New Desktop Mic Setup

byalexandr · November 17, 2016

I'm not a big headset guy. I think that even with the nicest headphones, you're not really gonna get the same experience as a full audio system. So that's what I use. And since I don't use a headset, I use a desktop mic as well. Right now I'm actually using some trashy Rockband USB mic (yes the one from the Wii game), and a DIY shock mount on a cannibalized IKEA lamp arm. Pretty shitty, I know. So I'd like to upgrade.

My main use is for Discord (and sometimes Skype), and also some audio recording from time to time (such as voice overs for a video that I'm producing, for example). My main focus is that the audio is clear and has little background noise (or sound stage or whatever it's called these days), and that it only picks up audio that is near me (for example, I can move around at my desk and it'll still be clear, but if I get up and go to the other side of the room, it won't pick up much audio at all). I'm not sure what kind of mic would best suit this need.

I was looking at getting the Razer Seiren, since Linus and Luke use it on the Wan Show and it sounds pretty nice. But the price tag is kind of ridiculous.

Any recommendations? I'd like to keep the price as low as possible, and have it so I can use a mic arm and shock mount (which I will be getting as well, at least a proper one this time around, and probably a pop filter as well). I also heard good things about the AT2020 but I don't have any sort of XLR converter type thingys. Just comment below if you have something I should take a look at.

Thanks, @byalexandr

Enderman · November 17, 2016

Cardioid condenser mics pick up everything near to them, if you want minimal background noise you need to position the mic very close to your face and then turn down the gain, which is why people use a mic arm.

If you don't want XLR there is the at2020 USB or the blue yeti, which are both just as good or better than the overpriced razer seiren.

November 17, 2016

The blue snowball is about 40 dollars, and is USB. It doesn't need any drivers, and a lot of people use them on youtube. I have the snowball ice, and it's really nice IMO. Some "proffessionals" use the Yeti, but that's 100 or 150 USD.

byalexandr · November 17, 2016

12 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Cardioid condenser mics pick up everything near to them, if you want minimal background noise you need to position the mic very close to your face and then turn down the gain, which is why people use a mic arm.

If you don't want XLR there is the at2020 USB or the blue yeti, which are both just as good or better than the overpriced razer seiren.

Yeah I was just reading about that. So basically if I play with the preamp and gain and stuff I can get a nice balance at least?

I actually just now ended up buying a Neewer XLR condenser setup. It was $35 and the phantom power rig to go with it was $20 (since it is an XLR mic). It sounded very nice in the video clip that I listened to (very professional), and I will be doing at most 96Kbps audio input as that's the max that Discord supports at the moment so I don't think I needed anything too overkill. Just something better than the crap I have right now (I'm using a sock as a pop filter smh).

I liked the AT2020 a lot but it's just way too expensive when in reality I will be using it for VOIP 95% or more of the time.

14 minutes ago, fpo said:

The blue snowball is about 40 dollars, and is USB. It doesn't need any drivers, and a lot of people use them on youtube. I have the snowball ice, and it's really nice IMO. Some "proffessionals" use the Yeti, but that's 100 or 150 USD.

I also looked at the Snowball but I can't get over how dorky it looks. I know it's a good mic but I like having a scissor arm, shock mount, pop filter and all. Just seemed like not the right fit for me, especially since I have a loud keyboard and bang on my desk a lot when I'm gaming (which is why I use the shock mount lol).

November 17, 2016

1 hour ago, byalexandr said:

I also looked at the Snowball but I can't get over how dorky it looks. I know it's a good mic but I like having a scissor arm, shock mount, pop filter and all. Just seemed like not the right fit for me, especially since I have a loud keyboard and bang on my desk a lot when I'm gaming (which is why I use the shock mount lol).

I kinda understand the Audio technology super look. However you can mount the snowballs to Arms and stuff like that.

EDIT:

IMO most microphones are pretty good quality. We've kinda surpassed our ear sensitivity with the quality of microphones. I have a Schure SM-57 microphone with a dedicated Music soundcard, and it sounds almost exactly the same as my blue snowball.

Edited November 17, 2016 by fpo
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