Do I need a pro-grade microphone?

[TubsAlwaysWins]

So Im looking to start a gaming/ hardware YouTube Channel.

Do you guys think I need a 'Pro Grade microphone'?

I have my HyperX Cloud II's but I have access to some $150 AKG microphones my work bought but can't use.

So how much do you think a pro-microphone would improve the experience?

If I did use one what would I need to get the microphone to work with my PC since its XLR

[anothertom]

Pro-grade can mean anything not designed for consumers, and as ever that is a very loose and blurred definition to the point where we may as well just call the vast majority of microphones simply microphones. You can spend hundreds on a mic and it won't be suitable for what you want and you can spend tuppence on a mic and it'll be terrible.

 

It all depends on what you're looking to get out of it, a decent mic will sound many times better than a mic built into a laptop and won't necessarily make your wallet cry. Also you may not need an interface as there are some decent USB mics around if you decide you want a simpler setup.

 

If you have access to a decent AKG mic (which model?) then that would probably be a good place to start to find how your voice translates to a recording. You'd preferably want a decent usb audio interface, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a good choice, or the Behringer UM2 would be a slightly cheaper alternative.