When recording keyboard typing sounds, unwanted background noise often ends up stealing the spotlight. In my case, it’s studio lighting hum. You don’t really notice it while typing, but the moment you play back the audio, it’s impossible to unhear.
I started shopping around for microphones to capture a cleaner sound, and before I knew it, I had six of them. I never planned to build a shootout lineup. I just had my daily mic, grabbed another because it was cheap, added one more out of curiosity, and here we are.
Part of me wonders if I should have just bought a solid Shure mic and called it a day. But I’m a Rode fan at heart, so even if I had, I probably would have ended up browsing Rode’s catalog anyway.
Two Rode Mics That Started Out on My Camera
I originally bought the Rode VideoMic GO II to use with my Sony ZV-1. It’s designed to mount right onto the camera shoe, but because it also plugs directly into a PC via USB, I started using it for keyboard audio.
Then I picked up the first-generation VideoMicro. Honestly, the price was just too good to pass up. Even with the GO II on hand, I figured having another compact Rode mic around wouldn’t hurt.
Both are camera-mount condensers. The GO II uses a mini-shotgun design, while the original VideoMicro is a compact cardioid mic. Though they share similar use cases, their acoustic design and pickup patterns are distinct.
The GO II tightly focuses on whatever it’s pointed at, whereas the VideoMicro rolls off more low-end. The real test is seeing how that shapes the thickness and clack of keycaps in a recording. Will they sound almost identical because they share the same brand DNA, or will the differences jump out immediately?
I’m pairing these two up for my first comparison video. I’ll mount them on the ZV-1, record the exact same keyboard, and see how much ambient lighting hum each one lets through in an actual shooting setup.
Budget Dynamics: FIFINE AM8 and K688
It’s not just Rode gear on my desk. I also have the FIFINE AM8 and K688, two popular budget choices. Both are dynamic microphones that offer both USB and XLR connections.
Whenever you research microphones for typing audio, the dynamic versus condenser debate is bound to come up. Given how much background noise was bothering me, I wanted to see how a dynamic mic placed right next to the keys would fare.
Even within the dynamic category, the AM8 and K688 sound noticeably different. According to the manufacturer, the AM8 leans warmer and bass-heavy, while the K688 brings out clearer mids and highs. I want to see if that means a weightier typing profile on the AM8 and a crisper, sharper clack on the K688.
Of course, a dynamic mic won’t magically erase lighting hum on its own. Distance from the board and gain staging play a huge role in the final output. You can’t just pick a mic type and expect an instant fix.
For the second comparison video, I’ll pit the AM8 directly against the K688. I’ll record the same keyboard, level-match the playback, and see if their tonal differences clearly come through in typing tests.
The Rode XDM-100 and the Newly Added NT1 5th Gen
I’ve also been using the Rode XDM-100 recently. Despite already owning two dynamic mics, I bought another one anyway—it’s tough to resist gear from a brand you love.
If I had stopped there, the collection would sit at five. But today, I added the Rode NT1 5th Gen: a large-diaphragm studio condenser. After spending time with the XDM-100, I couldn’t help wondering how typing sounds would translate through a high-end studio condenser.
The XDM-100 is a dedicated USB dynamic mic, while the NT1 5th Gen is a large-diaphragm condenser supporting both USB and XLR. I want to hear how it stacks up against the smaller camera condensers, as well as how it contrasts with the dynamic XDM-100.
These two will headline my third comparison video. I’ll record the same keyboard with each to gauge the balance between key clacks and ambient lighting noise. Usability matters just as much—even if a mic sounds incredible, you won’t reach for it if it gets in the way of your camera frame.
Six Mics In: Time to Actually Listen
Looking at the shelf, the gear naturally divides into three pairs: two Rode camera mics, two FIFINE dynamics, and Rode’s XDM-100 matched against the NT1 5th Gen. Testing each pair back-to-back should give me a much clearer idea of what my ideal typing sound really is.
I used to think buying a pricier mic would settle everything, but as soon as you get one, you want to reposition it or try a completely different operating principle. In the rush to try new gear, I haven’t spent enough time doing direct A/B testing to find the exact sound profile I prefer.
Six is where I draw the line for now. I’m sticking to the mics I already have. If I buy an NT1 and still catch myself browsing mic listings, I’ll have to face the truth: mic collecting has become the hobby, not typing audio.
