Our preferred product provides excellent sound clarity and powerful features at an affordable price.

Adam Patrick Murray (PC World) December 15, 2021 22:45

Whether you are streaming the game to Twitch, YouTube, or other platforms, your audience needs to hear you clearly during the game. (This is also the case if you are in a real-time chat or talking to an audience while working on a project.) Unfortunately, the microphone built into a laptop, webcam, or even a headset does not sound good compared to a full microphone. -The size of the microphone is close to your mouth.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to upgrade—although professional streaming uses professional-grade audio equipment to get the best sound, USB microphones are much cheaper. They are easier to use without sacrificing quality-plug a USB microphone into your computer, and you can immediately shut down and run.

When choosing the best USB microphone, we look for models that are easy to set up, high-quality, affordable, and flexible in voice type and volume. If you want to learn more about how to choose the best microphone for your specific needs, please scroll down to our section below to learn about the main features and features of USB microphones.

Elgato Wave: 3 provides a lot of performance for a AU$190 USB microphone. Not only does it sound great out of the box, but it can also be adjusted further. With the capacitive mute button and physical dials that control microphone gain, headphone volume, and cross-fade (that is, the balance of microphone and PC volume when using connected headphones), you can also easily adjust the microphone during the live broadcast.

Powering excellent audio is a 24-bit/96kHz analog-to-digital converter and a large condenser pole sensitive to sounds at all levels, plus a separate heart-shaped directivity pointing at you instead of background noise. In general, the voice of Wave:3 sounds very natural, and the transition from loud speaking to quiet speaking is smooth. One of our picks is that if the middle tone is sharper, this microphone will sound better.

Wave:3 is also equipped with built-in hardware to reduce unnecessary vocal pops (those distracting air pops that occur when words starting with the letter p or b are spoken), and to reduce clipping (distortion) The unique function of this happens when the volume of your speaking or shouting exceeds the volume that the microphone can withstand) Switch to the auxiliary signal that receives your voice at a lower volume.

Streaming with two PC streaming settings or using additional non-Elgato microphones may need to be looked for elsewhere, but for most people, Wave:3 is the closest one-size-fits-all solution-especially Wavelink since Elgato The software also allows you to control the audio routing of sources other than the microphone.

Elgato Wave:1 may lack the advanced features of its peers, but don’t exclude them. It still has the same excellent large condenser pole and protection against popping and clipping as Wave:3, and you can also get similar sensitivity and tonal clarity. This microphone is suitable for almost all sounds-it provides a warm, full tone at the low end, which blends perfectly with the crisp high range.

It lags behind Wave:3 in its low-quality analog-to-digital converter, which provides a 24-bit/48kHz signal. The less data in the digital capture of the sound means the less faithful it is reproduced, although as mentioned above, it still sounds good.

Even more disappointing is the streamlined hardware control. The control knob on Wave:1 only switches the mute of the microphone and earphone volume. You can still control microphone gain and cross-fade through Elgato's Wavelink PC software, but this experience is much more troublesome than dedicated control on the microphone. We think it’s worth it to spend an extra $30 on Wave:3, but if your budget is tight, this AU$189 microphone is still one of the best microphones on the market.

Last fall, Shure released the MV7, a USB microphone inspired by the legendary SM7B of the famous audio company, a professional microphone that has been used by singers and countless radio shows for decades. However, while still targeting more experienced users, MV7 requires less time to understand the ins and outs for the best experience.

What kind of experience is this. This dynamic microphone sounds great in the low frequency range (think booming radio sounds), and it reproduces tones smoothly and clearly in the mid to high frequency range. For best results, you need to use Shure's easy-to-use MOTIV software to adjust EQ settings, but to a large extent you get performance similar to that of the unparalleled SM7B. What further enhances the professional atmosphere of the MV7 is its solid manufacturing quality, but its heavier weight and lack of bracket means you need a strong cantilever to use it effectively. MV7 is also compatible with XLR connections, so if you upgrade to a higher-end audio system in the future, you don't need to buy another microphone.

