What microphone do I need?

[Tarmack]

No, no they are not. And I really wish people would stop blindly promoting them. There is far better out there even at their own price points. The CAD U37 and Samson Meteor are better than the Snowball and the Audio Technica AT2020 crushes the Yeti. I'm pretty sure people only suggest them because that's what they were told about and they don't know any other microphones.

Yes.... let the hate flow through you.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Yes.... let the hate flow through you.

LMAO I've been pretty salty lately, and I've been on like three separate forums with people bleating about the Blue "desktop" mics.

Look, I'm not an expert. I'm hardly even worth listening to. I'm an audiophile though, I do love sound, and it's driving me bonkers how I keep seeing "advice" about how Blue's literal bottom-of-the-line microphone is so totally omg awesome you guys you'll never need anything else.

I've been up and down the ladder on microphones. I've owned the Snowball up to the $700 Neumann TLM 102. I haven't gone up into the 4-digit realm yet but I've tried a LOT of mics for a YouTuber no one really gives a damn about, and I can say with absolute certainty that under $100 microphones REALLY sound like they're under $100. There's no need to go up to those higher echelons considering we're all amateurs and mostly talking over video games, so most of the benefits of this or that microphone are going to be totally lost. However, there's definitely a good zone in the middle there where things sound as pro as they'll ever sound.

If you're a student or whatever and can't afford pro gear, that's fine! No one should ever put themselves in a budgetary crisis over a hobby. However, if you have money and want to make a good product, don't skimp out.

 

[just Moto]

I bought the Yeti

 

[Tarmack]

Look, I'm not an expert. I'm hardly even worth listening to. I'm an audiophile though, I do love sound, and it's driving me bonkers how I keep seeing "advice" about how Blue's literal bottom-of-the-line microphone is so totally omg awesome you guys you'll never need anything else.

Wasn't disagreeing with you in the slightest. I've been on the "You're only recommending Blue because it's the only microphone you've ever heard of" train for a long time now. Blue mics (Snowball and Yeti specifically), Dyson Vacuums, Dre Beats, Mac computers, all devices that are extremely well marketed but not worth their asking price.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

I bought the Yeti

Be careful with the interaction between the gain knob and the mic settings in Windows, the Yeti is a finicky b*****d. There's gonna be a VERY small sweet zone between where your audio is at a good level and where it's blown out. I think the best advice people gave me was set the Windows mic level at around 20-22% and work from there. Open up Audacity and start recording, working with the slider in the software and the gain knob on the Yeti and see how they interact.[DOUBLEPOST=1440024616,1440024480][/DOUBLEPOST]

Wasn't disagreeing with you in the slightest. I've been on the "You're only recommending Blue because it's the only microphone you've ever heard of" train for a long time now. Blue mics (Snowball and Yeti specifically), Dyson Vacuums, Dre Beats, Mac computers, all devices that are extremely well marketed but not worth their asking price.

It's actually sad because Blue's pro line is AMAZING. The Spark might as well be the de facto industry standard for Lets Plays and I really liked the Baby Bottle. Hell I use a Neat mic now and Neat is a Gibson brand but the company is run by the two guys who founded Blue. They're a FANTASTIC brand. Just their "consumer" line is pretty eugh.

 

[Tarmack]

A pop filter is used to stop air from your breath from hitting the mic and raising levels. It can be as simple as stretched breathable fabric over some kind of canvas (a metal lid or coat hanger) or a manufactured product with grips can be bought for less than $10 online.

As far as hissing, audio software such as Audacity have De-Esser filters to apply after recording however, hissing can be mitigated by the speaker with some training.

Just to expand on this because you're close, but missed the more important detail. Pop filters aren't for stopping your normal breath from raising audio levels. They are very specifically for two things. # 1 is "plosives", which are consonants that result in a higher than normal force of air from your mouth. Letter P, B, T, etc. When you are using a microphone that is proximity based, you are very close unless you're using it wrong and those hard consonants can overload what the microphone can handle which will result in clipping. Clipping is where the audio input is too powerful for the mic to record anything of value. If you're a foot away from the mic, I don't care how powerful your voice is, you don't need a pop filter.

Reason number 2 is to help keep spit off your mic.

 

[just Moto]

Be careful with the interaction between the gain knob and the mic settings in Windows, the Yeti is a finicky b*****d. There's gonna be a VERY small sweet zone between where your audio is at a good level and where it's blown out. I think the best advice people gave me was set the Windows mic level at around 20-22% and work from there. Open up Audacity and start recording, working with the slider in the software and the gain knob on the Yeti and see how they interact.[DOUBLEPOST=1440024616,1440024480][/DOUBLEPOST]

Wait for it...... ................... ......................... I own a mac

 

[Insidific]

No, no they are not. And I really wish people would stop blindly promoting them. There is far better out there even at their own price points. The CAD U37 and Samson Meteor are better than the Snowball and the Audio Technica AT2020 crushes the Yeti. I'm pretty sure people only suggest them because that's what they were told about and they don't know any other microphones.

The simple answer to the question is: the best microphone you can justify spending money on. It depends on how serious you are about making videos. If this is just something for fun, anything like an M-Audio Vocal Studio is fine (RaedWulf uses this one). If you're serious, pick up an interface and a regular studio mic. Get to know software like Audacity or Audition.

The reality is $100 is where mics become "halfway decent". Under that by much and you're in the realm of "it'll do for the price".

Blindly you act like I've never used the microphone before. From my experience as I stated the snowball is great and for a decent price.
I've not used the yeti but I'm pretty sure they're of similar quality. Especially from testing I've seen.

But of course because there not the microphones you'd suggest doesn't mean they're wrong.
I made a suggestion from my experience, get off your high horse.

What software do I need for recording? I'll be using a Mac.

I'd use audacity, it's the software that I use. It is available on mac, I can't link it though, just google it.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Blindly you act like I've never used the microphone before. From my experience as I stated the snowball is great and for a decent price.
I've not used the yeti but I'm pretty sure they're of similar quality. Especially from testing I've seen.

But of course because there not the microphones you'd suggest doesn't mean they're wrong.
I made a suggestion from my experience, get off your high horse.



I'd use audacity, it's the software that I use. It is available on mac, I can't link it though, just google it.

I'm curious then what microphones you have any experience with. What have you compared the Snowball to? What mic do you use currently?

I said "blindly" because many people suggest the Snowball or Yeti when that's all they've used. Someone else told them to get a Blue mic, so they bought it and tell everyone how it's the best thing ever without any experience elsewhere. I'm not on a high horse, I'm trying to stop people from wasting money on sub-par equipment.

Seriously, if I just wanted to feel superior I'd tell people to keep using Snowballs and be satisfied that other YT'ers are shortchanging themselves.

 

[just Moto]

I appreciate your input SGD and if I had of read it last night probably would of gone the Audio Technica as I have a set of their headphones which have been fantastic for the money. Will have to see how I go with the Yeti first.