Search for the best ASMR microphone and you will find lists of specific models, most of them with affiliate links. Models change every year. The questions that decide which one suits you do not, so this guide is about those.
Start with the room, not the microphone
ASMR is quiet audio turned up loud. That means every hum, fan, fridge and car outside gets turned up with it. A modest microphone in a quiet, soft room will sound better than an expensive one in an echoing kitchen.
- Record at the quietest time of day where you live.
- Switch off fans, heaters, air conditioning and anything with a motor nearby.
- Use soft surfaces: curtains, a bed, cushions and rugs absorb echo.
- Keep the microphone away from your computer, whose fans are louder than you think.
Stereo matters more than price
The feeling of sound moving from one ear to the other is a large part of why ASMR works. That needs a stereo recording, with two capsules capturing left and right separately. Many cheaper USB microphones are mono, which records everything into the middle, however good the quality.
The main types
- Binaural microphones with ear-shaped mounts. They record as if the sound reaches a human head, which gives the strongest ear-to-ear effect for whispering, ear attention and brushing. They tend to be the most expensive option and need care to set up.
- Stereo pairs of small microphones. Two small capsules on a stand or clips give a clear stereo image and are very flexible for tapping, crinkles and object sounds.
- Portable handheld recorders. Many have two built-in microphones in a stereo arrangement and record straight to a memory card. They are a popular first step because they are affordable, quiet and do not depend on your computer.
- USB microphones. Simple to plug in and use, but check that the one you choose actually records in stereo, and that it does not pick up noise from the computer it is plugged into.
- Phones and earbuds. Fine for testing ideas and for short vertical videos, but they struggle with very quiet sounds and add noise when you turn them up.
Match the microphone to your triggers
- Mostly whispering and personal attention: binaural or a stereo pair placed where your listener's ears would be.
- Mostly tapping, scratching and object sounds: a stereo pair or a portable recorder, placed close to the objects.
- Mostly talking or soft spoken: almost any decent stereo microphone, with a pop filter to soften breath.
Settings that make any microphone sound better
- Record at a low gain and raise the volume later. Clipped audio cannot be repaired.
- Wear closed headphones while recording so you hear what the microphone hears.
- Record a few seconds of silence at the start. It helps noise reduction software learn what to remove.
- Use noise reduction lightly. Too much makes whispers sound watery.
When to upgrade
Upgrade when you know exactly what your current setup cannot do, for example a clear ear-to-ear effect or a lower noise floor, and not because a new model came out. Spend first on the room, then on the microphone, then on everything else. And before spending a lot, it is worth having a way to earn from your audience, so the equipment can pay for itself.