Looking for a decent new mic

[SliceOfDog]

I'm looking to buy a new mic, a decent one for clean sounding recordings, but nothing fancy needed, I'm not going to be recording songs or music or anything like that. Just a simple mic that does it's job well. (For everyone waiting for the podcast, don't worry! The mic I have now works and is fine, but I would like it to be a little cleaner if I can get anything better)

I would like a fairly cheap one, but I realise cheap usually, with mics, means bad, so I'm expecting between about £30 and £50 (Roughly $40 - $70). I'm willing to go over, but don't particularly want to, money is a little tight for me at the moment and I won't be getting more for another month.

So anyway, anything you can recommend? Preferably mics you use or have used, and if possible perhaps with a link to something you've recorded on it?

Thanks for any help people can give.

[Samantha Arrow]

I haven't used it for recording anything - but I use it on online gaming and it seems to work well.

It's a Logitech headset model A-0374A.

I got it as a gift, but it shouldn't be too expensive or too cheap - my parents got it for me and their known for not going all out but not getting the cheapest they can get either.

But if you're looking to make professional recordings or something I wouldn't recommend it. It's great for gaming though.

[Wolfgang of Borg]

Umm i remember randomly seeing a blog post somewhere about this once ah yes here http://the0phrastus.typepad.com/the0...hone-test.html

Heres his audio sample http://the0phrastus.typepad.com/audi...Test96kbps.mp3

..the mic hes talking about is
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Microph...5592474&sr=8-1
.. £71 sorry.

Doing a froogle google
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=b...sa=N&start=120
we find
http://www.ilgs.co.uk/products.asp?partno=SNOWBALL/GB
..£64

Aw well.

[Daryn]

I have to say that I am not really a fan of the Blue Snowball. It clips at the high end and also pulls a lot of room noise in. Blue does make another one that is more expensive, but it really sounds awesome. I mean it, it's great.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Microph...5594892&sr=8-1

You can also go with the Shure SM58.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-SM58-L...5594999&sr=8-1

But you will need an XLR to USB adapter. You'll end up spending about the same price as the Yeti though.

If you plan to record stuff often, the Yeti will pay for itself.

Here is a sample of the Yeti.



I know it's more than you had stated, but it will do your voice justice.

[SliceOfDog]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have actually heard nothing but good things about the Yeti, and interestingly was talking a voice actor over email and asked them the same question; their suggestion was also the Yeti.

However, as I want it for purely non-profit means, I was a little sketchy about spending that much money. Most likely in the future I will, but for now I don't quite feel ready if there are any decent alternatives.

Looking if anything else had gotten good reviews, I came across this; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-980...5664157&sr=8-6

Very cheap (Actually under what I was expecting to pay) but has an incredible amount of good reviews. Out of 105 reviews it has 89 '5 stars', and only 1 '1 star' and 1 '2 stars'. The reviewers are a good mix of people from Concert Musicians to Conference Lecturers. Also, it's cheap enough for me not to be too bothered if it doesn't work.

However, I do still value all of your opinions, so I was wondering, has anyone here had any experience with this mic or the company that produces it (Logitech)?

[Samantha Arrow]

I have a Logitech headset (see my first post) It's great! It actually has a mic on it too, it's great for gaming.

[SliceOfDog]

I have a Logitech headset (see my first post) It's great! It actually has a mic on it too, it's great for gaming.

Aah, sorry Samantha, that was stupid of me ><
I did read your first post, but I wasn't looking for a headset, so I didn't take particular note of the make.

Anyhow, thanks for telling me that. I think I'll go for the mic then, and if it turns out to be a mistake I can always go for a more expensive one afterwards, it'll be no big loss

Thanks for your help guys.

[Wolfgang of Borg]

Don't know about mics but their keyboards, mice and speakers are excellent.

[Daryn]

I haven't used that particular model of Logitech Mic, but I have used an older one that wasn't USB. Judging by the reviews of this one, it seems like they addressed most of the issues I had with the analog one. Mainly that it picked up lots of room tone. For the price, you may as well give it a try. It could hold you over until you can get the Yeti.

[SliceOfDog]

It could hold you over until you can get the Yeti.

Yeah, that was what I was thinking. I honestly won't be that annoyed if it turns out to be bad, and I won't really feel any worse about buying a £100 afterwards.

And thanks Borg. I think I'll get it tonight :p