Microphone Question

[Azdog]

I currently have a blue snowball, is it worth it to upgrade to a yeti? Or what other mic should i get, I'm not a fan of condenser mics as they need power supplys and stuff.

 

[Shooting]

yeti is a real good one but idk much about mics so im probs useless

 

[Vilsike]

Oh how Yeti's and Blue Snowball's are so overhyped.

Do yourself a favor, if you want to make this more than a hobby or have good sound quality, invest in something better. It doesn't have to be stupid expensive like the $200 microphones out there, but there's good options besides just these two listed.

EDIT: If you're not willing to get a mixer or something, there is good USB microphones. But I wouldn't let a mixer scare you away from a good quality microphone.

 

[Leeiuum]

Oh how Yeti's and Blue Snowball's are so overhyped.

Do yourself a favor, if you want to make this more than a hobby or have good sound quality, invest in something better. It doesn't have to be stupid expensive like the $200 microphones out there, but there's good options besides just these two listed.

EDIT: If you're not willing to get a mixer or something, there is good USB microphones. But I wouldn't let a mixer scare you away from a good quality microphone.

^

I've been an owner of:
Blue Snowball,
Blue Yeti
MXL770 (another condenser microphone through XLR)
Rode Procaster (Dynamic)

I had jumped on the hype train too and the quality of the Blue Yeti was not that great for what I was paying for. People who say that Blue Yetis are really good are only speaking in terms of plug and play microphone but never really the quality unless you're in a small confined space with carpeting and other sound absorbing material in your room.

It really depends though, do you like the quality of your Snowball?, if yes, then keep it. The Snowball is a good budget microphone (the Yeti isn't however) and if you're having trouble with echo you might find it better having a dynamic microphone like I have (the Procaster).

Essentially, condenser microphones are extremely sensitive. So it's going to pick your voice up from several feet away. Dynamics are the opposite, require A LOT of gain (through an interface) and will not pick up any background sounds really.

if you just want the USB plug in and play functionality, I would recommend the Samson Q2U, has a separate XLR input if you ever want to buy an interface down the line. XLR > USB

 

[Azdog]

w

^

I've been an owner of:
Blue Snowball,
Blue Yeti
MXL770 (another condenser microphone through XLR)
Rode Procaster (Dynamic)

I had jumped on the hype train too and the quality of the Blue Yeti was not that great for what I was paying for. People who say that Blue Yetis are really good are only speaking in terms of plug and play microphone but never really the quality unless you're in a small confined space with carpeting and other sound absorbing material in your room.

It really depends though, do you like the quality of your Snowball?, if yes, then keep it. The Snowball is a good budget microphone (the Yeti isn't however) and if you're having trouble with echo you might find it better having a dynamic microphone like I have (the Procaster).

Essentially, condenser microphones are extremely sensitive. So it's going to pick your voice up from several feet away. Dynamics are the opposite, require A LOT of gain (through an interface) and will not pick up any background sounds really.

if you just want the USB plug in and play functionality, I would recommend the Samson Q2U, has a separate XLR input if you ever want to buy an interface down the line. XLR > USB

Thanks, does The Procaster require a mixer and if so, what one would you recommend?

 

[Leeiuum]

w

Thanks, does The Procaster require a mixer and if so, what one would you recommend?

Well the Procaster is the XLR version, alternatively you can take a look at the USB version the Podcaster if you're just looking to buy the microphone.

I use an interface for me personally, using the Scarlett Solo but I would recommend the Line UX2 because with it you get POD Farm 2 which allows you to have extra effects (echo, radio voice, etc) on the side.

BUT these are costly products. If you're not super into microphones and just want the ease of one, I would recommend getting a USB one. If you're looking for a budget microphone that has long term future use, I would still really recommend the Samson Q2U. You can literally convert from USB to XLR without ever needing to change microphones. Plus it's a pretty good microphone for what the price is just like the Shure SM58.