With the ever growing popularity and prevalence of podcasts and videos, it’s likely you’ll find yourself in need of a good quality USB microphone sometime in the future. Whether you’re an aspiring or established podcaster, business owner, video gamer, or just an artistic soul looking for some great audio recording, there are options out there to fit your needs and budget.
Of course, many people look down on USB microphones, claiming their analog XLR counterparts are superior. Fortunately, this simply isn’t true! Over the years, USB condenser microphones have become more rugged, durable, and available, along with boasting better sound quality.
In fact, modern USB mics use the same mic elements as their studio XLR brother and sisters; the only difference is that the signal is converted immediately from analog to digital in a USB mic, instead of later on in your computer. In this past this may have caused poor quality, but technology has advanced enough that you no longer need to be concerned. Most folks are familiar with the ever-present Blue Yeti mic, but below are some other cheap podcast mics you might not be aware of.
Today, with the right budget, USB mics can achieve the same quality as any others on the market, while coming in a variety of styles and price ranges for your different needs.
Starting our list is a great, moderately priced beginner mic! At only $21.99, this mic is plug and play, meaning no expensive (and sometimes hard to find) drivers required. It’s portable, has omnidirectional noise canceling, and records directly to your computer, making it perfect for podcasts or gaming.
Number two on our list, this mic is a bit more professional. At $129.00, the Blue Yeti is known for its quality, and its hefty price tag. However, you get what you pay for with this one. It has three settings; omnidirectional, bidirectional, or cardioid, making it a versatile tool for any situation. Best of all, it has an easy mute button for podcasters who may be using multiple mics for different people.
Returning to the more affordable options, this $29.99 mic has plug and play simplicity, durable metal construction, and easy volume adjustments letting you control the mic’s input levels. Additionally, this is a cardioid mic making it great for solo podcasters and gamers working at their desks.
A well-known mid-priced option, the Blue Snowball comes in at $49.00 and boasts a lot of quality for the price. With a custom condenser element you’ll get crystal clear audio, and the plug and play set up makes it easy to use for beginners too!
Comes with a tripod stand, rotating neck, and pop filter
At $21.99, this plug and play microphone is a great option for beginners looking to get into podcasting, let’s plays, or even just enjoy some quality Skype calls. It has an easy to use tripod stand with a rotating neck and pop filter, meaning you’re getting a lot of fun and useful extras for the price.
Back to premium mics, this $179.00 microphone is perfect for interviews with its omnidirectional settings meant to minimize background noise. You can be sure you’re getting a quality and professional mic with this one.
Comes with a crane mount, pop filter, and mounting clamp
Cardioid
For $27.99, this mic comes with a lot of cool, unique features. A crane mount, pop filter, and mounting clamp make it easy to use and set up in a podcast studio for game or music recording, and it’s cardioid setting makes it an idea one person setup.
For $169.00, you expect a lot, and this microphone will deliver. It has an easy to use tripod and pop filter, and is known for its studio level quality and crisp clear sound. Truly one for the aspiring professional or the bona fide expert.
Returning to Blue Yeti, this is a more budget friendly mic offered by them at $99.00, without sacrificing the quality they’re known for. There is a great no latency output, easy to use mute button, as well as cardioid and omnidirectional options, making this a solid all around option.
For $16.99, this compact, plug and play mic is great for anyone needing to travel with their podcast or gaming setup. It’s easy to use, easy on the wallet, and a great beginner option. Best of all, it also works as the perfect backup mic, incase part of your usual setup breaks, is lost, or just doesn’t work in the portable situation you need it for.
For another high quality studio mic, this $149.00 microphone is a great choice. It is cardioid style with easy plug and play functionality, as well as a useful volume control to adjust the mic’s signal as you work. The high quality condensers let this mic show your voice off at its full potential.
A more mid-range mic, this $69.97 mic is ideal for mobile podcast studios who don’t want to sacrifice quality. It comes with a sturdy shock mount as well as a convenient carrying case so you don’t need to fuss with a third party one. If you want high quality recordings but are unsure about investing over 100$ for a mic, this may be a great mid-tier option to get you started!
A nice beginner option at $14.99, this microphone is plug and play, highly portable, and comes with an adjustable tripod stand so you can easily set it up wherever you need, whether that’s your home office, living room, or hotel.
For $47.99, this microphone’s diaphragm style condenser really stands out for the audio quality it provides. Best of all, it comes with a convenient volume control, making it a great option for multi person podcasts.
At $64.98, this mic will give you excellent studio grade recordings, with the options to use cardioid or omnidirectional settings depending on your evolving needs.
The perfect beginner mic for the fashion and style conscious, this $9.99 mic doesn’t compromise on it’s sleek appearance because of its price. Better yet, it’s an easy plug and play option with omnidirectional settings, so it is a great all-purpose mic for the beginner.
Comes with studio headphones, a pop filter, and three condensers
Omnidirectional, bidirectional, and cardioid
Returning to high quality, studio grade mics, we have this one at $139.99. It comes with all the bells and whistles you could need, including studio headphones, a pop filter, three separate condensers for crystal clear sound, and all three audio settings; bidirectional, omnidirectional, and cardioid settings.
Another of the more fashionable microphones, this $37.99 portable mic is a great option for the traveling artist or podcaster. It’s a great plug and play design, requiring no extra equipment to set up, and it has a convenient volume control in case you’re in a noisy coffee shop or other space while you work.
Only $39.95, this is another fantastic travel mic option. It’s highly portable, built to be self-contained, and is small enough to slip in a day bag or briefcase and take on the go for interviews, impromptu meetings, and more!
Now, we don’t want to neglect lavalier microphones! This $14.99 lapel mic is a great option for anyone who does long standing interviews and doesn’t want to worry about holding a mic in front of themselves for house on end. It’s an affordable option with a great 6 month warranty, meaning you can invest in this without worry about its longevity.
Another great lavalier lapel microphone, this one is slightly more expensive at $15.99, but it comes with a nice cardioid setting to help prevent excessive background noise, something you might struggle with in an interview setting.
Overall, all of these mics are great options depending on your needs and budget. If you’re a beginner, check out some of the lower and mid-priced options that sound right for your situation, and for those looking for podcast studio quality sound, there’s no shortage of options out there.
Don’t shy away from USB mics because of the stigma some people put on them! They are a perfect option for many people, and are only becoming more popular and more accessible as podcasts and let’s plays become all the rage.
Maybe you too can become a professional podcaster with one of these great mics!
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