BLACK MARKET CAMERA

USB Microphone

USB microphones tend to be used by those looking to start a podcast as a hobby, not a profession. This is because they are easier to set up and quite often they are a lot cheaper than XLR microphones too. They are really good starting ground for a beginner, due to the low cost and the lack of technical knowledge needed.

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XLR Microphone

XLR microphones offer a lot more adaptability and customisation because they have to be routed through an interface. They are often built with durability in mind, so they're more likely to withstand the tests of time. You can often replace individual components without a problem.

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You only need to worry about Audio Interfaces if you are using an XLR setup. Audio Interface takes the analogue signal (your voice) from the microphone and transforms it into a digital signal your computer can use. USB microphones have this essentially built-in which is why quality is generally cheaper as it has to compact everything into one device. Having a dedicated Audio Interface gives you more control over how you sound.

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Condenser microphones are quite popular in vocal recording, meaning they are a typical purchase for streamers. This is because they are built with accuracy in mind.

The issue with their accuracy, though, is that they may be too sensitive in rooms that aren’t adequately treated, meaning they’ll pick up unwanted sounds like echo, air conditioning, or the dog barking across the street. We recommend looking into condenser microphones ONLY if you have a quiet or treated space to record in.

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Dynamic Microphones work opposite of Condenser Microphones in a few ways:

• They’re more durable

• They’re not as sensitive (making them better for untreated environments)

• They don’t require Phantom Power

• They are typically cheaper

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To put it simply, Condensers may give you a more “accurate” and full sound of your voice and is great if you plan on doing some singing on stream or if you are quite a range-y speaker. Without the proper recording environment, be prepared to do some tinkering around to avoid unnecessary noise coming in. If your focus is more level headed discussion such as podcasts and you are going to be doing more “spoken word” style of speaking; Dynamic may be the way to go. 

Omnidirectional

Perfect for: interviews, moving subjects

Omnidirectional mics record audio from every direction. Typically you will want to use an omnidirectional mic when recording audio that you can’t control very well (like ambience, a press conference, or a moving talking head).

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Cardioid

Perfect for: documentary recording, weddings, events

A cardioid pickup pattern is a highly flexible pickup pattern that is great for all-purpose use.

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Hypercardioid

Perfect for: on-camera mics, documentary recording, and instrument recording

A hypercardioid pickup pattern is a directional pickup pattern that is great for isolating audio.

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Supercardioid

Perfect for: reality television, scripted content

Supercardioid mics are the most popular types of microphones for indie filmmakers because they give users the ability to isolate audio while still allowing for a slight margin of error. 

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Unidirectional

Perfect for: narrative film, controlled sets

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Bidirectional

Perfect for: podcasts, radio interviews

A bidirectional microphone is a mic designed to pickup audio equally from the front and back of the mic. Typically, bidirectional microphones are used for radio interview recording or podcasting.

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To hook up more than one microphone, you’ll need that number of inputs on your interface to supply all those microphones with connectivity. Some brands offer dual microphones to cater to such needs. Alternatively, you can get an audio mixer to control few microphones at the same time.