4 best microphones for PC [Gaming, USB & Wireless]

In this list we present the list of the most popular microphones for PC, both for streaming and for music recording with semi-professional qualities. We will delve into those most popular ones that are considered the best according to their price-performance ratio.

• • Sound characteristics?
  • Factors influencing microphone sound capture?

Cheap microphones for recording studio

Microphone AT 2020

Condenser microphone. Designed for capturing any acoustic source, although it stands out for digital capture for music, compared to a USB microphone, the sound is warmer and more accurate. The AT2020 gives you a quality sound pickup for recordings that need a medium-high quality. The flexibility of the setting requires an analog mixer, and knowledge of recording.

As a drawback, it should be said that this is not a plug-and-play microphone, ie for those occasional amateurs can be complicated to configure. Another fact to take into account is that it does not include XLR cable and requires 48V power supply. It also requires a mixer for the XLR cable input.

• Output: USB
• Output: USB.
• Weight: 345 g
• Pattern: Omnidirectional, Unidirectional, Bidirectional
• SPL max: 144 dB
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Accessories: Microphone stand adapter, protective pocket

Microphone AKG P120

Double-diaphragm condenser microphone. Universal recording quality AKG. Its capsule is 0.66 inches. The microphone is capable of capturing voices and instruments at high quality. Ideal for home recording studios for beginners. Robust construction as it is made of metal.

As a disadvantage this microphone does not capture the treble well because it presents some problems to capture notes or high-pitched sounds. So you will not be able to get the most out of it if this is going to be its purpose.

• Neewer NW 800
• Behringer C3
• Behringer C1U
• Samson C01
• Shure SM58
• Sure SM58

Cheap microphones for streaming

Microphone Blue Snowball Ice

A plug and play microphone with a unique design, very economical and good value for money. It offers semi-professional performance.  It offers two pattern modes, cardioid and omnidirectional pickup. It is available in six different colors to suit the tastes of our set-up.

On the downside, it does not have a 3.5 jack input for headphones, which is essential for voice-over video. It only has a single cardiode voice mode.

• Output: USB
• Output: USB
• Weight: 460 g
• Pattern: Omnidirectional, Unidirectional (cardiode)
• SPL max: 97.5/101dB
• Frequency response: 40H z-180kHz
• Accessories: Adjustable metal stand

Microphone Fifine K669

Cardioid pattern consonator microphone that lends itself to high-end microphone qualities. Obtains an excellent sound and includes volume control from the microphone body. It has only one recording mode. Ideal for youtubers and semi-professional streamers.

Some of the drawbacks are: It has no 3.5 jack input (important for voice-over recordings, its accessories do not include boom or anti-pop filter. You can not disconnect the cable from the microphone being unplugged only by its USB side.

• Output: USB
• Output: USB
• Weight: 430 g
• Pattern: Polar cardiode
• Maximum SPL:
• Frequency response:20Hz-20 kHz
• Accessories: Includes tripod stand

Other cheap microphones for streaming

• Neewer NW 800
• Samson Go Mic
• HyperX QuadCast
• Elgato Wave:3
• Rode NT-USB
• Rode NT1
• Blue Yeti X

Sound characteristics?

Intensity: They are classified as strong or weak, depending on the sound pressure. Its intensity is defined as a function of the amplitude of the sound wave, it is the measure of the energy it transports.

Tone: It is determined by the frequency of the sound, so we can classify sounds as low or high-pitched, being low frequency low sounds and high frequency high-pitched sounds.

Timbre: It is the characteristic sound that each sound has, for example, before two sounds of the same tone and intensity we can differentiate the nature that emits the sound, a piano versus a violin.

Factors that influence the sound capture of the microphone?

When choosing a microphone we have to take into account some of the factors that can influence the sound capture. So if we get a poor quality of it we should not blame only the microphone, it may be that some other factor influences the final result, having the quality of the microphone a minimum influence.

Among the factors that influence the sound pickup are: the acoustics of the room where the recording is made, the sound card, the quality of the cable and the preamplifiers. In addition, one of the most decisive factors resides in ourselves, specifically thevoice timbre.

What kind of microphone do I need? Types of microphones?

Plug-and-play microphones: Easy to use, they provide excellent sound quality. They are ideal for beginners or people with no previous experience in sound and sound editing. They do not require any additional accessory for operation.

Condenser microphone: They are very sensitive microphones so they capture all kinds of sounds, including background noises that are barely heard. which makes that when recording certain sounds need a sound card for proper operation.

Dynamic microphones: Dynamic microphones are robust and reliable. They need neither batteries nor external power supplies. they give a smooth and extended response, which makes them flexible in fulfilling different roles. However, they require a sound card for proper operation.