• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 15:45
CET 21:45
KST 05:45
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12
Community News
Weekly Cups (Dec 15-21): Classic wins big, MaxPax & Clem take weeklies1ComeBackTV's documentary on Byun's Career !10Weekly Cups (Dec 8-14): MaxPax, Clem, Cure win4Weekly Cups (Dec 1-7): Clem doubles, Solar gets over the hump1Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win2
StarCraft 2
General
Weekly Cups (Dec 15-21): Classic wins big, MaxPax & Clem take weeklies ComeBackTV's documentary on Byun's Career ! Micro Lags When Playing SC2? When will we find out if there are more tournament Weekly Cups (Dec 8-14): MaxPax, Clem, Cure win
Tourneys
$5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $100 Prize Pool - Winter Warp Gate Masters Showdow Winter Warp Gate Amateur Showdown #1 RSL Offline Finals Info - Dec 13 and 14!
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 505 Rise From Ashes Mutation # 504 Retribution Mutation # 503 Fowl Play Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Klaucher discontinued / in-game color settings Anyone remember me from 2000s Bnet EAST server? How Rain Became ProGamer in Just 3 Months FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle
Tourneys
[BSL21] LB QuarterFinals - Sunday 21:00 CET Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] WB SEMIFINALS - Saturday 21:00 CET
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Game Theory for Starcraft Current Meta Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason Path of Exile General RTS Discussion Thread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Survivor II: The Amazon Sengoku Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
TL+ Announced Where to ask questions and add stream?
Blogs
The (Hidden) Drug Problem in…
TrAiDoS
I decided to write a webnov…
DjKniteX
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2027 users

Microphone recommendations?

Blogs > choboPEon
Post a Reply
chobopeon
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
United States7342 Posts
August 23 2010 22:20 GMT
#1
My microphone gets the job done but I need something a bit closer to professional quality. I'd like to not spend hundreds but I really have no idea how much a good mic will cost so I wanted to see if more knowledgeable people could point me in the right direction.

Anyone have any specific recommendations or places to look?

:O
AskJoshy
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States1625 Posts
August 23 2010 22:30 GMT
#2
For a headset I use this USB Microsoft Lifechat something-or-other. Works great for casting: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/productdetails.aspx?pid=006

Other than that, if you're wanting to do some singing or something I'd recommend this little guy: http://www.bluemic.com/snowball/

If this is for SCCenter I think you'll do just fine with the Microsoft one, I've never gotten any complaints about mic quality and you can hear tons of my recordings on the YouTube page in my sig.
Heroes, Hearthstone, and SC2 videos: http://www.youtube.com/AskJoshy
FuriousJodo
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States212 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-23 22:39:46
August 23 2010 22:39 GMT
#3
Snowball is a great mic but be wary of background noise. It's very sensitive so if you don't have a quiet room people will notice your background noise.

It's the mic that Day9 uses, and I think TheGunRun uses it as well. (I have one too, but I swap between my Sennheiser headset and my Snowball depending on whether or not I have quiet)
http://www.youtube.com/FuriousJodo - SC2/Misc Gaming Commentary/etc
semantics
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
10040 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-23 23:04:02
August 23 2010 22:54 GMT
#4
for a computer? I'd try to find one that is USB which will remove the noise that a lower quality sound card would have.

That snowball one looks interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Blue Microphones&x=0&y=0
Also looks like amazon is having a sale
Cygnus
Profile Joined February 2004
United States847 Posts
August 23 2010 23:41 GMT
#5
SM57/SM58 are great sounding $100 mics.

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm58-vocal-microphone

I have a few and they are incredible vocal and studio instrument mics.
Archaic
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States4024 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-23 23:49:53
August 23 2010 23:42 GMT
#6
If you're thinking of recording anything musical, the SM57 and SM58 are top selling mics. 57 is better used for instruments, so you'll probably need a pop screen and 48V phantom power, while 58 is your standard dynamic mic, good for voice. Looks like any other mic you've seen.

EDIT: They're made by Shure.
EDIT2: Oh wow, I never knew the SM57 wasn't condenser... It's actually a dynamic
EDIT3: ... I did *not* realize that the exact same thing was posted right above me... hehe. Ninja -_-.
wUndertUnge
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States1125 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-15 18:21:30
November 15 2012 18:20 GMT
#7
My good reason for bumping this is it didn't seem prudent to create a sole thread around this. I am looking for a microphone that would suit my small space and laptop for both casting and streaming. I will most likely be using OBS and maybe going to X-split if I start doing some serious streaming.

anyways, any recommendations? Looking into the one the post says day9 uses, but that was from over 2 years ago. Possible that there are better ones out there?

