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A Shure SM-58 microphone, with a XLR soundcard to go with it. I always wanted to get a good microphone for voice calls, thankfully a friend of mine had more th
by GuB-42 4y ago
A Shure SM-58 microphone, with a XLR soundcard to go with it.
I always wanted to get a good microphone for voice calls, thankfully a friend of mine had more than a dozen of them, of all styles: dynamic, condenser, long range, cheap, expensive, etc... We spent a couple of hours trying them.
First thing: condenser microphones are great... in a studio. You are probably not in a studio, so if you use one of them, people will hear all the noise around you. Dynamic microphones, usually cardioids, are definitely the best as they, are less affected by outside noise. You can even use speakers and not get annoying feedback. There is one inevitable drawback: you need to have it close to your mouth. It wasn't a problem for me, but it is something to consider if you are doing video, because it will most likely be in frame. It also makes aesthetics a valid consideration.
Now, why the SM-58. Well, it is possibly the most famous microphone in existence, for good reasons. At around $100, it is relatively affordable, it is indestructible, it is an industry standard and it sounds good enough for famous singers to use it. There are cheaper alternatives, some of them excellent for less than half the price, like the Lanen TT1, and higher output level too, but I just like the way the SM-58 sounds, and it was within my budget. There are also podcasting mics like the Shure MV7. A bit expensive, sound quality wasn't worth the extra for me, but it has convenient features, and arguably looks more in place in a video call.
And generally, you should get a XLR microphone, they tend to be much better value for money than the USB or Jack type. That's what the pros use, and getting a XLR input is not expensive. I bought a Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD for a bit less than $100, but there are cheaper options that work fine (and also better, more expensive ones). Note that for dynamic microphones, you don't need phantom power.
Note that these are wired microphones. The wireless kind tend to be prohibitively expensive. You can get wireless kits for XLR though, they start at around $100.
- sideshowb 4y ago> Now, why the SM-58 You also fail to mention that, presumably, if you ever need to assert yourself in a meeting you can use proximity effect to sound like a movie trailer ;-)
- 7839284023 4y agoI use the same Behringer UMC204HD interface but I paired it with a SM-58 "clone": the Behringer XM8500 [1]. I think its performance is unbeatable considering the price. I love the combination. [1] https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_xm8500.htm https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_xm8500.htm?
- subsequentmask 4y agoI recently just got my self an SM7B. I love the thing. I don't do WFH so my work mates won't ever get to hear my wonderful voice on it but oh well, eventually they will! I love it. You do need a beefy interface to power it, I have an Elgato Wave XLR.
- voicedYoda 4y agoI also use an sm7. Love it. Rigged up reaper as my daw, and use and apogee duet. Everyone tells me to start a podcast...
- subsequentmask 4y agoYeah, I don't do anything fancy with mine, I used to use quite a few VSTs on my other mics to get the sound I want but honestly... the SM7B at its default settings, no low-cut, no other EQs, no compression, etc... it just sounds right on my voice
- fuzzfactor 4y agoI like these too, nothing beats a stage mic when you're on cam as well as on stage. But I was afraid the U-Phonia was USB. These type dynamic mics actually can be used with a carefully wired XLR-to-1/8 inch cable, and plug straight into the regular analog PC mic input. Even though the PC supplies 5VDC intended for a cheap condenser mic, if the voltage runs through the SM58 it will not hurt it. Your carefully shielded (well-grounded shield) sensitive unbalanced precious signal goes somewhat unprotected on the motherboard down a copper trace for a few cm until it goes in a single analog input pin of the A/D converter section of the audio IC. From that point on it's as digital as your specs will support, so ideally in this configuration there are actually no "active" electron devices like transistors or vacuum tubes (even the best have some hiss and distortion) in between your mic capsule and your A/D. Well when you enable the PC's software-controlled analog mic boost, that's when you engage an active transistor gain stage for your mic signal before it goes A/D, it makes the mic volume a lot more comfortable, but then you depend on the audio quality and noise level of an on-chip analog silicon feature which may not be so good, depending on the exact audio IC. But at least the mic boost is only one little gain stage, not a number of components that your analog mic input, however balanced, can often encounter before reaching the A/D process of a USB audio adapter. Now there is not zero latency with the mic plugged into the 1/8 inch jack, but people sometimes think so when they're accustomed to USB.
- eimrine 4y agoWhy you are recommending XLR but not recommending jack for delayless output to headphones? I have Samson C01 in USB version and all I miss is an ability to listen the signal. This is not a microphone for singers because it is very sensitive but it makes a good sound of me for video meetings and that's it.
- bentcorner 4y agoThat's because the UMC204HD has a monitor built into the device, GP doesn't need any software to do that.
- crimsontech 4y agoI used to use an SM7B in to a DBX-286 in to an RME DA/AD but I sold them and switched to a Sennheiser Profile USB, it's much quicker for me to switch between my different systems, works without drivers or software, saves on desk space and is a fraction of the price. It sounds like a dynamic mic and doesn't even pick up my typing sounds during calls. I'm only using it for calls, delivering training and co-working though. If I was recording an audiobook or doing music production I would switch back to my previous setup I think.