Reviewed and recommended by Digital Foundry.
If you want to stream, podcast or record YouTube gaming videos, one of the first steps is to choose a good USB microphone or XLR. These mics can provide that extra level of audio quality, noise reduction and control you need to be a successful content designer – things you won't often find on your standard audio microphone. There are many options on the market, so we checked out the most popular USB and XLRs available to find the best deal.
We have divided our selections into several different categories: the best streaming mics, the best for recording voiceovers or podcasts and the most affordable option. There is a different class of XLR mics, because these are different fish chains. We have also opted for an adhesive mic that draws built-in multiple game headsets but is always easy to use.
All of our choices are to sell for less than $ 200/200, as we focus on less expensive options for newcomers to content creation than technology-grade solutions that can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In the end, we also chose the option of running a few classes to recognize some of the best options for certain people.
That way, let's get into the selection. We will start with a brief summary of our five favorites. Click the links below to jump to that entry, or simply scroll down to read our full selection.
The best microphones for gaming 2020
Best mic for streaming: HyperX QuadCast
- A different look of gamer friendships with red light
- Excellent audio quality with four recording patterns and an excellent internal filter
- The default shape includes shock but is short
The QuadCast is the best USB microphone we have received for streaming with its excellent audio quality and its long list of well-made features. There are four recording modes on the render and a physical dial, allowing the mic to be converted to a single sound source or multiple voices with ease. Being able to mute your sound quickly can be invaluable, and the tap-to-bubble system – coupled with blurring the entire microphone – is the best implementation we've seen. Other useful features include an internal and external validation filter p and b noises do not lead to annoying seizures, frightening movements in a given desk area and lag sound monitoring. The only real risk is that the LED lighting is not optional and the default orientation is shorter, so using the right boom arm or other mount is recommended.
Runner-up: Blue Yeti Nano
The Blue Yeti Nano achieves the same niche as QuadCast: a portable USB mic with a short shape but good sound quality and a modern look. Nano offers two recording patterns, one voice-activated cardioid mode and an ideal omnidirectional mode for capturing group chat with just one mic. The performance of the mute here is much more obvious than QuadCast but better than the full size of the Yeti, with a green or red ring around the mute button to say Mic is off or off. The Nano is cheaper than the Quadcast and has a more restricted appearance, which would make it a good choice.
Best USB mic for recording and podcasting: Blue Yeti X
- Selection of four recording patterns to suit different conditions
- Standout audio quality that requires less cleaning
- Useful LED volume meter and many software options
- It will download background noise as keyboards when the gain is too high
When it comes to broadcasting and podcasting, the Blue Yeti series is probably the most popular microphone in the world. Whether hit down at a desk to get caught up in a chunky stand or stuck in a tight boom, Yeti offers solid audio quality for use cases thanks to its four recording patterns: Cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional and bidding. The installation of a 3.5mm hair jackphone means you can also install headphones to properly monitor what the mic is hearing.
The Yeti X is the latest version and features a new USB volume meter and a multi-function control knob up front, making it easy to adjust the gain by driving at the correct flight levels. On the software side of things, the Blue Vo category! Ce at Logitech G Hub we include a number of options for adjusting the tone and removing annoying sonic art, including edits from popular broadcasts. The Yeti X is a solid improvement over the standard Yeti, but if you're working on a budget the original model is still worth considering.
Best XLR mic: Audio-Technica AT2020
- Warm, straightforward sounds
- Professionally, it's almost an unknown look
- It allows access to the complex yet dynamic XLR ecosystem
The AT2020 is a well-known entry-level XLR mic system, which offers the possibility of a much clearer sound if you are willing to put together the equipment needed to operate. All that comes in the box is the mic, bag and stand adapter, so you'll need to provide at least an XLR cable, stand and a connector or mixer that provides at least 48V of phantom power. Once all of these components are in place, your reward is warm, crystal-clear sound ready to record podcasts or audiovers. It is noted that the AT2020 is quite high and is attached to the & # 39; expert & # 39; rather than a & # 39; gamer & # 39; in the looks department, but that's not a bad thing.
Runner-up: Blue Ember
The Blue Ember is a great alternative, bringing the traditional Blue Yeti sound quality to an easy-to-reach affair. It's also part of Blue XLR's next cheapest price tag, Spark, making it a better choice for content creators early in their journey. Like the AT2020, you'll need an audio interface that provides at least 48V of phantom power and orientation to get started – so here's one recommendation.
