In brief, it is a neat way of making high-quality recordings on your computer without having to buy lots of equipment and add to that its set up is very easy. USB Microphones are portable and cross-platform so if you buy one you should be able to use it on your PC, Mac, iPad, and laptop with minimum fuss. What is a USB Microphone – it is the most cost-effective option for getting a decent recording onto your computer. Apart from being a very good way of capturing vocals and performances of acoustic instruments etc, the USB Mic is particularly good for all the following too: video voice-overs; podcasts; internet radio; Skype and other forms of chat; hypnotherapy tapes; conferences; interviews and so on.The working method of a USB microphone is very simple.
Your Days Are Easy For USB Microphone
The USB Microphone is a quality microphone with a “built-in” interface so that you can plug it directly into your USB port. You bypass your computer’s sound card for recording so the result is much better. It also has the necessary amplification so the signal is at the right level.You don’t even need a sound card for it. The very first thing you need to know is the difference between a regular microphone and a USB microphone. Without getting into a lot of technical explanations, think of a regular microphone as an analog device and a USB microphone as one that has a built-in analog-to-digital converter. The second thing you need to know is that your USB microphone works with a device driver on your computer.
A device driver is Software that tells your operating system how to communicate with a device connected to the computer.The third thing you need to know, as you think about how you might want to use your new mic. For those who publish video blogs or podcasts, a USB mic may be perfect. Creating video training or documentation is another great opportunity for using a USB mic. Many folks use a USB microphone to improve the audio quality of their Skype sessions. One great advantage of a USB microphone is that you can throw the mic in your computer bag or case and record or communicate just about anywhere without taking a lot of bulky equipment with you.
15 Best Studio Monitor Over Ear Headphone With Microphone
10 Best USB Microphone For Computer 2018
#1 | Blue Yeti | |||
#2 | AONO AU901 | |||
#3 | Samson Technologies | |||
#4 | 1byone With Tripod | |||
#5 | Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ | |||
#6 | Rode NT-USB | |||
#7 | Blue Snowball | |||
#8 | Fifine k668 – Best Cheap USB Microphone | |||
#9 | CAD U37 | |||
#10 | TONOR |
Let Us Turn Our Attention To The 10 Best USB Microphone Available In The Market,
01. Blue Yeti
Features:
- Tri-capsule array – 3 condenser capsules can record almost any situation
- Multiple pattern selection – cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo
- Gain control, mute button, zero-latency headphone output. Dimensions (extended in stand) : 4.72 x 4.92 x 11.61 inches
- Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls
- Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8 (including 8.1), Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Home and Professional), and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher), and requires a minimum of 64 MB of RAM(remove existing and upload)
- Picks up every sound.
- Has fantastic sound quality
- The design allow you to adjust
- Has a great control over volume
- The cable may be not up to the mark.
02. MAONO AU901
Features:
- The Cable is updated to Cool Black.
- The Sample Rate and Bit Rate, up to 192kHz and 24bit separately, are higher than most of the USB microphones, means fast, sexy, full-bodied, rich voice.
- Just simply plug the USB cable into all kinds of PCs: Windows 8, Windows 7(no driver required), Windows Vista, XP Home Edition or XP Professional, Windows and Mac OS and Linux OX, for monitoring your voice
- To perform as a professional musical instrument, the reverb chip, as the core of a condenser USB microphone, is made with the latest and the most compatible digital audio configuration by our own R&D team.
- MAONO sensitive, clear, crisp and high-end USB MICROPHONE to show your taste and professional.
- 59 inches USB audio cable is designed for freely move around
- comes with an adjustable tripod that lets you position the microphone in relation to the sound source, improving sound quality.
- Plug and play mic that connects directly to your computer or laptop through a USB port.
- Record voice clearly
- Doesn’t work with Macbooks or iPhone 7.
03. Samson Technologies
Features:
- Large, 25mm diaphragm USB studio condenser microphone.
- Works with iPad using Apple’s Lightning USB Camera Adapter or Camera Connection Kit (30-pin).
- 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution.
- Smooth, flat frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz.
- Stereo 1/8″ headphone jack for no latency monitoring.
- Large, 25mm diaphragm USB studio condenser microphone.
- Works with iPad using Apple’s Lightning USB Camera Adapter or Camera Connection Kit (30-pin).
- 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution.
- Smooth, flat frequency response of 20Hz?20kHz.
- Stereo 1/8″ headphone jack for no latency monitoring.
- Producing rich audio recording for any application
- Gives you professional audio results no matter what you’re recording.
- This mic plugs right into your iPad with Apple’s USB connector.
