FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 good enough for me. In USB mode, it has a touch mute button so it's quite when pressed and turns red when muted and green when not muted, so you can see if you are muted. The RGB lights up only in USB and can also be turned off by pressing and holding the RGB button. In XLR mode all knobs, lights, and buttons are not used because XLR doesn't provide any power, which makes sense. Can use both USB and XLR simultaneously for those scenarios where you need to use them both at the same time like in two PC/device streaming. Direct monitoring is also good enough with no delay or weird echo. A complaint I can think of is that, device volume is tied to direct monitoring volume knob. It would have been better if this mic and other USB mics have a standard three adjustable knobs for: mic gain, incoming device volume, and a separate mic direct monitoring volume knob. So that if you want to increase or decrease incoming sound from PC, Mac, or phone it doesn't affect the volume of what YOU hear of your voice (not what audience hears, since that is done by mic gain knob). You know, volume things you can control similarly in a mixer.
I use an Audio-Technica AT 2020 USB+ , but only in well acoustically treated room. For that reason, I just bought a dynamic mic: the Maono PD400X and works great on the legacy setting.
Fifine AM8. When it’s on sale, can’t beat it (as long as you don’t handle it). Sounds great, minimal rgb (that you can turn off), cheap, looks cool (IMO).
I’m no authority on this subject but when my HyperX Quadcast S mic broke, I did a happy dance (I hated that mic). Then I happily bought a Deity VO-7U on sale for $90. Been happy ever since
I've had a couple USB mics over the years that served me well in case of emergency or for travel stuff. Cheapest that I used for podcasts/interviews was the good ol' Samson Go Mic for $40 many moons ago. Small but very potent. I will say I haven't had any of the modern USB mics with all the new software features so can't say what is the best from today's market but the USB mic I still have as a "you never know" is the Samson Satellite. Got it on a trip in North Carolina when visiting a friend and we needed a condenser for a virtual watch party we were doing from an actual get together and for $99 I quite liked the sound. Also came with a lightning cable to use with iPhone and iPad with no issues! Technically I do have a Rode VideoMic Go II that I've used USB one time, but that lives with my camera as a shotgun.
@@ObscureMics it's well worth it, man i paid 48 bucks for mine, and came complete with separate quality pop filter to boot... Zero latency, i might add
Other than the phone interference, the sound quality of that one is perfectly ok for a podcast or UA-cam narration. Id be tempted to crack that bad boy open and snip the RGB wires though.
Best usb mic i have used is the podmic usb, the worst is the blue yeti. The best bang for your buck is 50- 100 dollars usb/xlr combo like the maonos they have the best usb sound. For expensive the podmic usb and the mv7+ are the best i see.
I love RGB lights. I might get a USB mic for that reason alone. The mics I have here that support direct USB are the MV7, Rode Videmic NTG and Videomic Go II (and Videomic Me C) . All are good enough for me. For the rest of my mics I would use an interface of some kind (usually one of my audio recorders). There are a few, not necessarily cheap, USB mics that I am thinking about. The one I am seriously considering as a travel USB mic is the Zoom H2 with its flexible multiple mic system... just waiting for the essential version to come out.
When you picked up your phone and placed it near your mic, it added wifi noise to your audio. That said, I don't actually own a USB mic, or else I'd make you a video of some sort. Consider yourself lucky you don't have to see my "face for radio."
What mic is this you're using here? I really liked the Rode Videomic Go 2 because you can use it for a shot gun mic as intended.....or as a podcast type or mic or youtube mic especially if you put the pad with the -20dB and hold it right up to your mouth! Best one I've used is the MV7 as I really like the sound and how you can use the motive app to customize that sound!
I love Neat products and actually use the Worker Bee OG and WB II more than the King Bee II. Tried the Bumblebee II, however, and found that it was built like a tin can and sounded like one, too, as it picked up all kinds of extraneous noise. I really love what Neat was doing so I didn't want to hate it, but I had to send it back.
I’ve only used the Blue Snowball usb and it ate 2 of my cords so I despise it with a passion. I am, however, looking at getting a Samson Go or two simply because they’re super portable and sound really good for their price. In general I do tend to steer away from usb just because of typical signal compression but I think they’re perfect for a portable solution
K so the maono dynamic xlr/usb was REALLY good. The on stage one you did not long ago is probably the cheapest ive used but that was a blow out sale so not sure that counts. I would almost always prefer to just carry something like that donner mini usb interface and a legit xlr mic over most of the usb mics ive seen / heard / used.
by the time I run my XLR mic into my interface and then out of that by USB to my computer, am I NOT using a USB microphone ... more or less ? Good USB mics are available and I personally would lean towards any that provide ON BOARD DSP .... ie, the Presonus Revelator Dynamic for use in a NON treated room and the Condenser version for a treated room. No where near the cheapest but likely the cheapest with an on board DSP. Look for others that have similar features for big bang for buck. Otherwise I think if Bark has taught us anything, it's that a basic cheap USB mic is likely more than all you need. Concentrate on other aspects of your presentation.
I stand by my vote for the $16 micyusheng. It's on my channel. It's even usb c. I just bought the $11 Ho song in mic and it's not good. Name is appropriate.
