Need a good microphone

Rachel Embry · 07-07-2009, 08:12 AM

Can someone give me a suggesstion for a decent microphone or headset/mic combo?

It needs to be under $50 and have decent sound quality for recording screenshot videos & audio for my website.

The one I have now is a desktop mic and it sounds REALLY fuzzy. My computer mic also sounds terrible as well.

There are so many choices- I'd rather just hear a suggesstion from someone who's found a good cheap mic that works well for online sound quality.

Thanks!
Rachel

J Elizabeth Dize · 07-07-2009, 08:17 AM

I use and love the Logitech USB headset microphone.

Amazon.com: Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB...
Makes for good sound quality when recording videos.

Marty S · 07-07-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel Embry

Can someone give me a suggestion for a decent microphone or headset/mic combo?

It needs to be under $50 and have decent sound quality for recording screenshot videos & audio for my website.

That sounds a little too cheap Rachel, but I am sure ebay will have something used for that price. I would look at the logitech USB headsets, which is what I have been using. I have literally made hundreds of videos using their top products.

Sean Kelly · 07-07-2009, 08:18 AM

I spent a lot of money on many different microphones.. from digital mics to professional mics with gold plated connectors.

They all failed to impress me because I could hear the computer buzz in the background. Now I use a cheapo headset I bought for less than $10 and the sound quality is perfect.

It just proves that you do not need to shell out a lot of a cash for a fancy mic when a cheap one does just as good a job if not better (in my case at least).

Here is the one I use:
Logitech PC Headset 120 Headset : Compare prices and read reviews

TeddyP · 07-07-2009, 08:20 AM

I also use the logitec headset and have no complaints. I get a great sound from recording in a car as well. If you can do that it is worth a shot.

Mark Riddle · 07-07-2009, 08:24 AM

a USB headset mic will be the sound quality that you may be looking for.

Plantronics is a good brand, there are others, price range of $25-$45

If you are going to do a lot of voice work a Samson C01U will be a great choice for under $70 on many sites online. It is a studio desk mic and will need a stand and mount.

Mark Riddle

Rezbi · 07-07-2009, 08:28 AM

Don't know if this will be any use but I have a Logitech 5000 webcam and the microphone on it is crystal clear. You can get that for just over $50.

Rachel Embry · 07-07-2009, 08:28 AM

Thanks very much everyone- I appreciate it!

Loren Woirhaye · 07-07-2009, 08:31 AM

because I wanted a mic with great sound quality which
would work with a video camera (pre-amp in mic) I bought
a Sony ECM-MS907, a mic designed for DAT recorders.

It plugs into the side jack on my laptop too and there
is no latency to the signal, which can be an issue with
the better USB "Podcasting" mics, as I understand it,
and they are spendy anyway.

It's not a headset but it sounds good and that's what I
want because I do videos where the sound of my voice matters.

Fernando Veloso · 07-07-2009, 08:36 AM

Rachel,

Check the PC soundcard, sometimes you buy a 1K micro just to find out the soundcard it's the source of noise.

And yes, I use a 5€ Mitsai microphone and the sound is good.

Andy · 07-07-2009, 08:48 AM

Hi Rachael,

I'm with Fernando - make sure your sound card is good. If you've used two different mics and your sound is fuzzy, the problem may not be the mics.

Try the mics on a different computer to be sure. If you need to you can hop on down to the nearest place that sells computers or even the library.

God bless,

Andy

Seiber · 07-07-2009, 09:17 AM

To tell you the complete truth, if you are looking for a great microphone with amazing quality, you may want to heighten your budget requirements. I have a few microphones laying around my office drawers gathering dust. Most of them are Logitech, one's an old Kingston, and there's another that I modified from an old webcam.

If you're looking for quality, the only microphone I use now for my music recordings is the Blue Snow Ball USB Microphone. The link is to it's Amazon page, where I ordered mine. They run from $79 to $99, depending on quality, used or new, etcetera etcetera. But, yes, quality comes with the Blue line of products.

