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Good $150 Microphones that can be plugged in directly to a computer?

post #1 of 14
12/6/12 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 

I'm looking for a good quality microphone that I can plug directly into a computer and have it run well. Any recommendations? 

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post #2 of 14
12/6/12 at 5:06pm

Unless this for a very specific purpose, your first mic should be an sm57/58, to which you could add something like an XConnect cable.  This would be a very versatile setup for everything from vocals to acoustic instruments to micing amplifiers


Edited by El_Doug - 12/6/12 at 5:08pm
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post #3 of 14
12/11/12 at 2:32pm

I heard the performaces of the Yeti from Blue Microphones and it sounds amazing!

 

It plugs to your computer via USB.

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post #4 of 14
12/11/12 at 5:43pm

trouble is, this limits you to a medium-diaphragm condenser (not very versatile), and makes it very hard to use the microphone with anything but a computer

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by 234537 View Post

I heard the performaces of the Yeti from Blue Microphones and it sounds amazing!

 

It plugs to your computer via USB.

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post #5 of 14
12/11/12 at 9:52pm
+1 for Blue Yeti USB Microphone
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post #6 of 14
12/12/12 at 3:35am
Thread Starter 

I will only be using this with the computer. I don't plan to use it for anything more than youtube videos/streaming and skype calls, etc.

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post #7 of 14
12/30/12 at 1:56pm

Check out the Audio Technica AT2020 USB Mic. 

http://www.amazon.com/AT2020-Windows-Digital-Port-Filter/dp/B0096CE1V2/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1356904318&sr=8-20&keywords=audio+technica+at2020

Goes for $150 on Amazon and comes with a pop filter. 

Problem is, it's only cardioid, but you probably won't need any other pattern settings. If you do need other pattern settings like omni-directional, bidirectional or stereo, then go for the Blue Yeti. 

http://bluemic.com/yeti/#/desc/

Blue Yeti goes for around $100 on Amazon, but sadly I'm in Canada so it still goes for $150...

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post #8 of 14
1/8/13 at 8:06pm

150$microphone for skype calls is definitely overkill. Completely out of sense. Do you want a nice mic?

Check modmic.com

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post #9 of 14
1/11/13 at 4:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by squallkiercosa View Post

150$microphone for skype calls is definitely overkill. Completely out of sense. Do you want a nice mic?

Check modmic.com

It's not just for Skype. I would also be recording, and streaming.

ALSO:  How about the MXL 990 w/ Blue Icicle (and stand and pop filter).

 

http://www.amazon.com/MXL-990-Condenser-Microphone-Shockmount/dp/B0002GIRP2

http://www.amazon.com/Stage-DS7200B-Adjustable-Microphone-Stand/dp/B0002M3OVI/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1357905885&sr=1-1&keywords=microphone+adjustable+desktop+stand

http://www.amazon.com/Nady-MPF-6-6-Inch-Microphone-Filter/dp/B0002CZW0Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1357906031&sr=1-1&keywords=pop+filter

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1357906051&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+icicle

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post #10 of 14
1/11/13 at 7:46am

Curious... Why would you do that when a shure SM57/58 + ART Tube MP falls into that range?  Given the 57's LONG history in the recording industry, why chance it?

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp?src=3WWRWXGP

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-sm57-instrument-vocal-mic

 

If youre mic'ing a guitar cabinet you can even squeeze a small mic stand in that budget.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-low-profile-die-cast-mic-stand

 

You'll have to budget extra for cabling though.

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post #11 of 14
1/11/13 at 12:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kramer5150 View Post

Curious... Why would you do that when a shure SM57/58 + ART Tube MP falls into that range?  Given the 57's LONG history in the recording industry, why chance it?

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp?src=3WWRWXGP

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-sm57-instrument-vocal-mic

 

If youre mic'ing a guitar cabinet you can even squeeze a small mic stand in that budget.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-low-profile-die-cast-mic-stand

 

You'll have to budget extra for cabling though.

I tried the SM57 and I didn't really like it. I'm looking at the MXL 990 because a lot of people have used it, I've heard it, and it also perfectly fits my budget along with all the other components. I'm also looking at the Zoon H2N and the Audio Technica ATH-2020.

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post #12 of 14
2/1/13 at 6:02pm

Is there much difference between the Blue Yeti Microphone and its "pro" counterpart?

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post #13 of 14
3/10/13 at 10:50pm
The yeti pro has an xlr connection along with a USB connection and can record 24/196, unlike the non pro yeti, which only does 16/44.1.

I have a blue yeti (regular) and it works great for me. I have used it for skyping, recording music (trumpet player here) and let's plays. It works very well. It even has a headphone amp and DAC in it! (for active monitoring of the mic) you can have it replace your computer's sound card and it is an improvement (but not as big as an audioengine d1 would do)

However, if you are wanting a USB microphone that is strictly for voice, I think that the audio-technica ath-2020 is a better option, as I feel it has better quality. But it is only cardioid, so give and take.
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post #14 of 14
3/11/13 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TTNK View Post

The yeti pro has an xlr connection along with a USB connection and can record 24/196, unlike the non pro yeti, which only does 16/44.1.

I have a blue yeti (regular) and it works great for me. I have used it for skyping, recording music (trumpet player here) and let's plays. It works very well. It even has a headphone amp and DAC in it! (for active monitoring of the mic) you can have it replace your computer's sound card and it is an improvement (but not as big as an audioengine d1 would do)

However, if you are wanting a USB microphone that is strictly for voice, I think that the audio-technica ath-2020 is a better option, as I feel it has better quality. But it is only cardioid, so give and take.

Thanks. I think I might just end up going with the AT-2020. The only problem now is what kind of mic stand I should get because I have an EXTREMELY limited space.

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