Recommend a Mic for video recording/streaming? (sub $100)

[MeatHead Gaming]

Hi,

I'm looking for a mic, preferably under $100, to use for Twitch streaming and Youtube recording. The mic in my headset is awful. Currently I'm using my webcam mic, which isn't a lot better. The main issue is how quiet the audio output is, even when fully boosted. I have to set XSplit to 10% in game volume and 100% mic volume just to have them sync up, and everyone who watches the youtube videos has to crank their speakers up. I'm looking for something I can put on a stand on my desk, close to my mouth (or even suspend it downward from some kind of stand) so it can pick up my voice better and hopefully not pick up far away noises as much.

Any recommendations? I don't know anything about mics.

TIA

Moved to Peripherals.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator

 

[NewYorksFinest]

Snowball Blue

I use it, it is good for skype and is just as good as those $300 MXL microphones.




Edit: You will do better if you truck you and your thread to Peripherals. Just realized I was in GH and not Peripherals.

 

[MeatHead Gaming]

(posted this on GH, was recommended to post it here)

Hi,

I'm looking for a mic, preferably under $100, to use for Twitch streaming and Youtube recording. The mic in my headset is awful. Currently I'm using my webcam mic, which isn't a lot better. The main issue is how quiet the audio output is, even when fully boosted. I have to set XSplit to 10% in game volume and 100% mic volume just to have them sync up, and everyone who watches the youtube videos has to crank their speakers up. I'm looking for something I can put on a stand on my desk, close to my mouth (or even suspend it downward from some kind of stand) so it can pick up my voice better and hopefully not pick up far away noises as much.

Any recommendations? I don't know anything about mics.

TIA

 

[Throckmorton]

Samson makes USB microphones for exactly this use and they're reasonably priced.

 

[crashtestdummy]

My wife (a singer) uses this one, which occasionally dips below $100, for home recordings. It has served us very well.

I'd recommend some kind of condenser mic, at least.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

My wife (a singer) uses this one, which occasionally dips below $100, for home recordings. It has served us very well.

I'd recommend some kind of condenser mic, at least.

I have two of those, the non-usb version, that I use for chamber music recordings. Got 'em on sale a couple years ago for like $70 each.

They're really accurate.

 

[MeatHead Gaming]

I was looking at the audio technica too. Are they fairly 'loud'? That's my main gripe with the webcam mic.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I was looking at the audio technica too. Are they fairly 'loud'? That's my main gripe with the webcam mic.

Almost any mic can be too live. You have to adjust your gain so it's appropriate for the room you're in, background noise, distance from mic, etc.

 

[Throckmorton]

Here are some Samson USB options. And you do need USB-- the mic input on computers suck
http://www.sweetwater.com/c981--Samson--USB_Microphones

 

[MeatHead Gaming]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on the Audio Technica 2020. Any reason not to?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on the Audio Technica 2020. Any reason not to?

Waiting for sales? Buying more hardware than you need?

I picked up a Samson C01U (a perfectly good USB podcasting mic) a couple years ago for $30 at the same time I picked up my pair of AT2020s for $70 each.

1) The C01U wasn't nearly as good for recording music, but worked fine for speech. Your mic choice should be tailored to your needs.

2) In both cases, that was less than half the retail price and about half what they're currently selling for. Sales happen, and joy to he who waits.

 

[Nged72]

TC.
Best Sale right now. Like some have stated Audio Technika AT2020 for $100

http://slickdeals.net/f/6881510-aud...rophone-for-99-99-free-shipping-169-00-retail