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Streaming games and trying to build a following can be a lot of fun.
Before getting started, you’re going to need the right equipment, though. And one of the most important things to buy is a good microphone.
You might not have a lot of money to spend right now. That’s fine because there are still good microphones that you can purchase that won’t hurt your wallet but still offers great sound quality.
Before you purchase a new mic, you need to know what to look for. So here’s a quick guide first. You’ll find some suggestions for good mics for streaming further down.
What Is a Microphone for Streaming?
Whether we are talking about video games, movies, music, streaming, or podcasting, the same thing is true: bad sound ruins the experience for the audience.
There are many different kinds of microphones, but you’ll want one that is meant to be connected to a PC or Mac – either directly via USB or through a good sound card.
Some microphones are built into certain webcams. That means you can technically start streaming using the built-in mic on your webcam, assuming it has one.
Even if your webcam does come with a built-in mic, it’ll be better to have a standalone mic because the ones in webcams are not very good.
If it doesn’t have one, you’ll need to buy a high-quality mic before you start streaming.
Audio is a big part of the experience when you’re streaming to an audience. You want everyone to be able to hear your voice.
Some webcam microphones won’t be the best overall, and you’ll have a better time using microphones that are specifically meant for activities such as streaming and podcasting.
There’s a lot to think about when shopping for a streaming microphone.
What to Look for When Buying a Microphone for Streaming
Knowing what to look for when buying a microphone will partially depend on what you want.
Do you want to find the best budget USB microphone? Or are you looking for something with the highest quality possible?
These aren’t necessarily the same as the traditional large membrane condenser microphones you see in music studios, don’t come with a USB plug.
They also require a preamp with 48v phantom power, which means it’s not enough to buy the microphone alone. This doesn’t make it a very affordable choice.
A popular choice amongst streamers who want the best is to go with something like the dynamic Shure SM7B (link to Amazon), which is also often used in music studios.
But even though this microphone doesn’t require phantom power, it still needs a beefy preamp to drive it.
This content was first published on GameDaft.com
As a long-time musician, I’m lucky to own all this gear. And even though it can produce great sound quality, it’s not what I would recommend as an affordable choice for streaming.
Luckily, good USB microphones out there won’t break the bank. USB microphones work right out of the box.
That means you don’t need an extra preamp or an expensive soundcard. You don’t necessarily need a microphone arm or stand, as many come with a stand to be placed on the table. You can simply plug it in, and you’re good to go.
USB microphones are also less sensitive than traditional large capsule condenser microphones. This is actually a good thing because unless you have an acoustically treated room, you’re going to have a lot of reverb on your voice, which is not recommended.
Below, I’ve created a list of the best USB microphones for streaming. These are affordable options that still perform admirably.
The Best Microphone for Streaming and Gaming
Take a look at the microphones below. All of these microphones are good for streaming, but they differ in certain ways.
So don’t make a purchase until you’ve considered the pros and cons of each microphone below.
1. Blue Yeti Nano
Blue Microphones is a fairly new brand (founded in 1995 – in comparison, Neumann microphones have been in production since 1928), but it has made a huge splash in the industry and is now owned by Logitech, who are no strangers to producing high-quality gear for gamers and streamers.
The Blue Yeti Nano is a popular choice because it offers excellent sound quality, zero-latency monitoring, and doesn’t cost a fortune.
The Blue Yeti also has a mute function, which is a crucial feature, many don’t consider. That will be pretty important for when you need to cough or sneeze while streaming.
It also has a headphone output with volume controls, so you can control anything sound-related directly from the mic. To add to this, the microphone itself is rather small and light.
The downside is that it’s a bit more expensive than the other mics on this list – but still very budget-friendly! Plus, you get what you pay for!
Pros
- Great features
- Good sound quality
- Light and small
Cons
- Possibly too expensive for a budget microphone
Check the current price on Amazon.
2. Audio Technica AT2020USB+
Audio Technica is a company best known for producing great studio microphones and headphones musicians and sound engineers use. But they’ve also converted some of their designs so they can be used as USB microphones
One such example is the Audio Technica AT2020USB+ (link to Amazon), a great mic to use for streaming and recording music at home.
Coming from a company that specializes in equipment for musicians, it’s no wonder that this microphone is exceptionally well-built and offers truly excellent sound quality.
