5 Best Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Options for Post Production in Every Budget

Like all microphones Condenser microphones use a diaphragm. The larger the diaphragm, the better the low level sounds. The smaller the diaphragm, the louder you can go.

In a studio environment, you must have total control over room tone, noise, reverb, etc. Ideally you need a ‘dead’ environment.

Sometimes, you might need to record music instruments or foley. There are two ways to deal with this: Either have only one microphone doing double duty, or have different microphones for different jobs.

The two kinds of microphones used in studio are:

• Condenser microphones
• Dynamic microphones

There are no rules regarding the choices of condenser vs dynamic microphones but here are some rules of thumb:

• Condenser microphones have more ‘depth’ for recording human voices
• Dynamic microphones can withstand moisture and abuse, which make them ideal for stage recordings or foley
• Musical instruments vary greatly, and each kind of instrument might need a matching ‘mate’ when it comes to a studio microphone. This is highly subjective.

For my suggestions for the best large diaphragm condenser microphones, check out this article:

5 Best Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Options for Post Production in Every Budget.

In this article we focus on the five best small diaphragm condenser microphone that will do a decent job for a small studio; in ascending order of price.

1 Shure SM137

The Shure SM137 is the first microphone on our list. Here are the specs:

Features	Shure SM137
Frequency Range	20 Hz to 20 kHz
Impedance	150 Ohms
Dynamic Range	1000 Ohms load: 122 dB 2500 Ohms load: 128 dB
Maximum SPL	1000 Ohms load: 139 dB (154 dB, Pad on) 2500 Ohms load: 144 dB (159 dB, Pad on)
Sensitivity	-41 dBV/Pa
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	75 dB
Equivalent Noise Level	19 dB
Power	48V

The Shure SM137 has a cardioid polar pattern condenser. It features a Class-A transformer-less preamplifier for transparency, pad for performance consistency and it has a low self-noise compared to other small diaphragm microphones of its budget range.

The Shure SM137 has an ultra-thin diaphragm which is 24 karat gold-layered for better transient response. The Internal and external connectors are also gold plated. It has two-position switchable pad for handling high sound pressure levels.

2 RODE NT5

The Rode NT5 (Amazon, B&H) is a cardioid pattern which specializes in minimizing the off-axis noise caused by leakage, additional instruments, room noise, etc. Here are the specs:

Features	RODE NT5
Frequency Range	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance	100 Ohms
Dynamic Range	128 dB
Maximum SPL	143 dB SPL
Sensitivity	-38 dBV
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	78 dB A-Weighted
Equivalent Noise Level	16 dB SPL A-Weighted
Power	24 to 48V

The Rode NT5 (Amazon, B&H) features a 1/2 inch gold-sputtered condenser capsule. The frequency range is flexible to capture accurately in any recording or sound reinforcement scenario.

The Rode NT5 is best to record acoustic instruments, for drum overheads and cymbals, live performances and recording dialogue on-location. An interchangeable omnidirectional capsule (NT45-O) is also available separately.

3 Shure KSM137/SL

The Shure KSM137/SL (Amazon, B&H) has a transformer-less, class-A output circuitry which provides a noise free output signal path while also maintaining high audio gain levels.

Here are the specs:

Features	Shure KSM137/SL
Frequency Range	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance	150 Ohms
Dynamic Range	131 dB
Maximum SPL	145 dB SPL
Sensitivity	-37 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	80 dB
Equivalent Noise Level	14 dB A-Weighted
Power	11 – 52 VDC

The Shure KSM137/SL (Amazon, B&H) features a 24 karat gold-layered Mylar diaphragm for better transient response. It has a subsonic filter to stop low frequency rumble (less than 17 Hz) which is caused by mechanical vibration

The Shure KSM137/SL has a three-position switchable pad (0 dB, 15 dB, and 25 dB) that handles high SPLs. It also features a three- position switchable low-frequency filter which reduces background noise and counteracts proximity effect.

4 Audio-Technica AT4053b

The Audio-Technica AT4053b (Amazon, B&H) has a hyper-cardioid pattern condenser for minimizing off-axis noise and improving the isolation of the desired sound source. Here are the specs:

Features	Audio-Technica AT4053b
Frequency Range	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance	50 Ohms
Dynamic Range	129 dB
Maximum SPL	145 dB SPL; 155 dB SPL with 10 dB pad (nominal)
Sensitivity	-34 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	78 dB
Equivalent Noise Level	16 dB
Power	48V

The Audio-Technica AT4053b (Amazon, B&H) has a transformer-less circuitry that minimizes low-frequency distortion and provides superior correlation of high-speed transients. The shotgun designed microphone is suitable for both studio and field environment.

Audio-Technica AT4053b inherits a switchable 80 Hz hi-pass filter and 10 dB pad. The microphone has rugged turned-brass housing for enduring dependability. It is direct coupled and the balanced output gives a clean signal result even under high output conditions.

5 Neumann KM 184 NI

The Neumann KM 184 NI (Amazon, B&H) is a cardioid pickup pattern microphone without off-axis coloration. Here are the specs:

Features	Neumann KM 184 NI
Frequency Range	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance	50 Ohms
Load Impedence	1000 Ohms
Dynamic Range	N/A
Maximum SPL	138 dB
Sensitivity	-36 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	72 dB CCIR 81 dB A-Weighted
Equivalent Noise Level	22 dB CCIR 13 dB A-Weighted
Power	48 V

The Neumann KM 184 NI (Amazon, B&H) is said to have an output stage based on the KM 100 series. It has a transformer-less circuitry and quiet balanced output design which ensures a clean as well as high-gain output signal without any coloration.

The Neumann KM 184 NI is slim designed and rugged constructed which allow easy microphone placement while remaining roadworthy. It has an Equivalent noise level of 13 dB, making it the best among the small diaphragm condenser microphones.

I’ve barely scratched the surface here. This list is only intended as a ‘point-of-entry’ information piece. You need to use these microphones in the real-world according to your specific use case. That’s the only want to know which one’s work for you.

If you know of any great microphones to add to this list, let me know in the comments below.