LOL... Ok... I am probably in the minority but I tend to like the RGB lights if they offer some control over the lighting effects. There was a time when that sort of lighting effect would have cost a small fortune. There was also a time when designer kitchens were either Avocado Green or Harvest Gold. They were the rage for a while. Such things as style and design tend to come and go and sometimes cycle. I wonder what will be next?
samson q2u is my first and my go to. 5 yrs now still working, very solid mic
Definitely a good one. Wish they would do a q3u with usb c
I really like the Q2U but mine died for no reason 😢
Way too sibliant for me
1. Videomic Go 2 is the best USB mic I've used
2. Cheapest is the Am8 for non-professional work.
The Go 2 is a great mic. If it had a DSP chip like the XCM-50, it would be incredible.
It’s awesome that a mic that small is the best you’ve used….which of course means….i now have to have one 🙄
@@ObscureMics You have to get it! I wonder how you'd rank it compared to every USB mic you've heard so far. :D
@@ObscureMics if you use it with a VXLR+ or VXLR Pro, you can use it with an interface. An amazing feature.
FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 good enough for me. In USB mode, it has a touch mute button so it's quite when pressed and turns red when muted and green when not muted, so you can see if you are muted. The RGB lights up only in USB and can also be turned off by pressing and holding the RGB button. In XLR mode all knobs, lights, and buttons are not used because XLR doesn't provide any power, which makes sense. Can use both USB and XLR simultaneously for those scenarios where you need to use them both at the same time like in two PC/device streaming. Direct monitoring is also good enough with no delay or weird echo. A complaint I can think of is that, device volume is tied to direct monitoring volume knob. It would have been better if this mic and other USB mics have a standard three adjustable knobs for: mic gain, incoming device volume, and a separate mic direct monitoring volume knob. So that if you want to increase or decrease incoming sound from PC, Mac, or phone it doesn't affect the volume of what YOU hear of your voice (not what audience hears, since that is done by mic gain knob). You know, volume things you can control similarly in a mixer.
AM8 is great for the money…and I believe has been mentioned the most in these comments
Cheapest: AM8
most comfortable that I is only one I actually use in USB: Podmic USB
Hard to argue with those choices
Part of the testing though!
I use an Audio-Technica AT 2020 USB+ , but only in well acoustically treated room. For that reason, I just bought a dynamic mic: the Maono PD400X and works great on the legacy setting.
I enjoyed the pd400x as well
Wow! That interference when you moved the phone across that mic and set it down next to it. 🤣🤦🏻♂️😁
Yeah that sucked. I wasn’t recording it again though lol
Fifine AM8. When it’s on sale, can’t beat it (as long as you don’t handle it). Sounds great, minimal rgb (that you can turn off), cheap, looks cool (IMO).
Agreed. USB dynamics are gonna win this convo 9 out of 10 times too
Usb mics have stepped their game up in the past 4 years. It impressed me how much better they have become sound wise.
Same. And there’s some older ones that were slept on
I’m no authority on this subject but when my HyperX Quadcast S mic broke, I did a happy dance (I hated that mic). Then I happily bought a Deity VO-7U on sale for $90. Been happy ever since
I have a vo-7u too. Very solid
Hyper x quadcast is one I would use on a full-time basis. It may not be the cheapest, it's plastic but it does not feel cheap.
I like the xlr version a lot
I've had a couple USB mics over the years that served me well in case of emergency or for travel stuff. Cheapest that I used for podcasts/interviews was the good ol' Samson Go Mic for $40 many moons ago. Small but very potent. I will say I haven't had any of the modern USB mics with all the new software features so can't say what is the best from today's market but the USB mic I still have as a "you never know" is the Samson Satellite. Got it on a trip in North Carolina when visiting a friend and we needed a condenser for a virtual watch party we were doing from an actual get together and for $99 I quite liked the sound. Also came with a lightning cable to use with iPhone and iPad with no issues! Technically I do have a Rode VideoMic Go II that I've used USB one time, but that lives with my camera as a shotgun.
Samson really does usb mics well...I still have a samson go mic! Was gonna turn it into a gaming headset but that project never got off the ground
See now I'm thinking of it as a lav mic, maybe if your transplant it out of that hanky clip it could work lol
It’s small enough to do SOMETHING like that with it
Sounds legit 😎
I'll see if I can get a video up Monday. Only dynamic mics at home!
Please do!
512 Audio Tempest is an amazing buy for 35 bucks
I have the smaller 512 usb mic. May have to try the tempest
@@ObscureMics it's well worth it, man i paid 48 bucks for mine, and came complete with separate quality pop filter to boot... Zero latency, i might add
Other than the phone interference, the sound quality of that one is perfectly ok for a podcast or UA-cam narration.
Id be tempted to crack that bad boy open and snip the RGB wires though.
It actually does turn off….long pressing the mute button did the trick
Best usb mic i have used is the podmic usb, the worst is the blue yeti. The best bang for your buck is 50- 100 dollars usb/xlr combo like the maonos they have the best usb sound. For expensive the podmic usb and the mv7+ are the best i see.
