The Ultimate USB Microphone Guide

Recently I had the chance to help out with an article at http://buyusbmicrophone.com/ You can read the article here, or on their website where you can find many other helpful tips and tricks for USB microphones. I'm not "Yahtzee" Croshaw yet, but I'm realizing I may be slightly sarcastic at times. Enjoy:

There are tons of USB Microphones on the market today and depending on your needs selecting the right one is often a daunting task to say the least.  That’s why I’ve assembled this ultimate USB microphone guide. You can refer to this guide as often as you like to get all the information you need to properly select the USB microphone that is most suited to your needs. I arranged this guide in a question and answer format with a convenient table of contents so you can easily navigate to the question you are most interested in.

Some of these answers are highly opinionated while others are just the facts. Please note that I interviewed someone that has extensive experience in the music industry as well taken a live sound course and sessions on USB and standard microphones.  You get to benefit from the benefit of his personal knowledge and experience in this guide. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the USB guide and be sure to leave any comments below because I’d love to hear your opinions.

What is the most important thing a person who is considering purchasing a USB microphone should consider before making a purchase?

In my mind, the most important thing to ask is why do you want the microphone to begin with? The main use for most USB microphones is going to be podcasting or similar tasks because it is expected to remain fairly stationary. This doesn’t mean that it’s bad for music per-say, but you must remember it’s a piece of hardware, just like your computer mouse or printer.

A loose connection from jumping around at a rock show makes the microphone unstable, just like a lot of shifting may make a USB mouse lose it’s connection, hence why you’d be unlikely to see a hardcore metal band using one on stage. On the flip-side though, if you were a DJ at a club and had everything wired through your laptop, you may prefer a USB to cut down on the number of equipment styles you have to compensate for. It could easily handle you doing announcements between tracks (or during), and unless you plan on running around with it a lot should make your life easier. The same goes for trying to pick up an instrument with the microphone.

What type of USB microphone produces the best sound quality?

This depends on the intended use. Audio-Technica has some pretty good products but I haven’t had any occasion to use them yet (usually good for guitar and vocals), although the guys over at Blue are better in my opinion Blue has produced an incredible line of microphones and cover everything from vocals to instruments (Some vocal mic’s they make in the “ball” series actually work quite nicely for drums, although they won’t say so on the package most likely).

As stated I tend to put Blue on top of the list, but is pretty much the industry standard in vocal microphones and have released a few adapters (XLR to USB) as well as some flat out USB mic’s. I’ve not personally tried any of their USB’s, but their reputation generally speaks for itself and I’d be shocked to ever find a bad product from them.

On a side note, I personally have a Blue “Eyeball 2″ webcam (Snowflake with a built in camera), which has a built in condenser microphone. The quality is surprisingly high, although as with anything it has some minor glitches. I occasionally will have to readjust the input volume because it has low pick-up at times. I mainly mention this because: 1) It shows just how much can be done with a product, and 2) That there is no such thing as a perfect microphone. There will always be some mild alterations to make and just as with a standard microphone after a certain point it becomes up to the user to decide how to handle it, be it a pop filter or remembering to turn up their input settings on the computer.

What are the biggest factors that affect sound quality while using a USB microphone?

Connections to the computer or other control surface are extremely important, especially regarding your software and hardware. If you have the “latest and greatest” microphone but you plug it into a USB 1.0 port on a Wndows 95 computer, it will be far too slow and may not even be able to run on your system. There are mixed views on this of course, but mixed compatibility can cause issues. Presumably though, if you’re even getting to this point, you already have the necessary software.

What’s the difference between the following types of microphones?

• Condenser: These have pretty good range, both in the type of sounds they can pick up, and also in distance from the sound without losing much of the signal. They can translate live audio fairly easily.
• Dynamic: The most immediate benefit in this case is craftsmanship. Dynamic mic’s can take one heck of a pounding and still stay in good working order. They also have the benefit of not needing an external power source to work. It’s obviously an exaggeration, but it’s a bit like having the energizer bunny drive a tank, as a mic. It takes and gives a pretty good pounding and just keeps going. This makes it an extremely powerful vocal microphone and as long as you have the right one can handle anything from classical to metal.

