- This is a problem for Mac recording, because no Mac provides phantom power (or a 3-pin XLR jack). Neither do the least expensive microphone interfaces like the iMic. You would be looking at a Firewire or USB audio interface from Edirol, M-Audio or Presonus (to name some popular brands) that had both a preamplifier and phantom power.
- The Usb recording microphone plugs right in and can be used immediately. Since it is strictly USB, both PC and Mac users will benefit. Compatible with PC and Mac.Ready to use when and where you need it.
- This is an ultra-portable mic that offers studio-quality condenser microphone performance with your iPad, iPhone, Mac or Windows 10 computer. The best part is that it offers play-and-play operations with virtually no configuration required.
Pyle Mini Portable Vocal Recording Booth - Universal Standard Microphone with Isolat Noise Filter Reflect Shield for Recording Studio Quality Audio - Dual Acoustic Foam Soundproof Panel Add To Cart There is a problem adding to cart. The New AT5047 Premier Studio Microphone Purity Transformed RAIN0707 Guest I am working in a new studio and I am still getting familiar with all the surroundings.
The emergence of USB microphones is slowly changing the myth that one needs to invest in complex studio hardware to achieve quality YouTube videos, podcasts and vocals. Well, USBmicrophones aren’t replacing the XLR-connected mics any time soon. But they are getting better with each day.
We now have several musicians, YouTubers, and podcasters relying solely on these units. Take the Blue Yeti, for instance. This easily affordable mic can be used in almost all studio applications.
While the Blue Yeti is currently the most popular USB microphone of 2017, there are others that beat it hands down in several instances.
On the right is one of the Blue Yeti USB microphone
Let’s compare the top 6 best USB mics in this category starting from the least expensive going up.
Best USB Microphones for Rapping, Voice Over, Gaming and Podcasting
6. Samson Go USB Condenser Microphone- No drivers required, Great for Voice recognition software
Samson Go is a great cheap USB mic, but it’s certainly the cutest and the most versatile of them all. It’s also the smallest and most affordable USB microphone for outdoor use.
If you love podcasting while on-the-go, Samson Technologies seem to have the real deal for you on this (check the name again).
Samson Go comes nicely clipped up and folded into a zip-up pouch. Its body is all metallic, and the grille seems tough enough for the road and field recording. One standout feature with this mic is that you won’t ever worry about how and where to mount it.
It comes ‘mounted’ on its own ‘stand’ into which it also clips back while not in use. The clip also sits comfortably on your PC, Mac, or iPad and even on your desktops.
Who can use the Samson Go mic? Almost everybody! Whether you write and record songs, acoustic guitars, or sing in a band, this mic has got you covered. Firstly, it’s easily recognized by different DAWs. Secondly, it offers both the cardioid and the omnidirectional mode. Choose the first mode for vocals or close-miking and the second to record a full band.
5. Blue Snowflake USB Mic- 3-ft cable, great for podcasting, gaming, internet chatting
Next on line is a fierce competitor for the Samson Go above. Quite similar to our first option, Blue Snowflake has been precisely designed for podcasters and gamers. This mic features a swiveling mechanism and is mounted on a j-shaped metallic bracket.
This bracket acts as the base for use as a desktop microphone. You can also clip it on your laptop or desktop if that fits you. In this case, this slid-on bracket has protective pads that prevent the clip from scratching your machine.
Blue Snowflake also comes fitted with a 3-ft long USB cable. This length is just enough not to stand in your way or limit you on where to position the mic. When not in use, this cable is housed beneath the plastic stand in a hollow compartment. Setup is quite a breeze.
Since this mic requires no drivers or tactical mounting, you could be going about with your projects in less than a minute.
How does it sound? Well, its sound production isn’t tailored for professional recording. However, it still has quality sound to record your guitars, voice, and for internet chatting, podcasting, and gaming.
4. Blue Yeti USB Microphone- Great USB mic for Voice Over
This is the microphone that everyone is raving about out there. And truth be said, Yeti has the highest price to quality ratio. We are yet to find another rich sounding and sonically flexible USB-powered mic at this price. Blue Yeti can be used for podcasts, rapping or voice over.