This is a great question! Looking for the answers!
Lots so far in the comments!
I love RGB lights. I might get a USB mic for that reason alone. The mics I have here that support direct USB are the MV7, Rode Videmic NTG and Videomic Go II (and Videomic Me C) . All are good enough for me. For the rest of my mics I would use an interface of some kind (usually one of my audio recorders). There are a few, not necessarily cheap, USB mics that I am thinking about. The one I am seriously considering as a travel USB mic is the Zoom H2 with its flexible multiple mic system... just waiting for the essential version to come out.
I am really excited for the H2 essentials - have had it preordered for a while and im hoping it can be my end all travel mic and recorder.
When you picked up your phone and placed it near your mic, it added wifi noise to your audio. That said, I don't actually own a USB mic, or else I'd make you a video of some sort. Consider yourself lucky you don't have to see my "face for radio."
I know. I always listen back. Was not redoing it however
lol you have to see my face for radio 🤷♂️
To me it’s the Rode Video Mic NTG and the cheapo mico would be the FiFine K688
What mic is this you're using here? I really liked the Rode Videomic Go 2 because you can use it for a shot gun mic as intended.....or as a podcast type or mic or youtube mic especially if you put the pad with the -20dB and hold it right up to your mouth! Best one I've used is the MV7 as I really like the sound and how you can use the motive app to customize that sound!
It’s a mic from a company called Retekess
Cheapo
@@ObscureMics Thank you.
I don't have a USB mic, but if I remember correctly, the neat bumblebee ii can be had for about $20 now, which is really good
I have the bumblebee 2…have yet to open it
@@ObscureMics yeah I did mean the bumblebee ii :D
I love Neat products and actually use the Worker Bee OG and WB II more than the King Bee II. Tried the Bumblebee II, however, and found that it was built like a tin can and sounded like one, too, as it picked up all kinds of extraneous noise. I really love what Neat was doing so I didn't want to hate it, but I had to send it back.
Eventhough it's omnidirectional, the zoom r4 onboard mic is really good
Ya know I COMPLETELY forgot to test that and still don’t know what it sounds like
Hey, how long do we have to send in videos about USB mics? Asking for a friend.
Im sure i wont get around to a follow up till later this week honestly
I’ve only used the Blue Snowball usb and it ate 2 of my cords so I despise it with a passion. I am, however, looking at getting a Samson Go or two simply because they’re super portable and sound really good for their price. In general I do tend to steer away from usb just because of typical signal compression but I think they’re perfect for a portable solution
Samson go mic is still pretty dang awesome IMO
any mic will do just some of us like me are picky on which mics we use.
Im picky too...the usb mic ive been using is the deity vo7u, so im not cheaping out so far lol
K so the maono dynamic xlr/usb was REALLY good. The on stage one you did not long ago is probably the cheapest ive used but that was a blow out sale so not sure that counts.
I would almost always prefer to just carry something like that donner mini usb interface and a legit xlr mic over most of the usb mics ive seen / heard / used.
Or the shure mvx2u!
@@ObscureMics yeah. I havent used one but if the kinks are worked out on that then “Shure”. Ill see myself out…
Hey bark! Could you / would you have a look at the baifeili s414? That is an S not a C :) Cheerio
Oh man, thats a scary one at $50 - XLR to 3.5 cable included...small diaphragm...
Im adding it to my list
@@ObscureMics I seen it for about 31 usd.. :)
@@ObscureMics the brand could also be "kaichi" ..
It seems there's an interference issue with this one, but this sounds nice
Was my phone. The mic is plastic lol
by the time I run my XLR mic into my interface and then out of that by USB to my computer, am I NOT using a USB microphone ... more or less ?
Good USB mics are available and I personally would lean towards any that provide ON BOARD DSP .... ie, the Presonus Revelator Dynamic for use in a NON treated room and the Condenser version for a treated room. No where near the cheapest but likely the cheapest with an on board DSP. Look for others that have similar features for big bang for buck.
Otherwise I think if Bark has taught us anything, it's that a basic cheap USB mic is likely more than all you need. Concentrate on other aspects of your presentation.
I’ve been tempted many times to grab that revelator
Best USB mic: Seinnheiser Profile
Cheapest USB mic: Razer Seiren Mini
Bang for buck USB: Neat Bee 2
I have an unopened bee two
I stand by my vote for the $16 micyusheng. It's on my channel. It's even usb c. I just bought the $11 Ho song in mic and it's not good. Name is appropriate.
lol that’s great. Ok off to the great channel I go…gotta see this $16 mic
@ObscureMics if you want to use the footage or audio track from it, you have my blessing. Jeremy's need to take care of each other. 😊
@DeployJeremy yes Jeremy’s do lol. I think I just may!
Ouch!!! RGB ….🥴🤢🤮
LOL... Ok... I am probably in the minority but I tend to like the RGB lights if they offer some control over the lighting effects. There was a time when that sort of lighting effect would have cost a small fortune. There was also a time when designer kitchens were either Avocado Green or Harvest Gold. They were the rage for a while. Such things as style and design tend to come and go and sometimes cycle. I wonder what will be next?