What is a USB Microphone? In short it is the easiest way to make high quality recordings on your computer. A USB Mic means you don’t have to buy lots of equipment, and it is very easy to set up. USB Microphones are portable and cross platform so if you buy one you should be able to use it on your PC, Mac, iPad, and laptop with minimum fuss. What is a USB microphone? It is the most cost effective option for getting a decent recording onto your computer, tablet or smartphone.
It is literally a microphone which contains all the wiring necessary to simply connect to a USB port and start recording. And often a USB mic will also have a headphone out, so as well as recording, you can listen directly to the sound through headphones. If you are not sure about how that might sound – then you can audition all the best selling USB mics in one place in our ultimate guide to USB Microphones.
What is a USB Mic?
- The USB Mic In A Nutshell
- USB Microphones in Action – How To Record a Voiceover Video Tutorial
- Five of the Best: Tried And Tested High Quality USB Mics
- What is a USB Microphone Best For?
- What is the alternative to a USB Microphone?
- How does a USB Microphone work?
- What Is A USB Microphone – Frequently Asked Questions
- Further Reading
The USB Mic In A Nutshell
- Plug and Play
- Cross-Platform (Windows, Mac, Tablet (with appropriate adapter)
- No additional equipment needed
- Low budget, good quality recording
USB Microphones in Action – How To Record a Voiceover Video Tutorial
This video shows you how to set up and record with a USB in a popular DAW (digital audio workstation recording software)
Now you know what is a USB mic, then next question is: which is the best USB microphone? Our ultimate guide to USB mics shows all the most popular mics in action. You can listen to them, and see video reviews of each one in turn.
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Five of the Best: Tried And Tested High Quality USB Mics
If you want to know how good a USB Microphone can sound, click the audio buttons below to audition four of the highest quality USB mics currently available.
Shure MV7 USB/XLR Podcast Mic
The Shure MV7 Podcast Mic is one of the best USB mics we have tested for voiceovers. Easy to use, built-in DSP so you can adjust the sound of it from within a dedicated app, high quality, and dual format. So you can use as either a USB mic, or as an XLR mic – or even as both at the same time! Click here to purchase the Shure MV7. Or find out more in our detailed review of the Shure MV7.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
High quality USB version of the iconic AT2020 condenser microphone. Includes headphone port, and monitor mix dial. Click here to purchase the AT2020USB Plus. Or find out more in our detailed review of the AT2020USB+.
Blue Yeti USB Mic
Evergreen solid USB mic with switchable pickup patterns. A super cool looking desk microphone. Purchase the Blue Yeti USB Mic. Or find out more in our detailed review of the Blue Yeti.
Shure MV51
Multi-platform out of the box. Built-in DSP for multiple recording situations. Excellent “out of the box” settings – super high quality and brilliant for live streaming. Click here to purchase the Shure MV51. Or read more in our detailed review of the Shure MV51.
Blue Yeti Pro USB/XLR Mic
A high resolution version for the standard Blue Yeti mic with the added benefit of XLR. Use either as an analog OR USB microphone, so super flexible recording solution. Click here to purchase the Blue Yeti Pro. Or find out more in our detailed review of the Blue Yeti Pro XLR/USB.
Click here to see and hear more USB Mics in action. – Watch video reviews and listen to full res audio recordings of ALL the best selling microphones we have tested out.
What is a USB Microphone Best For?
Apart from being a very good way of capturing vocals and performances of acoustic instruments etc, the USB Mic is particularly good for all the following too: video voiceovers; podcasts; internet radio; skype and other forms of chat; hypnotherapy tapes; conferences; interviews and so on.
If you want to make a good quality recording and you do not have the budget or time to buy all the separate components you would need to set up a small home studio then a USB Microphone should be on your shopping list. Furthermore, a USB mic is ultra portable so you can take it anywhere with you. And with the right connector, you should also be able to use it with your iPad.
What is the alternative to a USB Microphone?
You can spend a lot more money and buy separate components (a quality microphone and an audio interface with input for a microphone) However this will be much more expensive option than a USB microphone. Plus an interface + XLR mic is a more flexible solution. Read the pros and cons of this alternative in our article where we have a direct head-to-head comparison of a USB mic vs an XLR mic and interface.
Another option is you can buy a dynamic microphone and plug it straight into your mic port on your computer (if indeed it has one). This will be cheaper but will produce a poor quality recording compared to buying a USB microphone.
If you do want a more sophisticated set-up then we have lots of other posts about setting up a small home studio. The best entry level alternative to buying a USB microphone is to buy an all-in-one recording studio package. This is a pack containing an audio interface, microphone and headphones. Everything you need to start recording. More expensive than a simple USB mic, but much more versatile.
How does a USB Microphone work?
The USB Microphone is a quality microphone with a “built in” interface so that you can plug it directly into your USB port. You bypass your computer’s built in sound card for recording so the result is much better. It also has the necessary amplification so the signal is at the right level.
What Is A USB Microphone – Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sound card as well?
No! This is the whole point of a USB Mic. You do not need to buy an additional sound card when you purchase a USB microphone. It boils down to how does a USB mic work. (See above FAQ)
You do not need to buy an additional sound card when you purchase a USB microphone. Your computer will already have a built in sound card for playing back sound. The USB microphone contains the equivalent of a sound card for recording (and some will also be able to play back). So depending on which USB microphone you buy, you will either record with the USB microphone then play your recording back through your computer’s soundcard OR you will plug headphones into the USB microphone (if it has a headphone socket) and then you can both record and playback through the mic.
What recording software do You need?
Many USB microphones come with recording software. If you just want to make simple recordings on your PC or Mac, then we recommend you download Audacity. In this software you can easily record several tracks, edit and mix.
If you want to do more then you can use a USB microphone with any recording software. Be aware, though, that if you buy a USB microphone without a headphone socket you cannot ‘direct monitor’. You should always choose a USB microphone with headphone output if you want to overlay vocal tracks and listen to yourself at the same time.
If you are on an iPad then Garageband is a great recording app, and there are plenty of others too. All will work with your USB mic once it is correctly connected.
Will a USB microphone be good enough for your recording needs?
A USB microphone is a great way of getting started with recording on your computer or tablet. It is so easy and gives such a great result for the money that most people are delighted with their USB mic. If you know right now that you want a small home studio set up and you want to record several instruments, hook up keyboards and other hardware, then you should definitely be looking at buying an audio interface instead.
However for recording a solo vocalist, or for all the other uses listed then a USB mic will almost certainly suit your needs. Most importantly you will not be overwhelmed, as it is so simple, that you will actually achieve a great recording result within minutes. And even if you choose in the future to upgrade, the portable USB microphone will always be a useful bit of kit to have available.