You don't even have to go that far.

Samson Go Mic: $40

Sennheiser HD 202: $25

Bam, you're already significantly better than your average gaming headset.

The Samson Go is actually pretty awesome. It's shockingly-close to sounding like the Blue Yeti Pro. Here's a sound test involving the two microphones mentioned.

That headset is $75 on Amazon.com

For that you can get these Sennheiser HD 429s for $39, and a Samson Go Mic for $40. Both of these will give you much better audio experience.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-429-Headphones-Black/dp/B005N8W1Q0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479838080&sr=8-3&keywords=sennheiser+hd+205

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479838204&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+go

Seeing as how I didn't want to fuck up my $500 headphones with adhesive, I got a samson Go Mic and leave it on my desk, it works great.

I've used many headphones/headsets for online/competitive shooters: AKG K52, AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600Ω), HiFiMan HE-400i (the revision), HiFiMan HE-500, HyperX Cloud, Koss Porta Pro, Monoprice Monlith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2, Philips SHP9500, Sennheiser HD598, Sennheiser HD700, Sennheiser HD800, Superlux HD662 EVO, Superlux HD668B, Superlux HD669, Superlux HD681 EVO, Tritton Pro+ and Turtle Beach Ear Force XP Seven, and AD700x is the one I recommend regardless of budget unless people have other preferences. Games top out very early, and around the $100 mark, diminishing returns set in hard.

There are three sonic properties that determine the performance of headphones/headsets for online/competitive shooters: soundstage, imaging and (instrument) separation.

Soundstage is produced by the headphone, not the game. It's perceived space and environment of sound. A small soundstage makes the environment around you sound confined or boxed in. With a large soundstage, the environment sounds much more open, spatial and natural. You probably have to experience it yourself to understand it.

Imaging is inherent to the audio content. It's how accurately the locations of sounds/objects are reproduced.

Soundstage and imaging are generally best achieved with open-back or semi-open-back headphones, which means the headphones have cups with grills/perforations/openings that allow sound to freely pass through, unlike closed-back headphones that have cups with solid shells which isolate sound from passing through to some extent. Soundstage and imaging constitute positional audio. You could say they are the stereo equivalent of virtual surround sound. I don't think stereo, no matter how large it is, sounds fully three-dimensional as virtual surround sound at all times. Dialogues and very loud sounds like tanks, jets, trains, etc. near you tend to sound very intimate and dominate in either ear when you don't face them. Virtual surround sound has its drawbacks too: it compresses and degrades the sound quality. I find it most noticeable with rain, waterfalls and splashing water; they sound akin to white and pink noise. Subtle details become faint or not audible. When headphones already have decent soundstage, imaging and separation, I find that virtual surround sound diffuses the positional audio and the ability to pick up and locate/track audio cues.

Virtual Surround sound varies a lot from processor to processor (CMSS-3D, Dolby Headphone, SBX, etc.) How you perceive it compared to stereo also depends on the soundstage, imaging and separation of the headphone, and how games are mixed. I recommend using a headphone with a large soundstage and great imaging and separation, like AD700x, before deciding on virtual surround sound. If you absolutely want virtual surround sound, then I strongly recommend SBX from Creative, especially over Dolby Headphone.

Separation is how you discern individual sounds from a range of overlapping sounds. This is only important in games that are competitive.

Attach an Antlion ModMic 4 and you have a headset. Alternative mics: Massdrop Minimic, Neewer, Sony ECMCS3, Zalman ZM-Mic1, Blue Snowball, Samson Go

If AD700x costs too much, then I recommend HD668B. Other open-back options that are well-regarded in the audio enthusiast community are Audio-Technica ATH-AD500x, Sennheiser HD558/HD579 and Status Audio OB-1. I strongly advise against HyperX Cloud if you don't need sound isolation. For closed-back, I recommend AKG K52, Superlux HD662 EVO and especially Superlux HD669 over the Cloud. Status Audio CB-1 is another well-regarded option, which is compatible with the V-MODA BoomPro mic.

Low noise is not a big deal, voice comes through clear on my end. If your looking for a better mic, the Samson Go Mic is only $35 for a used. Review/Demo Also if you're worried about breathing get a filter, you can use panty hose if necessary.

You should do some commentaries on play style. When I watch guys like you play its almost like seeing a choreographed battle, everything turns out like it should. When I play, everything seems so hectic and NO CONTROL of game flow.

Don't get a 'gaming headset' they are normally bad headphones with a crap mic.
Buy a pair of decent headphones and a separate mic.
I have [Sennheiser HD 449] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Ergonomic-Closed-Back-Headphones-Incredible-Black/dp/B005N8W214/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419942972&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=senheiser+hd+449) and a Samson go mic and I would recommend both>

Here are the specs:

Type|Item|
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz Six-Core Processor
CPU Cooler | Corsair H105
Thermal Compound | Prolimatech PK-1 5g Thermal Paste
Motherboard | Asus X99 Deluxe LGA2011-v3 Motherboard
Memory| G.Skill 2400MT/s C15 4x 4gb DDR4
Storage | Crucial MX100 512gb
Storage | Crucial MX100 512gb
Case | Corsair Graphite 760T in White
Power Supply | Corsair HX1000i 80+ Platinum
Operating System | Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (64-bit)
Monitor | ASUS PB287Q 4k UHD
Keyboard | HHKB Pro 2 white/gray non-printed w/hhkb pro 2 black keycap set
Mouse | Corsair M65 RGB
Mousepad|Mionix Propus 380
Video Card| Gigabyte Windforce OC GTX970
Video Card| Gigabyte Windforce OC GTX970
Headphones| Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250Ohm
Headphone stand| Woo Audio HPS-HB
Headphone stand| Just Mobile Aluminum
Microphone|Samson Go Mic
DAC/AMP| Mayflower O2+ODAC w/rear power
Speakers|JBL LSR305 5-inch Two-Way Pair
Fan| 3x Corsair SP120 Quiet edition PWM
Fan| 3x Corsair AF140 Quiet edition
Webcam | Logitech C920
Router|ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400
Modem|Motorola SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem

I don't have all my keyboards listed, but the one in the picture is a Corsair K70 RGB with cherry MX reds.

The Samson Go is better and cheaper than both the Snowball and the Modmic. It's also tiny, so desk space shouldn't be an issue. Just throwing it out there as another option.

Also, if you just straight up don't want a desktop mic, no matter how tiny, then you may want to look into this BoomPro clone that has a 2.5mm connector to work with the HD598, M50X etc. I personally haven't used it, but people seem to be pretty satisfied with it. I have an actual V-Moda BoomPro (which you could use with the HD598 if you use an adapter) and it sounds better than the Modmic in my opinion and is also more convenient. Not to mention the BoomPro route is also cheaper. Just another option for ya.

The Modmic is fine, but it's also overpriced and bit of a bother. I personally think the Samson Go or the BoomPro/clone option is the better way to go, unless specifically want a noise cancelling microphone. Neither the Go nor the BoomPro would pick up the sound of your keyboard more than your voice, but they'd still pick up the sound of the keyboard more than the unidirectional Modmic would.

I started out using the mic in my laptop to record the voiceovers and Windows Movie Maker to make the videos. I had to upgrade to an external mic when I replaced my laptop as the microphone in this one sucks. (I bought this one, and I'm pleased with the results.) I still use Movie Maker, although it's a newer version. If it works, it works.

