Microphones

[AdoniasRadeon]

Can i power a Sennheiser E 835 microphone through XLR to USB cable or should i go with a simple microphone setup like the Blue Yeti

[Stardar1]

Welcome to the forum, remember to follow topics and use http://pcpartpicker.com/ for custom PC builds

 

(hey look, a microphone->) phone

 

 

anyways, I have a Blue Snowball, and it works breat, i hear amazing things about the Yeti. The simple plug-and-play Blue mics are the way to go IMO

[Ialyrn]

Can i power a Sennheiser E 835 microphone through XLR to USB cable or should i go with a simple microphone setup like the Blue Yeti

If you are wanting something for streaming or gaming videos, or even doing podcasts or perhaps singing. Then you cant really go wrong with the Blue Yeti, it is a very solid mic. I have its little brother, the Blue Snowball. Obviously there are better mics out there, but for ease of use, the Yeti is simply plug and play.

[RJSX1]

Welcome to the forum, remember to follow topics and use http://pcpartpicker.com/ for custom PC builds

 

(hey look, a microphone->) phone

 

 

anyways, I have a Blue Snowball, and it works breat, i hear amazing things about the Yeti. The simple plug-and-play Blue mics are the way to go IMO

What settings do you have yours on because mine is like im in a huge room and im a 1000 miles away from it

[Stardar1]

What settings do you have yours on because mine is like im in a huge room and im a 1000 miles away from it

i keep it on a shelf above my PC (like right above my monitors) and i keep it on setting 2. works great, but if there are others in the room, it can be annoying, then the best solution is a headset mic

[ALwin]

Can i power a Sennheiser E 835 microphone through XLR to USB cable or should i go with a simple microphone setup like the Blue Yeti

 

I don't believe a simple USB port provides enough power to power a microphone that requires phantom power, you might need an intermediary device such as a preamp with a PC interface and XLR port that provides phantom power.

[Philosobyte]

If you want a USB condenser microphone, I recommend the Samson Meteor over the Blue Snowball. The Meteor goes neck and neck with the Blue Yeti, though, so to make a decision as to that you should listen to comparisons on YouTube. 

 

You should not get an XLR to USB cable for any reason. They're horrible in sound quality, unreliable, or die within six months, or all of the above. If you want a dynamic microphone, I recommend the Monoprice dynamic microphone: http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=115&cp_id=11502&cs_id=1150202&p_id=600020&seq=1&format=2

It's an excellent microphone, comparable to the Shure SM57/SM58. 

With the dynamic microphone you would need to get a USB audio interface like the Steinberg UR22, the Focusrite 2i2, or their little brothers, the Steinberg UR12 or the Focusrite Solo (the UR12 and Solo only have coaxial speaker outputs, though). They will provide good sound quality and reliability.

 

Dynamic microphones don't require phantom power.

[ALwin]

Dynamic microphones don't require phantom power.

 

I didn't know that, I'm used to using condenser mics that all require phantom power.

 

But I agree, XLR-USB interface is something to avoid.

[Philosobyte]

I didn't know that, I'm used to using condenser mics that all require phantom power.

 

But I agree, XLR-USB interface is something to avoid.

A USB audio interface with an XLR input is fine. Just not the XLR-USB cables because there's no space to put in quality components within a reasonable price. Even the Shure X2U, which has problems with noise, is $99 - the same price as a UR12 or Focusrite Solo which gives you more features and noiseless sound. 

 

I don't believe a simple USB port provides enough power to power a microphone that requires phantom power

A USB output is capable of providing 48V phantom power to two condenser microphones (the 2i2 and UR22 both operate on USB power). 

 

 

or should i go with a simple microphone setup like the Blue Yeti

You should decide whether you want a condenser microphone or a dynamic microphone. Depending on your setup, a condenser microphone like the Blue Yeti, Samson Meteor, or AT2020 will pick up keyboard/mouse sounds fairly loudly. However, they can be placed pretty far from your mouth. Dynamic microphones, on the other hand, like the Monoprice one I linked, tend not to pick up keyboard/mouse sounds, but must be placed much closer to your mouth - 12 inches probably being the practical maximum.