Recording Equipment reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 170 Reddit reviews across 46 subreddits and 64 posts to rank the best Recording Equipment brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/recordingmusic, r/podcasting, r/Songwriting, r/metalmusicians, r/synthesizers. Top-rated brands include Focusrite (4.3/5), Shure (4.7/5), Zoom (4.2/5).

Stats

Reviews170

Subreddits46

Posts64

Brands69

Products45

Top communities

r/recordingmusic22 r/podcasting13 r/Songwriting11 r/metalmusicians7 r/synthesizers6

170 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Focusrite

4.3

(24)

"In order to “sync” these parts you’ll want an audio interface such as the Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, as well as a DAW like Logic or ProTools or even Garage Band."

"The focusrite scarlett bundle has always been a great starter."

"The 2i2 is the best interface I've ever owned."

"I recommend Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface."

"I would buy a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2"

"I would most definitely recommend a focusrite scarlet usb interface and an shure sm58 as a starter kit."

"Here's an interface [https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G3--focusrite-scarlett-2i2-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/)"

"A focusrite Scarlett kit (interface and microphone, mine came with monitor headphones) or similar is a good starting point, then record in GarageBand or another DAW."

"Look for a second hand focusrite Scarlett."

"Cheap secondhand Scarlett and 57 will do the job properly."

Shure

4.7

(20)

"I use the older version with the lightning connectors since years and prefer it to the different Zoom mics I own."

"The general consensus is the sm7b with a cloudlifter, or the sm7db (has a build in preamp)."

"I’d probably go shure 57 and EV 635a."

"The most common mic recommendations for guitar amp are Shure SM57 (literally the only mic anyone uses for this in a live setting and only about $100)"

"SM58, M Track solo interface, and Reaper is what I use."

"Sm58 so you can use it live as well if you’re going entry level"

"Sm58 is a go-to mic."

"I use a sm58 for vocals"

"Like an SM57 or get the 2i2 bundle."

"Can’t go wrong with a Shure SM57 or 57 beta on the guitar cab"

Zoom

4.2

(22)

"I would go for the F3 as it has nice quiet clean pre-amps and its only slightly more if you have mics already."

"I use the Zoom F3 and two matched M5's on a stereo bar."

"Zoom gear is incredible and inexpensive."

"Zoom F8N or the zoom H6."

"Your best bet is the Zoom H5 (or newer versions, check around)."

"I bought a used Zoom F6 ($499) with 32bit float recording."

"So perhaps consider the following. Zoom F3."

"H5 is great for the price."

"You probably want a used zoom or tascam off eBay."

"I've recorded at events like demonstrations using the Zoom H5."

Audient

5.0

(5)

"I’m a big fan of Audients Audio Interfaces."

"Interfaces from Tascam, Audient, and Roland are good stuff, too"

"The audient evo 4 is only $129 USD and I think is way better than the Focusrite people keep recommending."

"I think Audient makes much better interfaces. Better preamps, better converters."

"I suggest the Audient Evo 4 or SSL 2 with two mics"

Audio-Technica

4.0

(6)

"Audio Technica AT2020 USB ($100, more or less) and Audacity or Cakewalk."

"There is a bundle on amazon that comes with mic arm, at2020, 2 xlr cables, and a pop filter for $119"

"An AT2020 is only $100 I think?"

"Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone."

"I started out when I was your age with an Audio Technica mic."

"An Audio-Technica AT2020"

Rode

4.8

(5)

"Rode NTG 3 shotgun."

"Rode Wireless Go II works really well for."

"I carry my recording set up in a single over-the-shoulder laptop bag. Dell Laptop, Steinberg MK2 audio interface, two Rode condenser mics, 2 XLR cables, USB cord, closed back headphones."

"I use the Rode Podcaster pro and I love it."

"I have a Rode shotgun mic into a Tascam DR60."

Blue

4.4

(5)

"I've used this one extensively for various projects (only $40, and it sounds fantastic)"

"I cannot recommend the snowball mic for them enough."

"Just get a Snowball Mic. They're $50 and they work great."

"For personal equipment you don't need to spend $100+ on a mic."

"The mic filters on OBS can make even a Blue Snowball Ice sound great."

Behringer

4.0

(5)

"I have a Beringer UMC402 which seems to be okay."