Basically the best thing you can do is get started. If you look at the earliest videos I did, they are utter crap compared to what I can do now, but you learn by doing. I read/watched all of the Creator Academy stuff about how to optimize videos and some of it was really helpful, I would recommend doing that. One important thing to do is your market research. Watch videos similar to yours, see what they do that is good, what is bad. See which ones get a lot of views, try and figure out why. But still, you won't get any views or subs until you start.

Well you asked, and I answered. A competitor might be this, but do keep in mind that they are not quite the same, the one linked is a little smaller and does not come with a stand but is more portable.

I don't know how much you're willing to spend, but the Blue Snowflake is an absolute beast for the price, and it is especially useful if you have a laptop. The Logitech is slightly cheaper, but half of the quality.

The GoMic (demo) doesn't have the hinge, but has better audio quality (snowflake demo).

Please take any critiques constructively, we're here to make everything better and I'm pretty blunt. You're a newer channel, no full banner for the main profile picture and no custom thumbnails that I can see.
___

[Audio Quality]:

Here are some first impressions:

• Audio quality sample rate is in the upper 32,000Hz. It could be better, has a small electronic buzz that accompanies each spoken word. The only real fix is a more upscale microphone. I'm guessing it's a headset microphone of sorts.
  
  
• There seem to be no audio artifacting as a result of background noise. You do well to almost eliminate key-presses and miscellaneous room sound.
  
  
• Voice is always above game audio without affecting game audio volume.
  
  
• Vocal audio may volume peak and startle headphone users, look into normalization and or audio compressor plugins.
  
  
  Score: 6/10 - (Grab a newer microphone, the only true problem is the 'buzzing' sound at the higher end spectrum)
  
  ____
  

  [Video Quality/Editing]:
  

  Here are some first impressions:
  
  

• Video quality is clear as expected in the 720p range...
  
  
• No graphical intro, though it is not entirely required.
  
  
• No graphical outro, again, not required, but is a great place to recommend more of your videos.
  
  Score: 6/10 - (Standard expectations on video quality, could use a bit more flair with intro/outros)
  
  ___
  

  [Personality/Characteristics]:
  

  Here are some first impressions:
  
  

• Commentary is energetic enough to listen to, and there is rarely dead air.
  
  
• Commentary may have a good amount of 'filler'. This isn't bad, but stating what everyone can see in the video may become redundant.
  
  
• You seem to show the game for what it is rather than a detailed review. The video is split between a traditional let's play and a first impression review. This isn't bad, but what you find should be more constructive that "The game's graphics look good."
  
  
• Voice reminds me of a more stereotypical, educated college student. I'd wager you're into some engineer program. Though this is just what most Engineers I know of sound like.
  
  There is no rating for something this broad
  
  ___
  

  [Tips on Quality Enhancement]:
  

  
  

• Get a better microphone, the Samson Go Mic is cheap and can have great quality. When I started out, I strapped this bugger on over my older headset. It worked magically and sounded very clear.
  
  
• Find more unique conversation topic. The commentary is very ADHD-esq and can be hard to follow. Topic jumping should be rather rare.
  
  
• Avoid speaking too loud without maximizers or audio compressors. The change in volume can really startle or annoy people. Keep voice volume and tone at a consistent rate.
  ____
  
  

  [Become More Quality Literate]:
  

  Included in every critique...
  
  

• I've written an entire article about audio quality here.
  
• Look into the Let's Play Quality Topics.

I'd like to take part in the NoSleep podcast, but don't have any useful microphone. I'd need a condenser microphone like http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ or better, I'd really appreciate it, if you could help me out.

My wife used the following for her research interviews. Otherwise, a smartphone app works.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

If she's allowed, she may want to look into Fiverr.com to hire out the transcription. I think it's like $5 per 15 minutes of audio.

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

I assume you're in US.

Blue Snowball is worth while for $40 right now on amazon. Probably the best quality of the bunch

Samson Go Mic (2^nd Variant) is also good, but with a dekstop the mouting and positioning could be tricky. $37

ModMic w/o Mute is a great replacement for a headset mic, you can use it with any headphones, works great but the quality is absolutely nowhere near the previous two, price is right up there - $49

Hope that helps. Not much choice in this budget, you could also look at some ElectroVoice but remember you need to look for USB microphones because you probably have no audio interface.

You don't need to get super fancy (especially starting off). If you're audio sounds like a phone call, that's going to be an issue that will deter listeners. But mediocre audio quality will not hinder your growth, bad content will.

A few recommendations:

Cheap mics:

This works great as a portable mic: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498145879&sr=8-3&keywords=samson+clip

I also used this to clip onto my headphones before: https://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1498145910&sr=8-6&keywords=clip+mic

Actual mics:

I've heard good things about the Snowball but I've never used it: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-iCE-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498146044&sr=8-3&keywords=mic

If you want an actual mic, this is the cheap mic I buy all my cohosts. It sounds perfectly fine. I've been using it for over 2 years now: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B004QJOZS4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498146015&sr=8-1&keywords=atr-2100

You don't need a mixer. Instead, I would use zencastr to record the audio. It has a free version but I pay for the unlimited one ($12).
Otherwise, you can just record your own individual audio with Audacity which is free and GREAT!

THIRTY SEVEN DOLLARS ON SALE??

No! Do yourself a favor and get either this

or if you have less room, this instead.

I can't say to that particular mic, (holy cow that looks cheesy) but I can say that the Samson GoMic condenser works fine in Linux natively, and sounds fan-bloody-tastic.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500900915&sr=1-1&keywords=hd598

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500900944&sr=1-1&keywords=samsung+microphone

I used either Audacity or Adobe Audition and a Samson Go mic.

For most of them anyway. Some are older. For those I used a Microsoft Lifechat LX-3000 headset.

I'm no commentator, but my samson go mic works well for skype and teamspeak.

Samson Go. Mine sits on top of my monitor and is OUTSTANDING. Great audio quality and sensitivity, I can talk normally from anywhere in my room and even outside of it and it will pick it up. I can never do headsets again. $35 bucks and free shipping. You can thank me later, don't bother with any other mic and don't be fooled by its price. It performs like something way out of its price range (been compared to $200+ mics).

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

for gaming?

i'd recommend a ath-ad700x + desk/ mod mic
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S332TQ/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=hd558&qid=1563248979s=electronics&sr=1-9

Its on a non-prime day sale

I can reccomentd this desk mic
https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_22?keywords=microphone+usb&qid=1563249257&s=electronics&sr=1-22
buddy has one and it sounds about the same as my yeti

Get the Samson Go Condensor Mic! It's around 45 bucks, but sounds waaay better than that!