Blue Microphone’s years of experience and intelligence in microphones is nicely demonstrated in Yeti. This mic measures 4.7 x 4.9 x 11.6 inches while mounted on its stand. Contrary to what it looks in the picture, Yeti features a solid metal build that won’t mind being pushed around.
The mic has a mute button plus a volume control knob at the front. These 2 coupled by a control gain at the back offer you the utmost control of your recording process.
But what enables it to edge the competition is its 4 position pattern selection that allows you to choose between cardioid, bi-directional, omnidirectional, and stereo. Now, this is a good description for a do-it-all mic for your studio. It’s great for podcasts, recording instruments (especially acoustic guitars), vocals, and audios. Another great feature is that it’s compatible with different versions of Windows and Mac OS too.
3. Audio-Technica Plus – the famous XLR-powered AT2020 in a USB version, has headphone jack
Audio Technica isn’t any new in our best studio gear reviews. Its Audio-Technica AT2050 ranks highly in our list of the best condenser mics. On the other hand, its ATH M50x is the way to go if you need to step your studio recording headphones.
And now the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is here with us. This mic is an upgraded version of the famous Audio-Technica AT2050. This is a commonly used XLR-connected condenser microphone.
The AT2020USB followed shortly after the AT2020 for those who prefer the convenience of the USB microphones. Unfortunately, this model didn’t include one vital feature that these mics boast; a headphone jack output. Luckily, that comes bundled up in this series’ latest offer, the AT2020USB+.
This is a condenser microphone featuring a medium low-mass diaphragm and with a 20Hz- 16kHz frequency response. Its cardioid pattern helps in minimizing the odds of picking up unwanted noise coming from the rear and sides. Moreover, the long (3.1ft) USB cable offers you greater freedom on positioning.
This USB microphone is again fitted with a high-quality 16 bit, 44.1 kHz A/D converter which when doubled with its high SPL handling capability emits superb quality sound results for your podcasts, videos, and vocals. The package also comes with a free pop filter and a tripod stand.
2. Rode NT-USB USB Microphone-comes with tripod stand, pop shield and ring mount
I did tell you earlier on that Blue Yeti does not win in all battles, right? So, here is one of the most recommended USB microphones from Rode that beats the crap out of Yeti each time. Rode NT-USB features an excellent overall design and comes fully packed with an out-of-this-world tripod stand, a pop shield, and a carry case.
This mic has a metallic build and boasts the usual high-quality and professional feel that is synonymous with Rodes microphones. In a similar fashion to other computer USB microphones, Rode NT-USB features a driverless setup.
It’s easily recognized by your Windows PC, Mac OS, iOS, and some latest versions of Android. As expected, it’s powered via the USB. A blue easily visible LED confirms powering.
Let’s talk about the sound quality. Rode NT-USB has a 20Hz - 20kHz frequency response and 110dB maximum SPL handling capability
Microphone For Mac Computer
. It’s also fitted with a quality cardioid capsule that offers natural and amazingly transparent sound. Another thing, Rode NT-USB is a side-addressed mic and tends to be super sensitive even to whispers. While this may be a glitch if your studio isn’t acoustically treated, the upside is that you get a great mic for vocals and professional sound recordings. This mic is also excellent for podcasting, spoken words, and voiceovers.
Microphone For Mac Pro
Welcome to the future of studio recording where you no longer need an interface or a laptop. If you’re amongst the ever rising population of musicians with an affinity for on-the-go music making, you’re the target market for the Apogee MiC 96k.
This is an ultra-portable mic that offers studio-quality condenser microphone performance with your iPad, iPhone, Mac or Windows 10 computer. The best part is that it offers play-and-play operations with virtually no configuration required.
Though slightly on the pricey side, Apogee gives you a well built, compact size USB mic with all-metal housing and excellent engineering for most of your studio recording needs. It’s a 3-in-1 package bringing a thumb up condenser microphone, A/D converter, and a mic preamp.
