microphone USB Microphone

[henro1232]

So I really want to properly get into streaming, but I need a good microphone. The one I use currently is my headset mic, it's really not good.

I was initially looking into something like the Shure SM7B, and although it's not that expensive, all the other equipment to get it to interface with my pc is expensive, and I can't afford it. 

What are some microphones with XLR quality that you just plug straight into a computer, and please no more than £300 ($376 roughly)? I have been having trouble finding good ones. I also want to be able to mount it to a microphone arm.

Thanks,

Henry

 

[The Flying Sloth]

If you want to use an SM7B or any other broadcast grade microphone the other devices needed really aren't expensive. An inline preamp like a Klark Teknik CT1 and a UMC202HD together will come to under 100 bucks if you get them at a good price. Other options similar to the 7B for less money and better audio are the Aston Stealth (which doesn't even need an inline preamp) and for a purely cheaper option the Rode Podmic isn't too shabby.

 

If you'd like to learn a little more about studio audio solutions and why I don't tend to recommend USB mics the guide in my signature has a tonne of information you might find useful.

[henro1232]

11 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

If you want to use an SM7B or any other broadcast grade microphone the other devices needed really aren't expensive. An inline preamp like a Klark Teknik CT1 and a UMC202HD together will come to under 100 bucks if you get them at a good price. Other options similar to the 7B for less money and better audio are the Aston Stealth (which doesn't even need an inline preamp) and for a purely cheaper option the Rode Podmic isn't too shabby.

 

If you'd like to learn a little more about studio audio solutions and why I don't tend to recommend USB mics the guide in my signature has a tonne of information you might find useful.

I've had a look at what you recommended and it actually looks cheaper and easier than I ever expected. The reason I was looking to avoid XLR stuff is because 1) price and 2) because I'm very new to audio stuff like that. However, I think I might get what you recommended.

So (just to confirm because I am very new to xlr audio), the output from the mic (SM7B) goes into the preamp, and then the output of the preamp goes into the Behringer, and then the usb-b port on the back of the Behringer goes into my PC, and that's it?

Thanks so much for the help,

Henry

[akio123008]

Get something like a Rode NT usb or a Samson C01u pro (that last one is particularly cheap and sounds great), or perhaps the good old AT2020.

 

Now that I'm thinking of it, the high end stuff (sm7b and such) used to be rare, now everyone seems to use them, and actually most people don't set them up properly anyway so their podcast doesn't even sound that amazing. Personally I'm not a fan of the sm7b sound anyway.

[The Flying Sloth]

6 hours ago, henro1232 said:

I've had a look at what you recommended and it actually looks cheaper and easier than I ever expected. The reason I was looking to avoid XLR stuff is because 1) price and 2) because I'm very new to audio stuff like that. However, I think I might get what you recommended.

So (just to confirm because I am very new to xlr audio), the output from the mic (SM7B) goes into the preamp, and then the output of the preamp goes into the Behringer, and then the usb-b port on the back of the Behringer goes into my PC, and that's it?

Thanks so much for the help,

Henry

Your understanding of the connections is correct, the CT1 plugs directly into the mic and then you connect it over XLR just like you would any other microphone.
I'd recommend the Aston Stealth over the 7B though since you're in the UK and the Stealth is cheaper over there. It's got an active preamp built in so you don't need a CT1.