Are you looking for a new microphone for your YouTube channel or podcast? For the following article, I looked at 5 different popular USB mics and compared them in a detailed review.
Why a USB mic?
If you’re new to the world of audio, you might not know that USB microphones are not the standard. Until a few years ago, USB microphones were pretty rare. Usually, they were built for Skype calls and online gaming and most professional users worked with XLR microphones instead. So, why use USB?
USB mics have a big advantage compared to XLR mics: They can be plugged directly into your computer. With an XLR microphone, you don’t have that luxury - you have to put it into an audio interface first, and that means you have to buy (and know how to use) an audio interface. With USB, you don’t have to go through any of that trouble, which means that USB microphones are much more beginner-friendly than other mics. This makes them ideal for YouTubers, podcasters and hobby musicians.
Now, the question is: What should you look for in a USB microphone for YouTube?