The Blue Spark is a versatile, high-quality microphone that is available in an XLR version and a USB/iOS version. While both versions are great microphones, they have one issue: They don’t come with a traditional shock mount.

What’s a shock mount?

A shock mount holds your microphone and protects it from unwanted vibrations like your foot accidentally kicking the table leg or your hand hitting the microphone stand. If you’re not using a shock mount, these types of “shocks” typically result in a loud low rumbling sound. Obviously, that’s not something you want in your recording.

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.

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?