Unlike most of the USB mics that we’ve seen so far, Apogee MiC 96k has a pretty straightforward construction design and controls. In fact, it only has a gain thumbwheel for fine-tuning the internal preamp and 3 color LEDs that shows the status.
About performance and sound quality, MiC 96k tends to have a wide sweet spot when recording vocals and musical instruments. Talking of musical instruments, this mic captures the sounds from acoustic instruments with good warmth and remains clear. In general, MiC 96k has clear highs, high-mid clarity, and a detailed bottom end when used for vocals, and wind and acoustic guitars.
Wrap up
For those of us who love getting themselves busy on their music recording projects while miles away from their studios, the availability of USB microphones has made that possible. The market offers a variety of these at different prices and with varying features to fit about any application. Whether you have a little over 30 bucks or $100 this list has something for you.
Items in search results
Pro Music Recording Studio Mixing Editing Software For PC and Mac + Bonus Items
Brand new- £3.49
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Pulse USB Studio Condenser Microphone Large Diaphragm for Mac & PC Recording
Includes USB Cable, Shock Mount and Soft Carry Pouch.- £44.95
- + £9.00 postage
- 10 Sold
Pulse USB Studio Condenser Microphone Large Diaphragm for Mac & PC Recording
Brand new- £44.49
- + £6.74 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Pulse USB Studio Condenser Microphone Large Diaphragm for Mac & PC Recording
- £44.49
- + £6.74 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Music Production Studio MIDI WAV Audio Recording Windows 7 10 PC MAC Software
Brand new- £11.99
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New 2019 - Pro Music Recording Studio Mixing Editing Software For PC and Mac App
Brand new- £6.88
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Steinberg UR22 MK2 Studio Recording USB Audio Interface Mac PC + Cubase AI UR-22
✅3 Year Warranty ✅30 Day Returns ✅Free UK Delivery- £110.00
- + £16.99 postage
MUSIC & AUDIO RECORDING & EDITING MULTI-TRACK SOUND STUDIO WINDOWS PC MAC
Brand new- £6.98
- + £2.99 postage
Apogee Element 88 Studio Recording Thunderbolt Audio Interface + Software Mac
✅3 Year Warranty ✅30 Day Returns ✅Free UK Delivery- £1,159.00
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PC MAC Software Music Edit Production Audio Studio Track Editing Sound Recording
Brand new- £6.99
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ZOOM TAC-2 Thunderbolt Apple Mac PC Audio Interface Fast Home Studio Recording
Brand new- £214.37
- + £13.92 postage
- From Australia
STUDIO MUSIC MP3 AUDIO SOUND EDITING RECORDING SOFTWARE FOR PC AND MAC
Brand new- £2.99
- + £3.49 postage
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio B4I7
Brand new- £3.63
- + £0.15 postage
- From Hong Kong
MUSIC & AUDIO RECORDING & EDITING, MULTI-TRACK SOUND STUDIO | MAC OS *DOWNLOAD*
Brand new- £0.99
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Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto N7V2
- £3.71
- Free Postage
- From Hong Kong
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Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Studio Adapter for Mac Computer Recording
- £5.07
- Free Postage
- From China
PRR UK STUDIO MUSIC MP3 AUDIO SOUND EDITING RECORDING SOFTWARE FOR PC AND MAC 19
Brand new- £6.82
- + £2.99 postage
Mac Bundle - Music Production Studio MIDI Audio Recording Software Multimedia
Brand new- £32.98
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DJ Music Production Studio MIDI Audio Recording Software Windows 7 8 10 Mac App
Brand new- £19.90
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P2 Music Production Studio MIDI Audio Recording Windows 7 10 PC MAC App Software
Brand new- £11.79
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Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto H9P3
Brand new- £3.64
- Free Postage
- From Hong Kong
MIXCRAFT 8 RECORDING STUDIO - AUDIO MUSIC SOFTWARE - DIGITAL - WINDOWS - NEW
Brand new- £39.79
- Free Postage
