EXTERNAL MICROPHONE - AUDIO TECHNICA ATR6550 or AUDIO TECHNICA PRO 24

by Randy
(Dallas)

Question: I do not have a large budget for an external microphone and found the Audio-Technica ATR6550 and the Audio Technica Pro 24 for $60.00. Is there any major differences between these microphones or would anyone recommend a different microphone in the same price range or there about?

Answer: Thank you for your question.

The Audio-Technica ATR6550 is a condenser microphone which has multiple settings to provide you with the sound you want for your audio. It is designed to pick up close or far away sound depending on your settings. pickup far away or up close. In its super-cardioid setting, the microphone will capture sound at a distance. It will not capture ambient noise (AC units, vibrations, traffic, etc.).

The Audio Technica Pro 24 is a stereo microphone. It pics up all sound in front of it in a X/Y pattern and creates a more realistic sound. This is good in a controlled environment when there is not a lot of ambient noise present (unless you want to pick up all sound, noise, etc.

The choice is really up to you. Do you plan on recording in open spaces or in noisy locations where you don't want to pick up all of the extra noise or do you plan on recording in a location where the environment is controlled and background noise is not an issue? If you plan on recording in many different places we recommend the Audio-Technica ATR6550. With this microphone you have more control over how the sound will be captured.

If anyone has a different recommendation for Randy or if anyone wants to recommend a different microphone please leave a comment.