It used to be that if you wanted to record, you needed an audio interface, a decent preamp, and a microphone. Then along came USB microphones, which combine the microphone and the audio interface into a single handy device with a digital output, and everything changed.
The Pros of USB Microphones
USB microphones make everything easier by allowing you to plug straight into your computer, often without even having to deal with drivers or special software of any kind. Even USB condenser mics get their phantom power right from the USB port, so there’s no extra power supply needed. Many USB microphones even include headphone jacks and input/output mixing for latency-free monitoring. Some feature powerful onboard DSP, such as the Shure MV51 or MV5, which offer you a complete processing path right in the mic.
USB mics come in all shapes and sizes, from compact mics the size of a thumb drive, such as the Blue Microphones Tiki, to USB versions of project studio favorites, such as the Audio-Technica AT2020USBi. Just set down the laptop, plug in your mic, and you’re good to go. You don’t even need to worry about packing a mic cable, since these mics typically take standard USB-A to USB-B cables. Many also include small, sometimes integrated stands, such as the Samson Meteorite.
USB Microphone Applications
There are a variety of uses for USB mics, largely because they’re so useful for run-and-gun applications. That’s why many of us with full recording studios still keep a USB mic or two around. Whether you’re tossing down song ideas, conducting interviews, podcasting, or doing overdubs on your record, you’ll love the convenience USB microphones have to offer. Let’s take a look at some common applications.
General Recording
There’s nothing quite like setting down your laptop or iOS device, hooking up a mic, and being ready to lay down a new song idea or record band practice at the drop of a hat. There are plenty of USB mics that will get the job done, but here are three that do it well. First, the IK Multimedia iRig Mic Studio is fantastic for distance recording, allowing you to plop it down on your desktop, kick back with an acoustic guitar, and start recording. The Blue Microphones Spark Digital lets you switch between flat and focused modes making it ideal for a broad range of applications. And if you want true studio quality from a mini mic that you can mount to any standard mic stand, grab an Apogee MiC 96k. It’s delightfully clean and detailed, while offering heroic noise rejection, making it ideal for recording in less-than-ideal circumstances.
ENG/Interviews
f you want to capture conversations and conduct interviews, there are a handful of mics that do a stellar job. For starters, there’s the handheld Audio-Technica AT2005USB, which offers the easy convenience of being dead simple to use. Just pass it back and forth, and you’ve got a great Q&A interview mic. If you’re more interested in having a casual chat around a mic you can ignore, then the Blue Microphones Tiki mic may be just what you need. It’s tiny, plugging directly into your computer’s USB port like a thumb drive. Advanced DSP lets the Tiki tune out background noise and focus on your voice, resulting in clean dialog recording. Finally, for formal interviews, the Samson C03U is perfect. This multi-pattern mic includes a figure-8 polar pattern, which is ideal for recording two speakers with one mic.
Podcasting and Voice-over
For those who enjoy the challenge of podcasting and voice-over work, the last thing you want (or need) to deal with is a complex recording rig. Lucky for you, there are a few excellent solutions that make your work easier. First up, there’s the RODE Podcaster. This studio-grade broadcast mic is on par with high-end voice-over microphones, yet it offers the easy integration of onboard USB connectivity. If you want to make things even easier on yourself, grab a Neat Microphones Beecaster. With its integrated mic stand and surface-accessible buttons, the Beecaster was born for on-the-fly podcasting work. Lastly, there’s the Miktek ProCast SST. With its integrated broadcast boom and professional slider controls, the only thing missing from the ProCast SST audio interface/microphone is an “On Air” light.
Wrapping It Up
As you can see, there are lots of amazing USB microphones out there, and they all offer a special kind of convenience. If you’re still looking for the perfect USB mic for your needs, don’t hesitate to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call.
