Live broadcasts on Twitch, webinars and video blogs on YouTube are growing in popularity from year to year. If you want to show the world your gaming skills or conduct a live podcast, you will need a high-quality microphone.
The best microphones for streaming provide loud and clear voice transmission, regardless of your actions. In this review, we’ll show you how to choose a microphone, from budget to premium models, for a variety of tasks.
How to choose a good microphone for voice recording
There are several factors to consider when choosing a new microphone to suit your needs.
Frequency range
This parameter defines the corridor of values within which the output signal is generated. For recording streams and podcasts, the best option is a microphone with a frequency range of 80 Hz - 15 kHz. The human voice does not go beyond these limits.
For specific recording tasks, models with a range starting from 20-50 Hz are used. But they are expensive.
Directivity parameters
It doesn't matter if a thousand spectators are listening to you, or just a handful if they can't hear you clearly. This is where the directional microphone properties come into play.
- Bidirectional. As the name implies, this microphone picks up the sound of two directions - front and rear. This makes it ideal for artists who would like to sing a duet or a blogger who often interviews.
- Unilateral. Insensitive to sound sources located on the back or sides. It is a great choice for gamers. One-way microphones are cardioid, hypercardioid and supercardioid. The cardioid type microphone has an effective working angle of 130 degrees, and it is indifferent to the sound coming from behind. Other configurations are partially sensitive to the sound coming from behind.
- Omnidirectional. Do you need a microphone that can handle sound from any direction? Then an omnidirectional microphone is the best choice. However, this is not the best choice for gamers, since omnidirectional microphones can record all background noises (including the clatter of the keyboard) along with the voice.
Optional accessories
The most popular accessory that comes with the microphone is a desk stand. A case or bag is a good thing if you often have to move the microphone from place to place. Of course, all this can be bought separately, but it is better that the manufacturer takes care of this.
Best Budget Microphones
3. SVEN MK-170
The average price is 158 rubles.
Specifications:
- electret microphone
- construction: lapel (clip)
- for computer
- pie chart
- mini jack 3.5 mm
- sensitivity -58 dB
- frequency range 50-16000 Hz
- food: phantom
A great low-cost microphone for talking on Skype, Discord or in voice gaming chat. It is compact, easily attaches to the headphone wire and sounds much better than most microphones built into laptops.
It is worth considering that this model is intended only for indoor use, since in a strong wind the interlocutor is unlikely to hear you
pros: good sound for a small price.
Minuses: made of flimsy plastic.
2. Ritmix RDM-131
The average price is 260 rubles.
Specifications:
- dynamic microphone
- construction: manual
- for vocals
- cardioid chart
- jack 6.3 mm
- sensitivity -68 dB
- frequency range 80-15000 Hz
- food: phantom
If you need a microphone for dubbing a video at home or as a gift for a child who is learning to sing, then the Ritmix RDM-131 is one of the priority candidates for the purchase. This microphone with a wired connection type comes with a removable three-meter adapter cable with 3-pin XLR connectors - 6.3 mm jack.
It is lightweight, fits comfortably in the hand and is characterized by a clear sound and comfortable focus.
pros: there is noise reduction,
Minuses: the case is made of plastic, a thin cord recognizes voice from a distance of 10-15 cm.
1. Trust GXT 212 Mico
The average price is 1,317 rubles.
Specifications:
- condenser microphone
- design: desktop
- for computer
- pie chart
- USB / mini jack 3.5 mm
- frequency range 50-16000 Hz
- power supply: via USB
A good option for those who are going to buy a microphone for a PC with good sound. This is not to say that the Trust GXT 212 Mico cuts off absolutely all extraneous noise, but in its price category it has excellent sound recording quality.
High sensitivity allows you not to bring your lips close to the microphone so that you can be heard well. And the ease of installation without additional drivers and software makes it easy to work with Trust GXT 212 Mico even for children and the elderly.