Also my budget is, well, I'm looking for a deal but definitely want a quality one. Is $50 reasonable for a microphone?
Clan: QQGC - wundertunge#1850
TL+ Member
UmbraaeternuS
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Chile476 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-15 19:23:12
November 15 2012 19:17 GMT
#8
I happen to be a caster and a musician.
I have an array of mics, and have tested many, too.
I'm currently using a Rode Podcaster, which is an USB microphone. Slightly better sound curve than the AudioTechnica 2020 I was using before. Relativeley cheap, but with a very good, crisp vocal sound quality. And, since they're USB, you don't need an interface to use them... Just plug and talk.


[image loading]
Rode Podcaster, dynamic microphone, supercardioid pattern, 28mm capsule. $229.00, comes with an USB 2.0 cable and a mount for desktop stand. Also comes with built-in monitor output with 3.5mm audio jack, can be used as an USB soundcard.



[image loading]
AudioTechnica AT2020USB, condenser microphone, cardioid pattern, $146, comes with as USB 2.0 cable and a tripod for the desktop


I also own a ShureSM7B and a Rode NT2A, which I use in studio for musical applications. Of course, they use a standard microphone connection, for which you will need an interface.

[image loading]
Shure SM7B, dynamic microphone, cardioid. $350.00.-



[image loading]
Rode NT2A, condenser microphone, variable pattern, $ $399.00, comes in a package with the shockmount, cable and desk stand.


If you're under a limited budget, I'd suggest the AT2020. Wonderful little microphone, behaves beautifully. Make sure to get a shockmount, though, as the tripod tends to pick every single fucking vibration from the desktop. :C
But if budget is not a problem, absolutely go for the Shure; bear in mind though you WILL need an interface to convert the XLR mic connection to something throwable to your computer, via an audio console or just the interface.

P.S: Shouldn't this thread be in tech support?
therealwinters - Skype / @DrUmbra - Twitter // "There is nothing more cool than being proud of the things that you love" - Sean "Day[9]" Plott <3
wUndertUnge
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States1125 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-15 19:24:12
November 15 2012 19:23 GMT
#9
I guess cheap is relative...guess I know what I'll be asking for from Santa...

Thanks for the recs. I'll be sure to look over these.

And yes, it probably should be in tech. I just saw this thread already going. Probably should've done that. Mods, any way we can get this moved?
Clan: QQGC - wundertunge#1850
TL+ Member
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Monday Night Weeklies
17:00
#35
RotterdaM1124
TKL 392
SteadfastSC274
IndyStarCraft 237
kabyraGe 171
BRAT_OK 120
EnkiAlexander 42
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 1124
mouzHeroMarine 547
TKL 392
SteadfastSC 274
IndyStarCraft 237
MaxPax 140
BRAT_OK 120
UpATreeSC 51
trigger 42
StarCraft: Brood War
firebathero 98
Dewaltoss 96
Mini 79
910 31
Yoon 19
Dota 2
syndereN799
League of Legends
Trikslyr50
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu359
Other Games
Grubby6611
FrodaN2038
fl0m962
Beastyqt731
B2W.Neo305
C9.Mang096
QueenE95
Mew2King91
ArmadaUGS44
ZombieGrub25
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 25
• HeavenSC 15
• Reevou 9
• Kozan
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• sooper7s
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 23
• Azhi_Dahaki21
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV1444
Other Games
• imaqtpie1699
• Shiphtur262
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Invitational
1d 15h
Gerald vs YoungYakov
Spirit vs MaNa
SHIN vs Percival
Creator vs Scarlett
Replay Cast
2 days
WardiTV Invitational
2 days
ByuN vs Solar
Clem vs Classic
Cure vs herO
Reynor vs MaxPax
Replay Cast
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Wardi Open
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

YSL S2
WardiTV 2025
META Madness #9

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
BSL Season 21
Slon Tour Season 2
CSL Season 19: Qualifier 2
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22

Upcoming

CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Big Gabe Cup #3
OSC Championship Season 13
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate marketing links that support TLnet.

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.