TONOR TC20 Cardioid Condenser Mic Kit (Review)

We have another interesting microphone kit coming from TONOR. This round we have the TONOR TC20 Cardioid Condenser Mic Kit, an affordable entry-level solution for just about anyone looking for something that isn’t going to break the bank. It comes with nearly everything you could ever need to get started with, at an attractive price.

This is another great kit for bloggers, podcasters, gamers, and more. They just keep kicking out these kit solutions that are taking over the internet as it opens up the ability for anyone to buy into a setup like this, all while spending less than $100 (including on buying into a few extra items to finish it off with).

It comes with their TC20 condenser microphone, a boom arm to position it with (their new one too), a shock mount to hold it with which also helps to absorb any vibrations and anything else that might occur to the surface it is all installed on, an XLR cable, (this keeps going), a nylon pop filter with clamp, a foam windscreen, and finally, some zip ties to help neaten the cable as it runs around the arm and to the microphone (that was a long sentence-graph…that’s a word now–I have spoken).

Really, there is only one thing missing that is “required” in order to operate it. Everything else is just by chance (ie, longer XLR cable, etc). The missing item is phantom power since it is a condenser mic and condenser mics sure like their phantom power (else, they won’t work). This can be obtained using something as simple as a small affordable phantom power amp (which is available from companies just like TONOR: here are some examples), or using a simple/affordable audio console/mixer solution that supports phantom power (here are some ideas) for multiple inputs–or, an expensive digital console like we prefer to use here, but that’s user preference, and you likely would be matching that with more expensive mics (so it doesn’t exactly apply here).

So you’re spending about $20-$99 on a solution that provides phantom power. It all depends on what kind of solution works best for your setup. Many are just going to be running this to their PC, which then all they need is the little phantom power amp since it adapts to 3.5mm (aux) out. So, as I said, you can get this complete and working at just under $100. Even if you need a little longer cable as well for whatever reason.

As mentioned, the boom arm is their newer model. This means it clamps onto a better surface area than their last one and can take on a little more weight as well. It makes for a pretty sturdy boom arm. Does it compete with some of the nicest ones? Of course, it doesn’t–but look how much you are paying (significantly less). It’s a nice boom arm and a good item to have in your inventory of gear no matter what. For example, I use one at home for a webcam setup, so that I can push it up and out of the way when I don’t need it (and we have access to all sorts of expensive gear I could be using if I wanted).

The microphone is simple. No adjustments, just a basic mic with an XLR input at the bottom. It features a 16mm capsule inside and has a pickup of 20Hz-20KHz (and of course, a cardioid pattern).

Performance-wise, you can hear what it sounds like in the video below where we unbox and demonstrate the kit. We have it running to a digital console (Yamaha QL1) on clean power (well-grounded and nothing else on the circuit that could cause noise, like lighting, fans, etc) and didn’t make a single effort to edit the audio post-edit. It was simply dropped in “as is”, in the raw.

With that, it doesn’t sound bad at all for an entry-level solution. It’s pretty crisp with a focus on your mid-highs and highs. Lows aren’t as present as you get with some more expensive options. In fact, the lower frequencies are almost missing. However, you can pull those in a bit using a mixer or post-edit within your software (by inflating your EQ a little on the low-end), if you absolutely need it (usually, you are cutting a lot of the low-end off anyway to help clean up the voice recording).

It is a little tinny, with a little too much focus on some of the higher frequencies. However, again, this can be easily cleaned up using a board or software. In the end, you can make it so the highs are not as bright, and the lows are (well) present, resulting in some quite decent audio coming from his microphone. Quite decent for this price!

Our Conclusion

It is too bad that a phantom power amp isn’t included in the kit. This would have made this close to a perfect score for this price. This is likely due to their choice to use the new/nicer boom arm while also keeping the price down. So there is some additional spending you have to accomplish unless you already have a phantom power source within your setup/gear. As mentioned, it is a little bright within the higher freqs and there isn’t much low-end at al–but this can be fixed with a physical or software-based mix during or post-edit. It is, however, a powerful kit with all sorts of pieces to complete your setup with, and at a good price. For what it is, it is an amazing kit for those not looking to spend a lot.

*Average price is based on the time this article was published

Video:

Additional Images:

Specifications:

• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Capsule Size: 16mm
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
• Sensitivity: -45dB+/-3dB (0dB=1V/Pa, at 1KHz)
• Output Impedance: 2.2K ohms
• Max. SPL: 120dB
• THD + N: less than 1%
• S/N Ratio: 94dB

Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.

Don’t forget to subscribe for a chance to win cool prizes!