Need a mic suggestion.

[Dylann]

No problem. I'm on here pretty often if you want to revert back to this thread for more questions. You can also check me out on https://twitch.tv/givebirb for live audio samples (if you ever catch me streaming). I have a range of different microphones and will be happy to plug them in to show people the differences.

i missed your stream yesterday. i followed, but I don't check notifications much. you should just reply to me here whenever you're live[DOUBLEPOST=1602433958][/DOUBLEPOST]

No problem. I'm on here pretty often if you want to revert back to this thread for more questions. You can also check me out on https://twitch.tv/givebirb for live audio samples (if you ever catch me streaming). I have a range of different microphones and will be happy to plug them in to show people the differences.

I talked with someone else, they told me if I plan on getting an interface, to buy the Behringer xm8500, because it's a cheap sm58 clone. do you know anything about this mic? because buying this mic with the interface will just be slightly more expensive than the q2u

 

[Leeiuum]

i missed your stream yesterday. i followed, but I don't check notifications much. you should just reply to me here whenever you're live[DOUBLEPOST=1602433958][/DOUBLEPOST]
I talked with someone else, they told me if I plan on getting an interface, to buy the Behringer xm8500, because it's a cheap sm58 clone. do you know anything about this mic? because buying this mic with the interface will just be slightly more expensive than the q2u

both are great microphones. The Q2U's main selling point is the USB/XLR input (better upgradability path). The XM8500 only takes XLR so it would need the interface to get it up and running.

You can always find a video comparing the two such as this one, and putting it on full volume level so you are able to capture how loud it is and how much white noise it generates.

However I do have to say in my personal preference, it is still the Q2U. The inputs are cheap to implement so despite it being its main selling point for upgradability, they still put things such as a better case shell over the soundcard and comparing both the mic's frequency responses it looks the Q2U is much better.

Q2U frequency response

XM8500 frequency response

The problem is that the XM8500's line goes very jittery in the high frequencies which can allow distortion and tension, making the microphone sound super unnatural.

The frequency response of the Q2U is pretty good considering it remains flat in most of the low and high frequencies, and all of the mid-frequencies (this will benefit if you want to manipulate the audio via equalization at some point.) Out of the two this is the most natural and fluent microphone and would sound better. This is the case no matter what input you chose ( XLR/USB ).

So if the XM8500 with an interface is more expensive than the Q2U, don't buy it. It's not an upgrade, it's quite a significant downgrade.

HOWEVER, the problem is that no matter what the frequency responses are, it doesn't really matter as long as it doesn't clip. It depends on if the user (you) likes the sound of it via multiple reviews and research because our ears are totally different to each other's.

Side note, I noticed you followed me on my Twitch. I really appreciate that! I hope that the next time I stream I remember to sort my array of microphones to show the differences between them. For the notification tag, you can join my Discord server (it's inactive, fair warning) but I've set up a notification-friendly service for when I stream. If interested in joining, you can get certain roles via #notification-roles and every time I stream you'll be hit with a notification.

 

[Dylann]

both are great microphones. The Q2U's main selling point is the USB/XLR input (better upgradability path). The XM8500 only takes XLR so it would need the interface to get it up and running.

You can always find a video comparing the two such as this one, and putting it on full volume level so you are able to capture how loud it is and how much white noise it generates.

However I do have to say in my personal preference, it is still the Q2U. The inputs are cheap to implement so despite it being its main selling point for upgradability, they still put things such as a better case shell over the soundcard and comparing both the mic's frequency responses it looks the Q2U is much better.

Q2U frequency response

XM8500 frequency response

The problem is that the XM8500's line goes very jittery in the high frequencies which can allow distortion and tension, making the microphone sound super unnatural.

The frequency response of the Q2U is pretty good considering it remains flat in most of the low and high frequencies, and all of the mid-frequencies (this will benefit if you want to manipulate the audio via equalization at some point.) Out of the two this is the most natural and fluent microphone and would sound better. This is the case no matter what input you chose ( XLR/USB ).

So if the XM8500 with an interface is more expensive than the Q2U, don't buy it. It's not an upgrade, it's quite a significant downgrade.

HOWEVER, the problem is that no matter what the frequency responses are, it doesn't really matter as long as it doesn't clip. It depends on if the user (you) likes the sound of it via multiple reviews and research because our ears are totally different to each other's.

Side note, I noticed you followed me on my Twitch. I really appreciate that! I hope that the next time I stream I remember to sort my array of microphones to show the differences between them. For the notification tag, you can join my Discord server (it's inactive, fair warning) but I've set up a notification-friendly service for when I stream. If interested in joining, you can get certain roles via #notification-roles and every time I stream you'll be hit with a notification.

does the q2u or the xm8500 have a more natural sound? i want to find a natural one and eq it to fit my voice

 

[Leeiuum]

does the q2u or the xm8500 have a more natural sound? i want to find a natural one and eq it to fit my voice

Q2U has the most natural sound comparing them both. To equalise it you can use hardware (through mixing, using something like a Behringer Q502USB ) or software (for example I use a software called POD Farm to do mine live (like voicemod, but much higher quality - this also requires an interface to use.)

 

[Dylann]

Q2U has the most natural sound comparing them both. To equalise it you can use hardware (through mixing, using something like a Behringer Q502USB ) or software (for example I use a software called POD Farm to do mine live (like voicemod, but much higher quality - this also requires an interface to use.)

would the Behringer um2 + samson q2u + pod farm = a really solid sounding mic?

 

[Leeiuum]

would the Behringer um2 + samson q2u + pod farm = a really solid sounding mic?

yep, but to use pod farm you need to make your input into two channel, so you'll need to do that. If you take a look at the um2 at the back of the interface you'll see a red and white circle. Get a set of RCA cables converted into a single 3.5mm jack just like this one, but obviously more accessible and more room for budgetary purposes for you personally. Be sure to use your motherboard's sound driver (such as Realtek) instead of the interface and make sure in the properties advanced channels it is set to 2 channel mode.

So the microphone and interface will work fine, you will need RCA cables to use POD Farm. I will DM you a link to, *ahem*, easily get POD Farm.