Best floral audio display: TC-Helicon GoXLR / GoXLR Mini
- A simple audio interface between one and the mix solution
- Unsurprisingly good for ports, last but not least
- It is reasonably priced, but buying individual items can be expensive
The GoXLR is the most compatible single-phase display we have tested on flowers, providing 48V phantom power to XLR microphones up to 70dB of gain to drive almost all mics on the market. While the GoXLR is more expensive than the simple use of equivalent sound quality, the ease of use of hardware controls such as fashion, buttons and rods in this unit is great. Combined with the system performance benefits of achieving your mixing and rotation with Hardware rather than software, and you're left with a convincing package.
Impressive sound effects and controls are backed up by a powerful tool – and somehow – software that allows the microphone to be sold internally and a number of functionality to be made to make your voice heard the way you want it to. You can also adjust how the audio is transmitted to any USB unit audio devices. For example, you can put your game on one audio device, your mic on another, your conversation on another. You can also set up different sounds and samples, if that's your style. Finally, the lighting is reversible, making it a great visual supplement.
While the original GoXLR is impressive, the smaller GoXLR Mini offers the best value for money. The ports and hardware performance remain unchanged on the Mini, even though you lose the sample and control results from the right side. In fact, these are the most important parts of the unit, so it's an acceptable sacrifice given the huge difference in price.
Excellent headset mic: Antlion Audio ModMic USB
- The industry's best audio quality, available in 3.5mm, USB or wireless
- You can be added to almost any gaming headset or headphones
- It requires a small amount of initial setup
Antlion ModMic has long been praised by tech professionals, and after testing ModMic Uni, ModMic USB and ModMic Wireless it's easy to see why – this family of mics sounds much better than any headset microphone on the market. Each can be put to the best of any set of headphones, using a small piece of adhesive. The mic size can be removed as needed, leaving only a small amount of force attached to the back, and there are a few pieces to attach to the box if you want to move the mic to new heads in the future.
Where the microphone is so different is about how they connect to your PC or console. ModMic Uni comes with a 3.5mm jack, similar to ModMic 4 and ModMic 5 before it, while Wireless ModMic uses Bluetooth AptX Low Latency for good for about twelve hours between transmissions. ModMic USB is a very advanced model, with USB connectivity for PS4 and PC that allows Antlion to output itself to process audio to improve aural performance.
If you're on a budget, the low-cost ModMic Uni is the best choice, since it offers the best audio quality of any headset mic we've tested. We also recommend it for Xbox, or for PC users who work with advanced headphones amps or advanced sound cards. For PS4 or PCs with on-board audio, Sonic's better ModMic USB performance makes it better. Finally, ModMic Wireless pairs best with wireless handsets, allowing you to re-install the headset and mic together while maintaining complete wireless communication for games.
The cheapest USB mic: Blue Snowball Ice
- Excellent audio quality for money
- Connect and play USB performance
- No physical controls or additional features
If you only have $ 50/50 to invest in to improve your recording set, you'll get the most band with your band on Blue Snowball Ice. This old mic desk provides surprisingly good audio quality, enough to record a video voiceover or start your own streaming service. It's also easy to use – just plug it in and hit records, without any additional software or equipment to install it. However, he loses when it comes to features compared to the more expensive recommendations on this list, a single recording pattern in the less expensive Ice model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some useful accessories?
Instead of relying on short trains fitted with multiple USB and XLR microphones, the right adjustable arm makes it easier to set your microphone to capture your voice without taking too much of your screen (when playing a game) or your camera's view (when streaming). When adjusting your arm, consider the style of your microphone. The side address microphone, such as the Blue Yeti, works best when talking in one direction, while the upper address microphones should be pinned directly to your mouth. We used the Blue Compass arm and the Radius 3 shock Mount to test this microphone, but there are many other options available at this price point range.
Pop filters and air shields are the next supplement to consider, as they reduce the impact of the placement – it sounds like p and b harsh to the ears when recorded with an empty microphone. Pop filters and air shields are usually installed on your mic or boom arm, and need to be installed between you and your mic to work.
For XLR cosmetics, you'll also need an audio interface and a male-to-female XLR cable to grow your microphone.
Is it better to use USB or XLR?
If you are going to use your single mic on your PC, then the USB microphone is ready – plug and play, with no additional equipment required. XLR mics need to be connected through the audio interface, but this allows you to install other audio instruments such as multiple microphones or mixers. For starters, USB is the way to go, while the XLR might be a better choice for dedicated content creators looking for room to grow into advanced settings. You can also distinguish the difference – take an XLR mic, but use a simple XLR on the USB adapter until you have imported the right audio interface.
What platforms can I use?
The aforementioned USB mics will work great out-of-the-box on Windows, MacOS and PS4, and XLR mics will need to be connected to an adapter or USB output interface to achieve the same purpose. The Xbox One doesn't support USB mics, unfortunately.
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