You know that moment when you’re just about to get ready for a gig and you discover that your mic isn’t working? Or maybe it is, but the sound in the venue is terrible. If you’re about to have a podcast, then one of the first things you should do is buy some gear and learn how to use it.
There are 2 different types of microphones.
1. USB microphones
2. XLR.
- USB microphones are usually the trend nowadays because of their convenience and fast installation. They also have a lesser cost compared to XLR microphones.
- Yes, they are convenient but XLR mics provide better sound quality in addition to being more durable.
- XLR mics need phantom power, which means your mixer/sound interface (more on this later) needs phantom power for it to work; meaning you’ll have to buy your own mixer/sound interface if you want good sound quality.
- This is the only disadvantage for XLR mics, everything else about it is better. Trust me on this one.
- USB mics only provide 2 types of polar patterns, omnidirectional and cardioid. XLR mics provide 5 types: omnidirectional, bidirectional, cardioid, hyper-cardioid, super-cardioid
- XLR microphones are more professional than USB microphones; even if they don’t provide as good sound quality as some USB microphones do.
- However, XLR mics are more expensive. XLR microphones have switches for selecting the 3 types of polar patterns and a knob for adjusting the gain (volume). USB microphones only have a knob to adjust the volume.
- This is my personal opinion, but I would recommend XLR microphones because they provide better sound quality. But if you don’t want to carry too many wires, USB mics aren’t bad though, a slightly expensive USB microphone can achieve better sound quality than a Mid-Range XLR microphone.
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