This microphone can be connected either via a 3.5 mm jack or via USB. For this, the kit has an appropriate adapter.
pros: A USB adapter and a tripod stand are included with the microphone.
Minuses: short cable.
Top Microphones for Streaming, Podcast, and Vocal Recordings
3. Maono AU-A03
The average price is 2 650 rubles.
Specifications:
- condenser microphone
- construction: stationary
- for studio
- for podcasts / radio / television
- cardioid chart
- XLR connector
- Max. sound pressure 120 dB
- sensitivity -38 dB
- frequency range 30-16000 Hz
This is a great budget model with good sound quality, best suited for voice recording. Its delivery set includes not only the microphone itself, but also a tripod stand, anti-vibration mounting, foam rubber wind protection and even a pop filter.
Despite the low price of the microphone, its body is not made of plastic, but of metal. Another plus to the manufacturer.
AU-A03 offers only one cardioid pattern, which means that it records only what is in front of it and tries to “cut off” the external noise.
The biggest problem with this model is that you are not able to hear yourself in real time. Without a zero monitoring delay, there is no way to know if you are talking too loudly or too quietly until recording is complete.
pros: good sound recording quality, excellent noise reduction, rich equipment.
Minuses: for the microphone to fully reveal its capabilities, a high-quality external sound card is required.
2. Ritmix RDM-120
The average price is 590 rubles.
Specifications:
- condenser microphone
- design: desktop
- for podcasts / radio / television
- pie chart
- mini jack 3.5 mm
- sensitivity -30 dB
- frequency range 50-16000 Hz
Here is the cheapest mic for streams and podcasts. It is made as simple and budgetary as possible: made of plastic, with one folding stand-tripod with a swivel holder in the kit.
However, the sound quality is surprisingly good for such an inexpensive device. Especially if you slightly modify the file, that is, use software to remove extraneous noise.
Such a microphone is ideal for a novice blogger or streamer who is willing to spend time trying to achieve the studio quality sound of the Ritmix RDM-120 by installing a third-party program that removes unnecessary background.
pros: lightweight and attractively looking, there is a button on and off the microphone.
Minuses: the tripod is unstable, "travels" on the table.
1. Shure SM7B
The average price is 32,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- dynamic microphone
- construction: stationary
- for studio
- for podcasts / radio / television
- cardioid chart
- XLR connector
- sensitivity -59 dB
- frequency range 50-20000 Hz
- food: phantom
- low pass filter
This model from Shure is an ideal tool for people who want their voice and music to be perfectly transmitted to listeners. It is equipped with air suspension and has a pop filter that eliminates mechanical noise and wheezing.
A classic cardioid scheme allows you to sing or speak at a convenient angle, while the microphone will capture only the desired sound with minimal side noise.
The Shure SM7B also has advanced electromagnetic shielding to reflect drone from computer monitors and other studio equipment.
Another feature of this model is the cutoff switch in several positions, which allows you to weaken the low and amplify the middle frequencies.
pros: superior build quality, effectively reduces distortion from loud sound sources, integrated capsule protection.
Minuses: The most expensive microphone in the ranking.
Top microphones for karaoke and stage performances
3. Thomson M150
The average price is 860 rubles.
Specifications:
- dynamic microphone
- construction: manual
- for karaoke
- pie chart
- mini jack 3.5 mm
- sensitivity -60 dB
- frequency range 100-10000 Hz
A very simple, reliable and high-quality microphone, which makes it a suitable choice for those who like to sing at home karaoke using the best music center.
The Thomson M150 has a clear sound, it does not fonit, is tactilely pleasant, but what else is required for such little money?
pros: high sensitivity, there is a button on and off the sound.
Minuses: Not very long 2.5 meter cord.
2. Fifine Dual Channel
The average price is 4500 rubles.
Specifications:
- dynamic wireless microphone
- construction: manual
- for karaoke
- mini jack 3.5 mm
- sensitivity -54 dB
- frequency range 50-18000 Hz
The price of this model seems prohibitive, but it is worth considering that you are buying not one, but two microphones at once, plus a compact receiving base.
