

Are you a Gamer or avid Live Streamer?
..If yes, you probably know how crucial a mics audio quality for communication and live streaming
When mic on your latest surround sound gaming headsets not live up to expectations...
It's time to upgrade for a dynamic, studio-grade gaming microphone.
Hardcore Gamers and Live streamers prefer to go with specific gaming headsets, using a detachable mic is an additional option.
This article also has proper representation of recording mics, concern topic details already covered in my previous article- Best condenser microphone for pro and audio enthusiast.
Device Name | Weight | Type | Location | Pattern | N.Isolation | Power | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samson Go | 8 ounces | USB (portable) | On-board | Cardioid/ Omni | Yes | USB | 20Hz-18kHz | |
Antlion ModMic 4.0 | 3.5 ounces | Boom (attachable) | Headphone | Cardioid Unidirectional | Passive | On-board | 100Hz-10kHz | |
MXL Tempo WR | 1.4 pounds | USB condenser | Stand mount | Cardioid | NA | USB | 40Hz-18kHz | |
Blue Yeti | 4.4 pounds | USB condenser | Body stand | Multipattern | Passive | USB | 20Hz-20kHz | |
Audio-Technica AT2035 | 3.5 pounds | XLR condenser | Stand | Cardioid | Passive | XLRM-type | 20Hz-20kHz | |
Rode NT-USB | 3.3 pounds | USB condenser | Tripod | Cardioid | Passive | USB bus | 20Hz-20kHz | |
Apogee Mic 96K | 0.4 pounds | Condenser | Tripod | Cardioid | Passive | USB bus | 20Hz-18kHz | |
Razer Seiren Pro Elite | 2.9 pounds | XLR+USB (digital) | Body stand | Multipattern | Active | USB/ analog | 20Hz-20kHz | |
Shure SM7B | 0.26 pounds | Dynamic | Yoke mount | Cardioid | Shock-isolation | XLR | 50Hz-20kHz |
Here, you got a quick recollection of most vital factors regarding the selection -
- Price range: The foremost important factor in any analysis. You can't expect great experience out of a ten bucks mic.
- Discrete or All-around: During your selection of device you should decide what you want a dedicated or multi-player one.
- Audio Quality: It is the another crucial aspects you must keep in consideration.
- The Directionality: An essential characteristic helps you to resolute how mic picks the sound
- Feature/Applications: Assists to enhance and intensify your overall wide-spectrum experience.
- Noise-management system: Various acts like diaphragm vibrations, equipment hum, and other background noises create interference, how this issue handled makes sense for your choice.
- Frequency range: This assists you to determine how efficiently the microphone will handle various frequencies.
- Connections and setup: These features made a significant impact on your user experience.
Now some insight about this Article: It consists of best gaming microphone (cardioid, condenser, and dynamic), variable patterns along with connections, real-time performance, prices & more.
Note: We have chosen only the best mics for gaming and live streaming here ahead -
When you are looking for a versatile broadcasting and recording solution the first thing come in your mind is portability.
A highly efficient USB Microphone does the job well but finding one itself the biggest task.
High-end Gaming requires the best easy to go Mic in business and the Samson Go Mic fits perfectly in your budget frame, ideal for recording, podcasting and field recording.
Now it's time to reveal those specifics made my top budget pick, find ahead -
-Extremely portable USB Mic fully compatible with your PC and Mac no driver needed.
-The inexpensive online communicator with exceptional clarity, that's what you need in critical gaming sessions or important web interactions.
-A dynamic audio tool due to the switchable cardioid, omnidirectional and -10dB pickup patterns which are pretty sensitive with 16-bit 44.1kHz resolution.
-Fantastic functionality ideal for music recording, iChat, VoIP, Webcasting and voice recognition software applications.
-Custom, compact, sturdy metallic design provide user great flexibility, can clip to your laptop or settle modestly on a desk.
-Easy plug-n-play operation is another advantage here, excellent computer recording tool whether you are on the move or at your desk.
I hope your thoughts are pretty clear why this Samson product made a top slot in major USB Gaming Mic reviews around.
Nice folded storage convenient for your business travels, podcasting and gaming use.
The Product Package Includes USB cable, cable clip and a nifty zipper carrying case.
