If you often hear the dreaded "you are on mute" during remote work, it may be time to consider buying XLR microphones for all your Zoom meetings. It not only allows you to flexibly record anywhere in the room, making presentations or presentations easier, but also your audio quality will be higher and it will be less likely to be deleted during the meeting. In addition, you can also record more audio sources at once, such as multiple people or even musical instruments and performances.

For anyone unfamiliar with microphone technology, you must know what to look for to find the microphone that suits you best. For example, if you go back to the office but still rely on Zoom for communication and the noise is too high, the Audio-Technica AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone is a good choice. Due to its cardioid directivity, it can easily isolate only the sound you want without any background noise (such as your colleague talking).

In the recording industry, there are multiple microphone types suitable for recording dialogue, sound effects or musical instruments. They are categorized by the way they are made and the way the sound is recorded.

Microphones usually have XLR or USB connectors. The most common XLR connector in audio has three pins representing positive, negative, and neutral polarity. The quality of XLR microphones is often higher than that of USB microphones. USB microphones are more likely to pick up hum or other audio noise. Ideally, they require shorter cables, so they are less versatile and have higher latency. This means that there is more likely to be a delay between recording the sound and hearing the sound itself, which can be very disruptive when recording audio, especially in Zoom meetings.

If you are buying a microphone, you also need to consider some useful accessories, such as microphone clips, stands, and stands. Microphone stands usually have an adjustable cantilever that can swing on the table, or they may be a simple stand with a base and adjustable height. You can also get a clip or mount, which can be placed or clipped on a table, which means that if you record in a small space, it will take up less space. Some microphones come with a shock mount, which suspends the microphone in a series of small rubber bands or nylon cables to prevent vibration and noise. Most clip-on microphones come with additional clips.

Some microphones for recording are clipped to the collar of the shirt. These are also called lavalier microphones. Sometimes they are wireless, sometimes they have thin wires that connect to larger cables. If you often move around, it is best to use a clip-on microphone. They are very common in movies and TV because they are easy to hide and do not appear in front of the camera.

Some microphones used in Zoom meetings include noise reduction, usually in headset microphones. Although you can filter out background noise in the Zoom meeting settings, it is also good to have additional control over any noise that is not a conversation. The working principle of the noise reduction microphone is to give priority to the frequency or pitch of your voice and ignore the rest.

There are several different types of directional patterns or pickup patterns for microphones. This affects how they should be placed for recording.

There are several variants of the cardioid mode, called "super-cardioid" and "super-cardioid". This just means that the directivity is narrower, and the most extreme is the "gun microphone" used to record dialogue in movie scenes.

The price of XLR microphones for Zoom meetings ranges from approximately US$40 to US$200, depending on whether they are used for home recording or professional studio use.

A. Zoom has a feature that allows you to record meetings. Usually, audio is recorded in MP4 in the form of video and audio, or only audio is recorded as M4A. You can then import the material into a video or audio editing program of your choice.

Answer: If you are in a quiet room and sitting in front of the computer throughout the meeting, you can use the computer microphone. However, if you are in a noisy environment, or if you want to capture audio from several people in the room, it is better to use a separate microphone. The XLR microphones used in Zoom meetings can also capture clearer and fuller audio with higher and more consistent volume.

Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone: Available on Amazon

Our view: Audio-Technica is a trusted brand in the recording industry, well-known for its professional microphones and headphones. This microphone is the main force in the field of home recording, and its cardioid directivity is very suitable for recording.

What we like: It can handle volume up to 140 decibels without distortion. It comes with a protective bag with a stand and an adapter for a smaller microphone stand.

What we don’t like: XLR models have been discontinued and replaced by USB models. Some users find that the microphone is too sensitive and picks up other sounds as clearly as sound.

Zoom ZDM-1 Podcast Microphone Pack, Podcast Dynamic Microphone, Headphones, Tripod, Windshield, XLR Cable: Available on Amazon

Our view: This microphone contains additional accessories for a complete recording package, which is perfect for Zoom meetings or podcasts.

What we like: Very sturdy construction and affordable. It has a balanced XLR connection to reduce noise.

What we don’t like: Some people find that the microphone is too wide for some shock mounts, causing it to tilt when on the stand. Some people feel that the high-end of the included headphones is small.

Blue Blackout Spark SL XLR condenser microphone for recording and streaming: available on Amazon

Our view: This condenser microphone has a large-diaphragm cardioid capsule, and is equipped with a shock mount and a protective cover.

What we like: It has a high-pass filter, which is clearer. It has a 20 dB attenuator to reduce distortion.

What we don’t like: it requires 48 volt phantom power and does not come with a power supply. Some users find these switches to be fragile.

Adrian Wengenroth is a contributor to BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company whose mission is to help simplify your buying decisions and save you time and money.

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