![]() Many audio engineers will tell you that even middle-of-the-road XLR mics will typically produce a better sound than high-end USB mics. If you’re wondering how a USB mic can contain the same digital conversion function of a giant interface while being no bigger than an XLR mic, well the answer is that USB mics sacrifice a bit of quality. The majority of mics are XLR, and if you ever want to buy or even rent something else, you will most likely need an interface. At face value that may not seem like a big deal, but it severely limits your choice of microphones. USB microphones have a digital output, so they cannot be combined with an interface. The interface is meant to convert analog soundwaves to digital. To have multiple mics, you need an interface, and herein lies the issue with USB. Even if you get a splitter, USB inputs sometimes have trouble differentiating audio files which means your sound might be muddy, or in the worst-case scenario, unusable. Want to record a band? How about an interview? How about anything in true stereo sound (instead of dual mono)? Well, for any of these, you’ll need an XLR mic. Most situations will require multiple mics and multiple inputs. USBs tend to be plug-and-play, which is great if you need to record one thing at a time. This is probably the biggest drawback to a USB as far as we are concerned. ![]() A USB Microphone Can Limit Your Mixing Abilities Microphones are built to last and if you’re going to drop money on a decent one, might as well get one you’ll grow into. While the convenience and inexpensive nature of their all-in-one design is appealing to many with basic audio recording needs, for anyone serious about audio engineering, they are not a good investment. Let’s talk about reasons why you may not want to invest your hard-earned dollars into easy USB mics. Hey, if USB could do everything XLR could and be more convenient, XLR would quickly become obsolete. This is definitely convenient, but like most conveniences there are drawbacks. USB microphones, on the other hand, have a converting device built into them, meaning they can be plugged directly into a computer or other digital device. XLR cables are designed for analog, so when used these days for recording, XLR microphones require an audio interface to convert the analog soundwaves into digital. And herein lies a key difference between the USB hookup and the XLR. Both Condenser and dynamic mics create analog sound waves that must be converted to digital. This means that even though almost all recording and audio files these days are digital, there is not a widely used professional microphone that produces digital audio waves. The interesting thing is that there hasn’t been a new microphone type developed in decades. Digital World Technological advances in digital audio changed the way we record sounds. Dynamics are the adaptable workhorse of the microphone world. That’s why dynamics are the go-to for live performances. That lack of sensitivity also means they are less prone to feedback, however. They typically require higher sound pressure levels, meaning they are better for loud sources. As sound waves hit the diaphragm, the coils move, creating an electric charge. Each dynamic mic contains a coil attached to a diaphragm. Dynamic Micsĭynamic microphones convert sound waves into electrical signals using electromagnetic induction. Condensers are great at capturing high-frequency audio, making them a good choice for capturing vocals. As soundwaves hit the diaphragm the movement caused creates an electrical charge that’s similar to the original sound waves. Condenser MicsĬondenser microphones typically have a free-moving metal diaphragm attached to a static metal plate. Instead, we’ll focus on the condenser and dynamic mics. Most audio engineers only use them when they want a certain sound, so we won’t be discussing them. Ribbon mics are a bit old-fashioned and therefore more of a specialty thing. There are three basic types of microphones: condenser, dynamic, and ribbon. USB mics became a convenient way to upload digital audio files directly to your device. But here are a couple of reasons to avoid them. ![]() Many of the most popular models on the market today have a USB hookup. Whether you’re a musician, video creator, podcaster, or something else, you may be looking at your options such as USB microphones. If you’re looking to buy a USB microphone, there are far more options available today than ever before.
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