Looking to get started on your new vlog or start streaming your favorite games, but don’t have a lot of money to throw at your hobby just yet? We may have an answer! Not only that, but it comes from the same company where we’ve said something familiar to this before. That company is TONOR, and they specialize in affordable condenser microphones and mount solutions. Nothing they make is expensive, and they have a great solution for any consumer looking to get their hands on an entry-level solution to their new project that isn’t going to break the bank!
One of these solutions is their TC-777 USB Microphone and it just so happens to be their top-selling microphone. The TC-777 is a small to mid-size condenser microphone that will connect to any system capable of using a USB mic. It features a simple design without any adjustable settings on its body and offers a cardioid pickup to focus on the subject sitting in front of it while toning background noise out a bit. Perfect for someone who doesn’t need anything but that.
This microphone is only $39, which makes it quite the bargain when you consider what it comes with, and what it sounds like. Not a surprise coming from this company based on their history but always a joy to see these kinds of results.
The body of the microphone features a cobalt blue finish to it, with a silver accent line running around it, and the TONOR logo in white print across the front (as you can see in the above image). The grill is black, and there is nothing else outside of the attached USB running out the bottom.
It comes in an all-inclusive kit that has everything you need to get rolling, including a tripod table stand, a small shock-mount, and a nylon pop filter. There is a gooseneck that is permanently attached to the back of the shock-mount that runs around to where you need it, and the filter screws right onto it (the only assembly needed out of the box). It also includes a foam windscreen in case you ever need it. Sitting on your desk though, you’ll probably toss that in a drawer and forget about it. The pop-filter is what really makes the best difference in a static position like this.
The shock mount isn’t the best as it really is small and rides close to the microphone, but you really can’t complain too much with it being this affordable. It still gets the job done well and helps contribute to better audio due to less surrounding noise from vibrations making their way the mic (every bit counts). The tripod seems to help as well thanks to rubber ball-shaped feet at the end of each leg. This helps to keep it from sliding around but it also helps to isolate some of those surrounding vibrations from getting to the mic.
In fact, it does pretty well with isolating vibrations, making it easier to work with on a desk you are leaning all over than the much more expensive Blue Yeti USB Mic we compared it against in our test (video is available below, right after the conclusion). The Yeti is a wonderful-sounding microphone, but you have to be creative on how you mount/place it, as every vibration or touch to the surface that it is sitting on, is going to make it to the microphone. This wasn’t so much the issue with this TONOR mic.
That being said, there still is surface noise that passed through to the mic like any desktop stand, so if you run into this and want to avoid it, it is best to invest in an adjustable mic arm that can suspend the mic. Attach it to something other than the desk and suspend the microphone in front of you as you use it, and all of those vibrations sneaking into the microphone will be gone. TONOR also happens to be one of the most affordable sources for buying into one of these arms (you can find them here). Not only does this make a noticeable difference to the sound of your setup, but it also makes it look pretty cool for anyone that walks by and happens to see it.
The overall tone of the microphone is impressive for this kind of price range. The results are crisp and clear and there is no muddiness to the low end. You might be surprised by how many of your viewers or listeners might think you are using something better than this.
You can hear both the TONOR TC-777 and the Blue Yeti mic compared side-by-side in the below video (after the conclusion). There are some missing frequencies within the mid-low to low end, but nothing terrible at all. Switching over the to Yeti only enhanced these frequencies just slightly. It’s only when you bring them both in close you hear the richness of the Yeti over this one (the Yeti absolutely has a nice warmth to it).
Our Conclusion
The result of our test of this microphone is that it will make a wonderful entry-level solution for simple/starter projects and hobbies. Great for podcasters and vloggers looking to get started without breaking the bank. The clarity is amazing for the price, and unless people can see you using it, they will likely think you are using something more pricey. We wouldn’t try to go too pro with it, which means no recording vocals for your next big pop album. However, I think anyone could benefit from having one of these in their arsenal of gear. Why not? It sounds good!
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Our Rating | Average Price* $39.99 |
*Average price is based on the time this article was published
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