Edit: scratch the link part, this is my first post. Nevertheless, go to Amazon and search for "Blue Snow Ball USB Microphone" and you'll go right to it.

SEIBERTECH

Wade Watson · 07-07-2009, 10:05 AM

Podcasting wiz Leo Laporte swears by the Plantronics DSP-500. He always sends one to his new correspondents. You can usually find one for under $50 after shipping on eBay. I've been meaning to pick one up, too. I've been planning to pick one up, myself, since microphone is crap, too.

The TWiT Netcast Network with Leo Laporte

--Wade

Brad Gosse · 07-07-2009, 10:18 AM

Logitech clearchat USB is the one for you! I love mine.

Rachel Embry · 07-07-2009, 10:36 AM

Thanks Brad- I just looked at your Cork Board WSO- very interesting....

macknox · 07-07-2009, 10:47 AM

Rachel,
I have a Samson C01U and it is good but I also use a cheap Logitech 120 with phono plugs - I want to keep my USB sockets free.

What I found is that is depends on the Soundcard.
On my old computer the Logitech sounded quiet and poor, then on my new computer it's good enough for Dragon Natuarlly speaking... and even Camtasia.

The soundcard comes with some software which you can tweak and you can change the dB level.

Maybe if you click around the audio player/options as well as the control panel sound options you could 'release' its full potential!

Note: the Samson picks up everything and you'll need to cut out background noise with Audacity or Camtasia built-in function.

07-07-2009, 08:12 AM	#1
Rachel Embry Starbucks Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 155 Thanks: 16 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking	Need a good microphone Can someone give me a suggesstion for a decent microphone or headset/mic combo? It needs to be under $50 and have decent sound quality for recording screenshot videos & audio for my website. The one I have now is a desktop mic and it sounds REALLY fuzzy. My computer mic also sounds terrible as well. There are so many choices- I'd rather just hear a suggesstion from someone who's found a good cheap mic that works well for online sound quality. Thanks! Rachel

07-07-2009, 08:17 AM	#2
J Elizabeth Dize That Girl War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 1,812 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 435 Thanked 320 Times in 159 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Need a good microphone I use and love the Logitech USB headset microphone. Amazon.com: Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB... Makes for good sound quality when recording videos.

07-07-2009, 08:18 AM	#4
Sean Kelly Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 750 Thanks: 5 Thanked 34 Times in 24 Posts Contact Info	Re: Need a good microphone I spent a lot of money on many different microphones.. from digital mics to professional mics with gold plated connectors. They all failed to impress me because I could hear the computer buzz in the background. Now I use a cheapo headset I bought for less than $10 and the sound quality is perfect. It just proves that you do not need to shell out a lot of a cash for a fancy mic when a cheap one does just as good a job if not better (in my case at least). Here is the one I use: Logitech PC Headset 120 Headset : Compare prices and read reviews
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07-07-2009, 08:20 AM	#5
TeddyP HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 154 Thanks: 26 Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Need a good microphone I also use the logitec headset and have no complaints. I get a great sound from recording in a car as well. If you can do that it is worth a shot.
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07-07-2009, 08:24 AM	#6
Mark Riddle Breakthrough Expert War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Finally in Branson, MO !!, USA. Posts: 1,171 Thanks: 232 Thanked 190 Times in 122 Posts	Re: Need a good microphone a USB headset mic will be the sound quality that you may be looking for. Plantronics is a good brand, there are others, price range of $25-$45 If you are going to do a lot of voice work a Samson C01U will be a great choice for under $70 on many sites online. It is a studio desk mic and will need a stand and mount. Mark Riddle
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07-07-2009, 08:28 AM	#7
Rezbi Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lancashire, United Kingdom. Posts: 1,547 Thanks: 226 Thanked 215 Times in 181 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Need a good microphone Don't know if this will be any use but I have a Logitech 5000 webcam and the microphone on it is crystal clear. You can get that for just over $50.
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07-07-2009, 08:28 AM	#8
Rachel Embry Starbucks Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 155 Thanks: 16 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking	Re: Need a good microphone Thanks very much everyone- I appreciate it!

