this post was submitted on 25 Jul 2023

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I need help buying a mic (self.pcmasterrace)

submitted 1 year ago by UnRelatedBurner to c/[email protected]

22 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'll be brief. I've been looking for a mic for a long time now. My current one started dying and is really bad.

All I'd like is some shock absorption, for keyboard and stuff to not be earrape.

Some sort of mic arm, I wouldn't like to take space up infront of my keyboard, and to put it behind it would probably be a bad idea.

On another note is: please don't say HyperX, I don't really like that brand.

mt budget is: as cheap as possible, but still not shit quality, AKA whatever you'd buy

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Get a headset. It has no shocks from the table, no need for an arm and it's always positioned close to the source. That's my primary recommendation.

Otherwise, if you really really really want a stand alone microphone then I suggest getting an audio interface and any regular dynamic microphone with a XLR cable from a music shop. Even the cheapest microphone from Thomann is better than those "gamer" USB microphones like Blue yeti or whatever the brand is this month.

Here's a proper bundle to show the setup: https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_scarlett_solo_3rd_podcast_set.htm

Or if you want a condenser and larger stand: https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_mic_bundle.htm

You can also buy these things separately, maybe also cheaper and/or better, but this looks fine to me overall. It's about the same price as the interface alone. Everything is standard, so you can upgrade each of the things as you go, so no need to spend a lot of money at first.

There's a whole bunch of reasons why this kind of setup is better than even the most expensive stand alone USB microphones.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

follow up question: (you seem the most nerdy in this comment section (compliment)) how big of a crime will it be if I plug this directly into my pc? or will it even work? I feel like an entire audio interface on my desk just for a single mic would be unnessesary, are there possibly audio cards that could fix this issue?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Audio guy here… I honestly don’t know of any PCI cards. The main problem is the connecter for these types of mics is too big to fit on a card like that. The Focusrite is awesome bang for your buck. I would try to hide it behind your desk. There’s no reason really for you to keep it on top.

If you’re that concerned about having an extra piece of hardware on your desk, you could try something like a high quality USB mic. I like the Shure MV7. But there are a ton like them if you search for mics made for podcasting.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 1 year ago

yeah.. I'll probly just hide it somewhere. Is there anything I should know before buying one? what features do this tenchnology have? I never seen/used one before.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

No, it wouldn't work without the interface and onboard audio cards don't have a XLR connection. The interface is the audio card. It's just external.

While it's possible to get an XLR to USB adapter, these generally work even worse than a USB microphone. I tried that without success before acknowledging that I should get an interface.

The same microphone is also available for USB, but I have not tried this one. It might be as good or bad as any other USB microphone. https://www.thomann.de/gb/the_t.bone_sc_420_usb_desktop_set.htm

I have the XLR version of this and it's very good at capturing subtle details even at distance and it has a nice clean signal. This could actually be an issue for recording streaming as it definitely will pick up the keyboard tapping and any noise in the room, but the reviews look good. People do use it for streaming. It's still a USB microphone with all the disadvantages of those, but at least it's better than what you'd find in the gaming section in a general electronic store at similar pricing.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can ignore the other comment, thank you for showing me this site. I have already ordered let's hope everything goes fine.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the notification. I was planning on getting back to you, but I got a little busy and understand that you can't wait forever for some random internet person. I'm sure it goes fine. I've never had any issues with them.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 2 points 1 year ago

they aren't that loved on trustpilot, but most of the complaints are for instruments, and you have to think about ppl who just came and bought and left won't take time to leave a review on a 3rd party.

I actually could have waited as I ordered for the 8th, but I didn't take your kindness for granted. And didn't want to take more of your time as you help a bunch already by showing this site (and the mic). It has the best prices that I could find, and have support where I live. Only problem is that they deliver only to a house, I'd love a package pickup point but whatever.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 1 year ago

you seem very proficient in this website, and it can deliver to me in two business days. Can you recommend me well, a set, let's say under 100punds, I really feel uncomfortable spending more and not doing any work with it

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 1 year ago

The reason why I want to switch from headset mics is because they sound very bad. I'm not audiophile by any means, but how do they make them THAT bad.... (ik that there is a clouple good ones, but c'mon)

your second link has everything, As I described why a desk stand would be bad for me. I'll look into the mics and how much it'll cost here. Thanks for the recommendations

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

How about Antlion ModMic? It's a good quality kind of a midway point to a full studio mic.

Shouldn't be too expensive?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Seconding the ModMic recommendation. The wireless ModMic plus some open-back headphones makes it the best headset I’ve ever had.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

wow, this would feel too easy.. and akward

my headset already has a mic, it's just bad/dying, this'll be akward even when the stock it deatached. and also I was planning on switching to wireless headsets, this would ruin the whole thing.

But thanks for the recommendation none the less.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There is a Wireless modmic too.

[–] UnRelatedBurner 1 points 1 year ago

huh!? This is very nice to know, but I already ordered. Thank you nonetheless.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Shure SM-58 + Shure A55M + Rode PSA1 + Behringer UMC22 (or whatever cheap used audio interface you can get)

Nobody can hear my cherry browns on the mic.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I also have a Rode PSA1 and it's great, but it's perfectly acceptable to get one that's half or even a 3rd of the price of the PSA1 and still have it work just fine. A USB mic would probably also be better considering price. (Yes, I know it makes upgrading cheaper, but OP said they need a mic and that price was a major factor)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have a R0DE NT-USB and am extremely happy with it.

https://rode.com/en/microphones/usb/nt-usb

It comes with a desk stand and pop filter. I have it mounted on a £40 Amazon mic arm.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oof, way too expensive for what it is. You might as well buy a Rode NT1-A complete vocal recording set.

Comes with stand, shock mount, mic, and pop filter. P much same price.

How's the USB though? I generally hate USB mics because the cable dies way too fast, and also screws the mic itself.

But I also only have experience with Blue.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Been using it for over a year and it has been bulletproof. The price wasn’t an issue, I was given it as a gift.

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