Unraveled audio quality out of such tiny gadget, super flexible user interface and well affordability made Samson Go USB Mic preferred choice for high-frequency traveling, meeting or online communications, Gamers or budget conscious type users.
Take a look at this video for a more comprehensive review:
Pros
Highly recommended USB Mic. Multipurpose recording/broadcasting platform. Budget friendly. Top-end functionality. One of the best gaming mic option. Plug n' Play record. Excellent value for money product. Mic active LED indicator. Extremely portable. Incredible audio clarity.
Cons
There might be some hardware issues; the side buttons. Precise handling is imperative as it is not built to handle rough connections. Heavy duty cable attachment might overturn the whole Mic setup; a user needs to avoid those.
Here, I am discussing a usual situation most Gamer often faced; When you have a decent quality headphone but you have to splurge a hefty amount for an additional gaming headset.
Wait a moment, don't be hurried here is an excellent solution to your issue; ask how?
No complex puzzle just brings in the Antlion Audio ModMic 4.0 and turn your headphone into high-end Headset.
Salient Feature & Performance Standards:
This Antlion attachable boom microphone allows greater user flexibility with any headphone and ensure a full spectrum communication capacity at your disposal.
An Uni-directional mic with noise-cancelling features makes the perfect selection for multiplayer gaming, and office VoIP uses. The in-line mute switch tasks to silence the mic at any given point of time.
It is very smooth to attach to your selective headphone by using a novel magnetic clasp, allowing you to remove or attach as required.
Boom mic's lower half portion is super flexible that assists to achieve the best mic position to voice capture and comfort. Included extra clasp provide the luxury to use it on more than one headphones.
ModMic gives you extraordinary quality performance even in noisy environments due to the enhanced noise-cancelling feature of the cardioid capsule and ensures ultra-clear voice recordings.
Connections: A standard 3.5mm jack can be used to quick plug and play on a PC, you will also use it with Mac, PS4, and Xbox 1 console by using available adapters.
Coaxially-shielded Copper cable significantly reduces all outside interference and noise thus delivering precise clarity signals. Also, facilitate an easy connection to your computer or game console.
The package contains all needed accessories like; A cool carrying case, One extra 3M adhesive pad, Foam pop filter, two base clasp's, 1 top clasp with cap, five cable clips, alcohol wipe and instruction manuals.
Recommended add-on accessory - Antlion Audio Y Adapter.
Be its sound capturing quality, studio-grade clarity or dynamic user interface Antlion ModMic 4.0 boom mic excels everywhere, which is perfect to use in noisy environments. Highly preferable due to its Audiophile quality Gaming and PC communication capabilities.
Read Antlion Modmic 4.0 in-depth performance review here.
Pros
Highly flexible user platform. Amazing sound quality. Ample amount of accessories. Incredible build quality. Higher price to performance ratio. Easy plug & play mode. Ideal for Multiplayer gaming, VoIP, and many mores.
Cons
You need to acquire a separate Headset splitter to sync with most gaming systems and mobile gadgets. Mic cable might be inconvenient to manage at times.
A USB vocal microphone that made you record like a pro on your PC or MAC and transforms them into a private studio is none other than the MXL Tempo WR mic.
Your Mobile vocal recordings got easy; this device allows you to record on-the-go through USB 1.1 or 2.0 connect. Also, works with scores of computer music programs and various over the web communication systems like Skype, Google talk & more.
It's most important feature is high-fidelity headphone jack which gives you the power to monitor your recordings.
You'll get professional-level outputs, whether recording music, podcasting or doing voice-overs, the results are always great with the amount of flexibility and sound quality on offer.
TEMPO WR's versatile platform allows you to record vocals further save it or mix on the spot with Garage Band or other likewise programs.
Being a high-quality vocal microphone, it gives you more productive results with online voice communication services. Also, works great for dictation and legal depositions.
The MXL's product package come along with; A convenient tripod stand, MT-001 hard mount mic stand adapter and USB 2.0 cable.
Overall, the MXL Tempo WR is an excellent USB condenser mic option which has an all-around profile, wider flexibility, Incredible ability to record, podcast and over the Internet voice services. This personal studio delivers greater quality performance along with zero-latency headphone monitoring luxury.
