- So what's the deal with USB microphones?
Many independent podcasters, especially those who are
just starting are using USB microphones.
But how do they work?
And can you really achieve good audio
with USB microphones?
And which one should I buy?
On today's video I forced Steve
out of his studio to come and answer those questions for us
and also give us his recommendation and also
a demonstration.
Okay, let's get to it.
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On today's video we're going to talk all about
USB microphones, specifically the most popular ones
that independent podcasters are using.
And at the end of the video
we're going to do a side by side comparison
of the audio of Veronica's voice
recorded through all four of these microphones
that you see here, so make sure you stick around
'til the end to hear that and to get my recommendation
of my favorites.
But before we get into talking about USB microphones
and plugging these bad boys in
and hearing what they sound like,
it's important that we understand
a little bit about microphone basics.
The only thing you really need to understand
is that there's two different types of microphones.
There's dynamic microphones like these two over here
and there's condenser microphones
like these two over here.
Okay, let's start with condenser microphones.
To put it simply, I like to think of condenser microphones
as the studio type microphone.
That's because you usually see condenser microphones
in recording studios.
Condenser microphones have a better frequency range
that they pick up typically,
and they also pick up more sound in general.
They have a truer to life sound.
This makes this perfect for recording studios
where the room you're recording in
is sound treated but the draw backs
of a condenser microphone is if you're in a room
that has a lot of noise going on
or that's not sound treated or has a lot of reverb.
The other thing about condenser microphones
is that they require power in order to pick up sound.
Okay, so now let's move onto dynamic microphones.
Dynamic microphones are a lot less sensitive.
The most common use that you'll see of a dynamic
microphone is on stage with a singer.
They are rugged, they are durable
and they perform better in noisy environments
and in environments where there's a lot of reverb
or things like that.
Also, they do not require power to work.
For this reason, I think the dynamic microphones
are better for the average podcaster
because most podcasters aren't recording
in a recording studio.
With a dynamic microphone,
you'll want to speak a little closer to it
than maybe you would a condenser microphone.
Put a little poofy piece over it
or a pop filter and you'll be
probably better off using this.
So, why don't we pull Veronica in here
and get her to record a little bit through each one
of these microphones and then
we'll put on a noisemaker in the background
and we'll have some noise in the background
and have her also record through all four microphones
and see how they perform.
- Okay, so let's start with the Blue Snowball microphone,
the least expensive on the list.
This is a condenser microphone
and you can pick one of these up for around $40.
So this is a Samson Q2U.
This is a dynamic microphone
and you can find one of these for around $50.
So next on our list is another dynamic microphone.
This is the Audio-Technica ATR2100.
You can buy one of these microphones for around $60.
And finally, the super popular Blue YETI microphone.
This is a condenser microphone.
You can find this microphone
in different colors and styles.
You can buy one from $120 to $150.
So let's hear a back to back recording of all
four of these microphones.
And for this I'm going to use baby books.
Seven apples up on top.
I am so good, they will not drop.
Five, six, seven, fun, fun, fun.
Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
Wash your ears and wash your toes.
Scratch your head and blow your nose.
I'll teach him big.
I'll teach him small
and fat and thin and short and tall.
"I'm not your mother, I'm a dog", said the dog.
"Are you my mother?"
The baby bird asked the cow.
"How could I be your mother?", said the cow.
I'm a cow.
Ted drove his red car fast.
Fred drove his green car slow.
They came to a sign.
Where should we go, asked Fred.
To the mountains, said Ted.
Okay, so before we finish up,
let's see if we can hear the difference
between a condenser microphone and a dynamic microphone
while I play some background noise
using this noisemaker machine I stole from my baby's room.
(nature sounds)
The first words I will teach my pup
are dig a hole and fill it up.
I'll teach him walk.
I'll teach him run.
Then catch a ball, we'll sure have fun.
But they did not sleep well.
Upstairs Fred thumped and bumped
and tossed and turned.
Downstairs Ted moaned and groaned
and crashed and trashed all over the bed.
- Okay, so Veronica which one of these
was your favorite?
- [Veronica] So I really like the Audio-Technica 2100
and the Blue YETI.
- Why do you like the Blue YETI?
- I like the Blue YETI
because I didn't have to speak into the microphone
like too close and I'm allowed to now use my hands
and I move my head a lot so I feel like I had
more freedom of movement.
- Yes.
- And with the Audio-Technica I really like the
audio quality.
- Yeah, the audio quality
sounds really good on this one.
So, that's, you touched on a couple different things
that's important no matter what kind of microphone
you're using and that's to really kind of play around
with the input levels on your computer.
And adjust those input levels
so that you're getting a good level that's going into your
computer and that yeah, you're speaking nice and close
to it and then the other thing, the convenience.
You'll notice right now if I were to do this
I would have to bend over.
With these little stands that come with the microphones,
they're really not meant
for a day to day everyday podcasting.
You should probably get like a desk stand
or like a traditional mic stand for stage or whatever.
- So I have a question for you.
How is a USB condenser microphone
different from a regular condenser microphone?
- Well that's a good question and
you know it isn't that different.
Inside of every USB microphone,
you have an audio interface
and you also have a preamp.
So there's three different components
that are all built into a USB microphone.
That's why no matter how good of a USB microphone
you get you're still limited to the technology
of the preamp and the audio interface
that's inside each of these microphones.
And that is yet another reason
why I would recommend either the Samson
or the Audio-Technica over these two microphones
is because if you look in the back of these microphones
they're also an XLR microphone as well.
Or they also have a traditional XLR output.
When you plug a mic cable into this
it bypasses the interface and the preamp
inside the microphone that way you can plug it into
a higher quality preamp and higher quality
audio interface and get an even better sound
- To an external preamp, an external interface?
- Yes, or many interfaces will also come
with preamps built into them.
And that, so when you're ready to upgrade,
these are upgradable where as these are always
going to sound the way they are.
The other thing like I mentioned before
is you really hear the background noise
more with these types of microphones
than you do with these.
And in my personal opinion, I think that I would buy
the Audio-Technica many times before buying
the Blue YETI for it's upgrade-ability
but also I don't really hear all that big of a difference
in quality, especially not for the price tag.
You have $60 or $150.
So it's almost $100 cheaper
and it's just as good of a microphone
and it's upgradeable for the future.
And that's my take away.
- Great, thank you.
And there you go podskis.
That was a lot of experimentation
and a lot of reading from my part.
After you have chosen your microphone
you need to learn how to be confident
speaking into the microphone.
To help you with this, we put together this free guide
that will help you find your podcast voice.
You can find the link to the guide
in the description below.
And until next time, two things.
(speaks foreign language)
And don't forget to like and subscribe this video.
Happy casting amigos!