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PRR UK MUSIC AUDIO RECORDING EDITING SOFTWARE MULTI-TRACK SOUND STUDIO PC MAC 19
Brand new- £6.80
- + £2.99 postage
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USB Guitar Interface Link Cable Studio Adapter for Mac Computer Recording
- £5.24
- Free Postage
- From China
- SPONSORED
Mini 3.5mm Microphone Stereo Mic For Recording Mobile Phone Studio Laptop Mac
- £4.48
- + £2.95 postage
USB PC MAC CABLE LEAD FOR AVID RECORDING STUDIO FAST TRACK AUDIO INTERFACE PRO
Brand new- £6.99
- + £2.95 postage
APP UK Multi Track Editing Studio Software Audio MP3 CD Recording PC MAC
Brand new- £6.87
- + £2.99 postage
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Studio Adapter for Mac Computer Recording
Brand new- £5.07
- Free Postage
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USB Guitar Interface Link Cable Studio Adapter for Mac Computer Recording
Brand new- £5.24
- Free Postage
- From China
Owen Mac - My Journey (New CD released 2018) 10 Brand new studio recordings
Brand new- £8.95
- + £3.95 postage
Mini 3.5mm Microphone Stereo Mic For Recording Mobile Phone Studio Laptop Mac
Brand new- £4.48
- + £2.95 postage
5X(Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio La I8B7
Brand new- £15.70
- + £0.69 postage
- From Hong Kong
FL STUDIO 20 FRUITY LOOPS SIGNATURE MUSIC SOFTWARE RETAIL WINDOWS 7 8 10 LICENSE
Brand new- £207.24
- Free Postage
- From Australia
USB Studio Condenser Microphone – Dynamic Sound Record Shock Mount PC MAC Laptop
Brand new- £79.99
- + £10.00 postage
Acoustica Mixcraft 8 Recording Studio Music Production Software Download *New*
- £72.28
- Free Postage
- 12 Sold
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Wired USB Handheld Vocal Microphone –Dynamic Karaoke Sound Record PC MAC Laptop
Brand new- £27.49
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10X(Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto
Brand new- £30.99
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Brand new- £45.99
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Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapt R1N9
- £3.72
- + £0.29 postage
- From Hong Kong
Presonus iTwo Studio Audio Interface Complete Recording Bundle PC/Mac/iOS Mic
Brand new- £209.65
- + £9.79 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Home Voice Studio: How to Turn Your PC Mac or iPad Into a Recording ... NEW BOOK
Brand new- £11.29
- + £6.23 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Steinberg UR12 Studio Recording USB Audio Interface Mac PC + Cubase AI UR-12
Brand new- £80.00
- Postage not specified
Complete Home Recording Set Up 21' Apple Mac Studio Monitors Logic Midi
Pre-owned- £650.00
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Complete Home Recording Set Up 27' Apple Mac Studio Monitors Logic Midi Shure
Pre-owned- £1,750.00
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Audio Interface And Recording Pro Tools Scarlett 2i2 Studio 2nd Gen USB mac PC
Brand new- £219.97
- Postage not specified
Pro Music Recording Studio Mixing Editing Software For PC and Mac
Brand new- £5.98
- + £2.99 postage
STUDIO MUSIC MP3 AUDIO SOUND EDITING RECORDING SOFTWARE FOR PC AND MAC
Brand new- £5.99
- + £2.99 postage
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto Q2J9
Brand new- £3.63
- + £0.15 postage
- From Hong Kong
Frinika Studio Music Production Multi Track Editing Mixing Recording CD PC Mac
Brand new- £6.96
- + £2.99 postage
Pro Music Recording Studio Mixing Editing Software For PC and Mac PRM
Brand new- £6.76
- + £2.99 postage
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto Y1G8
Brand new- £3.63
- + £0.59 postage
- From Hong Kong
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto Z5E2
Brand new- £3.64
- Free Postage
- From Hong Kong
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapt R1N9
Brand new- £3.72
- + £0.29 postage
- From Hong Kong
Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapto K2A4
Brand new- £3.84
- + £0.49 postage
- From Hong Kong
2X(Guitar to USB Interface Link Cable Adapter MAC/PC Recording CD Studio Lapt 2Y
Brand new- £6.43
- + £0.28 postage
- From Hong Kong