The polar pattern determines how sensitive the mic is to the various directions that sound approaches it. When it comes to picking out a mic, one of the most important things you need to know is what the device’s polar patterns are. Whether you’re looking to start streaming or podcasting, want to start recording yourself performing music, or maybe you just want something you can use to chat with teammates while gaming, there are different kinds of microphones to meet your needs. To help you finally flip that Now Recording switch on, we’ve broken down the different kind of mics you can pick up as a beginner, and the best uses for them. You want something good, but you also don’t want to drop a huge wad of cash on Day One. If you’re dipping your toe into a new creative field that price barrier can feel like a deterrent. When it comes to picking out a new microphone, like most pieces of technology, the higher the quality of the device, the higher the price tag. BTW - prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. The mute sensor up top is (literally) a nice touch too – one tap is all it takes to mute the mic, which clearly shows you when it’s active or muted by turning off the RGB light, with no loud pops or clicks each time.Īlong with the shock mount, there’s also a desk stand included here, and the Quadcast S is ready for Discord, Skype, TeamSpeak, and pretty much every other major gaming server.At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Weight-wise, this is still pretty light, but the most noticeably dazzling feature here is the standout customizable RGB lighting. The gain knob has a wide range, and an internal pop filter gets the job done without the need for an external one. While this is primarily built for gamers and streamers, there’s a switch for four different selectable pickup patterns for various things: stereo for vocals and instruments, omnidirectional for events like conference calls, cardioid for podcasts/streaming, and bi-direction for when you and another person are talking face-to-face, picking up sound from the front as well as in back. This USB-C to USB-A mic includes a shock mount that cuts way down on vibrations, and a headphone jack in the mic itself that makes recording way easier if you’re wearing a wired set for real-time sound monitoring.
Unless you’re streaming on camera, no one is going to see the type of mic you’re using, so don’t get too caught up in the cosmetics and looks of it. Just like the mics though, these can be pretty cheaply made out of fragile materials that aren’t built to last, and metal is a much better choice if available.įinally, remember that it’s all about the sound quality. Some of these come with a stand, a pop filter, windscreen, shock mount, even an adjustable boom arm for clamping it on to a desk or shelf.
The best usb mic for podcasting plus#
Plus they’re more likely to get damaged after an accidental fall off your desk or when a mic stand gets knocked over.Įxtras: If you’re starting your setup from scratch, some extra included gear can be really helpful. But a low-quality mic can sound tinny, grating, and pick up annoying background noise like fans and air conditioners. That doesn’t mean you can’t snag a great mic at a price within your budget though. Things like volume and gain knobs can make things much easier when you’re livestreaming and don’t want to take your attention away by going into your DAW application or tweaking your preamp.īuild: A cheap build is going to feel hollow, and sound even worse. A supercardioid mic takes it up a notch, reducing the ambient noise around you and auto-balancing the sound.Ĭontrols: Some USB mics have controls built directly into them, so you won’t have to adjust your levels elsewhere in your audio setup. This is what podcasters use, since they’re mostly in one spot the whole time.
A cardioid mic is a directional mic, meaning you’ll have to speak directly into it to in order for the mic to pick up the most sound. Type: Cardioid and dynamic are the two main types of USB mics you’ll run into when searching. There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best USB mic for you. These mics all work with a USB hookup, so you can plug it in and get started right out of the box. And you don’t need to be an audio engineer to get and set up a good one either. There are many uses for a USB mic these days: Content creation, gaming, streaming, voiceover acting, remote learning and video calls, to name a few. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
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