ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) content has taken the internet by storm, offering millions of viewers a relaxing and immersive experience through sound. Whether you're new to creating ASMR content or looking to upgrade your setup, the quality of your equipment plays a crucial role in delivering a high-fidelity, soothing experience to your audience. In this guide, we'll walk you through the best home recording studio equipment for ASMR content creators, covering microphones, audio interfaces, headphones, and accessories to help you create the best ASMR audio.
The microphone is the most important piece of equipment for any ASMR creator. Since ASMR relies on subtle sounds and binaural audio to trigger the ASMR response, having a microphone that can capture nuanced audio with incredible detail is essential. Below are the top-rated microphones for ASMR recording.
Binaural microphones are designed to capture sound exactly how the human ear hears it, creating a 3D, immersive experience. This is the gold standard for ASMR content creators, as it offers the best spatial quality.
3Dio FS Pro II Binaural Microphone
Price: Around $500
Why It's Great for ASMR : The 3Dio FS Pro II is widely considered one of the best binaural microphones available for ASMR. It features two high-quality condenser microphones positioned in a way that mimics the human ear, which is perfect for creating spatial, immersive recordings.
Actionable Tip : Use the 3Dio FS Pro II for head-related transfer function (HRTF) recordings. These microphones capture sounds that feel as though they're happening right around you, such as whispers, tapping, and brushing sounds.
Price: Around $3,000
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Neumann KU 100 is a high-end binaural microphone designed specifically for high-quality immersive recordings. It offers exceptional detail and sensitivity to capture even the softest sounds.
Actionable Tip : This microphone is ideal for creating professional-level ASMR content. If you have the budget and want the best quality, the Neumann KU 100 will deliver superb clarity and spatial accuracy.
Condenser microphones are highly sensitive and capable of capturing a broad frequency range, making them excellent for ASMR content that requires clarity and precision.
Price: Around $100
Why It's Great for ASMR : The AT2020 is an affordable cardioid condenser microphone with great sensitivity and detail. It's a popular choice for ASMR creators on a budget, providing clear and natural sound capture.
Actionable Tip : The AT2020 is best for close-mic ASMR recordings like whispering, mouth sounds, or tapping. Keep the mic at a fixed distance (4-6 inches) to maintain clarity while avoiding distortion.
Price: Around $170
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Blue Yeti X is a versatile USB condenser microphone with multiple polar patterns, including cardioid and omnidirectional. This flexibility allows creators to adjust the mic setup based on the type of ASMR content being recorded.
Actionable Tip: Use the omnidirectional mode when recording binaural-style ASMR, and switch to cardioid mode for focused, close-mic content like tapping or scratching.
An audio interface is necessary for connecting professional microphones to your computer or other recording devices. It converts the analog signals from your microphones into a digital format that your recording software can process. For ASMR creators, a good audio interface will ensure that your microphone captures every tiny detail without distortion.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen)
Price: Around $160
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Scarlett 2i2 is one of the most popular and reliable audio interfaces available. It provides clean, transparent audio with minimal latency, making it ideal for ASMR recordings that require accurate sound reproduction.
Actionable Tip : Pair the Scarlett 2i2 with a high-sensitivity microphone like the Audio-Technica AT2020 for superior sound capture. It offers excellent value for both beginners and intermediate creators.
Price: Around $900
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Apollo Twin X is a high-end audio interface with ultra-low latency and premium preamps, making it perfect for ASMR creators who demand the best quality. It includes built-in DSP processing for real-time effects, which can be useful when mixing or editing ASMR content.
Actionable Tip : If you plan on recording complex ASMR sessions, such as layered sounds or 3D audio, the Apollo Twin X will handle the audio with pristine clarity. It's an investment for those looking to take their ASMR recordings to a professional level.
ASMR requires precision and clarity, so monitoring your recordings with high-quality headphones is essential. The right pair of headphones will help you hear every subtle sound, ensuring that your content is as detailed and immersive as possible.
Price: Around $150
Why It's Great for ASMR : The DT 770 PRO is a closed-back headphone that provides excellent sound isolation and a balanced sound profile. This makes them perfect for ASMR monitoring, as they allow you to hear every nuance of your recordings without outside distractions.
Actionable Tip : Use the DT 770 PRO to monitor ASMR content as you record, ensuring that any unwanted noise or distortion is caught early. They're also great for editing and mixing because of their clarity.
Price: Around $100
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Sony MDR-7506 is a widely used closed-back headphone known for its accurate sound reproduction and comfortable fit. They are often the go-to choice for professionals in the audio industry, making them an excellent choice for ASMR content creators.
Actionable Tip: Use these headphones to monitor the quality of subtle ASMR sounds, like ear-to-ear whispering or tapping. Their neutral sound profile ensures that what you hear while recording is true to the final output.
To capture pristine ASMR recordings, you need to eliminate any unwanted sounds that can interfere with the tranquility of your content. Pop filters and windshields help reduce plosive sounds (like "p" and "t" noises) and wind noise.
Aokeo Professional Microphone Pop Filter
Price: Around $15
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Aokeo pop filter is designed to eliminate unwanted plosives while maintaining the clarity of your voice. It's an affordable and essential tool for any ASMR creator, especially if you are recording close-mic sounds like whispering.
Actionable Tip: Place the pop filter a few inches away from your microphone to reduce harsh plosives without affecting the quality of your recording.
Rycote Super-Softie Windshield
Price: Around $200
Why It's Great for ASMR : The Rycote Super-Softie is a professional-grade windshield that helps eliminate wind noise and unwanted external sounds. If you plan on recording ASMR outside or in an environment where air movement is common, this will ensure your audio stays clean.
Actionable Tip : Use the Super-Softie when recording ambient ASMR sounds, such as nature-based content, or if you're in an area with a lot of air movement. It's also great for indoor recordings with fans or air conditioning.
Once you've recorded your ASMR audio, it's time to edit it. A DAW is essential for mixing, refining, and editing your content. It allows you to clean up unwanted noise, adjust levels, and create the perfect atmosphere for your audience.
Audacity (Free)
Why It's Great for ASMR : Audacity is a free, open-source DAW that is beginner-friendly and packed with features for editing ASMR recordings. It supports multi-track recording and offers powerful noise reduction tools, making it a solid option for those just starting in ASMR content creation.
Actionable Tip : Use Audacity to remove background noise or edit specific parts of your recording where distortion or unwanted sounds occur. Experiment with the noise reduction features to keep your audio clean without losing any of the subtle nuances.
Price: Around $20/month
Why It's Great for ASMR : Adobe Audition is a professional DAW with advanced features such as spectral frequency display, multi-track editing, and automatic noise reduction. It's designed for those who want to take their ASMR content to a higher level.
Actionable Tip : Use Adobe Audition's noise reduction and sound effects to enhance the soothing aspects of your recordings. It's particularly useful for cleaning up recordings that involve movement or background interference.
Creating high-quality ASMR content at home requires investing in the right tools that suit your style and budget. By choosing the best microphones, audio interfaces, headphones, and accessories, you can elevate the quality of your recordings and provide an immersive experience for your audience. Whether you're whispering, tapping, or exploring other ASMR triggers, the equipment outlined in this guide will help you capture every detail, making your content stand out in the ever-growing ASMR community.
The key to success is not just the equipment, but also the creativity and care you put into your content. With the right setup, you can create ASMR experiences that will help your viewers relax, sleep better, or simply enjoy the soothing world of sound. Happy recording!