Samson Q2U is a very good value, and sounds similar to the Audio-Technica ATR 2100X. I just prefer the 2100x as it has USB-C instead of mini-USB (which the Q2U has).
I use the ATR 2100x as a backup when I need to record somewhere away from my studio. Not needing to pack an interface is a bonus, and the audio quality is certainly acceptable, especially with some eq and compression in post-production.
Microphone Test Time Stamps: Audio-Technica ATR 2100x - 1:12 Rode NT USB-Mini - 1:41 Blue Yeti USB Mic - 2:51 Shure MV7 - 3:32 Tula USB Mic - 4:16 Earthworks ICON - 5:05
Thanks, this was super helpful. While I'm a total noob at this, my company is 100% remote, so we don't have an office. I purchased an USBAT2020+ and have liked it, but I'd like for my mic to sound like yours, so how would I do that? I saw you mentioned that you use the Sennheiser MKH416 "Shotgun" mic. Is that something I should use? So far I've only used USB mics mounted to a boom, but I'm not very sophisticated at all, so would it be too complicated for me to use the one you have? Could use your help if you have a moment. Many thanks! J.J.
Hey there! Are you doing talking head style video like this, more podcast recordings, or using it mainly for video meetings? A good option may be the Shure MV7, being a dynamic mic it will sound better in a variety of conditions, but will need to be close to your mouth. If you want to use a mic like mine, you do need to have a fairly well-treated room with little to no echo or reverb. Let me know a few more details and I'll make a recommendation!
@@Riversidefm Thanks for getting back to me! Yes, I'm only using it for Zoom meetings. I'm the CEO of my company and we are 100% remote. Although I'm thinking of going back to an office environment, I'm doing my best to make this remote situation happen and want our daily Zoom calls (which are pretty much all day long) to sound as good as possible. Some of our executive team members are really hard to hear, so I might get the same setup for some of those folks and see if that improves things. Currently I have the AT202+. I've been looking at the Shure MV7 but don't want to get it just to find out that it doesn't sound any better than my USB AT2020+. Since I've written you, I did more research on your channel (and others) to learn the basics (difference between USB and XLR, etc.), so I now understand how many factors impact the results and how this isn't just a simple answer. So now that I know that, here's my situation: I do 100% Zoom calls (just talking), my microphone is on a boom and sits just to my left about 1.5 feet away to my 11 o'clock, my office is quiet and is surrounded by windows on 3 sides. I'd prefer to have the mic isolate all background sounds (like vacuum cleaners during the day, my kids yelling downstairs when they get home from school, etc.). I'm willing to go invest into the whole XLR thing, but I'm not sure that's the solution. When you did your sound test, there was a huge difference between the other mics and yours. My ultimate goal is to get it to sound like your mic, or as close as possible. I realize at some point there are diminishing returns, but I just want to provide the best experience possible. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have!!! J.J.
I currently use a Blue Yeti for my RU-vid channel and seems to be very good. But I have a Samson Q2U available. Should I keep the Yeti for RU-vid and switch out to the Q2U for my podcast (which I'm just starting)? Thanks!
If you find the Yeti works for you, it’s ok to keep using. It’s pretty sensitive as a condenser mic, so if you notice some echo or reverb in your podcast, or want a little more noise rejection, I’d switch to the Q2U
Is there a microphone that I can just set up in a room with a few people and it picks up all of our voices but it’s still good quality and doesn’t need to computer to be plugged into it?
That will be a difficult scenario to both record everyone with minimal background noise and high quality. You can try to use a self-contained recorder like this one, but it won't sound as good as a dedicated mic per guest: amzn.to/44wqONk
For some reason I think the mic you’re using to record this video sound better than all the mics presented! What’s the name of the mic you’re using while explaining everything?
The Rode mini USB is pretty good, but you may want to consider the Audio-Technica ATR 2100X. I find it has been room-noise rejection and it's a dynamic mic instead of condenser like many of these.
