I started with a ~$20 usb mic without thinking much about audio, but with time I wanted to get a better sound out of it, so it made me learn how to use basic processing like EQ, compressor, noise gate, and then came another problem: latency when using vsts in real time, so it led me to learn about XLR, dsp processing, analog processors, compressors and channel strips. So starting with a USB mic, thanks to its limitations I acquired some knowledge in audio! Soooo even if a USB mic might not sound great, I think it's a good starting point to at least get a little bit of knowledge about audio! :)

Couple of things - First, I just listened to this in my home studio that also doubles as my home theatre/den. Sounds amazing with the JBL speakers and vintage altec-lansing down firing sub. Which drives home the point that we can make, mix, and master, but have no control of how are content is consumed. Second - I believe I've said it before, "I'm far beyond the need for a USB mic," but it is a great place to start while one is finding their place as a content creator, musician, sound designer, etc. I credit my post production skills to the fact that I grew up with very modest equipment. The USB mic and laptop with Audacity, is the 21st century version of the radioshack mic and panasonic portable cassette recorder. peace

I think the main issue is that plenty of people saying XLR over USB are misunderstanding the intended use case. It's like a Formula 1 driver reviewing a Camry. A USB mic is an out of the box solution that, with a headphone pass-through, can completely eliminate the need for a desktop DAC for a very uncomplicated minimalist setup. With a Lighting or USB C connector, you can use a USB mic to record an on-site interview to your phone. Plugged into a gaming rig, a streamer can respond to chat. An on-mic mute button and light can make endless zoom meetings hassle-free. Reviews of these devices from audiophiles and recording engineers overlook the 90% of use cases that these are made for. There are so many products in this market that skirt by on the fact that people who don't want or need audiophile equipment can't find competent reviews and don't know what features they are even looking for, and so they buy a $40 hunk of junk because they can't find anyone pointing them in a direction except towards a $600 XLR setup. I'd rather listen to a KZfaq math tutorial where the creator used a Snowball or an AT2500 USB than the mic built into their laptop. People need reviews of products that fit multiple use cases and not everybody is going to be recording 32 bit 96khz audio from multiple sources. Sometimes it's just having a microphone that isn't literally an inch from their keyboard. Sometimes it's having a way to plug a set of headphones into their computer that doesn't have a 3.5mm jack. Sometimes it's having a microphone that turns red when muted so you can say mean things about your boss without getting fired. Pretending that everyone buying a microphone is an audio engineer is kinda pointless and all too common.

this video is gold, ends on a reassuring note with some great philosophy. thank you

I love it! I have overspent on mid tier mics and realized that just the basic SM58 is just fine!

The consistency with the audio no matter the movement is godly! I need to study more audio for content an music sake

Yes even though I have switched to xlr I still use my usb mics while I do want another one this time a dynamic(my favorite being the maono mic and the rode xdm100) I still use my yeti to record gameplay audio it is great for recording that but I have heard usb mic sound amazing for voice overs as well

Love the message 👍🏿

I get what you're saying, and I also get the point of the tweet you showed at the beginning. Gear is less important than a lot of people might think but at the same time with an inexpensive XLR mic/interface combo you're going to get the same value or better than with a USB mic, as well as an actual upgrade path. But whatever else might come up I 100% agree with the gist of this.

That sounds about 100 times better than the average gaming mics, especially gaming headset mics.

I agree - there are some decent USB mics too! I used to main a Neat Beecaster, it sounded great! It died not too long ago but I enjoyed it for the 4 years I had it (I bought it used, so it had likely been used for at minimum 3 years before me based on the serial number)

I like your style. Thank you for the straight talk.

That mic sounds pretty good for the world's tiniest ice cream cone. Also, I'm generally happy with the sound of my Rode USB mic, and it's always easier and more convenient to use for anything quick and computer based, what with its build in stand and no need for an interface, extra cables, etc. It's a great tool, and sure, if I'm making something serious I'll dig out the more serious XLR mics. Also, the best music livestream I've heard was a couple of gals killing it through a Yeti USB mic. The mic got over the amazing quality of their singing with no muss and no fuss.

Yeti was the worst purchase ever for me. 20 dollar dynamic mic + 50 dollar xlr interface would probably have been 10x better.

I've seen people that have a great sound with blue yeti and also people that have terrible sound with shure sm7b, ev re-20, etc. So first thing you need is to understand how to use your mic properly and in what situations it's good or bad.