• Recording: Technically speaking, there isn’t a specific recording microphone. If it says on the package that it’s good for recording, it probably has some altered aspect to help with sound, but mostly you’re just looking for whatever type of microphone you want to use for your purposes and then use it to record. Presumably you also have some sort  of editing software if you’re getting to that point, but you want a mic with low interference that won’t be adding frequencies or extra noise to your recording.
• Multi-purpose: In my experience, it’s basically just a microphone that was built well enough to be able to handle both vocals and various instruments. The name is pretty straightforward.
• Ribbon: Hahahahahahahahaha… Why would you buy this? Ok, no really. All joking aside, ribbon microphones have a fairly impressive sound behind them and are to an extent another kind of Dynamic mic. The problem though is that they usually cost far more than they’re worth and can be broken more easily than other microphones (therefore no longer dynamic). They can work fine at an acoustic style show or for a singing pianist, but if you gave one to Metallica or Godsmack, it would probably die the minute it was handed over. Ribbon mic’s have been known to die just from loud vocals, so as you can imagine it has limited use in about half the industry. Still a good mic, but it’s one to be careful with.
• Gaming: Generally gaming microphones are meant for vocal interaction only. Good or bad, the mic is usually in a headset of some sort and will be designed to mainly pick up your voice and things in close proximity to the microphone, although in some cases they may have an issue where they actually pick up everything in a broader area around the microphone, which can get really irritating.

Which brand(s) of USB microphones do you prefer and why?

As stated in question 2, I’m rather fond of Shure, and Blue Microphones. Shure is the standard on most mic’s and has made some of the best equipment on the market in that respect, so it’s really hard to go wrong with their products. I know bands who have gone their whole careers using nothing but Shure’s SM58 for their vocals and will carry about 10 of the things in their mic cabinet. They are true professional quality. Blue on the other hand releases pro quality mic’s as well, but still has a lot for the average consumer. The Yeti is very popular among podcasters and comes at a fairly modest price. You can even buy it directly from Apple stores.

What’s the difference between USB microphones used for musical instruments and computers if any?

Sound range mostly. If you try to use a vocal microphone designed for someone with a high voice to record heavy bass drums, the reverb and other sounds won’t come through right. You’re looking at an entirely separate kind of sound and in the case of the above mentioned ribbon mic’s you’re looking at gear damage. If you’re referring to built in microphones inside a laptop they can be a problem because they pick up everything. If you mean pc microphones such as gaming, which would be covered above, and most computer specific mic’s have much lower response and quality unless specifically designed for an instrument.

Which USB microphone is best for a MAC and why?

Well, Apple will always tell you that their brands are the best because they want a sale, but honestly you can use most good mic’s or cheap mic’s on both Mac and PC. It all depends on what you want to do with it. Check the specs on the package to be sure of course, but otherwise you should be fine.

What does zero latency monitoring mean?

For the sake of ease, I’m directing you to Sweetwater. They do a beautiful job of explaining the whole process: http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/glossary/t–ZeroLatency

Is there any difference between a USB mic used for instruments and vocals?

Yes. All microphones have a designated purpose, signal transmission essentially, and those designed for vocals may not be strong enough to handle the signal an instrument puts out. Again an instrument mic can probably pick up vocals ok, but may not have the sound you need to properly translate a vocal signal

The Blue Yeti pro USB microphone has 4 polar pattern settings – stereo, cardioid, bidirectional and omnidirectional. What’s the difference between them and why should anyone care?

a) Stereo’s are usually mic’s that can record to both the left and right channels of audio since many mic’s are only mono.

b) Cardioid mic’s are pretty good for when you want a specific direction to record from. This is mainly a head-on mic that ignores most of the sound from the other side.

c) Bidirectionals pretty much summed up, record well from 2 directions (front and back, etc.).

d) Omnidirectionals record everything from all sides, they can be great for recording… well, everything. That is also their weakness though since everything may bleed together.