However, MV7 is not for everyone. Its dynamic pole is more suitable for loud sounds, and it also has a highly directional super-cardioid directivity, which limits your use. (Its position relative to your mouth will strongly affect performance.) The signal of this microphone is also output at a frequency of 24 bits/48kHz. The most disappointing thing is the touch panel interface for microphone gain control, mute button and monitoring level on the device, which can be awkward to use during live streaming. But if you have patience and the right voice, it will make you sound like liquid gold.

Razer’s top products have specifications comparable to the best microphones in this review. Like Shure's MV7, Razer Seiren Elite is equipped with a dynamic pole head, suitable for a variety of vocal types, emphasizes low-end tones, and needs to be close for smooth output. (In a noisy environment, the last aspect is positive because it prevents background noise from being picked up.) Like Elgato's Wave:3, Seiren Elite has easy-to-use physical controls. One knob controls the microphone gain and the other controls Headphone volume and mute switch. It even has an LED ring at the bottom of the mesh grille, which lights up when the microphone's built-in compressor is activated to balance the high peaks of the volume.

However, although this compact microphone usually uses a radio-like approach in terms of microphone design and sound characteristics, its $200 price tag reduces its appeal compared to our top choice, AU$191, Wave:3. Its analog-to-digital converter is limited to 16-bit/48 kHz signals, which is the baseline for signals available in today's standards, especially. As future standards (and audience expectations) increase, other microphones with higher bit rates will have a longer lifespan. You will also not be able to further adjust its output, because Razer’s Synapse app does not support this-really disappointing, because Seiren Elite lacks the clarity and sharpness that other microphones require in the mid- to high-frequency classic radio sound.

Like Shure, Blue is a well-respected name in the professional audio field. But unlike Shure, Blue also has a history of producing excellent USB-based microphones for many use cases-and the company's Yeti X is closer to Wave:3 in audio performance than other products.

However, unlike the other microphones on this list, Yeti X is not specifically targeted at anchors. The company's top microphones have a variety of directivity (cardioid, omnidirectional, two-way, and stereo), which you can easily switch with the physical dial on the back. The condenser head in Yeti X can easily pick up sounds and capture sounds well in all sound ranges. The output is 24-bit/48kHz, with a neutral and more versatile sound, suitable for various scenes. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage for this microphone-its sound has no distinctive or unique characteristics, and lacks a personality worthy of praise. Although you can make quite a few adjustments to the audio profile in the Blue's Voice software, there may be flaws in the program that make such adjustments unreliable.

The manufacturing quality of this microphone is very reliable, and it also comes with a heavy and sturdy base. The main disadvantage of the Yeti X design is its size-it takes up a lot of space in your field of view.

Yeti X is priced at AU$276, which is the best product Blue offers, but unless you use the microphone for other purposes (face-to-face interviews, multi-singer recording, etc.), you'd better use streaming-focused microphones, such as Wave:3.

Similar to its newer high-end products, Blue's original Yeti model is a rugged universal USB microphone that provides good sensitivity and clear, neutral sound output for various voice types. It also has excellent physical control of the microphone, with separate dials for headphone volume, directivity (cardioid, omnidirectional, two-way, and stereo) and gain level, and a mute button.

As you might expect, the signal produced by this baseline Yeti has been reduced (16-bit/48 kHz vs. 24-bit/48 kHz for the X model), but the audio reproduction still sounds good. Its main disadvantage is that its condenser tip is very sensitive-even in cardioid mode, the microphone can easily pick up background noise, including the sound of pressing the mute button. Yeti also supports the mini-USB connection it launched in 2009, although it can be said that mini-USB is a more robust port type than micro-USB.

The included base is strong and heavy, but this microphone benefits from being mounted on a cantilever. (Keep in mind that it easily picks up background noise, so it will capture the sound of your keyboard and the rattling noise it makes on the desktop, but unfortunately it is clear.) However, due to the size of Yeti, it may be placed A little troublesome size will block your view.

Yeti’s list price is AU$159, which is most suitable for people with a limited budget. They will also use it for other purposes, such as multi-singer recording and face-to-face interviews. However, if you can find it for $85 (the Yeti often drops prices before the pandemic), we would consider it a reliable budget microphone.

