• Audio

  USB mic advice for PC or Mac

  Posted by Dan Schanler on December 1, 2008 at 11:24 pm

  Hi guys,

  I know it’s not quite “professional audio” but would you have any suggestions for a cheapish USB microphone that would be good for video blogging?

  We’re planning on distributing mics to people and want something passable and better hopefully than the standard computer mic.

  Thanks for any advice.

  Dan Schanler
  NYC

  Howard Harper replied 17 years, 5 months ago 4 Members · 6 Replies
• 6 Replies

• 

  Ty Ford

  December 1, 2008 at 11:53 pm

  Hello Dan and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

  Video blogging has pretty low-fi expectations, so you should be OK.

  Some folks have tried gamer headset mics. Not a bad idea. Getting the mic close to the side of mouth is a good thing. I’m sure some of them have USB connections. I just don’t know of any specific make/models.

  If I were going to do it today, I’d use one of my Countryman E6 mics and a MicportPro from Centrance. That a $400 high-quality solution that you’ll be able to use any mic with but I already have the E6.

  MicportPro costs about $150. You could use other mics, of course.

  Regards,

  Ty Ford

  Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
  Watch Ty play guitar
• 

  Dan Schanler

  December 2, 2008 at 5:43 pm

  Thanks Ty,

  I’ll probably look for something in between the gamer headsets and the other mics you mentioned. As you mentioned our needs are pretty low-fi, though I’d rather not have the mic in the shot.

  Appreciate it.

  D

  Dan Schanler
  NYC
• 

  Bouncing Account needs new email address

  December 2, 2008 at 9:31 pm

  I’ll repost. The links didn’t work.
• 

  Bouncing Account needs new email address

  December 2, 2008 at 9:46 pm

  Some low-end “toys”…

  Here is an inexpensive ($60) XLR to USB adapter to use if you already have a mic to use.
  It includes Phantom Power option and a cable.

  It is a brand new product (ships 12-12-08), so I have not tried it myself.
  (But I intend to buy one and see what it’ll do.)

  https://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blue-Icicle-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Converter?sku=330275

  Here is a studio condenser mic that feeds USB directly.

  https://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-990USB-USB-Powered-Condenser-Microphone?sku=271009

  It actually sounds pretty good (I have some of the standard non-USB versions)
  … and you’ll be compressing the heck out of the audio for web, anyway.
• 

  Ty Ford

  December 2, 2008 at 10:16 pm

  Hello Matt,

  The Centrance MicPort Pro is a 96/24 with Phantom Powered and a good headphone jack.

  I reviewed it for several magazines a few months back.

  It’s shipping and it works.

  https://centrance.com/products/mp/

  Regards,

  Ty Ford

  Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
  Watch Ty play guitar

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• 

  Howard Harper

  December 5, 2008 at 5:00 pm

  The MicMate is a great device. MXL have also introduces a low cost USB Mic with zero latency monitoring via the built in headphone jack. It’s under a hundred dollars.

  https://www.mxl-usb.com/Studio1USB/Studio1USB.htm

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