I use that myself for acoustic recording. 10/10 would buy again.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BRqhYJ
970 SLI > 980 price efficiency wise.(EDIT: Didnt See SLI comment. Then fine get either a single 970 or a 980.)
I would suggest the Corsair 540 Air case instead but thats you idrc.
Added thermal paste that isnt poo
Better SSD http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-840-Pro-256GB-vs-Crucial-M550-256GB/1408vs2000 . Much better than samsung's
And this Power Supp, or use yours i dont really care but really. this is just as reliable if not more. look at reviews on the other power ranges on this line.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7451090&sku=U12-42468

And i would suggest getting a GOOD set of headphones and a good condenser mic isntead of a headset.
http://toolbar.ebates.com/shopping/ticket/newegg_9344-xfas?AutoLoginID=RTB0gKvgbF0yiNrynevulA%3D%3D&tb=yes&sourceName=toolbar&eeid=23509
(Reference http://headphonemecca.com/101-150/)

and mic
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R76D42?ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&tag=ezvid02-20&creativeASIN=B001R76D42

(reference https://www.ezvid.com/toptenusbmicrophones)

This Samson Go Mic is very good for its price.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R76D42/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001R76D42&linkCode=as2&tag=d300002e0-20&linkId=5QFMN6QKD7VXRE3W

Hey just watched your video. you seem pretty confident which is great. The level of knowledge you displayed was great. Just like you adressed the quality of your mic really made it hard to listen. a good microphone i would recomend investing in would be this one http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374899632&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+microphone it doesnt take much space and its pretty clear. i use a Snowball mic and i love it, but its a bit pricy. i also agree with dinosaurfriend, the audio is a bit overpowering. also im not sure if the games audio is being picked up in your mic, but it might still be a good idea to get a bit farther from the game or turn it down. everything else is pretty much spot on, keep at it, im sure you'll improve as time goes on!

I got one of these recently and it's great. There are a bunch of reviews and tests of it on Youtube so I'd look there if you want to see/hear what it's like.

Actually, an affordable USB condenser microphone is all you need.

For example this one. I have Samson Go which is even more portable.

You can plug it to your laptop (or even smartphone) and use free Audacity software to record and edit your song.

Please don't hesitate to ask anything. I wish you and your old man the best of luck!

The bass is definitely still there, but because they are open-air you get much better mid and high range with somewhat subdued bass. You can still adjust your EQ and bump up lower frequencies if you desire though.

I definitely weigh having the increased clarity of hearing things like footsteps/gunshots over the lack of a booming bass that you would have in closed or earbud setups.


As for my mic setup, I opted for a Samson Go mic, which stands or clips onto my desk and has excellent clarity.

I can't compare the quality with the A40s, but if it seems to be similar and those are more in your $$$ range or the A40s have more bass that you'd want then go with those. But the AD700s definitely get my vote.

YO SUP HOW R U

Okay so you say that you have stuff for live shows -- like what do u mean? Mics? A PA? A mixer? Amps? All of these things can totally be used for recording.

Like if you're recording basically acoustic stuff, you could snag a Samson GoMic on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449596017&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+go-mic).

They're super easy to use and really high quality. I personally don't have one but a few of my friends do and use it to record their bedroom pop trash stuff. It's probably the cheapest high-qual USB mic you can find.

Also, do you have a Mac? If so, Garageband is p chill for most recording needs (Alex G uses it, for example) but I personally use Logic Pro because I produce full band and electronic stuff, too.

Here's what I'm gonna assume: You have a Mac, a smartphone, and an acoustic guitar. Those are the only things u need for recording pretty decent bedroom pop. Basically what you can do is simultaneously record with your phone and your computer and then email yourself the audio files and layer them on top of the computer recording.

STEP 1: Open garageband, start a new file. Play your guitar a little and see if the monitor bar hits the red. If it does, it means the mic is clipping and you can go to system preferences and reduce the mic's sensitivity. Once the levels are okay, you're good.

STEP 2: Record. Okay now, take your phone and out, start recording your guitar part. Once you're done, hit stop on both the comp and the phone. I would recommend recording two guitar tracks (because layers of sound are dank AF), so make a new track in garageband, hit record on your phone and on your comp, and play along with your original guitar track using headphones. If u fuck up, it's cool just do it again or leave your little mistakes in for charm.

Do the exact same thing for vocals, like recording both on the comp and the phone simultaneously. Make sure that each part your record with your phone is a new audio file just so it's easier. Once you're done, email all of the audio recordings to yourself (or like somehow get them from your phone to your computer, idk).

STEP 3: The traxx. Okay once everything is a) recorded, and b) on your computer, you're ready to start fucking with the tracks and mixing and stuff (don't worry if you've never mixed before or anything). Go to garageband, hit import audiofiles, and import each phone track as an individual track. By having both the phone recs and the computer mic recs, you're sort of compensating for limitations in both the phone and the computer. BUT NOW IS THE HARD PART!!! You've gotta align all of the phone files with the garageband files. To do this, you gotta zoom in hella far and Solo two tracks a time and like match up the beginnings of each track. It's difficult but like if you don't get it pm me or something or look it up on youtube ("aligning audio tracks in garageband" or some shit").

STEP 4: MIXING!!! Mixing is both really hard and kinda fun and not that hard, if you're using garageband. There are like countless videos you can watch on youtube on how to mix, but really all you need for bedroom pop is compression, EQ, and reverb. Compression will even out inconsistencies in volume on your tracks, EQ will get rid of gross hissy high pitched sounds and stuff from your recordings and reverb will make your shit sound super dreamy and cool. I'm sure you can figure out how to find the EQ and Compression on garageband, but basically like fuck around with it for a while until it sounds okay. I would recommend cutting some of the higher frequencies on the EQ.

Once everything sounds okay, export it and boom! Bedroom pop. Also, you should experiment for a while and get super frustrated with your computer and get mad and angry and feel like you don't know what youre doing because that's totally natural and fine.

PM with any questions! I didn't proofread this at all.

yes headphones + desk mic is another option im looking into.

for the mic i think i want this

but i haven't found nice headphones yet since most most results when googling for it are either gaming headsets or these smartphone headphones that seem to be complicated to connect to pc or suffer quality-wise when doing so (i have a request in the daily thread(on ear, open, around 100-150$)

Samson go mic. Odličan je.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

Edit: samo da dodam da sam ja ovaj mic izabrao kada je trebalo da pokrenem neki podcast sa drugarima. To je ultra budžetska varijanta za podcasting.

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420915473&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+go-mic

I've used this mic primary for voice over on PowerPoint vids and what not. It's pretty good for 40ish dollars.

That looks pretty nice, I like how it's pretty inconspicuous too.

I prefer to use my pen when taking notes instead of typing, so something that doesn't get it in the way and is small I think would be ideal.

I was looking at these two as well:
http://www.amazon.com/CM-1000-Omni-Directional-Stereo-Conference-Microphone/dp/B002XGDXJY/ref=pd_ybh_4

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=pd_ybh_3

This guy definitely knows what he's talking about. I personally rock the Superlux HD668B. The treble on them is a little high, but as your ears adjust to them, they sound excellent, especially for their $50 price tag. They beat out many $100-250 headphones.

However, the HD700s are some of the best headphones ever made, and will be good for pretty much anything; gaming, music, late-night movie watching, so if you're able to burn some money, definitely get those as they will likely be your go-to headphones for years to come.

Also, the headphone jack on the PS4 controller is pretty weak, not really meant to power great headphones, and it also uses Bluetooth which compresses the audio quality. If you have a home theater receiver connected, you can use that to plug your headphones into and it'll do you well. If not, I'd suggest getting a headphone amplifier. You can probably buy something like the Prozer DAC, which is remarkably cheap for it's quality. They have a $20 version as well, but headphones don't come anywhere near being able to hear that kind of fidelity (192 kHz, CD quality is 44.1 kHz), so it's really useless outside of maybe a studio where they have specialized gear for that sort of thing.

