You are on page 1of 4

What microphones do streamers use?

You might have been hunting for a microphone that delivers the best sound quality at a low price.
Unfortunately, that is not possible. You can't get the best quality sound at a low price. But don't be sad.
You may have been wasting your time on something you don't even need. Honestly speaking, the best
quality microphones are only used at studios or if you want to record music.

You are the judge here. Take a minute and think about what you really need while ignori ng every myth
you have heard. Streaming can be for different purposes. This single word includes gaming, live
interviews, singing and music, for a YouTube video and much more.

You can use the built-in microphones in your phones or laptops, but you should give these microphones
a try too. Even the cheapest microphones sound much better than the microphones in your phone.

Microphones are available in a great range of prices. They can differ a lot in features , and these features
set the price tag.

If you are here for some highest quality microphones, such as music, this is not the right place for you.
All the microphones listed below use USB to connect to computers.

Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming on PC and Mac, 3
Condenser Capsules (B00N1YPXW2)
Spend a little, get a lot.

The reason why Blue Yeti has made a place in every guide is the perfect combination of performance
and price. We can say that Blue Yeti is the most popular microphone in the world. It does not deliver the
best sound quality, but it is totally worth it for this price tag. In fact, this microphone's sound quality
beats almost every microphone on the market with the same price. It is ideal for those who are new to
streaming and don't want any hustle.

You switch between different pickup patterns: cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, and stereo. This normally
requires multiple microphones.

It is a mid-range mic and ideal for streamers, podcasters and semi-serious buyers.

There is a bad side too. Blue Yeti is not the best at eliminating surround sounds, so a pop-filter would be
a great choice. Putting it on a shock mount stabilizes the mic, but it does not meet one standard. It does
come with an adapter, so it will work on boom arms.

It gives the best for its price, but the quality isn't great enough to satisfy audiophiles.

Blue Yeti Nano Professional Condenser USB Microphone (B07DTTGZ7M)


Little Yeti.

If you record at different places like interviewing people, so Yeti Nano is here. It is half as tall as the big Yeti
and twice as handy.
It is hard to spot any differences between Yeti Nano and the previous Yeti. It comes with cardioid and Omni
pickup patterns compared to four pickup patterns in the previous Yeti. Streamers and interviewers are likely
to be using just these two options, but it is a downstep from the original Yeti. This reason is possibly due to
the shrinkage of size.

But there are some improvements in the Yeti Nano. For instance, Yeti Nano seems to handle vocal pops
better than its big brother. Yeti Nano is great at recording low-end tones in a deeper voice too.

As this is a mid-range microphone, it is not very good at canceling unwanted noise. So, a pop-filter is highly
recommended. Other than that, it is worth upgrading to Yeti Nano if you own the previous version or starting
with it.

Rode NT-USB-Mini USB Microphone with Detachable Magnetic Stand

(B084P1CXFD)
No more Yeti

Rode makes some of the best microphones out there. The newly release Rode NT-USB-Mini seems to be
gaining popularity. It might even dethrone the well-known Blue Yeti.

The Rode's new NT Mini uses a condenser capsule, which results in a crisp and clear sound. It can block
out unnecessary sounds if positioned at the right angle.

The same price tag as a Blue Yeti comes with a built-in pop-filter, which is amazing.

If we compare it with the Shure MV5, NT Mini sounds a bit better. The only advantage MV5 has over NT
Mini is its ability to completely disable DSP.

Due to its small size, some people might want to attach it to a stand or shock mount. Thanks to Rode, it
has a built-in adapter making it compatible with boom arms.

Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone (Black) + USB & Lightning


Cable (B08G7FX6TJ)
Looks retro but sounds modern

You'll often see Shure products in retro design. That's what they think is cool. But what is cool for us is
this new Shure MV5 microphone. Although the design looks retro, its long neck eliminates the need for
a longer stand. Most of the microphones are a couple of inches in height, making them difficult to speak
in. But the design on this microphone seems to be thought out.

A few manufacturers offer DSP and DSP-free signals in the same mic. Even the most popular Blue mics
don't come with DSP. Shure is at an advantage here. The sound quality is good, and the signal is very
clear.

There isn't anything to complain about the MV5 except for a high price tag. But the flexibility of DSP
modes allowing you to alter the audio signal does make up for the price.
Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone (B075HCLMYP)
No background noises

It is great for outdoor recording, thanks to its ability to eliminate unwanted sounds. Seiren X is made to
focus on your sound and ignore all others. The sound is clear and crisp, but the bass and low mid-range
are not the best. The design is liked by many users, which looks like a RedBull tin painted black.

The built-in shock mount absorbs spikes from desk kicks well. It has a super-cardioid pickup pattern
delivering outdoor results incomparable to other brands.

Although it is the most affordable microphone, it is not worth the price. The build quality is not as good
as Blue Yeti and Rode NT Mini, with a small price difference. It doesn't come with an adapter to put on a
boom arm. Other than that, it can be a great mic to start with.

USB Streaming Podcast PC Microphone, SUDOTACK professional


(B07MZP3N5C)
All in one

If you want to look at a low budget side, than Sudotack and Fifine are here. It is cheaper than the Razer,
Blue and Rode microphones and comes with a scissor arm and pop-filter. It uses a cardioid pickup
pattern, and the sound quality is just fine. The noise cancellation equipment comes standard in the box
and does a fine job.

It is ideal for you to be new to podcasting, streaming or YouTube and have a low budget. You cannot
carry it to other places as it's a big setup. As it is cardioid, it only takes sounds from the front side. If you
are an interview, it is not a good choice.

FIFINE Studio Condenser USB Microphone Computer PC Microphone Kit


(B07Y1C6GDS)
Highly rated with low price

After Sudotack, Fifine is the second on the list of low budget microphones. It comes with the pop-filter
and a scissor arm in the box. As with the Sudotack, this microphone is not made for outdoor recording.

It is a condenser mic with a cardioid pattern that carries sound from just one side. Fifine recommends
using the mic from ten centimeters for a crisp and clear sound. As it is cardioid so you might expect it to
be good at noise canceling. But unfortunately, even with the pop-filter unwanted noise gets in. What
else do you expect from a microphone this cheap?

Just like Sudotack, it is easy to plug into any computer using a USB.

So, which one is for you?


If you want to use a microphone for interviewing, streaming, podcasting and gaming, go for Blue Yeti. It
has four pickup modes and is the best value for money. These four modes cover all the purposes.
Razer Seiren X is the best among all these when it comes to eliminating unwanted noise. It is specially
made for outdoor purposes and for increases portability.

If multipurpose use is not what you want, then try Rode NT Mini. It comes with a pop-filter and does an
excellent job removing unwanted sound. It has the same price tag as Blue Yeti but delivers greater
sound quality.

If you want to use the microphone for interviewing purposes, then use Yeti Nano. It is portable and
allows the same quality as Yeti's original does. It is good at clearing background noise too. It is not very
good at removing noise, though.

Those having a tight budget should choose from Fifine or Sudotack. These are only for indoor and single
person use. They pick up noise with ease and only come with a cardioid pickup pattern. Those who are
starting their YouTube career should not spend much on these devices. Everyone starts from low and
then scales up.

You might also like