"Behringer U-phoria UM2 is $40 on Sweetwater’s website right now."

"If budget friendly is a priority I would suggest a Behringer interface."

"I use a Beringer audio interface (£80) with an sm57."

"Behringer will do as they’re cheap and somewhat okay."

Reaper

4.8

(4)

"I personally like Reaper, you can try it free 60 days but it’s only a one time purchase for $60"

"Reaper is a go-to Daw"

"Or reaper is really really goo"

"-audio interface which supports both jack and xlr inputs."

#10

GoPro

3.6

(5)

"I've had great luck with GoPro for video while outdoors in active settings."

"I have had luck using older model GoPro cameras (you can get Hero4 for like $50 used) and then attaching those via USB cable to a remote power bank."

"Recording equipment like a GoPro or a dash cam?"

"GoPros have pretty bad audio so definitely would not rely on that."

#11

Zoom H6

4.7

(3)

"Personally, I use the Zoom H6 and have found it to be absolutely incredible."

"I got a Zoom H6 and I love it."

"If you can, grab some second hand Sennheiser G3s/G4s"

#12

Blue Yeti

4.3

(3)

"Hello, I use a "blue yeti microphone". It's great for recording."

"I use a Blue Yeti 3condenser ($130)"

"You can buy a used blue yeti for much less than that."

#13

Audacity

4.5

(2)

"If youre just looking to use pre made beats and record vocals over them you could just use audacity, its free and works great."

"I use [https://www.audacityteam.org/](https://www.audacityteam.org/). It allows you to work with several tracts at a time."

#14

TASCAM

4.5

(2)

"The best inexpensive audio recorder you can buy is the TASCAM DR-60Dmkll."

"I’d go with the Tascam dr 60d mkii over Zoom."

#15

AKG

4.5

(2)

"I recommend AKG 214's, they're"

"You can go for the AKG Pro Audio C214 ($399) with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo ($94) audio interface."

#16

Tascam

4.0

(2)

"Tascam DR-05X Stereo Handheld Digital Audio Portable Recorder and USB Audio Interface, Pro Field, AV, Music, Dictation Recorder, Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.4"

"Not sure how well regarded Tascam is anymore, but I found this. Has mikes built into recorded and its portable - https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05X-Handheld-Recorder-Interface/dp/B07N3FC7N3"

#17

GarageBand

4.0

(2)

"GarageBand can be great for lower budgets and its fairly quick to use."

"Def would recommend Garageband or Audacity for PC for beginning to record."

#18

Shure SM58

4.0

(2)

"Two mics, e.g. Shure SM58 / Audio Technica AT 2020."

"For a mic you can pick up a Shure SM58."

#19

Apple iPad

5.0

(1)

"I use an iPad to record performances in music and upload straight to our OneDrive"

#20

Microphone Studio

5.0

(1)

"Take it even further with multitrack recording with help of Microphone Studio app."

#21

Mobile Recording Setup

5.0

(1)

"I did a post a while back that showed what I use: [https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/comments/9djryi/our_mobile_recording_setup/](https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/comments/9djryi/our_mobile_recording_setup/)"

#22

Electro-Voice Vocal Microphones

5.0

(1)

"If you can find a decent interface, and an XLR cable, we happen to have a slight surplus of EV vocal mics."

#23

Microphone

5.0

(1)

"I considered your needs for a full day before posting these recommendations."

#24

Multitrack Microphone Interface

5.0

(1)

"Everything you need."

#25

Shure MV88

5.0

(1)

"For under $1000 it's hard to beat an iPhone. You can add a shure mv88 to an iphone ($150) and then it's hard to beat with any budget."

#26

Audio-Technica AT2035

5.0

(1)

"He will just take a single AT2035 instead of the 2020,2021 combo."

#27

Portable Recorder

5.0

(1)

"Highly recommend buying a windscreen for your portable recorder."

#28

Beyer

5.0

(1)

"The Beyer M160 is an excellent choice for strings."

#29

NT

5.0

(1)

"I use NT5 MP myself. Loving it."

#30

Sound Devices

5.0

(1)

"The best prosumer gear, in my opinion, is the Sound Devices MixPre-3."