If you're going to be using headphones, you can get a cheap USB condenser mic, plug it into the PS4, and just set it near you on a table or something. The Samson GoMic is great, and very portable (about the size of a bite-sized Butterfinger candy-bar).

The headphones he listed though will absolutely get you where you need to go and a wide range of prices. And they all range from "damn good" to "excellent."

Of course, there are a plethora of "gaming" headphones, but most of them are junk because they cut a ton of corners on parts so they afford to put in "virtual surround sound", license Dolby, the microphone, and the software in the headphones to process/EQ the audio to bring you the sound "as intended" which is marketing bullshit, because the audio that comes out of the PS4 is what was intended, it doesn't need any additional processing. It's the same tactic Beats uses, and sadly, people fall for it. Gaming headphones, 99.999% of them, are just marketing scams with fancy buzzwords, really.

So yeah, TL;DR, grab the headphones you want, a headphone amp/DAC if you need, and a mic, and you'll have an audio setup that will blow most people's headphone setups away.

Edit: Fixed since I made this post on no sleep and there were some errors. lol

Be amazed at my mic. Won't be getting anything better for a while unfortunately :(

The Samson GoMic ($~40) isn't too bad at a group pickup when set to the omnidirectional setting.

I allready posted 2 builds. So this post will be focused on the peripherals as you did ask for suggestions as well. Peripherals are all very hard to suggest, if we don't have enough information. But if you got the time to answer the questions, I will have a better idea if my suggestion will work for you.

• Mouse: How do you grip the mouse? How many buttons do you want? I personally use 0 when I play any game.
  
• Keyboard: I recommend to go read about Mechanical Keyboards switch types first. Then after you know wich switch would be for you, you can give me that information. Then my other questions would be, do you want a TenKeyLess? Basicly numpadless keyboard. If you don't, do you want any "macro keys"? This can be helpful in some games, but in my personal experience I never used them when gaming. Only for some text macro's, push to talk, screenshot and other stuff. But not really to use while fighting a boss or anything.
  
• Headphones/Speakers: What music do you listen? Where will you sit when using the headphones, will it be in a loud room? Will you be on your own? Do you need a microphone?
  
  
  Monitor:
  
  
• #1 Acer.1920x1080p, 23", 60Hz, 6ms, IPS panel. This monitor is amazing for the price. It got a full adjustable stand. Including pivot! So that's pretty awesome. It as well is IPS wich will be amazing for photo/video editing. It is 23" wich is a good size. I honestly can't suggest much else because we need to pay $40-80 more to get same/more features compared to this monitor.
  
  Keyboards:
  
  
• #1 Logitech Cheap but amazing for the price again keyboard & mouse from Logitech. It's water resistance. Here you can have a look at all the features.
  
• #2 Arctic cooling This keyboard really feels like a Mac product. It's very clean and looks pretty nice in my opinion. Not much else to say, it's a slim keyboard so the typing on it will feel like a laptop keyboard.
  
• #3 Corsair This is more a gaming style keyboard. With red LEDs in it. It does however look very clean and stylish. I do like the way the keys are positioned here. You as well get a few extra features with this price. Such as extra macro and media keys.
  
• #4 CoolerMaster This is a mechanical keyboard. Wich is very hard to suggest when we don't know enough. There are a lot of different switch types and it's a personal preference. So I went for a cheap, but still very solidly build keyboard that is tenkeyless as well, this means that your position when using the mouse will be more natural compared to the standard keyboards.
  
  Mouse:
  
  
• #1 Azio Seems like a very solid budget mouse. 800/1200/1600/2400 on-the-fly DPI adjustment, braided cable, seems like pretty solid build quality.
  
• #2 Corsair I normally don't suggest Corsair their peripherals that often, but for this price it's hard to ignore it. It got a very solid grip and adjustable DPI again.
  
• #3 Logitech Had to include a Logitech mouse as I do love them a lot. I went for the G302 as it's an amazing mouse for the price again. It got a lot of cool features that is more orrientated towards a gamer, so it's a little bit hard to really suggest this over the other options, but it would work very well regardless. Logitech got a lot of other less expensive mice as well. But I would personally not go for them in that price range as other brands just got more features here.
  
  Headphones:
  
  
• #1 Sennheiser I am a big fan of Sennheiser. Their expertise in the audio world is amazing and you do hear this back when you use their products. This headphone in particular is amazing in terms of audio quality for the price, but it lacks in comfort. They really aren't that comfortable so be careful if you do intend to use these for long amounts of time.
  
• #2 Kingston They are really good for their price. Gaming headsets are most of the times bad. Unless a good audio company gets involved. Qpad is the one who basicly made this headset and Kingston rebranded it. Here is a nice review. They as well are in black and white, wich looks pretty awesome as well.
  
• #3 Sennheiser This is in my opinion one of the best if not the best value, high quality headphones you can get. Here you can read a lot of just normal people their experience with these headphones, in short: they all pretty much like it a lot.
  
  Microphones:
  
  
• #1 Neewer This is a cheap, set of 3 microphones from Neewer. This is really just a simple microphone that works pretty solid. It's not a super fancy microphone, so don't expect miracles. Here is a review.
  
• #2 Samson I actually looked at this microphone myself when I was considering to buy a microphone. It's a pretty small and compact microphone with great quality. Here is a pretty good review.
  
• #3 Blue The last microphone I need to suggest. If you want good quality, this one is very good. The only gripe I got with it, is that if you sit far back, it will sound worse compared to talking right infront of it. Here is a review that is very old, but that does not matter, still the best microphone to get.
  

The Elgato software has a MAC version, so you should just be able to buy an Elgato capture card, a mic, and have it work just fine.

As for a good quality mic, something like an AudioTechnica USB mic will be great quality, however it is a bit pricey.

if you want a cheaper but still decent quality mic, the Samson GO is actually really good for the money, and is what i use. if you want a sound demo of it i can make one, or i can link you part of one of my videos where i am using it to do commentary type stuff

I'm going to go with pride since isn't blogging really all about saying your opinion matters most? And since we're looking to start podcasting that just makes us even worse!

lol that music.

loved your first ep, so this should be good

(also no offence but maybe look into eventually getting a better mic if you're going to be podcasting. these are all excellent.

https://www.amazon.com/Floureon-BM-800-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B00Q4RGQHY/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1467856010&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=fleureon+condenser

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1467820949&sr=8-18&keywords=usb+microphone

https://www.amazon.com/CAD-U37-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B001AIQGUO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B006DIA77E/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467820854&sr=8-8&keywords=usb+microphone)

The samson go mic is great. Its what I use. Its small and great quality with three directional options. Looks like it's about 40 bucks now.

Yeah, it's £27 on Amazon UK at the moment, absolutely worth picking up.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-Mic-Clip-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

Yea, you pretty much nailed it! We use either Skype or Google Hangouts. The first few episodes, he recorded everything on his end (I'm not sure what software he uses). I think in episode 2 or 3, the connection wasn't as good and there's a slight quality drop on my end. But with a good connection, the quality seems to stay in tact pretty well over Skype as long as the original capture is good. I use a Samson Go Mic (http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42).

I think starting in episode 4, I started recording on my end also using Audacity. We share the files via Google Drive, and he does the post.