You should care because if you don’t consider the pattern you use, your project can be a complete disaster and won’t pick up right.

What is a polar pattern?

Simply put, the direction(s) a microphone can get the audio from.

What does multi-track recording mean?

Recording individual tracks for each vocal and instrument. This allows easy alterations to a single instrument if it sounds off slightly, without having to re-do an entire set of instruments.

What is a driver and is one necessary with a USB microphone?

Drivers are basically a set of instructions that tell your computer how to handle a program or piece of hardware so that you can get the best results out of them. Any hardware you plug into a computer will require some form of driver, even if it claims to be plug n play.

What does plug and play mean as far as USB mics are concerned?

The standard assumption is that it can run without drivers. The fact is, it just means that the computer’s existing built-in drivers will be able to run the hardware on their own without much new information. Odds are good however, that even a plug and play device will require the system to make a small change, even if it takes just a few seconds to do so.

What is a midi recording?

MIDI (or Musical Instrument Digital Interface), does not transmit audio despite what some people think. MIDI is a computer language of sorts that transmits signals from digital instruments into another program or even another digital instrument. It can also be used to sync lights and music together at a live show.

It’s an extremely helpful tool, but any associated audio comes from either a built-in program on your computer or from the instrument’s included software. For example, I can transmit audio from my Venom Keyboard (M-Audio) to my Mac or PC via the audio outputs and/ or USB features, but the only way for me to use the MIDI feature on it and still get audio is to run it through Garage Band, and even then it is only the sounds already installed by Apple through General MIDI. (General MIDI is actually a set of about 128 sounds released for consumer use back when MIDI capable instruments first got big)

What’s the difference between mono versus stereo and why should it matter with a USB mic?

Mono only records in one audio channel, it’s like only using one headphone. It works, but if you want it in both channels you’ll have to “clone” the track and shift said clone to the second. Stereo records in both the left and right channels

What does instrument gain mean?

Gain boosts thee signal you send into something. Too little and you’re not going to hear much, too much and you’re going to damage something. It’s like the voltage equivalent of volume.

What does mic gain mean?

Mic gain is pretty much the same thing, although it seems to focus a bit more on actual volume. For example, when dealing with sound, Unity Gain is “zero” db, which is about average between most in/out-puts.

What’s the difference between a wired mic and USB mic?

Does it affect the sound quality in any way?: Primarily that a USB mic can at times sound more digitized than a standard mic. A USB mic is still “wired”, but it’s sending the audio in more of a programmed sense than a normal microphone would. They both use similar ways of transmission, but a standard microphone is much easier to get a good sound from since if the USB mic’s connection goes wrong, you can get a lot of cut out sound (same with normal), but also it may cause delays or other program associated errors.

How much should a buyer expect to pay for a decent USB mic that will last for several years?

On average $150 is a good starting price. he more you pay, the better the microphone unless someone is just gouging because they think they can get away with it.

Can you give a brief explanation of how USB mics work?

I’m thinking this was meant to say “can”. USB microphones are sort of like an entire set of recording pieces, contained in a smaller body. The internal preamp takes care of the sound after it goes to the diaphragm and then the converter sends the signal to your computer.

What does noise canceling mean and how does it affect the recording with a USB mic?

These microphones do a good job of keeping outside noise from interfering with your recording. At the same time though, it also means you may need to keep it very close to you to avoid losing the signal. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, but is again why using a USB mic while on stage at a big show may be a problem if you move around a lot. Also as earlier though, it would be very good for a DJ to keep their crowd noise down.

What’s the best or type of USb mic to use for a guitar amp, vocals, base?

