Microphone

I am looking for a microphone to give to my sister for Christmas (well, two). Her boyfriend currently lives far away and they chat on Skype but the quality of their built-in mics are pretty brutal.

So I'm looking for a mic around $100. Something that clips to the shirt would be nice if it's wireless, but a desktop mic would be fine if I can't find that.

The emphasis must be on the sound quality. I mean like real, undistorted sound like the person is standing in the room with you.

I will also be buying one of these for myself to record product reviews and such on Youtube (camera is the D7000, horrible onboard audio but amazing video quality). I will also be using it for gaming online so clarity is a must.

Does anyone have any suggestions? And preferably audio samples?

 

Zalman makes a really really inexpensive but decent quality clip on mic, it's usually $5-$10, but can be on sale as low as $2-$3. Logitech also makes decent standing desk mics.

 

You can get a USB mic for that price, but keep in mind that a "good" wireless lavaliere mic starts at around $250.

 

I use Samson Go Mic Compact USB Microphone on my laptop, has great sound not that expensive, only issue is not a stand up mic but clip on on the laptop or use the folding mech to have it standing somewhere, beats all laptop integrated mics.

At home on my desktop i use Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone, nice stand up desktop usb mic, really good rich sound quality voice, and around your budget, but for sure not good if you want portability.

Audio technica has also some good lapel mics, never tried them but some friends have and they like it, and their recordings are fairly good, there are different models, here is one for you to see if it fits what you looking for, Audio-Technica ATR-35S Lavalier Microphone. If you want something wireless, also check Audio-technica Pro 88W

 

Well if you want a good mic and a good headset for yourself for gaming then i recommend
Astro Gaming | Professional Gaming Equipment | A40 Headset
Very good headset and amazing mic quality i mean SHAM WOW amazing!

 

If you really want to spend $100 or up, I think you will need to start looking at professional-level microphones. Otherwise, I'd recommend looking into a headset.

If you already own a pair of headphones and just want a mic, then I've had a LOT of success with the Zalman ZM-1 microphone. It basically clips on to the cable of your headphones, and adds a mic. Fantastic sound quality for what I use it for (Skype video chats, in-game chats, and recording video presentations for work). Nobody has ever had a complaint on sound quality.

If you don't already own a pair of headphones, then I'd recommend something like the Sennheiser PC161 headset. I've used that headset for about 2 years before moving on to what I have now. Good sound quality, absolutely fantastic mic quality.

I would actually recommend AGAINST the Astro Gaming A40 headset that Bobtheflea recommended. It is way more expensive than $100, and has a lot of features that your sister/her boyfriend will likely never use like surround sound downmixing and multiple sound source mixing. It's really a headset aimed at gaming, and not at video chat / general PC use.

 

Here is a sound sample of the Zalman ZM-1 Mic that I mentioned. The quality will be comparable to the Sennheiser PC161 headset that I also mentioned.
https://home.xythos.com/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-4901399_files-t_SJcAAttX


You don't have to spend a lot of money to get decent mic quality on a PC... especially since the limiting factor in sound quality on VoIP chat is typically the bandwidth / reliability of your broadband connection, and not your microphone hardware.

 

The ZM-1 is not that handy in practical terms and it has really poor pickup once usefully sited. That 'test' is undoubtedly done in the same manner as many people hold out their hands-free wired sets right in front of them in a 'I'm not mad' way. To me it's not a patch on a headset in terms of usability and practical pickup quality, and anyone who says otherwise probably has not had a decent headset.

Get a <$100 lower-end Sennheiser headset, or a Beyerdynamic MMX 2. The latter is not the most comfortable set out there but it's a good combo of a quality mic and a decent headphone.

 

That "test" was done straight-up, using the current audio setup that I have now (Audio Technica ATH-A900 headphones + Zalman ZM-1 mic). I didn't use any "tricks" to hold it a certain way or angle it a certain way to make it sound better.

If the Zalman ZM-1 is not a preferred option, the Sennheiser PC-161 that I recommended should do the trick quite well.

 

For voice chat cheap mics do just fine, I wouldnt even think about spending more than $20.00 on a mic unless it was for recording purposes.

You would maybe be spending $100+ for a headset because your buying the microphone & headphones but if you just need the microphone there are a lot of options.

I use the ZM-1 it worked fine for me but now I did my own mod to add a boom onto my headphones and that works even better ($10 voice chat headset was the microphone donor)

the ZM-1 is very dependent on what your connecting it too. I get almost 2x the quality & volume when hooking it via my USB soundcard than I do my X-Fi soundcard in my desktop.. go figure.

 

Gah your Yeti mic looked so friggin cool and since its on sale right now I just ended up buying it!

And then because I found no point in having voice without video I bought a C910 HD webcam to go with it (1080P recording)

My wallet is crying lol.

Now the C910 is only $60 right now after rebate so that was a pretty darn good deal, the Yeti was still $100 though and thats a lot (I know its worth it if you intend to use it a lot, but thats the problem I probably wont)

 

, if you podcast, or do some audio comentaries (like sc2 ) or even skyping, you wont regret it, its huge though, its only downside, but the sound for $100 is the best i tried. I kinda want to try the Rode Podecaster, but getting the stand and spider takes it to $350 and that for my case is too much.

 

Yeah I just started doing commentary on some of my gameplay videos, and I plan to try to do some video reviews for products instead of written reviews.

I knew it was huge, that makes it kinda cool and substantial, makes you feel like you spent your money on something. However the problem is my desk is PACKED I have nowhere for it really. I can put it to the left of my keyboard for single monitor stuff but it will block my view in triple monitor mode so I have to see what I can do with it. Maybe do a mod and have it on an adjustable arm or something that is mounted to the wall/desk.

 

Wow. Yes, that Yeti mic is pretty mean.

I take back everything I said about Zalman ZM-1. Get the Yeti!

 

It has a hole in the bottom and you can detach it from the included small mount, and move on to boom arms, this is the main reason i want to try the Rode Podecaster cause it wouldn't take much space, but i seen yetis owners just bought a boom and arm and install it, but doesn't look as cool. Either way you in for a treat if you like deep rich radio voice, this mic is really something, try to test it close and far see what you like the best.

Btw are you uploading your videos, i would like to see them, i'm kinda into SC2 commentaries n broadcasts.