I set up all the Feedburner/iTunes/etc. We both have access to the SoundCloud account, so he uploads the episodes as private once they're done, then I usually add the description etc.

When the delay is constant, I think he just shifts the audio once and it isn't noticeable. I think there were a couple episodes though where the delay changed and it took a bit more effort on his part to get it sounding right. There have been times where the connection goes completely bad, but whoever has the guest just keeps going forward and the other person hops back in when the connection is back.

Audacity is a free, open-source recording program that's pretty great. It's possible to plug directly in to the mic input, but I'd suggest getting a USB mic and using your amp. The Samson Go Mic is good and the Zoom H1 (and other H series recorders) can also function as USB mics.

Note that I have not owned the following, but based on budget and reviews they seem to be solid options, pending your setup.

USB Go Mic Plugs directly into USB slot, so if tower is next to you this may be a solid option. $40

--

You could consider using a clip on mic like a Sony or Zalman and clipping it to a surface near your desk or your shirt.

--

Unfortunately, at the price range you gave me that's about the best I can do. Consider shopping around for deals at Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. Good luck!

Quick Edit: If you can spring for the extra money, I still recommend Blue and the ICE microphone is pretty quality. It is directional and looks to be about $50 right now.

• Creative Aurvana Live! Headphones ($56)
  
  
• Samson Go Mic ($32)
  
  These two together are great bang-for-your-buck products for your needs.

I have the same model, and i use Samson Go Mic

I use a desk mic instead of a headset; this is my suggestion if you want to go that route: http://amzn.com/B001R76D42

You may be able to use a USB-C to USB-C to connect to some kind of usb mic. I would check the power requirements for the mic and also see if the galaxy has that capability but I think It would be able to.

And be sure to check that it has an omnidirectional feature if you're planning on recording more than one person on your podcast. Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R76D42/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001R76D42&linkCode=as2&tag=wirerealm-20&linkId=EKCGQJ37FCTXM4CA

Then you just need to find which recording software would allow you to use an external input (probably most will, and if not then just try to change your phone settings to use the microphone that you buy.)

I was thinking about going for this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R76D42/ref=s9_acsd_al_bw_c_x_3_r From the sample tests I've heard it sounds the same as the Yeti (at least to me), and it's more affordable for a poor little weeb like me.

But I don't know what to go for in the end. I have a somewhat weirdly low voice so I wanted something that could pick it up well enough. I'll be grateful for any recommendations under or around 70 euros that might work for my situation.

This one

This mic is $38 and sounds really good. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001R76D42?cache=977889b6f18ef3176ad30f7d387b9e6c&dpID=41PnZwr0rWL&dpPl=1&dpPlWS=1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1413528106&ref=plSrch&sr=8-4#ref=mp_s_a_1_4

I'm pretty sure it's what Northern Whisper uses and his audio is very clean. You're not going to get binaural for cheap, but a mono mic like this should work fine for whispering, crinkling, role plays, etc.

....yes, my 'setup'. I bought this USB mic from Amazon, had pretty good reviews with a lot of them mentioning singing recording. And it was on sale. I'm gonna mess with it this weekend to see if it's any good or if I'll have to buy something else.

This will be the first time I've recorded anything, so we'll see if I get some beginner's luck with this one.

I bought a Samson Go Mic for myself so I could record ideas at school. It's $40 new and it's a pretty good microphone for the price (and the size, it's quite tiny). It has the option to run as a cardioid mic, a cardioid with -10dB, and one that captures all sides (I forget what that's called). It's also a USB microphone so all you'll need is a laptop and something like Audacity and you'll be hooked up and rolling right away.

EDIT: here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001R76D42?pc_redir=1396773716&robot_redir=1

quality desktop mic, not too expensive

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R76D42/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p267_d2_i5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1281WTDR9SHARKXBVW1Y&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846


It's small and not so expensive but don't underestimate it and I use it to record my raps good for if your not crazy dedicated to making music but still would like to make good quality tracks. It's usb so you can use it as a gaming mic as well. PM me if you got any questions about the mic!

I have a surface pro 3 i5 that I use for this purpose and it works just fine. I ended up getting one of these for when I have lectures in the lecture halls. It works amazingly and the only issue I've ever had is if I turn the screen off directly after hitting "stop" on the recording, it doesn't save properly. So hit stop, wait about 30 seconds, then turn off the screen.

The only problem I've ever had is opening a notebook if there are too many recordings. I suggest making a notebook for each class instead of shoving it all in one to avoid this issue. When I did this, there wasn't a noticeable slow down when opening the program.

I would personally stay away from gaming headsets; 5.1 headsets are generally gimmicky, and you get very little headphone for your purchase price. Invest in a real pair of headphones and a mic to go with it (a decent mic for the desk, or something like the AntLion MicMod). For headphones, I would recommend you find something within your budget that fits your usage, tastes, and requirements. If you don't plan on using them for gaming exclusively, then versatility might be important. For noisier environments, you might also want closed headphones. If you wear glasses, clamping force and comfort are definitely things to keep in mind.

That being said, if I were to recommend a headset, I would either recommend either the Sirus you linked or one of the higher end Sennheisers. Both of the aforementioned headsets tend to go on sale over here, so maybe try and snag one for cheap. The Sirus is a tad bulky and clunky though, and more suitable for larger heads. If you have a chance to audition them somehow, I would recommend you look into them.

About a year ago I looked around and basically ended up with the same list that you just gave. I finally decided on the Samson Go Mic for my own use. So far I'm quite happy with it. Sounds a lot better than my headset did, and doesn't take up much space.

Well these appear to sound pretty good https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/
And i can trust samson since the sr 850s im wearing have been absolutely stellar, shame they got 20 usd more expensive or i will be recommending these.

I personally have a Samson Go Mic. It's similar quality to the Snowball, a lot more compact, and cheaper as well. Maybe consider that? In-headset microphones are usually crap.

Get this it's been great for me: http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_14?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1376653887&sr=1-14

Samson Go Mic

Apart from forgetting that I don't want it to auto focus after every restart (which is a pretty big problem) it is great, the microphone on the other hand is not so great and I would recommend getting the Samson Go Mic (in the image) or getting a cheap USB sound card with Microphone input and this Lav Mic

I would hold off on making a channel trailer until you either get a better mic or can get your current set-up sounding better using a program like audacity (Effects > Noise Reduction for starters) since it won't be a good first impression to have a trailer with bad audio. I clicked on the Mars video - totally something I would be interested in but I just couldn't watch it because of the audio, I think I closed it 15-20 seconds in so I can't really speak on the content quality of your videos. Adding the CC might help to negate the bad audio quality a bit, that was the first thing I checked...but it looks like its the auto-generated ones and only made sense half the time. I personally would watch a video reading the CC with the sound on mute/almost mute if I was interested enough. If you want to get a cheap/halfway decent mic to start I recommend the Samson Go Mic I got it to use when skyping on my macbook pro (I don't naturally talk very loud so the internal mic just didn't cut it) and that's all I've ever used it for but it really is decent and has a lot of good review. If you're looking to spend more the Rode Procaster Dynamic Mic is my most used XLR mic that I own and doesn't require a whole lot of noise reduction in post since it's dynamic (vs the NT1-A which has beautiful sound but will pick up every noise) just keep in mind that you have to get a pre-amp (what I have and like) as well if you want the quality of an XLR mic. As for the banner and channel icon/avatar, I like them in general but I think that the channel icon would like more interesting with a less 'vanilla' font. Overall I think you have a good start!

