionally introduce noise into the signal.

Condenser microphones do require electricity, and their integrated amplifier can boost the noise floor. These microphones are also more prone to breakage. Condenser microphones, on the other hand, offer better sensitivity over a wider frequency range, making them a good choice for the gentler sounds of ASMR. If feasible, choose a big condenser microphone, which has a superior signal-to-noise ratio and greater low-end frequency response.

Polarity and directionality

The directionality of a microphone is described by the polar pattern, also known as the pickup pattern. An omnidirectional microphone will take up sounds from all angles. A cardioid microphone, on the other hand, will prefer sounds coming in from the front while rejecting noises coming in from the back. This effect is accentuate with hypercardioid and supercardioid microphones.

Although highly directional microphones are beneficial for separating sounds against loud backgrounds, they restrict your freedom to move side to side. As you travel off-axis, the sound quality rapidly degrades. Cardioid microphones are preferable because they can take up sounds from a broader area while rejecting undesirable ambient noise.

Do you require a stereo microphone setup?

Most people listen to ASMR using headphones and can enjoy the benefits of stereo recording. Changing the emphasis from ear to ear is popular in ASMR videos, but this can only be accomplish by recording separate left and right channels.

While you can generate tingling recordings with a single high-quality microphone, a stereo mic or matched set of microphones is a wise purchase for any ASMR enthusiast.

Is binaural recording worthwhile?

The practise of collecting audio to produce a three-dimensional sound experience is known as binaural recording. The idea is to create an immersive experience in which the listener feels as though the music is all around them in the same location.

Binaural recording differs from typical stereo recording in that it accounts for the space between our ears to provide a more realistic effect. Two microphones are set roughly seven inches apart in binaural recording to simulate the space between the ears on a human head. The space between our ears impacts our spatial perception of sound in the same way that the space between our eyes helps us to evaluate depth. Microphones are sometimes put in ear-shaped moulds to better simulate the human hearing experience.

Binaural recording, while not flawless, does result in a more immersive listening experience. Depending on the sort of ASMR video you intend to create, recording this type of experience may be more or less crucial. If you’re only interested in simple triggers like tapping or scratching, a basic on-mic setup would suffice. A binaural setup can substantially improve the hearing experience if you intend to undertake more extensive role-play videos.

Type of connection

Most people choose a USB microphone since it is more convenient, but if you plan to utilise a mixing board, an XLR microphone will be useful. XLR microphones are also more often use by professionals, which means they have a more robust build and can typically be service more readily.

Beyond the microphone

You’ll also need a microphone stand, preferably one with a shock mount, in addition to a great ASMR microphone. The aim is always to reduce unwanted noise and distractions from your recording; a shock mount will assist isolate the microphone from unwanted noise and vibrations even further.

Similarly, think about adding some sound treatment to your recording space to eliminate echo and better isolate your sound source. It should go without saying that capturing ASMR necessitates an exceptionally quiet setting. Even a blanket covering reflective objects like windows can reduce echo and external noises that might otherwise ruin your recording.

Finally, if you want even more control over the recording process, you may add an audio mixer or a separate pre-amp. In multi-mic setups, a mixing board will be extremely useful.

How to Pick Up the Best ASMR Microphone for You

The ideal microphone for ASMR is one that provides the maximum clarity while producing the least noise. Finally, utilise your ears. Choose the ideal microphone for the ASMR triggers you wish to record.

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