USB microphone suggestions?

Posted by Chak Aw on February 5, 2009 at 11:49pm in Home Recording

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I'm looking at picking up a USB microphone for scratchpad/demo recording fingerstyle guitar ideas onto my
laptop. I see that Blue, Audio Technica and Samson have models out. Any experience with these? Any other
suggestions I should look at?
Thanks!
Chak
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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kirsten Ray on February 6, 2009 at 7:23am

Of the USB mics I'm not sure which one has the best sound quality, but I do know that the Samson GTrack has everything you need all in one package. It comes with all of the cables to record your guitar
and stereo devices. It also comes with a desk mic stand if you don't have one already. The mic is
heavy so when using the included desk stand you have to situate the mic perfectly or it will fall over. Of
course you can also put the mic on a regular mic stand. With the G-Track you can record yourself and
your mic at the same time if you like. It is really easy to use - plug and play.
My one complaint, and I know this to be true of at least the Blue Snowball, a friend has it, that USB
mics don't seem hot enough when recording. Could be the power from the USB ports are not enough
and you need a powered hub. I tried to record one of my FAWM songs using my G-Track and I just
couldn't get the signal hot enough to match the level of the looped music I was singing over. I was
using the G-Track because it was easy and convenient, but I ended up setting up my Duet and
condenser mic.
If USB is the way to go for you right now then G-Track is the all-in-one package that I don't think can
be beat in terms of all you get. You could also get an XLR to USB adapter to make any mic a USB
mic XLR to USB Converters though by the ratings I don't think they do a good job. Since most places
have a return policy try the one you want and if it doesn't work out take it back and try another one.
I honestly think Jim is right on the money with the recommendation to get a condenser mic and a
separate pre-amp/computer interface. The price of the G-Track vs the Duet and condenser mic is big,
but well worth it. And I would only recommend getting a firewire interface. After having purchased a
USB mic I would not do it again.

Permalink Reply by ivorybill on February 6, 2009 at 7:42am

I bought the Blue SnowBall 2 years ago and can highly recommend it for your need. It's about the size
of a softball, comes with a small desktop stand. My only complaint is that the cable provided is a little
short, maybe 5ft. (perhaps USB cables have an effective length limit). FYI, I'm not a techy, and use a
Mac.

It is plug and play, simple to use, with a 3-way switch for Cardioid / Omni Condenser combinations.
The price has come down 50 bucks to $99 and is available in Apple stores (that's a good
endorsement). It's an affordable solution from a high-end mic company, and their first product "for the
masses." I see they now have a cheaper one called the SnowFlake, about the size of a golfball. I think
it is geared more for podcasting talk, so don't get that one.
My use is to get down ideas quickly, before they evaporate, which sounds like what you are looking for.
Of course, If you are trying to make "finished" pro recordings then something more expensive would be
in order as JIm Fay advised. The recordings on my page use that mic and Garage Band, and were
recorded in one take during my 20 min lunch break (mixed later). It's that easy to set up.

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on February 6, 2009 at 7:44am

I have heard of the Samson mic Kristen is referring to and it sounds like a good deal...I own a Samson
mic that is not USB-ready but is really a great sounding mic when put into my computer through my
Lexicon Omega interface. It goes for about $100 bucks on the street and is a condensor, with phantom
power and three pickup settings, hyper cardiod, figure 8 and omni...that's a lot for $100 bucks! Mine is
the CO3 and here is the URL to read about it:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1663&...
I believe the one Kristen is reffering to is the CO1U mic and if you go to this URL you can read about it
and download the manual for free!
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1810
Anyway, here is the address to my website. If you get a chance to visit, please feel free to sign the
Guestbook!
Thanks, Edward
http://mysite.verizon.net/emsparks/index.htm

Permalink Reply by Chris B. on February 6, 2009 at 8:21am

I definitely say the Snowball. For scratchpad/demo stuff it's the way to go, and $99 doesn't hurt that
much. I got one for my girlfriend, and she's making some awesome sounding stuff on her Mac. As far
as Kirsten's comment about USB mics not being loud enough, you definitely have to experiment with
the 3 different settings on the Snowball, they have dramatically different results. Good luck!
Chris

Permalink Reply by ivorybill on February 6, 2009 at 8:56am

yes, that level problem was fixed with an optional firmware update on the snowball a couple of years
ago. A response to those using it to record soft podcast conversations, as I recall. They had a high
gain and a low gain option. I didn't bother to update as I had no level problems. I agree with Chris, The
Snowball is the one.
http://www.bluemic.com/products/snowball

Permalink Reply by Robert Mattson on February 6, 2009 at 9:17am

For another path, I use a Zoom H2 for quick recordings. Good sound quality and extremely portable.
It's $179 in the latest catalog I got and you don't have to boot your computer to record! Very quick. I
just move the files using the SD card, but I think you could use it as a USB mic as well. Comes with it's
own little stand and an adapter that enables you to mount it on a mic stand. I love mine.
-Rob

Permalink Reply by ivorybill on February 6, 2009 at 10:33am

that Zoom H2 thing sounds like a great idea. Another cheap approach is to use an existing mic and this
$59 preamp usb connector product from Blue. The icicle:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blue-Icicle-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Converter?
sku=330275&src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

Permalink Reply by Kirsten Ray on February 6, 2009 at 2:26pm

Here is the link to the Samson G-Track

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1917
For quick and dirty I use the Tascam DR-1 - awesome sound!!

Permalink Reply by Reggie Burns on February 6, 2009 at 2:37pm

Do yourself a favor and get a large diaphragm recording mic (or even an SM57) and a MicPort Pro usb
mic preamp: http://www.centrance.com/products/mp/
It's an investment up front but you'll sound great.
USB mics offer more convenience than they do sound quality - I've never heard one that I've liked so
far. And, even if the mic sounds great, you are likely to be limited to 16-bit/48kHz conversion (instead
of 24/96) and may encounter driver problems.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Williams on February 6, 2009 at 3:33pm

The Samson G-Track Looks nice

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GTrackUSB/
and it ships with Cakewalk's Sonar LE and works with Apple's GarageBand.
you can record 3 tracks at once with this mic.
Another nice feature is the zero latency headphone jack WITH a cool 3 way switch for Stereo, mono ,
computer monitor.
MAudio has this mic and a Producer pack available at any Best Buy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8437159&type=prod...
I would also think that Audio Technica And Rode would be the high end of quality.
Audio Technica
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT2020USB/
Rode
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Podcaster/
So it just depends on if you like quality or features.
The Samson G-Track seems to be the hands down winner as far as features goes ..
I could be wrong . ;)
If anyone one else finds a mic with equal or greater features post a link ..
Hope this info helps
Take Care
Jeff Williams
www.jeffwilliams-usa.com

Permalink Reply by Chak Aw on February 6, 2009 at 11:55pm

As Jim Fay assumed, I did look at the separate mic preamp/computer interface route but honestly I
want easy plug and play, hence the USB mic route. Yes, I know the quality won't be the greatest but as

I said in my original post, I want something for recording demo/scratchpad ideas.

Staffan, you're getting really nice tone out of the Blue Snowball. Thanks for sharing your videos.
Thanks for all the feedback, ideas and links to follow up. Much appreciated!
Chak