The 10 Best Stereo Microphones

The 1/2-inch capsules on the Rode NT4 X/Y Condenser (around $529) are offset at a fixed 90-degree angle, ensuring that they provide you with unobstructed feeds from the left and right sides. You can run them on phantom power or an internal 9-volt battery.

Available in a slew of colors to complement your recording space, the Blue Yeti USB (about $110) may surprise you with its functionality, especially given its budget-friendly price point. It gives you four varied polar shapes to choose from.

The figure eight elements inside the Audio-Technica AT4050ST Condenser (around $1299) allow you to adjust its pickup pattern to a variety of angles. That makes it particularly versatile, whether you're tracking vocals or recording a live piano.

The Rode VideoMic X (around $597) is built to be mounted on top of a DSLR or mirrorless camera that you would use to capture video. It has a great global pickup that really immerses viewers as they watch and listen to whatever it is that you've recorded.

The upper chamber on the Avantone Pro CK-40 (about $599) rotates, allowing you to quickly manipulate its polar pattern to suit your needs, and convenient degree markings let you make those adjustments with precision. It comes with a splitter box to divide the output signal.

Thanks to its use of batteries for power, the Audio-Technica AT2022 X/Y (around $249) can be paired with a wide variety of recorders. Its capsules can fold flat for storage and transportation, both protecting them and decreasing its footprint wherever you want to pack it.

The attenuator on the Audio-Technica AT8024 Camera Mount (appx. $209) allows you to select a 0, -10, or -20-decibel pad, so you can control the sensitivity of your mic in environments where any extra noise might ruin an otherwise perfect recording.

If you're looking for a simple solution that you can plug into your iPhone or iPad and instantly create a high-quality field recorder, the Shure MV88 (appx. $149) is it. It offers five presets that maximize your fidelity for a given application.

The Audio-Technica Pro 24 (about $60) is useful in a lot of different scenarios, from live vocals in a controlled studio to field recording in the midst of a music festival. Unfortunately, it has a hardwired cable, so if that fails, you'll need to replace the whole device.

Ideal for anyone looking to mic up an interview subject for a podcast or documentary, the Sony ECMCS3 Clip (around $19) attaches securely to lapels, collars, and neck ties. It's also small enough to hide if you want to use it for filmmaking.