Find Tempo WR's product review (here). You can find the video below:
Pros
Dynamic multi-functional Mic. Studio-grade performance. Smooth USB Plug and play operation. Solid metallic casing and high-end screen. Draws better yield on music, vocals, podcast, game & video chats. Full MAC and PC OS compatibility. Superior sound quality.
Cons
Might not be best for super deep bass tones. You need a separate USB adapter to use with iPad and iPhone's.
Think about superior quality multipattern audio recording or Live streaming out of a USB Mic, sounds an uphill task? Indeed it is, but Blue Microphones have a fantastic solution.
Yes, you heard right Blue Yeti's multi-role platform brings home-studio experience within reach. Be it gaming, vocals, music instruments, podcasting, field recording, web communications or live streaming it excels everywhere.
On account of its bulky, solid hardware and dynamic performance rightly titled as the 'Beast of Microphones', full credit goes to its sheer versatility and broad range flexibility.
Now, take a look at those strategic key points makes him a viable option, voice quality is incredible, both for individual users and small groups-
-Yeti's biggest asset is multifaceted recording modes; Stereo, Cardioid, Omnidirectional and Bidirectional specially customized for your various requirements.
-Your recording task made easier due to the ingenious positional design inspired by classic recording gadgets, which stylish, retro and artistic appeal could complement any computer system.
-Besides these, You have controls for pattern selection, instant mute, microphone gain and headphone volume. Monitor actual-time recordings through provided 3.5mm headphone jack without any latency backtracks.
-Mic setup is also pretty simple; plug it into your computer USB port, fine tune with your operating system and you're ready to record.
-For Home recording purpose no one willing to spend or afford $1000 value mics, with under $150 value tag it's an ultimate choice.
The highly acclaimed audio quality and dedicated multiple patterns make Blue Yeti excellent solution for Gaming, interviews, live streaming, amateur musicians and garage bands at very affordable investment.
Recommended Accessories: Blue Mics Pop filter & Sennheiser HD 201 II headphone or you can go for the bundle package at Amazon.
Go through Blue Yeti's review analysis and sound tests right in this video:
Pros
Best microphone (USB) in the segment. THX-certified sound signatures. Flexible design with multiple patterns. Highest value price mic. Hassle free plug-n-play setup. High adaptability. A delight for all-around gadget lovers. Best sonically flexible USB microphone.
Cons
Overbuilt stand limit maneuvers and mic mounting look bit awkward. If you are in pursuit of some handy and portable, Yeti probably not suit well. The unsteady plastic knobs make you bit wary about durability.
Brand Audio-Technica renowned as the manufacturer of trusted budget and mid-range microphones. Audio Technica's AT2035 is next generation product of already popular AT2020 for studio segment.
This product specifically designed for broad-range studio applications (home/project /professional), podcasting, instruments and live streaming with the extraordinary amount of details.
Here are some prominent differences from AT2020; It has a fixed cardioid pattern that meant to accommodate high SPLs with lower background noise.
You need to know about is the advantage of Cardioid polar pattern; It reduces sound pick-ups from sides and rear portion resulting from enhanced isolation of your desired sound source.
Another upgraded feature is switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and a 10 dB pad switch; this helps to manage high sound pressure level with ease.
AT2035 has a unique side-address format; what that means? It allows you to speak to the front side of microphone rather than usual Top of it.
Mic built-profile is quite rugged and durable; all metal sharp matte black exterior gives it a superior premium appearance.
Audio-Technica has another model AT2050 that can differentiate through a Polar pattern selection switch feature; rest design is similar to the AT2035 mic.
It also features a Large Diaphragm in the segment that delivers smooth natural sound irrespective of your use.
The product packaging includes a high-strength plastic made Shock Mount, Pleather carrying pouch and Microfibre cleaning cloth. Amazon adds on's are the Pop filter and XLR cable under his Bundle package. Further, you have to buy a Mic stand additionally for a complete setup.
For all those, in pursuit of heavy duty diversified studio-grade Microphone with high-performance specifications, Audio-Technica AT2035 is an excellent choice. Due to its consistent exceptional performance and amazing details you never regret it.
Go through AT2035 complete review by clicking here.