07-07-2009, 08:31 AM	#9
Loren Woirhaye Who'm I kidding? War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Easthampton, Massachusetts Posts: 4,554 Blog Entries: 15 Thanks: 118 Thanked 921 Times in 659 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Need a good microphone because I wanted a mic with great sound quality which would work with a video camera (pre-amp in mic) I bought a Sony ECM-MS907, a mic designed for DAT recorders. It plugs into the side jack on my laptop too and there is no latency to the signal, which can be an issue with the better USB "Podcasting" mics, as I understand it, and they are spendy anyway. It's not a headset but it sounds good and that's what I want because I do videos where the sound of my voice matters.
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07-07-2009, 08:36 AM	#10
Fernando Veloso Portuguese Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Good Old Europe Posts: 4,013 Blog Entries: 7 Thanks: 1,660 Thanked 1,054 Times in 705 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Need a good microphone Rachel, Check the PC soundcard, sometimes you buy a 1K micro just to find out the soundcard it's the source of noise. And yes, I use a 5€ Mitsai microphone and the sound is good.
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07-07-2009, 08:48 AM	#11
Andy Advanced Warrior Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 599 Thanks: 39 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Need a good microphone Hi Rachael, I'm with Fernando - make sure your sound card is good. If you've used two different mics and your sound is fuzzy, the problem may not be the mics. Try the mics on a different computer to be sure. If you need to you can hop on down to the nearest place that sells computers or even the library. God bless, Andy
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07-07-2009, 09:17 AM	#12
Seiber Entrepreneurial Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cullowhee, North Carolina Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Need a good microphone To tell you the complete truth, if you are looking for a great microphone with amazing quality, you may want to heighten your budget requirements. I have a few microphones laying around my office drawers gathering dust. Most of them are Logitech, one's an old Kingston, and there's another that I modified from an old webcam. If you're looking for quality, the only microphone I use now for my music recordings is the Blue Snow Ball USB Microphone. The link is to it's Amazon page, where I ordered mine. They run from $79 to $99, depending on quality, used or new, etcetera etcetera. But, yes, quality comes with the Blue line of products. Edit: scratch the link part, this is my first post. Nevertheless, go to Amazon and search for "Blue Snow Ball USB Microphone" and you'll go right to it. SEIBERTECH
	Last edited by Seiber; 07-07-2009 at 11:49 AM. Reason: Can't link quite yet

07-07-2009, 10:05 AM	#13
Wade Watson HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 40 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Need a good microphone Podcasting wiz Leo Laporte swears by the Plantronics DSP-500. He always sends one to his new correspondents. You can usually find one for under $50 after shipping on eBay. I've been meaning to pick one up, too. I've been planning to pick one up, myself, since microphone is crap, too. The TWiT Netcast Network with Leo Laporte --Wade

07-07-2009, 10:18 AM	#14
Brad Gosse Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orangeville, Ontario Posts: 2,921 Thanks: 1,344 Thanked 1,128 Times in 595 Posts Social Networking	Re: Need a good microphone Logitech clearchat USB is the one for you! I love mine.
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07-07-2009, 10:36 AM	#15
Rachel Embry Starbucks Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 155 Thanks: 16 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking	Re: Need a good microphone Thanks Brad- I just looked at your Cork Board WSO- very interesting....

07-07-2009, 10:47 AM	#16
macknox Thinking out loud War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 121 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 28 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Need a good microphone Rachel, I have a Samson C01U and it is good but I also use a cheap Logitech 120 with phono plugs - I want to keep my USB sockets free. What I found is that is depends on the Soundcard. On my old computer the Logitech sounded quiet and poor, then on my new computer it's good enough for Dragon Natuarlly speaking... and even Camtasia. The soundcard comes with some software which you can tweak and you can change the dB level. Maybe if you click around the audio player/options as well as the control panel sound options you could 'release' its full potential! Note: the Samson picks up everything and you'll need to cut out background noise with Audacity or Camtasia built-in function.