- Picks up every sound.
- Can stop recording without any indication.
04. 1byone
Features:
- Do it best – Highly capable of capturing the whole range of the human voice, and delivering an up to 16 bit/48 kHz sampling rate
- Zero- latency – A zero-latency headphone jack for hearing exactly what you sound like without any distracting delay
- 2 pattern modes – Uni-directional or Omani-directional selectable, ideal for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, gaming, speech, vocal, conference calls, interview and more
- Plug and play – Included USB cable, compatible with Mac and Windows system
- Durability and adjustability – Solidly constructed metal appearance with adjustable tripod stand for long-lasting performance and individual needs
- Provides instant professional quality recordings.
- It has a mute button with LED indicator.
- This mike captures sound equally from all directions.
- Doesn’t work with Macbooks or iPhone 7.
05. Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
Features:
- Condenser microphone with USB output for digital recording
- High-quality A/D converter with 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate for superb audio
- Headphone jack with volume control allows you to monitor the microphone signal with no delay
- Mix control allows you to blend your microphone signal and pre-recorded audio
- High-output internal headphone amplifier delivers superior clarity and musical detail as well as more volume overall
- can be used for digital recording.
- Produce superb audio quality.
- Responds smoothly to the frequencies.
- Has mix control and volume control
- Stand design isn’t up to the mark.
06. Rode NT-USB
Features:
- The NT-USB is a highly versatile side-address microphone that is ideal for recording singing and musical performances in addition to spoken applications such as podcasting and voice-over.
- It is fully compatible with all mainstream recording applications on both Windows and Mac OS based computers.
- The body of the NT-USB features a zero-latency stereo headphone monitoring (3.5mm) jack
- A premium pop-filter is included, which fits onto the base of the mic, positioning the filter the ideal distance from the capsule to minimize plosives
- High-quality studio microphone with the convenience of USB connectivity
- Ultra-low noise.
- Compatible with Apple iPad
- On-mic mix control
- can be used for digital recording.
- Produce superb audio quality.
- Responds smoothly to the frequencies.
- This mike provides excellent clarity and fidelity.
- Not up to professional mark
07. Blue Snowball
Features:
- Transducer type: Condenser, pressure gradient with USB digital output
- Polar patterns: Omndirectional or cardioid
- Frequency response: Position 1-3: 40-18kHz
- Sample/Word rate: 44.1kHz/16-bit
- Weight: 460g; Dimensions: 325mm (circumference); Gloss black finish
- Hassle free set up.
- Has adjustable stand
- Omnidirectional mode picks up sound equally from all directions
- A unique pattern switch allows you to toggle between three different settings.
- Many can find the weight heavy.
08. Fifine k668 – Best Cheap USB Microphone
Features:
- Simply plug it into any available USB port.
- Windows and Mac compatible, and no software to install.
- Noise cancellation and isolates the main sound source.
- Good for home studio, Chatting, Skype, Discord, Yahoo Recording, YouTube Recording, Google Voice Search, and Steam. [Setup Mic with Steam]
- Extended frequency response is excellent for singing, speech, and Voice over.
- Performed perfectly in reproduces sound, high-quality Mic & perfect voice recorder.
- This Desktop microphone is ideal for everything from studio vocals, to speech, gaming, podcast and desktop recording.
- Wide frequency response for brilliant and transparent sound.
- Provides professional sound quality
- Records clearly
- Designed well
- Picks up even a whisper
- Recorded sound quality may not be that good.
09. CAD U37
Features:
- Comes with tripod stand. and excellent for desktop recording.
- Just plugin no need software installation.
- Fantastic mic to get into recording. Noise-free cardioid pattern.
- 10dB Setting Seems to Work the Best recording was much clearer.
- Bass-reduction switch reduces room noise.
- Windows and Macintosh compatible.
- Smooth, extended frequency response is excellent for singing, speech, and instruments.
- Ridiculously cheap
- Best bang for the buck
- Pad and low cut features
- Overall decent quality
- Easy plug and play
- No monitoring feature
- Sensitive to plosives
- Lacks crispness
10. TONOR
Features:
- Enough good sound effect
- With electronic circuit control
- Comes with gold-plated diaphragm capsule
- cardioid polar pickup pattern
- With durable steel suspension scissor arm stand
- It’s mountable and with a mounting clamp
- Nice windscreen pop filter with double nylon net
- 360-degree flexible gooseneck
- Anti-vibration shock mount
- It is enough Cheap
- Good audio for the price
- Decent at background noise rejection
- Can function on ~4.5v up to +48v
- Doesn’t capture performance’s energy.
