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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 States853 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 States1126 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 States1126 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
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