Ok, while I don't have personal experience with the phantom power unit you are using, here's what I think is going on.

Every microphone needs a Preamp because the signal captured by the microphone is too weak to hear. Some microphones (like yours) need power as well. You're supplying the needed POWER for the microphone to work, but you still need a preamp to bring that weak signal up to the appropriate level, just like every microphone needs.

Now, here's my suggestion. since you would still need a preamp for your microphone (most preamps include 48v phantom power as a feature) and considering your needs, I'd say you have two decent options.

• Option 1: Return your phantom power unit and get an XLR --> USB adapter/converter such as the Blue Icicle which will not only convert your weak signal to a digital signal for easy use with Skype / gaming / etc... but will ALSO provide the necessary 48v of phantom power for your microphone.
  
  
• Option 2: Return both the microphone and phantom power unit for a simple USB microphone. There are many good options with budget friendly price tags. If your goal is computer audio and not pristine voice-over or music recording, then you'd be fine going with something even as simple as the Samson Go Mic or CAD U1
  
  If you want even better quality (honestly, these options will do you good) let me know and I can help you out with other options.
  
  --DISCLAIMER--
  
  I haven't personally used the BM800, but I have read reviews and listened to some demonstrations. It is a pretty 'bottom of the barrel' microphone which will be adding some unwanted hiss and noise to the audio it picks up because of the cheap components used. If you decide to keep it, it will most certainly be the bottleneck in your audio quality. Even those cheap usb microphones will likely be better.

Actually, i just got a tax return i forgot about and bought me this and am making a pop screen for it, thank you though i really do appreciate it.

This is the best mic I've ever personally used. I have heard nothing bad about these, but I've never worked with one. If you want to save money, get an old Sansa Clip. Mono, and only runs on a battery (unless you get an AC charger), but surprisingly good low-fi sound.

You could record the vocals in Audacity for example, which is a free software for this. However you're gonna want to have the song mixed and mastered also. If you don't know anyone who knows that stuff you could try and find someone here or have someone from fiverr do it for 5-10$.

I recorded my first few songs on this mic: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

The quality won't be great obviously, but at your level it should be good enough, especially considering the price

> Samson Go

thank you for the reply.

OK, so I think i should invest in some headphones. I did see some in the past but it seemed like they required some extra equipment before plugging them in to my laptop? Some phamtom power thingy.

I guess i need to find a USB mic, i.e so I wont need anything else to use it?

Looking at your recommendations, what would you recommend:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-SAGOMIC-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42?th=1

or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Microphones/Blue-101211-Snowball-iCE-USB-White/B006DIA77E/ref=pd_vtph_267_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=TXQ7BZG5X4Q4NCP5C3Q3&th=1

thanks

https://www.amazon.ca/Samson-Compact-Microphone-Plug-Play/dp/B001R76D42 I personally use this one, often on sale for 40$. Small, compact and usb connected.

This is a known problem. The solder joints that connect the mic crack.

Sure, you can use a wired or Bluetooth headset, or ear buds with mic. You could plug in a USB audio interface with a studio mic plugged into that. You could use an On-The-Go cable and a USB mic.

I use the Samson Go Mic. Works and sounds great.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SAMSON-Sagomic-Mic-Clip-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

Pretty solid stand alone mic. Check out some audio reviews for it on YT! Would recommend grabbing some dedicated headphones so theres no noise pollution from your keyboard/game sounds/ etc.

Hey thanks for the answer in actually going to go with your suggestion. Is the snowflake good? Which do you think is better, the snowflake or https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

While this may be the "travelling recording hipster" version of the samson mics, it is still a samson and it is excellent quality. I dont care much for blue, which is your other option at this price point.

Try looking into the Samsung Go Mic Compact

Samson Go Mic. Good mic for the money.

Did it look like this or this? I'm more inclined towards the first (cheaper) assuming there's not a colossal difference between the two.

Samson Go Mic. /u/langotriel uses it and his audio sounds great. Currently at $37

My co-host and I started with the Samson Go Mics. They're condenser mics, so you'll need a quiet-ish area to make them work well, but with the -10dB pad engaged they're not awful. They're like $36 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42).

One thing to be aware of, the base has threads for a mic stand, but is the smaller 3/8" type, not the more common 5/8" - so you might need a mic stand adapter depending on which mic stand you're using.

You'd have to stretch your budget a bit but I've been using the Samson Go Mic for general microphone duties and it's amazing for the price.

Then:

• Computer (laptop): HP HDX 18, Windows Vista Ultimate, 64-bit, Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 @2.66 GHz, DDR2 4GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, 320 GB HDD, 1 broken interior fan, and laptop mouse buttons that don't work
  
  
• Microphone: Samson Go Mic USB Condenser Microphone
  
  
• Recording Software: Dazzle DVD Recorder for consoles. PC capture? Silly human, I don't want to set my laptop on fire.
  
  
• Edit Software: Sony Vegas 10 Pro + Audacity
  
  
• Image Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5
  
  Now:
  
  
• Computer (custom desktop): Windows 8.1, 64-bit, [Not near my computer so I'll updated this with all my stuff later], 1 TB HDD, 240 GB SSD, liquid cooling, and the blood of many innocents.
  
  
• Microphone: Samson CO1U USB Condenser Microphone with a pop filter and a microphone arm.
  
  
• Recording Software: Hauppauge HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition for HDMI capture, Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR for Composite/component capture, and Open Broadcsater Software for PC capture/streaming.
  
  
• Edit Software: Sony Vegas 12 Pro + Audacity
  
  
• Image Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6
  

This is $10 over your proposed budget, but I wanted to bring it to your attention as it is a fairly common intro level condenser mic.

If you're just using it to chat on discord, or use for in game chat, it might be a bit overkill, maybe check out something more like this.

That first mic is a great multipurpose condenser mic, the second is just a good alternative dependent on your needs and intended use.

OP get this one

Sure, I have used the Samson microphones as they are quite easy to set up. I used an older one, the Samson C01U, but there is a lot of good from the Go Mic and Meteor Mic.

I do hear good things about the Blue Snowball as well, though I do not have experience with the brand.

And once you do get a microphone, I would totally recommend getting a directional pop filter for yourself, it can make quite a difference.

As everybody says, it depends. My channel is really small and I'm not really making much money off of it, so I got a cheap one (that is surprisingly good for its price. It's called the Samson Go Mic if you're interested.

With a 3.5mm interface most likely not, I have a Samson go mic however which is around that price (little higher) and is really good.

Do with that information what you will.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

Just as a note, if you use Discord or Skype or any other VOIP program, picking up that $50 (or less, like the Samson Go Mic for $40) mic isn't a horrible idea. It will make you sound better in those programs, even if streaming ends up not being for you.

One file @8 min was 7.6 mgb. So, in toto 42 mgb?

You nailed it though... I was in a room with very little on the walls, I don't know how to evaluate sound quality, etc.


Now... of course we are still playing hypothetical since if nobody can hear the first one they are unlikely to demand a second one... but what about this:

1. Software - Smart Voice Recorder - looks like it has settings to improve recording quality along the lines you seem to be suggesting.
   