At the beginning of 2024, the list was the same! But now it definitely needs an update because the Shure MV7+ is close to the top: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ylQVq43rpIY.htmlsi=p4IECLwMVh9W0VJW
@@Riversidefm thank you for the reply. I have the Samsung Galaxy fold 4. I'm just making videos off of there right now but I'm getting a camera in a couple months and i have a decent laptop. So I'm trying to get a nice microphone that will work with my phone for now but would also work with my camera when I get it. Also do you hook up a microphone to your laptop/PC or camera itself?? I'm interested in the nicer bigger microphones that I can mount to the desk or just have sitting right in front of me. Also didn't really like the ones where you said it has to be super super quiet cuz it picks up everything. I super appreciate the help. I'm so confused.
Thanks for the review. I'm looking into making some RU-vid videos and need a microphone. I noticed that all of the microphones you reviewed sounded deeper or lower than the audio of your video. Why is that and what microphone did you use to make this video? Thank you.
You're welcome! For all my videos, I use the Sennheiser MKH416 which is a shotgun mic. The mics I tested in this video are more for "close talking" or podcast style, which creates that lower sounding audio. You can always EQ the audio afterward to address that, but I wanted to provide an unchanged sound test for each mic.
The Audio Techica is still one of the best I don't know where you get a broadcast quality 192khz micophone for the price with XLRs also that allow you to use both XLR inputs and USB at the same time. It provides the convenience of being able to record to a backup device, or a better audio device like the Zoom F3. Its been around for quite a while though. I can't think of a better device with dual inputs for the price up to about $130 at MSRP here in Australia. Can you think of something better? I mean the 2100 is so upgradable also because it seems to improve when its plugged in directly to better audio recorders. As a dynamic microphone it doesn't suit everyone but its still a really high quality device for the price with a Behringer capsule inside. Can you name a better microphone?
You're welcome! I tried to leave all the audio raw as everyone has their own post-production preferences, but stay tuned as we have more USB mic reviews coming!
Awesome and informative video! Thanks man! I was wondering if you have any videos on recommendations for podcast guests who are not used to using external microphones on virtual calls? I'm aiming to have some guests via video call and want to avoid the issue of hearing rustling on the desk and the intimidation of a microphone being in front of the person (you know, to avoid the whole leaning in thing). Any insight would be very appreciated!
That's a great question, and a hard problem to solve for sure. If you're sending out kits to your guests, a lapel mic may be a good option, as they can play it high on their shirt and not mess with it. But that could cause clothing ruffle issues too. Honestly, a pair of wired headphones with a mic built-in to the lanyard may be a good option as well. They don't have to touch it, or mess with anything on their desk. If their environment is quiet enough and not too echoey, it should sound decent! Then you can run it through some AI audio tools to make it sound even better in post-production.
@@Riversidefm using Asus laptop or oppo reno 11 pro with USB hub. Same issue coming. Kindly let me know the solution or suggest me best mic with riverside
I had the Blue Yeti but the port inside the mic has broke and now just stopped working, it's a really great mic but I wouldn't recommend it as even others said that the port breaks at quick times.
@@bigwhiskey7843 I agree, the mic has amazing quality. I moved onto The T.bone 450 and I couldn't be any happier, way better wuality and cheaper woth a pop filter. I should have made more research rather than just spending so much money on the blue yeti
Thanks for the video. I love the sound of my blue yeti nano. To anyone starting off, the blue yeti, combined with excellent Premier pro vocal mastering and effects (just search for a video on that) sounds just as good as the most professional RU-vidrs, if not better. So I imagined the Shore MV7 is even a little better. Just remember, it is in your mastering/effects/eq that the true sound quality and professionalism will shine, so get on RU-vid and research how to get the best out of your audio on whatever software you video edit with.
That last one was the most expensive and sounded the worse, I do recommend and hopefully this channel does a review on the Fifine Dynamic Microphone K688, that one is affordable and sounds awesome both USB and XLR. 72 dollars on Amazon
Really? How close are you speaking into the mic? You may also want to try adjusting the EQ of the mic. I explain how to do that here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mOs9mlJjX7I.htmlsi=4yEp0vbzWs5_CtOT
Folks with accents from the southern US have a habit of using a lightly voiced version of consonants, especially when followed by fully voiced consonants like a voiced labio-plosive like "B". So an "S" sound sounds a bit more like a "Z"
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