Roccat Torch will not beat some of the more focused studio-quality microphones on the market. But since it caters to gamers and streamers with its gorgeous design and easy-to-use controls, it is not really needed. Torch provides 24-bit audio recording, although it has built-in popular filters, it is still a bit bland, but it is enough for your Discord server or fast Twitch session. It has a unique base with built-in DJ-style controls and a dedicated whisper mode that can work when you have sleepers elsewhere in the home, which are plus points for busy real-life gamers. Although it is technically possible to mount it on a cantilever, it is best suited for a little RGB eye candy next to a gaming keyboard and mouse on the desktop. Less than 150 Australian dollars, this is not a bad thing.

HyperX's QuadCast has a unique appearance, but unfortunately, its appearance is its primary goal. Although QuadCast's brilliant red, tall round shape, and screen with shock mounts display well, the audio it produces doesn't sound good. HyperX uses electret condenser poles, which are cheap and small-the opposite of the 226 AUD microphone you want. Its signal is also limited to 16-bit/48kHz. Considering the lightness and thinness of QuadCast, it has no benefit to QuadCast. Its output sounds hollow and faint, lacking warm, full bass. HyperX has a good idea for the built-in shock mount and physical controls on the microphone, but the audio performance is not satisfactory, especially at this price point.

This cutaway from Elgato's Wave:3 product page shows what a capsule looks like.

Capsule is a piece of hardware that converts the sound pressure level (your voice in this case) that travels through the air into a direct current (DC) signal, or audio signal. How the capsule picks up the audio signal depends on its type. The two most common types you will encounter-and should look for-are condensers and dynamic poles.

After your voice is converted into an electrical signal by the microphone tip, it will be passed to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in all USB microphones. As you might guess, the ADC converts the incoming analog signal (your voice) into a digital signal that your computer can use.

The accuracy with which the ADC does this depends on its defined bit depth and sampling rate. These two technical specifications show how the audio signal faithfully reproduces the original sound-in this case, your voice is transmitted to your PC via a microphone. When the microphone transcodes your voice, it captures part of the audio at a specific interval (sampling rate) and a specific level of detail (bit depth), and then reconstructs the original audio based on that data.

The digitization of analog waveforms involves two measurements: bit depth, which refers to the amount of amplitude samples available, and sampling rate, which refers to the amount of samples available per second (in Hz). More bit depth samples means more dynamic range, and more sample rate samples means more granularity between frequencies.

The higher the number of bit depths and sampling rates, the more faithful the reproduction is generally. Other factors, such as the type of capacitor and the way the microphone is tuned, will also affect the final result you actually hear, but since the bit rate and sample rate numbers reveal the amount of data used for capture and retention, they can be used as any motivation for filtering Insufficient quick way. Low bit depth and sampling rate will cause the sound to sound like digital and robotic-the signal lacks enough detail to maintain all the nuances and personality of the original speaker-so avoid using microphones that are stingy in this regard.

Consider the lowest 16-bit/48kHz signal (its quality is roughly equivalent to the level of a CD), and aim for a higher signal to extend the life of the microphone. As with photos and videos, standards will gradually rise over time, and so will audience expectations for quality.

The sensitivity of a microphone indicates how easy it is to pick up sound. If your voice is smaller, look for a more sensitive microphone to reproduce your voice more accurately-on the contrary, if your voice is loud, you need a less sensitive microphone to get the same effect. The type of capacitor (see above) affects the sensitivity of the microphone and the ability to adjust the gain level.

Some microphones may use touch-based controls, but physical controls such as buttons, knobs, and dials are better: you don’t need to look at it when making instant adjustments during a live broadcast-you can keep your eyes on the screen while fiddling. A better microphone can at least control the mute, gain level, and headphone volume (if you can plug the headphone directly into the microphone). We also like cross-fade (the balance between your PC audio and hearing your own input from the microphone) as an option.

For a USB microphone, you will perform all audio processing in the desktop PC program, that is, adjust the audio transmitted through the microphone. Ideally, this companion software should be easy to use, easy to navigate, and allow you to adjust the audio output. The best software also allows you to configure the routing of other audio sources (for example, games, chat from programs such as Discord, and music from Spotify). You can choose what to pull in and how to export.

The build quality of the microphone not only affects the performance of the device, but also affects the audio performance. The better the material, the better the quality of human voice performance. The type of pole head, the surrounding enclosure, and any shielding placed between you and the pole head (to suppress unwanted noise) will affect the output of the microphone.

