Looking for a mic to hang over my monitors/out of view

[Heywhatsup]

Hi there, I recently bought some headphones without a mic so I'm looking to buy a standalone mic. I have a triple monitor setup so I don't really want the mic in my face and blocking my view of my monitors. I'm not streaming but I'd prefer the mic to be out of view, whether it's at the top of my monitor or above my face.

 

A lot of the mics I've been looking at aren't very good if they're not right up to your mouth so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I'm fine with spending anything up to $200 CAD for the mic. Any stand recommendations would be appreciated as well.

 

Thanks.

[GuiltySpark_]

If you're that particular about its placement, you're going to want some form of shotgun mic which means you are going to need a bigger budget to get something worthwhile. + an audio interface so it can talk to your computer. 

 

Short answer is, an ideal setup is going to cost significantly more than $200 if you really want it truly hidden behind your displays. 

 

Once you compromise a bit (like most people have) you can begin to work closer to that budget. 

 

As far as I know there are no $200 USB mic's (since i'm assuming your budget is for everything so if you went with a professional XLR mic, you'd need an audio interface) that are setup to work over such a long distance and sound good doing it. 

[Heywhatsup]

1 minute ago, rickeo said:

If you're that particular about its placement, you're going to want some form of shotgun mic which means you are going to need a bigger budget to get something worthwhile. + an audio interface so it can talk to your computer. 

 

Short answer is, an ideal setup is going to cost significantly more than $200 if you really want it truly hidden behind your displays. 

 

Once you compromise a bit (like most people have) you can begin to work closer to that budget. 

 

As far as I know there are no $200 USB mic's (since i'm assuming your budget is for everything so if you went with a professional XLR mic, you'd need an audio interface) that are setup to work over such a long distance and sound good doing it. 

The budget was for the mic alone, assuming my budget was brought up to $300, are there any USB mic's you would recommend? And it doesn't have to be extremely far away, if it's right above my head I wouldn't mind.

 

If there's nothing in this price point and there aren't too many options, what are some general mic recommendations? I took a look at the AT2020 USB, Shure MV7($300 and kind of overkill), Razer Seiren Mini, but I really know nothing about mics.

 

 

[GuiltySpark_]

1 minute ago, Heywhatsup said:

The budget was for the mic alone, assuming my budget was brought up to $300, are there any USB mic's you would recommend? And it doesn't have to be extremely far away, if it's right above my head I wouldn't mind.

 

If there's nothing in this price point and there aren't too many options, what are some general mic recommendations? I took a look at the AT2020 USB, Shure MV7($300 and kind of overkill), Razer Seiren Mini, but I really know nothing about mics.

 

 

You could make due with a lot of those current USB microphones (at least the condenser mic's, the dynamics will be tough) if you have them on an arm up above your head. I'm a fan of this arm as you can get it up and over your monitors. You'd just need a compatible cradle for whichever mic you choose and mount it upside down. 

 

For instance if you went with that arm, a Blue Yeti X, then this shock mount, you should be able to have it dangle up above your head upside down (which is perfectly fine). 

[Heywhatsup]

2 minutes ago, rickeo said:

You could make due with a lot of those current USB microphones (at least the condenser mic's, the dynamics will be tough) if you have them on an arm up above your head. I'm a fan of this arm as you can get it up and over your monitors. You'd just need a compatible cradle for whichever mic you choose and mount it upside down. 

 

For instance if you went with that arm, a Blue Yeti X, then this shock mount, you should be able to have it dangle up above your head upside down (which is perfectly fine). 

That's perfect thank you! I'll try to find an arm like that here in Canada. Would you prefer the Yeti X over the AT2020 plus as they're about the same price. 

[The Flying Sloth]

Okay, here's how it is.
The further the mic is from your mouth, the more background noise it will pick up, not only that, but the previous commenter is entirely incorrect when it comes to true mic setups and your budget.

When using a mic it should ideally be as close to your mouth as possible and pointing to the corner of your mouth, now, that should keep it outside your direct line of sight. YOu may also consider using a small mic like the Behringer C2, it's what I personally use and it sounds damn good for the price. Take a look at the guide in my signature for further information but the short answer is that I'd recommend a Behringer UMC202HD with Behringer C2 and your stock standard eBay special scissor arm.

[GuiltySpark_]

2 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

but the previous commenter is entirely incorrect 

 

*waves*

 

I, too, could have given a suggestion against what he specifically wanted but I was trying to work around it. Your suggestion is by no means up and away from in front of him.

 

The standard setup we all use is specifically what he said he did not want. 

[The Flying Sloth]

1 hour ago, Heywhatsup said:

I'm not streaming but I'd prefer the mic to be out of view, whether it's at the top of my monitor or above my face.

@rickeo assuming you know mics well, you know damn well that unless we're purchasing extremely expensive shotgun mics and acoustic treating the room there's no real solution to this problem without making the mic sound like ass. I mean, other than a lapel mic which would be a significant step backwards. Because of that, it would definitely be a better option to comply with the "out of view" part in spirit, just making sure the mic isn't blocking any of the screens rather than trying to find a solution to a problem that disappears with proper placement.

[Heywhatsup]

I appreciate both of your help. I understand that my request is essentially asking for inferior sound unless I go overboard with my budget. I'll take a look through your guide, figure out some better placement and go through my options then...Thanks.