- It cannot be compatible with mobile phone.
Best USB Microphones Buyer’s Guide
Buying a USB microphone is not easy. As it is an electronic gadget almost all of us know very little about the technical points of it. So we have to be aware of some general facts while buying a USB microphone. Some indication or some general thoughts, which may not be technical but it can assure you that you are buying the best USB microphone among the available in front of you.
First of all, you have to know what type of USB microphone you are going to buy. There are various kinds of USB microphone available in the market. You have to be sure in which purpose you want to use this USB microphone, and then buy according to your need. Let us give you a brief idea about all the types of USB microphone available in the current market.
Cardioid microphones
This type gets its name because of heart-shaped pattern in which it picks up music. Cardioid mics pick up all the sounds in front of them and block out all other sounds. This helps avoid picking up the unwanted ambient sound. This makes them great to use for live performances, drum kits, karaoke, and many other environments.
Omnidirectional microphones
Capturing sound from all directions, omnidirectional microphones provide a very natural sound. They are useful to use in studios, churches, and live recordings of multiple instruments. The downside of this type is that they don’t filter out unwanted noises so they are not useful in noisy areas.
Figure-8 microphones
This type is similar to the omnidirectional except they do not pick up sound from the sides. They only capture sound from the front and back. They are ideal to use for stereo recording. You can also use them when you want to record 2 or more instruments.
Shotgun microphones
Shaped like tubes, shotgun microphones do not pick up sound from the sides and have a longer pickup range from the front. This makes them great to use as suspended mics for recording singing groups. They are also used a lot in film and theater.
Switchable microphones
Designed to allow for multiple patterns, you can switch the pattern manually depending on the environment you are in. This type allows for the greatest flexibility and eliminates the need to purchase multiple mics.
The next things you have to keep in mind while buying a USB microphone are given below;
Pattern Of Pickup:
Most condenser mics have a ‘cardioid’ pickup pattern as its standard. This picks up more sound at the front and less at the back so isolates from unwanted background sound and is resistant to feedback from speakers etc. This pickup pattern is good for a soloist or one voice. Most dynamic mics have a ‘super cardioid’ pattern and are very directional. They are excellent if you want to avoid picking up background noise but have less frequency response. Again best suited to recording one person. Some USB Mics have an ‘omnidirectional’ pattern which is great if you want to record a conference or a larger group of musicians as they pick up sound all the way around (boundary mics, in particular, have are Omni). However, the disadvantage might be they pick up unwanted sound too. You just have to be careful about positioning. Finally, some mics have a ‘figure of 8’ pattern which is a useful option if you want to record two people having a conversation facing each other over the microphone. Some USB mics have a switch so you can choose different pickup patterns, a really flexible option.
Format:
USB Microphones tend to be exactly that and can only be used as a recording microphone when plugged into the USB port. However, there are some models that are ‘dual format’ and can also be used as a standard microphone. This is something to look for if you might ever want to use the microphone standalone plugged straight into a mixer or amp, use it live or anywhere where you don’t have access to a computer.
Slot Of Headphone:
The one problem with many USB microphones is that they are great recording microphones but you cannot ‘direct monitor’. So if you are a vocalist and want to record yourself over tracks then you won’t be able to listen to yourself and the track you are recording over at the same time. However, if you buy a USB microphone with headphone socket then these do have headphone output so are music better for that kind of recording set-up.
Frequency response:
Most of the USB mics on the market record at ‘CD Quality’ which is 16-Bit and 44.1 KHz. This is perfectly adequate for making good quality home studio recordings. If you want to make a really pro-resolution recording, then the chances are you won’t be considering a USB mic at all, but a more sophisticated combination of audio interface and the separate microphone. However, there are some USB microphones on the market that offer a very high recording resolution. So, I think frequency response is enough important part of the microphone.
Check Accessories:
Finally, check out what accessories the USB microphone has in the box – most include a stand and lead, some have a pouch or case. The top of the range models come in a flight case complete with shock mount and sturdy desktop stand. Because most of you are buying a USB mic for an out-of-the-box recording studio solution, make sure you at least get some kind of desktop stand.
Budget:
This is an important thing to consider before making any purchase. Knowing your budget will help you to streamline your search, eliminating options that are outside of your price range. Fortunately, there are many budget-friendly options. If you want a more professional standard, the price will go up a bit. Check out our list of the top 10 picks to see some of the best cheap USB microphones.
Related Articles:
- How to choose the best mic for your vocal performance
- Difference between a dynamic and condenser microphone
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