I have tested a number of USB microphones to determine which ones work best for different scenarios, not to mention different budgets. Here you'll find the best mics we've tested, along with a guide to their various uses. But before we get to that, let's talk a bit about microphones in general.
To start, you should know how most professional microphones function. In a typical recording studio scenario, a microphone is an analog piece of gear that sends a signal to a console or computer through an XLR cable (often through a mixer that can handle multiple microphones at once). The signal from the mic should be more or less pure, with EQ, dynamic compression, and reverb added later in production.
Digital mics that use USB cables are a totally different beast. The audio is processed and
digitized through the microphone itself instead of at the other end of the cable. Any editing you do at the computer is being done to a signal that has already been digitally processed, with the maximum sampling and bit rate dictated by the microphone. Each USB mic is essentially its own analog-to-digital converter (DAC), and often with its own gain knob built in (in the analog studio world, that gain knob is often on a different piece of gear entirely, usually referred to as a Mic Pre). USB mics also often have headphone jacks, which is another anomaly compared with the analog studio mic world.
The biggest differentiator between USB mics themselves is how they use digital signal processing (DSP). Some mics have it and use it subtly. Some mics avoid DSP completely and offer you the purest high-bitrate signal they can. And some mics not only employ DSP, but glob it on in thick coats that offer anything but a pure signal (and that can be fine, too, if it serves your intended purpose). Typically, most of the mics with heavy DSP are geared toward gamers, though that's not exclusively the case.
All-in-one professional USB microphone with audio interface
Ideal for podcasting, gaming/streaming and recording music
Dual 1" (25mm) condenser capsule
Cardioid (unidirectional), bidirectional and omnidirectional pickup patterns
Smooth, flat frequency response of 50Hz–20kHz
24-bit, 96kHz resolution
USB output for connecting to any Mac or PC device
1/4" instrument input for connecting guitars or line level devices
Record Mic and Instrument input simultaneously
1/8" stereo headphone output with level control for zero-latency monitoring
3-color Power/Clip/Mute LED
Plug-and-play, no driver installation required
Compatible with most computer-based digital audio workstation software
Die-cast zinc construction with heavy gauge mesh grille
Integrated desktop base
Specifications
Polar Pattern: Cardioid (unidirectional), bidirectional, omnidirectional
Capsule: Dual back electret condenser
Diaphragm Width/Thickness: 25mm/3 microns
Frequency Response: 50Hz–20kHz
Sensitivity: +6dB FS/PA (all polar patterns)
Max. SPL: 120dB SPL
Bit Depth: 16 or 24-bit
Sample Rate: Up to 96kHz
Digital Output: USB
Headphone Output: 1/8" (3.5mm)
Headphone Impedance: 16Ω
Headphone Power Output: 85mW @ 32Ω
Instrument Input: 1/4"
Instrument Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Controls: Mute, Mic/Instrument/Headphone Volume, Monitor On/Off, Mono/2 Track
Product Dimensions: 4.5" (116mm) x 10.5" (268.5mm) diameter
Product Weight: 3.52lb (1.6kg)
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