RØDE - NT1 Signature Series

Depends on what you're looking for. A great dynamic XLR option is a Shure SM58. If you want an XLR condenser, get Rode NT1 signature series. For USB I don't have many exact recommendations as it's been a while since I've researched that market srgment, but literally any ~$100 mic with good reviews will sound about as good as the SM7b for casual use. Iirc the Samson q2u is really good

It's not the DAW or the app on your phone that makes the recordings better or worse in quality, it's the mic itself, the analog-to-digital converter and ofc the quality settings you've chosen for the recorded files. How exactly did you record the mic on your headphones? Did you connect them with a cable both to your phone and your computer? The best option either way would be to buy an audio interface and proper mic. The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in the audio interface that's built-in to your computer (usually called soundcard) aren't of high enough quality or have enough features for use in recording professional equipment, so you need a real recording audio interface to use better quality mics. USB-mics have an integrated audio interface, but they usually also have stuff like built-in filters that are tuned for speech and noise reduction circuits that you can't disable, so most of them are not very good for recording vocals. My best budget recommendations would be to get either a Lewitt LCT-240, Rode NT-1 or SE Electronics X1S and either an Audient EVO 4, Focusrite Scarlett Solo gen 3 or Behringer UMC202HD audio interface.

If your room has good acoustics, the rode nt1 (all variations) are incredible. Anything more expensive than this has diminishing returns imo. I recently bought a shure sm7b but returned it as I hated the sound (I much prefer condenser mics.)

Used Rode NT1 and a used Scarlett Solo interface. I would recommend the 5th generation NT1, as it has the ability for a USB connection, but you'd have to find it used to get it under $200. You can find it new for just above that. Sound test I've heard out the quality pretty close between the XLR and USB connections. But really, if you can afford a $200 microphone, you can afford an interface. I've bought genuine SM7B's for $150 and that would still leave $50 for an interface. Just gotta be smart and shop around.

Dynamic mics have quite high SNR so id you whisper and you compress the signal it's going to bring up all that noise. Better you use a condenser. Rode NT1 is very popular one which has probably the best SNR out of all the mics in the world and it's affordable. If you have a better budget you can get something like the Austrian Audio OC18 which is considered somewhat similar to the AKG C414. If you like a bright mic you can look at the Audio Technicas like the At4040 or even brighter the Lewitt 440 Pure. But one thing to note is that condensers will pick up a lot more sound reflections in the room.

Of course!! So glad I could (potentially) help! Equipment really can be super wonky sometimes--there are so many factors that can affect the quality, and even one little tiny detail being off can throw off the entire sound! There have been days where I find a whole session was ruined simply because I was too close to the mic, my gain was slightly too high, or I had the mic facing a few degrees off from where I'd like it. 😅 Yep, the Rode NT1 is exactly what I would recommend! I've done the audio engineering for a few indie projects, and there's a stark difference between the amount of work it takes to pretty up the NT1 vs. the AT2020. It might not be the absolute best industry standard mic on the market, but as long as you aren't working literal AAA projects, the NT1 should sound VERY pretty with good room treatment and would in theory last you forever! It can be a bit heavy on the high frequencies at times similar to the AT2020, but tends to sound a lot cleaner overall. It's one of the best options in my opinion given the sheer amount of quality you get for that price, but definitely make sure your space can handle it too--they're EXTREMELY sensitive to sound. I use a slightly different Rode model, but mine can literally pick up people talking on the other side of the building if I crank up my gain! Of course if you can afford a Neumann TLM 103 then I say definitely go for that one, but imo if you're mostly looking at the indie scene, it truly isn't worth the jump from $150 to $1200 just for a mild improvement in quality. I have friends who use the NT1 and book professional indie gigs just fine, often over those who DO use more expensive mics! Good room treatment is seriously your best friend and can make almost any mic sound top tier!

In that case you don’t need to mount it on the violin - get a good mic stand, find a quality condenser mic, experiment with mic position but ideally quite close to your instrument, overhead facing the bridge and f holes or end of fingerboard should work well. I can’t advise on which mic to choose from Amazon- I would rather use a specialist music store to avoid getting poor quality equipment. Good luck and I hope you get done good results! Edit; can’t go wrong with a Rode NT1, available from Amazon (at least where I am). Depends on your budget. Edit: I meant end of fingerboard not end of tailpiece

We used to run Blue Yeti USB, and recently switched to Rode XLR. MASSIVE difference in audio quality, ease of operation, and customization. Not close