Q. What is a USB microphone?

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See companion article on Hardware for computer recording

A USB microphone is a hybrid – it is a microphone cross-bred with a USB audio interface, so that it can plug directly into the USB 2.0 port of most computers.  This allows you to record voice or acoustic instruments without needing to purchase an audio interface – ideal for podcasting, narration, online chatting or getting songwriting ideas down quickly.

One thing to remember with USB mics is that most of them do NOT have a standard analog audio output, so they cannot be used for live sound or used with a standard mixer, amplifier or audio interface – only attached to a computer.

As with every market, there is a wide variety of quality and features available. but in general an external USB microphone is a big jump up from the built in microphone in a notebook computer or iMac.

Some USB microphones are intended for speech only – chatting, Skype and conferencing. and aren’t suited for singing or instrumental recording. For speech only use, you can also consider USB headsets that have both headphones and a boom mounted microphone.

Logitech USB Desktop Microphone

Samson:

  • UB1 Boundary layer microphone, designed to be positioned flat on a table top for recording meetings and conference calls.
  • GoMic compact, portable mic, switchable from directional to omnidirectional

Other microphone models have wider frequency responses that are better suited to vocal and instrumental work. Most of the following convert audio at CD-resolution, which is 16 bit depth with a 44.1 KHz sample rate. For professional recording, higher-than-CD resolutions are desirable to give more detail.

Alesis:

  • USB-Mic Podcasting Kit includes a pair of headphones $129
  • AM3 Stereo handheld USB microphone – has two microphone elements in one unit and captures a stereo image. $129
Audio Technica AT2020 USB Microphone

Audio Technica AT2020 USB Microphone

Audio-Technica:

  • AT2020USB Side-address condenser mic based on the AT2020 project studio condenser microphone. $185

B.L.U.E.:

  • Snowball, One of the first USB microphones with a large diameter condenser element.
  • Snowflake, a smaller diaphragm condenser mic with an combination stand/clip for positioning on the desk or on top of a laptop screen. Quality wise, the Snowflake sits on the fence between a good podcasting mic and an entry level recording mic. $76
  • Eyeball, a Snowflake with an additional 2 MP webcam built in for video conferencing $89
  • BLUE Snowflake USB Mic

    BLUE Snowflake USB Mic

    Yeti A large diaphragm condenser multi-pattern microphone $159

  • Yeti Pro Additional XLR analog output that can be used for live use or analog mixers/outboard equipment. It features a D/A converter capable of up to 24 bit /192 KHz conversion. $335

Rode:

  • Podcaster Dynamic USB microphone with headphone output, and up to 18 bit / 48 KHz sampling

Samson:

  • G-Track This mic adds a second input for instrument or line level signals, so that you can record both voice and an instrument – so it functions as a basic audio interface.
  • C01U One of the first USB microphones in an upright condenser design, based on the Co1 microphone.
  • C03U multi-pattern microphone can be switched from supercardiod (directional) to omnidirectional (for picking up the room sound from all directions) and bidirectional (figure-8 for picking up sound front and back while rejecting sound from the sides)
  • Meteor Mic chrome plated design with  built in tripod, the style is an homage to the recording mics of the ’40s. Includes a headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring. A webcam kit is an option.
  • Q1U Dynamic hand-held mic designed for vocals
  • Q2U Dynamic mic with both USB and analog XLR outputs for live use or analog recording.

There are also some compact outboard USB interfaces that have a single purpose – to add USB output to a standard microphone with an XLR connection:

Alesis MicLink for dynamic mics only (no phantom power) $68

Blue Icicle – provides 48V Phantom power for condenser mics that require it. $67

Centrance MicPort Pro – up to 24 bit / 96 KHz conversion, provides 48V Phantom power

Alesis MicLink

Alesis MicLink USB adapter (computer, microphone and mic stand not included)

Alesis USB Mic Podcast kit

Alesis USB Mic Podcast kit

Alesis AM3 Stereo USB mic

Alesis AM3 Stereo USB mic

Blue Yeti USB microphone

Blue Yeti USB microphone

USB microphones are compatible across any Windows and Macintosh systems with USB 2.0 ports and relatively modern OS versions. They should be recognized as USB ‘class compliant’ audio hardware as soon as they are plugged into the machine, and their inputs should be available to any recording software.

If you want to get better quality sound into your computer, you don’t have multiple sound sources to record at once, and don’t want to set up a studio-type interface for standard microphones, then a USB microphone is worth a look.

If you are aiming for professional music results, a good quality audio interface with a selection of quality microphones is much more expensive but will give better quality results.

This entry was posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, Music recording, instruments, hard & software and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Q. What is a USB microphone?

  1. Pingback: Q. What hardware do I need to make professional recordings? | CanadaRAM: Memory and Computer Q&A

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