It doesn’t have some standard features that you’d expect out of a streaming mic, though.
For example, it doesn’t have a normal mute button, but you can turn down your voice instead and only allow the game audio through (using the mix control button on the mic).
If you’re looking for a microphone that will capture your voice in a natural voice (it has a smooth linear response that adds a bit of air in the higher frequencies) and really good audio quality at an affordable price, then this is the mic for you, even if it isn’t a traditional streaming mic.
Pros
- Incredible sound quality
- Well-built
- XLR microphone
Cons
- Not a traditional streaming mic
- Expensive
- Lacks normal streaming mic features
Check the current price on Amazon.
3. RODE NT-USB-Mini
Australian company RODE (written RØDE) is another microphone company that has transitioned from the music industry to video and streaming. I know many who still use RODE mics on vocals – especially for rap vocals – and just as many who use them for recording videos for YouTube and more.
The RODE NT-USB-Mini is a great microphone with an entry-level price. It’s a good beginner mic for many different reasons, but it still offers great sound quality, and your voice will sound great while streaming.
You’ll also be able to enjoy good but fairly standard features. This microphone offers zero-latency monitoring, mute features, and standard headphone volume controls.
It’s also good that it has a simple but nice design. The mic is very compact, making it easy to find a spot for it in your streaming setup.
The microphone even has dedicated output controls for streaming apps like OBS or Xsplit, which makes setting up live-stream audio easy.
It also comes with a pair of headphones (which are not great, to be honest). So buy this for the microphone. It’s still a great deal.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Software works well
- Good standard features
- Affordable
Cons
- Mic sometimes picks up a bit of background noise
- Software will only work with NT minis
Check the current price on Amazon.
4. Razer Seiren Mini
The Razer Seiren Mini is an attractive microphone that will look great on your streams. It has a pill-shaped minimalistic design that looks awesome.
Aside from looking nice, this microphone offers good sound quality, ensuring your audio sounds clear and crisp while streaming to your audience.
The downside is, that because of the minimalistic design the Razer Seiren Mini has no extra features like headphone out or mute button fx.
But, considering this microphone’s price, the lack of features will make sense. This mic is a budget-friendly option and a bargain.
Pros
- Good overall sound quality
- Microphone looks really nice
- Very affordable
Cons
- No mute button
- Doesn’t have proprietary micro-USB
Check the current price on Amazon.
5. HyperX SoloCast
If you want another minimalistic microphone, consider the HyperX SoloCast. It’s a microphone that sounds so good that it can match the quality of much more expensive microphones.
Like the Razer above, it doesn’t have all the quality features that some more expensive mics boast. Regardless, it’s well worth the money if you’re looking for an affordable USB microphone for streaming.
Pros
- Super sound quality
- Very reasonable price
- Excellent portable design
Cons
- Lacks features
Check the current price on Amazon.
6. JLab Audio Talk GO
People just starting with streaming will benefit from buying this budget mic. The JLab Audio Talk GO is a solid mic that will work when you don’t have much cash.
What you get for the price is very impressive overall. It’s definitely among the best start mics that you can buy when you want to begin streaming.
The mic looks pretty good on stream since it has subtle RGB lighting. It’s also nice that this mic has a portable design for your convenience, and the tripod provides a stable base.
Perhaps the biggest reason why you might not like this mic has to do with the sound. The sound is okay overall, but it isn’t great.
Sometimes the sound might sound slightly tinny depending on what you’re doing. It’s more than acceptable for a microphone in this price range, but if you have higher expectations, you might want a slightly pricier mic.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Subtle RGB lighting
- Portable
Cons
- The sound isn’t perfect
Check the current price on Amazon.
In Closing
Each of these mics will be good for streaming.
Some of the more expensive mics on this list offer better sound quality overall and more features. But if you can live without all the extra features, you can get some really good-sounding mics for a bargain.
The HyperX SoloCast is a great example of an affordable mic with good sound quality.
Eventually, you might want to upgrade and get something that has more features, but you can always do that when you have more money to spend after establishing yourself.
So do you want to focus on quality, or would you prefer to save as much cash as possible?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jan has played video games since the early 1980s. He loves getting immersed in video games as a way to take his mind off stuff when the outside world gets too scary. A lifelong gamer, the big interest led to a job as a lecturer on game sound at the University of Copenhagen and several written articles on video games for magazines.