Despite the increasing adoption of USB-C and its advantages, Micro-USB is still surprisingly common among USB microphones. We prefer the USB-C connection because it has better durability for both the port itself and the cable-interestingly, over time, we have more micro USB ports and cables that malfunction or become loose.

That said, the micro USB should still work, especially if you don't plan to move the microphone (potential pressure source on the port) or plug and unplug the cable regularly.

This screenshot from the Blue Yeti product page illustrates which parts of the microphone are active for each supported directivity mode.

The directivity mode (or pickup mode) indicates the area where the microphone is sensitive to sound. The host should focus on the cardioid microphone, which makes the microphone more sensitive directly in front of the pole (usually the top of the microphone), but less sensitive on the sides and rear. This type of directivity helps to physically isolate the audio source being recorded-in this case, you.

Some microphones also have other directivity, making their use more flexible. Other common ones are omnidirectional, which makes the microphone sensitive to pickup from all directions (used for conference calls); two-way, listening from the front and back (useful for face-to-face conversations between two people); and stereo, aka In the middle side, it makes the microphone pick up the left and right channels separately while being sensitive in the front (useful for multiple people sitting side by side and talking or singing towards the microphone).

Our selection of the best USB microphone is suitable for all kinds of sounds, but to find a microphone that is more suitable for your voice, please keep these factors in mind.

Tonal reproduction refers to the degree to which the output of the microphone matches the actual human voice. Some microphones cater to the low-end vocal range by raising the midrange frequency, while others cater to higher-pitched vocals with less sensitive poles. To get the output style you want, please understand how the microphone is tuned, as well as the size of the microphone head and the type of microphone. These add up to form the microphone profile-once you know it, it is easy to narrow the range of the microphone that suits you.

Voice clarity refers to how loud and clear someone can be heard with a microphone. Although tone will definitely play a role in this, the biggest impact on clarity is the sensitivity of the microphone to the audio it receives and the strength of the amplification process that converts it into a digital signal. Quiet sounds require more sensitive microphones and stronger amplification to achieve the desired volume level, while loud sounds require the opposite sound. (In fact, if a highly sensitive microphone is often exposed to loud sounds, it will actually damage the pole over time.)

The distance between you and the microphone will also affect this, but we do not recommend that you change the position to make the microphone match your voice. Generally, you want the microphone to be as close to your mouth as possible, because this is the position for best performance.

Move closer to the microphone for the best sound.

As mentioned above, when you speak into the microphone, the analog signal is captured by the microphone's pole, and then the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transcodes it into a digital signal that your computer can use. The quality of the ADC will affect the tone reproduction and clarity of the digital output, as well as the loudness of the sound. The output of a low-quality ADC sounds unnatural, and may even have more digital artifacts, resulting in a smaller sound range. The ADC may also affect the signal transmitted to the PC because it cannot provide enough power for the audio output, resulting in reduced clarity and volume.

Think of the ADC as a middleman in a three-person phone game—it has the ability to dramatically distort or distort what the primitive man delivers. Generally speaking, the better the converter, the more all types of sounds can benefit from accurate reproduction, but some people with specific sound problems (such as quiet volume or thinner sounds) may need to pay more attention to bit depth /Sampling rate and other specifications, which will affect the signal strength sent by the ADC to your PC.

Good headphones sound good when streaming, but the dedicated USB microphone provides clarity and warmth that appeals to the audience. why is that.

Although USB microphones are cheaper than a full professional setup, they are more expensive than good headphones. Even headphones with similar prices still seem more attractive because you can use them for listening and talking.

So why choose a USB microphone instead of a headset? Although the headset sounds good on streaming, the headset microphone is too small to really compete with USB microphones. Generally, the larger the diaphragm, the more sensitive the microphone is to changes in sound pressure, resulting in more accurate results.

This is why it is difficult for a headset microphone to produce full sound, especially at the low end. There is no need to connect a huge pole to the cantilever of the headset, a separate USB microphone will be more suitable for professional sound streaming. And, the more you sound like you are in the same room as the audience, the more likely they are to contact you and stay.

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