   
2. https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/
   
   
3. Now, provided all that, the next thing would be how to figure out what sounds good... since when I listen to it on playback on the phone, it just sounds like me... talking... which... I hear... all the time...
   
   
4. I can use this to join the clips: https://audio-joiner.com/
   
   
5. I can upload the resulting file to... I guess the theory is if I have to pay 5$ a month or something not to end up giving somebody else control of my content why be a baby about it?
   
   
   

We use this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-SAGOMIC-Mic-Clip-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

And thanks for saying so! I feel like sometimes sound is the bane of my existence. I use Audacity to edit the audio, mostly to take out any background hiss

Agreed. You can get a pretty decent mic for the cost of a headset with a quality mic. I used a Samsung Go Mic for a while before eventually upgrading.

Samson GoMic

Yo usaba un Samson GoMic, trabado en la esquina del monitor y me escuchaba impeque. Lo compré a 20 lucas como hace 5 años

>what's the best Microphone

Blue Yeti/Blue Snowball/AT2020

However, if it needs to be approved by your boss, this may be more feasible: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486379333&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+mic

Along with this: https://www.amazon.com/TNB-ARM01-Complete-Microphone-Suspension-Scissor/dp/B01EBDZHNQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1486379365&sr=1-7&keywords=mic+stand

Any modern decent computer with a core i5 CPU and more than 4 GBs of ram should be fine... But if he's gonna play game... Well, I guess he needs a gaming computer and those are not cheap. =(

Camera: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Widescreen-Calling-Recording-Desktop/dp/B006JH8T3S

Mic: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/

A pair of those: https://www.amazon.com/Arriba-Cases-AP30-Desk-Lamp/dp/B00T0IJD4W

Now, he needs to know how use both of them. He needs to know how to erase the noise in the Microphone and he needs to know how config the camera to get a good image, and he need to know how to use two-point lighting. There tutorials for this all over Youtube.

I have a pair of Beyerdynamic dt 880 pro headphones and use the Samson Go Mic and it's a great, high quality and very portable setup.

As you have wrote, Skype's sound quality is very limited(its low sample rate for example and harsh compression). No matter what you do with Skype it is the dead end.

I like the mumble best. You may record a youtube video guide for the guests about installing and making a call in mumble and later use that for reference.

Other options are using studio link https://studio-link.de/

It is a software developed just for your case. You use Reaper and studio link plugin. Other people run the standalone version. Check it. The quality is really good.

Some people I know use multi-enders approach. They send new Samson Go USB mic https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42 ($40 USD) to the new guests and let them use audacity or whatever to record at their sides.

The Samson Go Mic is right at the $40 price point and I love it. Has good sound quality and has 3 different settings which is nice to help cut down on background noise. Plus being so small and having a clip, I can literally just clip it to the top of my monitor and not have to worry about desk space.

I really like the Samson Go Mic Portable USB. Super small mic, so it's easy to throw in your backpack and go. Audio quality is fantastic. And it runs under $40 (see Amazon price below.) Good to pair it with a pop screen and mic stand tho.

​

​

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1550510505&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=samson+go+mic&psc=1

Budget? I have the Samson go mic. Solid for just $40. If your budget is higher and you are sticking to usb then audio technica is a good option for $130. Then of course you have the zalman for a cheap clip on.

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone-Splitter/dp/B00HZOVW0Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1415405173&sr=8-2&keywords=zalman+mic

Apparently this is actually decent for the price, from what I've read on some audio-centric subreddits.

It's got some size to it, which is always good.

This seems to be quite good for the price:
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415957247&sr=8-1&keywords=Samson+Go+Mic

edit: I'm not an expert though. Here is a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JXip85jPfs

I'd think for what you are suggesting any simple 8" tablet with otg (this means the ability to connect usb peripherals) might be a decent idea. I used a samson go mic with my prior tablet for recording music, but would help with other audio recordings.

(https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42)

Maybe a seperate audio recorder you can leave at the front of the hall with the lecturer might be better, this is what i have normally seen students do. Then you just load them onto the tablet later.

I was honestly thinking of offering to buy him one of these... but, really, it wouldn't help that much. The room he plays in just has too much ambient noise, I think, and although a high quality directional microphone with proper positioning could cut down on the ambient noise a fair bit, it wouldn't eliminate it. His piano needs tuning, too. Also it would be weird to buy things for a stranger on the internet.

Hey McDaddy,

Great question!

I'm doing something similar and have some advice for you.


The big thing that you're going to be looking to invest in is Audio equipment. A phone can be used as a camera if you would like a facecam.


As far as audio goes, you're probably going to want to go with a Preamp and a condenser Mic. This will allow you to work from the preamp, and fine tune the audio before it even gets recorded in the computer.

• A great and Affordable* preamp that I have used for a while can be found here: Behringer Xenyx Q902USB
  
  
  This Preamp simply plugs into a USB slot on your computer, then you plug in a mic, preferably with an XLR cable in order to be able to use the features of the Condenser Mic.
  
  
  
• A good, and extremely cost effective condenser Mic w/ Vice Arm and Pop filter can be found here: Neewer NW-700
  
  
  This DOES NOT come with a straight XLR Cable, so you would need to buy one was well, but they run about $8-10
  
  
  IF that is not affordable enough (We're looking about the $120-150 range currently), you could go with a cheap USB Mic. Someone below suggested a Blue Yeti mic, which wile good quality, is honestly not necessary.
  
  
  
• I suggest this mic, which is what I used before working with Condenser mics: Samson Go Mic
  
  
  Beyond this, the only other thing that I could think that you may need beyond a computer would be a capture card, but ONLY if you are recording from a console. Even then you most likely only absolutely need one to record from a Switch or something that is from a previous generation of consoles.
  
  
  With decent internet you can stream a PS4/XB1 straight to your PC using PS4 Remote Play App or the Xbox Console Companion App respectively, which you can record in OBS.
  
  
  Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!
  
  *Not exactly the most budget friendly, but it's a great value for what you can do with it.

It depends on what you want out of your headphones-- closed or open back, bassy, treble, flat, etc.

As a general guideline for your price point though, ATH-M50x's are well regarded.

A decent mic to pair with that could be something like the cheap but quality Samson Go Mic or if you like how headsets are setup, you could always get a Boom mic that attatches to your headphones and works like a normal headset would.

I don't own a mic yet myself, but this one seems to have good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1402020505&sr=1-5&keywords=usb+microphone
A bit more than $20, but I've yet to see a usb microphone for that price with high reviews

This mic worked well for me before I upgrade to a blue yeti.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1473782032&sr=8-4&keywords=samsung+microphone

I'd suggest the Samson Go along with the HD 598 as /u/giny33 said.

I had the same issue, people didn't like my cheap mic so I got this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-Mic-Clip-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1411913710&sr=1-1&keywords=Samson

I like it, its quite small and everyone says I sound way better.

Hmm idk about $20, but you can certainly buy a Blue Snowflake:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowflake-USB-Microphone/dp/B0012AUHXW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467683042&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+snowflake

or something like a Samson Go Mic:

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467683100&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+mic

Id recommend this little bad boy, http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/tags-on-product/B001R76D42 Decent sound. and as other posters have said, your opening up a world of problems when You go the Usb route as youll eventually want other gear that will all be incompatible with this. I love the portability of this mic and its invincible. For some people a usb mcrophone is all they will ever need........I also own the samson CO1U and cant tell a difference in sund quality between the two just price.