#31

RCA

5.0

(1)

"Yeah get her the RCA 44"

#32

Logic Pro

5.0

(1)

"Take the plunge, step up to Logic Pro for your recording and mixing."

#33

Neve 1073DPX

5.0

(1)

"Neve 1073DPX Dual Mic Preamp | 2 | $6000"

#34

Neumann

5.0

(1)

"I think for $500.00 USD or maybe less you should be able to find a used Neumann TLM103 which is an excellent vocal mic."

#35

Zoom F8n

5.0

(1)

"It's ridiculously low priced for how much it offers."

#36

Bluetooth Lavalier Microphone

4.0

(1)

"An old phone with a Bluetooth lavalier mic attached to the teacher for better audio?"

#37

Amscope Microscope

4.0

(1)

"Also use an amscope with an articulating arm I got off eBay"

#38

Condenser Microphone

4.0

(1)

"I'd suggest a pair of good condenser mics, placed close together."

#39

Amazon Web Camera

4.0

(1)

"You can get a web camera for as little as $20 off Amazon."

#40

Blink Outdoor Camera

4.0

(1)

"I use outdoor Blink cameras on a small formable tripod."

#41

iRig

4.0

(1)

"Just an irig. Here's the tutorial - https://youtu.be/F358H0Yi8t4"

#42

XSplit

4.0

(1)

"I just use the free version of XSplit. OBS works well too."

#43

Web Camera

4.0

(1)

"Our web camera was about $80 with built in microphone."

#44

Barcus Berry 4000

4.0

(1)

"These are expensive, but about the most condensed of a setup you can get."

#45

Reaper DAW

4.0

(1)

"Reaper you can 'try' almost forever - but you may find yourself wanting to buy it."

#46

Loop Pedal

4.0

(1)

"The device you want is a 'loop pedal'."

#47

Blue Snowball

4.0

(1)

"For the price of either of those headsets you could get a Blue Snowball."

#48

Focusrite 2i2

4.0

(1)

"The 2i2 is great but either way yea this is a good setup."

#49

Audio Interface

4.0

(1)

"If you want to move into doing this professionally you will need to go with the Audio interface and XL"

#50

Studio Equipment

4.0

(1)

"I would recommend to use standard studio equipment, as this is more flexible."

#51

iQ6

4.0

(1)

"I've been wanting to buy one of these for a while."

#52

SSL2+

4.0

(1)

"I’d recommend a used SSL2+ interface."

#53

Tascam DR-05

4.0

(1)

"Tascam dr-05"

#54

Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface

4.0

(1)

"[vocal kit]"

#55

Audix

4.0

(1)

"Audix D6, sounds great on floor toms but sold as a kick drum mic."

#56

Tascam DR-60

4.0

(1)

"You can get these off eBay for not much money."

#57

Zoom H5

4.0

(1)

"My cello tutor uses the H5 ZOOM audio recorder."

#58

Rode NT-USB

4.0

(1)

"I bought a rode nt USB and multitracked this entire album."

#59

Audio-Technica AT2020USB

4.0

(1)

"The Audio-Technica AT2020USB would be a good option."

#60

Zoom H1

4.0

(1)

"Zoom H1 or H2. Record directly on to the mic anywhere."

#61

Behringer UMC

4.0

(1)

"Behringer UMC usb audio interface, and a Shure sm-57 will do the trick."

#62

Blue Snowball Ice

4.0

(1)

"I would say you go and get a cheap one like the blue snowball ice."

#63

Yeti

4.0

(1)

"I use a yeti x microphone with my computer and audacity."

#64

Ring Outdoor Camera

3.0

(1)

"I also have outdoor Ring cameras although these are a bit more cumbersome to mount."

#65

LENA Recorder

3.0

(1)

"Many researchers who look at child language/speech acquisition use LENA recorders and software."

#66

Generic Headset

3.0

(1)

"I use a cheap like $30 headset to record my voice over."

#67

Zoom H1n

3.0

(1)

"H1n does a reasonable job - if you just need the simplest possible features."

#68

Sennheiser MKH 50

3.0

(1)

"Sennheiser makes a pretty good one for under $400."

#69

Shure SM57

2.0

(1)

"I would definitely not use SM57s for anything except close-miced recordings, probably of solo voice."

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