This is all objective and will depend on what person you ask since everyone has their own opinion… Amp – uncertain. Vocal -Audio Technica AT2020 is pretty good for Vocals, as is the Yeti, I don’t know that it’s the best though, and again depends on your intended use. Bass – Assuming you mean Bass guitar, the AT2020 has also been known to pick it up well.

What is a preamp and is one needed to use a USB mic?

Preamps bring the volume of items attached up to “line level”, this is just for normal equipment though and USB mic’s have no use for one externally since you’re using the computer’s volume mostly and they already have one built into them.

What is a sample rate?

Sample rate is the digital “cycles” per second in which your microphone is picking up your voice or “sample”. This then also decides the quality of your audio. The higher your samples, the better the quality.

What is an analog audio mixer and should one be used with a USB mic?

Analog mixers are very helpful (as are digital, although they tend to have more delay problems whereas analog is instant). They give the user more control over their sound and what effects they will end up having from the sounds, can include special effects and sounds of their own, and can be used to remove background noise. If you reach the point you want one, understand though that you will not be plugging the microphone into it if it is USB. You will end up plugging your computer’s output into the console if anything and then you’ll be affecting everything potentially, which you do not want in most cases. Besides which there is already an analog to digital converter in the USB mic.

What’s the difference between digital and analog?

Digital has more of a delay in the reaction at times, but also takes up less space. You can program in a set of instructions for various uses and then switch between them with a push of a button. Analog has an immediate reaction, but takes up more space because all of your settings are displayed individually. That may be preferable though considering you won’t have a many potential risks with the system.

Is any special software needed to use a USB mic for a PC or MAC?

This depends on the microphone, and of course whether or not it needs any drivers. This is also the benefit of a standard microphone, as it doesn’t need drivers.

Which digital recording software is better Garage Band, Sonar or Logic 7?

Personal preferences play a large part in this. The clear advantage of Garage Band is that it comes pre-installed on most Macs now, has a built in library of sounds as well as the ability to edit different actual instruments you’ve plugged in, and its own effects library.

Major artists have put out professional quality albums using nothing more than their gear and Garageband, and it gives amateurs the same chance, but as a free program it is still limited. Sonar (AKA Cakewalk) has an amazing effects library you can use, whether you play digital or otherwise, and it could be used to record a good album, but I don’t know that I’d want to use it for a major project outside of digital music and most of the uses I see for it are by kids who want to make dubstep (much in the way they use fruity-loops).

Logic is Apple’s version of Pro Tools, and has made its way into various professional recording studios. Despite being Mac exclusive it’s gotten many good reviews and has managed to put itself up at the top of these three for me. I’d be more impressed if Apple stopped refusing to release windows compatible software though.]

Is a shockmount necessary when buying a USB mic why or why not?

It isn’t a necessity, but it certainly helps because it keeps the microphone fairly steady without sound transfer from the surfaces around it. Try listening to a cheap pair of ear-buds while running your fingers up and down the cable and you’ll understand what I mean. (Headphones and microphones are very nearly the same thing. Some pairs of headphones can be “glitched” into transmitting your voice the other way down the cable.)

Is a pop filter necessary when buying a USB mic why or why not?

Whether you have a USB or standard microphone, I always recommend you use a pop filter. Singing out those certain sounds can cause minor distortion and problems, even with a USB microphone. I suppose the term “even with” is actually irrelevant since the sounds will still leave your mouth no matter what kind of microphone you have. The problem is with the people more than the mic, it just magnifies it.

What does studio quality mean how does that apply to a USB mic?

The term implies that the company has created a product that is at the top of its game. You’re looking at a microphone that probably has low interference and is supposedly good enough to use in a professional capacity. Well, that or the marketing department got a little full of themselves 

I noticed that some USB mics can record via XLR what does that mean and is it important?

This means that in addition to the standard USB cable, you can actually use an XLR cable, which is the standard connection for a normal microphone. This is a nice benefit because it makes the microphone more versatile.

Read more: http://buyusbmicrophone.com/usb-microphone-guide#ixzz1rIsuqOhe