If it has a lapel clip, just call it a lav. mic. That works.

😂👍that's amazing.i love it thank you bro...

A great example that how you process the audio being as (or more) important than how you get the audio. (within reason of course).

I guess any mic would be better than my laptop built-in mic LOL

Good day sir if you had to choose between the Rode XDM-1000, Shure MV7 or the Presonus Revelator Dynamic who would be the winner. For podcasts mainly. Anyone who has tested these can answer also.

Complements to you on the great audio with all the limitations you imposed on yourself for this one. Sounds great on phone loudspeakers and let's face it most people don't listen on anything near studio quality speakers

What microphone can you recommend to sing throaty or guttural voices in the death metal genre?

Your little microphone from Amazon did a better job than expected in my opinion. 😊

Beautifully done video! I'm long past my USB days, but if I had to start recording with a USB, I'd still record. People are kind of delusional today in that they seem to think everyone who's successful at something is always using top of the line gear in their best work. Not the case. We all start somewhere and you work with what you have. Jerry-rigging is kind of a passion of mine and I love taking things that are deemed "not usable" and finding ways to make them work or repurposed. I didn't even have a USB mic in the months before I got an interface and XLR mic. I was using my phone 😂😂😂 so don't let anyone tell you not to get started on an interest without top tier gear.

I really wanna get the fifine k688 but what is a budget xlr interface and cables for my content creation what would ya'll recommend

I was curious about what you were going to say about this, sadly no hot take and I agree. Also I have more respect for people that get good enough sound on a tight budget than people that get good sound on a royal budget (and still many seems too ruin that). However if you don´t have a specific reason to buy a usb mic (for instance easier to take with you on travel or record with your phone) I think the crossover point to buy an interface + xlr mic is quite fast. At the begin there is maybe not much difference in quality, but upgrading becomes so much easier

I either need to get a new mic, or a new audio interface/mixer. I need a secondary mute for the mic. Either a physical button on the interface, or the mic. USB mics tend to have mute buttons.

im at a crossroad personally, as someone who mainly uses their microphone for communication and less content creation. I want to upgrade my sound for my own personal evolution of my home office and comparing the USB options to the XLR options the xlr microphones typically has more depth and range comparing lets say the MV7 or something like a blue w.e to the SM58/57 but the price of going into XLR is cables + mic + interface + maybe cloudlifter depending on your mic choice. And to boot it seems like almost nothing XLR has mute options built onto the mic or interface with the exception of the SM58S/ So its, do i spend 400 dollars on an sm58s,cables and an interface or 300 (usually less) on a USB offering. And does it really even matter if the programs your using like discord, teams or in game audio and even OBS to some extent squish your audio through encoding and decoding for network transfer. Really i just want something new as this yeti is pushing almost a decade at this point. Any suggestions?

Well said good explanation. Exactly correct, the message is most important. It’s not how you start, it’s how you end. Why buy an expensive mic when you are just starting. Once you monetize then you can afford a better one.

Gotta agree... although a cheap hammer wont have a bad noise floor, a usb mic probably will! 😂

I got a random mic to try and review on sale and I’ve gotten A LOT of compliments for a USB Mic. I’m an XLR guy though lol.

I respectfully disagree. USB mics today have come a long way. I'm more than comfortable using a select few USB microphones for professional voice work...no problem. Clients have never complained. Good idea to start with a quality voice in the first place i suppose 😊

Ok ngl that mic is way more expensive than my 2 dollar micdonalds quality mic

In the end the interface is connected to a usb 😂. Usb actually record in stereo if u prefer that and well if u put lineout to a decent soundcard very usable. Though I don’t recommend for live because too many pops.

I LOVE my BEACN USB-C Microphone!! BUT, it is also not a "typical" USB microphone in that it has fully adjustable noise suppression, expander, compressor, exciter and de-esser with built into the mic chip! IT IS CRAZY the way you can dial this microphone in!! That being said, it is a 96k only mic, and I like to use VoiceMod for my twitch streams, so I have an elgato Wave XLR unit and a elgato Wave DX microphone for my voice's, (great deal on ebay, 150.00 package) I do like how you can download all the VST's to dial in the XLR microphone, but WISH that elgato could have made an interface for the XLR microphones like the BEACN interface.....it is just SO much easier, but I do understand why they do that!!

Totally agree. But this isn't license to not work on good mic technique or learn how to get the best audio possible.