And if you already have an audio device, then the Fifine Dual Channel is an affordable way to connect up to three singers to it at the same time, because three audio cables are included in the kit at once.
pros: separate volume control for each microphone, the receiving base is made of metal.
Minuses: hard to find for sale in Russia, search on eBay and AliExpress.
1. Behringer XM 8500 ultravoice
The average price is 1250 rubles.
Specifications:
- dynamic microphone
- construction: manual
- for rehearsals, stage performances
- cardioid orientation
- Gold plated XLR plug
- sensitivity -70 dB
- frequency range 50 Hz -15 kHz
This model with a solid metal structure copes with the removal of background noise, which makes it suitable not only for karaoke and live performances, but also for podcasters. It features a dual pop filter that minimizes aspiration and low-frequency noise.
When recording sound, the microphone does not fonit, does not whistle and does not hiss, it is configured very easily (practically turned on and work), and perfectly fulfills the bottoms and the middle.
pros: Includes a hard case, microphone holder and adapter for microphone stand.
Minuses: There is no on and off button, like most microphones.
Best Universal USB Microphones
3. Blue Microphones Yeti
The average price is 11,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- Type: capacitor
- Appointment: universal
- Operating frequencies: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 100dB
- Connection Interface: USB 1.1 / 2.0
- Dimensions: 120 x 125 x 295 mm
This microphone comes in a wide variety of colors and is suitable for podcasts, gamers or those who want a high quality microphone.
The word "universal" fully refers to Blue Microphones Yeti. It is equipped with three capsules and allows you to choose one of four recording modes: stereo, bidirectional, omnidirectional or cardioid.
With Blue Microphones Yeti, you can podcast like a pro, make group calls or record vocal tracks with ease.
And although it is slightly inferior to the first place in the rating by the number of capsules and the possibility of customization, this is compensated by the price.
pros: you can control the volume of the headphones, the kit includes a metal stand, there is a mute button, there is a microphone gain button.
Minuses: no built-in pop-up filter, can pick up vibrations on the table.
2. Blue Microphones Yeti X
The average price is 15 990 rubles.
Specifications:
- Type: capacitor
- Appointment: universal
- Operating frequencies: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 100dB
- Connection Interface: USB 1.1 / 2.0 / 3.0
- Dimensions: 11 x 12.2 x 28.9 cm
There is a reason why Blue Microphones Yeti X tops many ratings of the best USB microphones. It has a high build quality, has an LED backlight on the front panel, which is useful when tracking the volume level.
Yeti X has four capacitors for capturing sound in 360 degree mode, while the original Yeti has only three capacitors. Yeti X also offers a wide range of settings for adjusting and adjusting sound.
You can use one of the predefined presets from famous streamers to make your voice sound the best and change your voice live. There is even a toggle switch to reduce noise in the event that your recordings suffer due to the sound of a working air conditioner.
For top-notch sound quality, this good mic is loved by professional podcasters and streamers.
pros: the kit includes a desktop stand, you can switch to bidirectional mode, there is support for cardioid mode and stereo mode.
Minuses: no pop filter, buttons pressed too loudly.
1. Rode NT-USB
The average price is 14,080 rubles.
Specifications:
- Type: capacitor
- Construction: tabletop
- Frequency range, Hz: 20 - 20,000 Hz
- Dimensions: 184x62x50 mm
- Optional: cable length 6 meters.
Rode has been manufacturing high-quality microphones since the early 90s, and NT-USB is no exception. This is one of the best microphones for a computer with good sound quality, and it focuses more on musicians and gameplayers.
The zero-delay microphone has a cardioid model with a frequency range of 20 Hz - 20 kHz. And with the Mix control you can control the input and output levels. Another feature of Rode NT-USB is its built-in pop filter. Management of this model is very simple, even a beginner will understand it.
pros: clear and rich sound, the kit includes a case, tripod and stand holder, noise reduction works fine.
Minuses: not.