No, it's Samson. Check this out... here

Samson GO Mic nice separate mice that is portable if you need it to be. Has Omni Directional and Condensor options. Pick mine up at Best Buy for 40 bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397209771&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+go+mic

• Mouse: There are two kinds of mice: good mice and bad mice. As long as you are looking at good mice, it doesn't really matter from a technical standpoint which one you choose. The technical differences between good mice are so small it's purely a preference decision. I personally use a Zowie FK and like it a lot, as do many others.
  
  
• Keyboard: A good keyboard actually doesn't give you all that much for gaming. If you do a lot of typing, I would choose a keyboard that's good for typing and then use it for gaming, rather than the other way around.
  
  If you have a lot of money, a mechanical keyboard is what you want regardless of what you do with it. They last longer and feel nicer to use.
  
  If you buy it exclusively for gaming, you probably want something like Cherry MX Red switches. They have the same actuation and release point, which means they are good for double-tapping and stuff like that. If you also use your keyboard for typing, you might want to consider Cherry MX Blue switches or other kinds of "clicky" switches because they give better tactile feedback when typing.
  
  
• Microphone: I would personally recommend a mic that's separate from your headset, simply because you can get a massive increase in audio quality that way.
  
  I'm a stickler for audio quality when it comes to voice communication, so I got a cheap USB condenser mic. Condenser technology because it makes for fantastic audio quality, and USB because the sound card in my computer sucks, so with a built-in sound card in the mic I can get better audio quality that way.
  
  
• Headphones: This, like the keyboard, is actually something that doesn't matter as much as the other two, in my experience. Even cheaper headphones can usually produce audio of a high enough quality that you're able to locate enemies if you turn up your volume slightly.
  
  If you have a lot of money, I would go for a proper pair of studio headphones that are also useful for listening to music. As with the keyboard, I wouldn't buy a pair of headphones exclusively for gaming. But to each their own.

I kinda disagree with what /u/Iceblack88 is recommending.

The Fiio A1 is only an amp and it's probably not worth getting in the long run. If anything, you'd be better off with a DAC/amp combo like Fiio K1/Q1 rather than just a portable amp. Most people buy a Fiio E10K/Schiit Fulla 2/Schiit Stack for their entry level DAC and amp in ascending costs.

In terms of headphone and mic, I'd recommend the Phillips SHP9500S and a ModMic which would suit your budget quite nicely. The SHP9500s goes for around $50-60 on sale and a ModMic sells for around $50 so you'll be near your budget. If you don't want another cable attached to your headphone, then a Samson Go Mic Portable for laptops or Connect for desktop use is your best bet while keeping your desk space clean since they can be clipped onto the monitor while providing great mic audio.

Ah ok, that's probably the reason. Most built in microphones will not be as good as the microphones you buy in stores/online. They pick up the sounds of your laptop fan and other noises. It's alright if you're a beginner just trying to start but it'll quickly need to be replaced as some people might not even consider following you if there's an annoying sound constantly playing.

Since I haven't heard your microphone then all I can say is that if it doesn't sound like your ears are about to bleed then feel free to use it for starters(test this with a friend or some viewers). But I suggest you get a dedicated microphone for streaming.

----

Microphones my friends and I have used

If you're able to buy a microphone then the ones that my friends and I have experience with are the following:

• Blue's Snowball Microphone
  
  
• Blue's Yeti Microphone
  
  Here's a video that show's off both microphones and an extra
  
  Other Microphones
  
  I've heard that these are also good, though I have no experience with them.
  
  
• Blue's NESSIE Microphone : Review
  
  
• Samson's Go Microphone : Review
  
  
• Samson's CO1U microphone : Review
  
  ----
  
  Some tips for your microphone
  
  I suggest you get a pop filter^[1] for your microphone if you decide to buy one. Then, if possible, you should also get a Shock Mount^[2] but that isn't as crucial as the pop filter.
  
  

1. Pop filters are designed to stop Plosives from being heard when recording. Plosives are puffs of air that emit when saying words that start with certain letters, such as P or B. They can ruin a recording for people that over-exaggerate the begging of some words. Pop filter Example
   
   
2. The best way I can describe a Shock-Mount is a if the mount is a cradle for your microphone. Any bumps or small movements to a Microphone NOT using a Shock-Mount will cause it to be heard in recording, meaning you'll hear all these small sounds in the background. It's easier to just show you what a shock mount does
   
   ----
   
   There's a bit more to recording your microphone, like sound proofing, but that's for another day. I just wanted to give you a list of microphones and some tips that could help you out if you're a new to streaming/recording.
   
   Good Luck! As I said before, if your laptop's microphone doesn't make your ears(or a friends' ears) bleed then go ahead and use it for how ever long it takes you to save up and buy a better microphone. But I suggest you not wait too long if you have the choice.
   
   Edit: Markup
   
   Edit2: Grammar
   
   Edit3: Reworded the first section's title.

I just bought a Samson GoMic and have been very happy with it. I've been using it for dictation and for a little bit of guitar recording. Several of the reviews I read mentioned that it was an excellent podcasting mic.

> My current is actually super cheap, small and amazing. I use a portable condenser USB mic from Samson = Samson GO. It retails on Amazon at the moment for about USD35.

And Canadians get screwed again. :( $49 here :/

Sorry, can't really say but my guess is they'd be better since they are larger, dedicated microphones.

EDIT: also I forgot that the Audio Technica Mic is ~$150 so here a few other sub $50 mics:

http://www.amazon.com/CAD-U37-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B001AIQGUO/

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowflake-USB-Microphone/dp/B0012AUHXW

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECMCS3-Omnidirectional-Stereo-Microphone/dp/B0058MJX4O/

A lot of people will reccomend Blue mics which are good but the alternatives are better. Any Audio Technica mic is better than it's Blue alternative. The AT2020 is my recommendation to anyone interested in getting a great mic. There's also this mic which is comparable to the Snowball and it's cheaper. The blue mics get a lot of praise but to be honest they are a bit overpriced for what they offer in comparison to their competition.

I use a samson gomic.

I also use discord when playing with other people, if that makes a difference. I've tried the Handbrake solution, but it did not change the audio issue at all.

I recently reinstalled the program and it worked fine for a few days, but now is back to where I was before with the audio.

I agree. Even starting with a sub $40 Samson Go mic will get you going. Experience is going to be what you need. We don't do Let's Plays (Yet) but Getting comfortable in front of the camera and microphone is going to be key. Looking at our early videos I moved from a Samson Mic, to a Yeti, then picked up a mixer with a Electrovoice XLR Mic and I just upgraded to a Shure SM7B!!

For anyone interested in the progression of our videos check these out:

4th video EVER with Samson Mic

80ish episode with Yeti

Zelda Rap Remake for S&G

Interview with Lou Ferrigno with ElectroVoice

Turbo Kid Steelbook Giveaway with ElectroVoice and Mixer

And our latest Sunday show with Mixer and Shure SM7B!

This headphones and this mic is what I have. < $100 and does just about all I need it to do (I do make videos). As for clip on mic like someone else would suggest, this is what I used to have and it works perfectly fine, although not as responsive. I also came across this bundle but I've not personally tried their headphones.

I've never used it but I've hear good things about this Samson it's often on sale around $30.