I think you may change your mind when you encounter the Sennheiser USB profile microphone. Could you do a review on that?

The right tool for the job is the one which works for you - irrespective of price. A lot of good things can be said for a cheap microphone in a semi-treated space with good mic technique, whereas a lot of bad things can be said for an expensive condenser in an untreated space with awful mic technique. The author of that tweet needs to get a grip and start talking some sense. I'm guessing "all the gear, no idea" applies to that person...

This isn’t a “hot take” by any means, and this response has been used in many arguments about tools. It would have actually been helpful to know some of the basic differences between a USB mic and a higher caliber mic.

Not gonna lie that mic actually sounds decent on my HD 25 Senhisier DJ headphones but once i had a boost to the highs and a bit to lows it sounds like a USB desktop mic.

lol only dark corner studios can make an 11$ mic sound like a 150$ mic

I use an USB large membrane and listeners enjoys it, I don't see the problem. I guess people over compress their voice, nothing to do with usb

These are always the same analyzes and comments regarding the usb vs xlr war and yet, saying that a usb mic cannot be as good as a xlr mic is nonsense: To be able to make this assertion, it would be necessary, at least, that you contact the manufacturers of electronic chips and converters, in order to find out what the limits are to miniaturization. Then, you have to understand that the USB microphone market is much younger than the Xlr'ones and that the demand for high-end USB microphones is even more recent (content creators + voice-overs recorded from home). But this does not mean that the technological limit has been reached. Besides, it would be enough for a USB microphone to be better than many XLR + cable + audio interface microphones to prove it... and this microphone exists, it's the Earthworks Audio Icon USB. On the other hand, it costs 3 times more than high-end USB microphones. But this clearly proves that the limit has not been reached. The price is very high because these components are not yet manufactured in large quantities. But it's happening. Then, you have to understand the intended use for this or that type of microphone, because it's not the manufacturers who will tell you this. When a microphone is sold with a large non-adjustable stand, it is because it is made to be placed on a desk. Like a snow ball. So doing voice over with it is frankly not recommended ! Does this mean that USB microphones are free from all criticism? Certainly not !! quite the contrary. To me, the manufacturers have made a major misunderstanding in the use of these products: Mainly, they are intended for people who will use them in non-acoustically treated environments. And often, these are condenser mics with a default sensitivity that is way too high, so you end up with recordings that are very difficult (if not impossible) to clean. However, in this type of environment, only dynamic microphones can be used. You have to move from the troubles of one to the tranquility of the other to understand it. And testers would be well advised to reproduce the users' conditions of use, rather than spending their lives in booths or spaces treated to perfection! This would also prevent them from overusing the gain, because too much gain kills the noise rejection aspect of dynamic microphones, or from recommending unnecessary cloudlifters in noisy spaces 🙄 Then, 2 other problems arise: the voice delay (even with voice meeter by adjusting the size of the buffer and trying to adjust the remaining ms of gap, impossible to achieve a satisfactory result! I'm happy with all kind of advice). And finally, the headphone amp is often of very poor quality, which makes it unusable for post production (entry-level audio interfaces suffer from the same problem). So, if your computer doesn't have a good sound card, you're good to have to buy a decent DAC. Even if it's something you'll keep over time, it's to be taken into consideration. Because buying good monitoring headphones is great, on the sole condition of plugging them into a good amp!!

I'm currently limited to only USB Microphones because I don't have enough space to place an audio interface on, unless I place it where my feet is. So I'm pissed off with these people who think USB mics don't belong in the content creation world, or even the professional industry. Like, I can edit my stuff with Audacity just fine, so what's the problem? :/

What are the xlr mics usually connected to? =)

My opinion, as USB mic will get you to the point where it's much more valuable to invest in the recording space than to get a better mic

The Yeti is better than the Hyperx Quadcast... People villainized the wrong one. The Quadcast is horrendous and possibly the most popular mic right now - You see it everywhere. And yet it sounds so bad that it makes the Yeti sound like an RE20. It's crazy. The Yeti is alright for what it is. In retrospect that mic did a lot of good things for it's time and that shouldn't be dismissed. In 2023? If you can only get a USB mic there's options like the Wave:3 or Razer Siren that offer decent sound for the price. Already have a Yeti? Keep using it. But... Please, please, just no more Hyperx Quadcast. It's so bad. The RGB isn't worth it.

ok, it is hot trash, but it's light years ahead any blue yeti

Boo. Boo. Boo.