Greatest microphone for Mac & iPhone 2024

Kind: Condenser / USB

A stalwart within the USB microphone world is the Yeti (from Blue, now owned by Logitech). You’ll see this in a large number of YouTube movies and have heard it on numerous Twitch streams and podcasts, because it’s an extremely widespread condenser mic that delivers nice audio.

One of many major causes for its reputation is that it accommodates 4 completely different condenser capsules inside – giving it the power to report in a wide range of modes. These embody talking immediately into the mic and even having two individuals communicate on both aspect of it. The Yeti is a giant unit although, so that you’ll want a little bit of deskspace to accommodate it.

If versatility is what you’re after, to not point out the comfort of a USB connection and built-in stand, then the Yeti is a tried and examined legend.

Kind: Condenser / USB

Along with sporting a premium design that might not be misplaced in a stay broadcast, the Yeti X is a tremendously versatile full package. It’s an improve to the favored Yeti with improved audio high quality and design updates.

It’s made with a four-capsule condenser matrix and a wide range of patterns that embody microphones in cardioid, stereo and omnidirectional mode to deal with any recording state of affairs with ease.

It’s true that it doesn’t have the 1/4-inch audio enter that the Samson G-Observe Professional does have, however the place the Blue Yeti X actually stands out is within the software program part. The VO software program is immediately built-in into Logitech G Hub.

This enables you not solely to pick out a spread of preset audio settings in order that your voice sounds extra tuned for a broadcast, however it’s also possible to modify superior settings associated to noise, compression and extra.

Because of its LED indicator and variating potentiometer, it’s doable to visualise and modify the audio degree of the voice at a look and handle it immediately, with out having to resort to the pc’s parameters.

With the Yeti X plugin for Mac and Home windows computer systems, the Yeti X integrates with the macOS working system to have higher management and customise the colour of the LED lights and handle the acquire of the microphone, sample or quantity choice, amongst different points.

The Logitech G Yeti GX has fancy RGB lighting–a G brand is illuminated and an identical LED ring adorns the underside fringe of the mic. It’ll little doubt look cool in a YouTube video.

The mic might be positioned on a desk or mounted on a increase arm. There’s a USB-C connector on the underside, however sadly no 3.5mm aux plug to attach your headphones. If you wish to hear your self for, say, a podcast recording, you’ll should resort to different means.

If you wish to affect the sound you’ll want Logitech’s G Hub software program, and sadly, the app is a combined bag. On the Mac aspect they haven’t even managed to replace the app for Apple’s personal processors so it’s operating by way of Rosetta. The app does work on a Mac although, and it’s straightforward to make changes to the sound to get it excellent.

In case you want a easy microphone with actually good sound for movies, podcasts, video conferences, or no matter, this mic is value trying out. The worth is a bit excessive, however so is the standard.

Kind: Dynamic / USB & XLR

In case you’re searching for an inexpensive and cheerful microphone to report vocals when streaming, video calling or making a podcast, then the Snowball iCE is an effective possibility. Just like the Yeti, the Snowball was certainly one of Blue Microphones mics, however Logitech purchased the corporate in 2017 rolling Blue’s Yeti, Yeti Professional, Yeti Nano, and Snowball mics into its personal lineup.

The spherical chassis is cool and enjoyable, plus it comes with an attachable stand that can have it sitting up in your desk at a very good peak to seize your voice.

You’ll need to add a pop defend in the event you intend to talk immediately into it, as you’ll choose up ‘plosives’ (booming sounds as your breath hits the microphone) when utilizing it on this method. Sit it barely offset to your mouth and you must discover this an incredible USB microphone that received’t break the financial institution. 

You should still be capable of discover the unique Snowball mannequin on sale: that Snowball has two condensers and extra polar patterns, whereas the iCE has just one condenser and lacks Omni.

Kind: Dynamic / USB & XLR

In case you’re not sure which form of connection you need to use, the Samson Q2U has each USB and XLR outputs. It is a good characteristic because it means the mic can keep in your rig in the event you resolve you need to improve to an audio interface sooner or later.

The Q2U has a conventional handheld-style chassis however matches fortunately in any customary mic stand. For such a compact unit it manages to slot in a stunning quantity of choices, with the aforementioned connectors joined by a 3.5mm headphone jack for direct monitoring.

There are not any quantity controls although, so that you’ll want to try this by way of your software program.

Inexpensive value, versatile choices and nice sound. Excellent for rookies and even those that need to add a second mic to their setup.  

Kind: Dynamic / XLR & USB

The PodMic USB is a broadcast-style dynamic microphone that comes from the famend Rode model and is an improve to the older PodMic, which was a superb gadget however solely included an XLR connection. Because the identify suggests, the PodMic USB provides a digital possibility, all whereas retaining the older port. This implies you possibly can select to both join it to your Mac by way of USB or XLR. Apart from the gorgeous styling that makes it seem like one thing you’d discover in a radio studio, the PodMic USB is aimed very a lot at spoken phrase audio and podcasting specifically.

There’s additionally the power to plug headphones into the three.5mm jack on the base of the microphone, plus a devoted quantity management permits you to alter the degrees to fit your explicit tastes. Rode makes use of its personal built-in preamp to heat up the vocals, plus headphone output is zero-latency so that you received’t hear any delay when recording.

It’s a stable development, with a metallic chassis surrounding the microphone grill which additionally features a built-in pop defend. There’s an built-in bracket that may screw into the usual mic stand fittings, which is beneficial because the PodMic USB doesn’t include a stand within the field.

If you would like a beautiful, professional-sounding vocal mic that gives versatile connectivity, then the Rode PodMic USB is properly value your consideration.

Kind: Condenser / USB

It is a little bit of a chunky beast, so if you would like a mic to throw in your bag and take round with you, one of many earlier entries are in all probability extra appropriate. However, to those that are searching for a mic that has loads of options and sonic choices, then the G-Observe Professional ought to be excessive in your record.

The mic has three completely different polar patterns, which implies you possibly can change the world the place it can seize sounds, very like the Blue Yeti. Cardioid will focus in your voice and ignore surrounding audio, whereas omnidirectional will permit you to seize interviews, plus it’s also possible to report your self enjoying guitars, pianos or different devices whereas singing.

The G-Observe Professional caters for electrical guitars too, as you possibly can plug a regular 1/4in cable immediately into the mic by way of its port and use it as an audio interface.

There’s direct headphone monitoring, onboard quantity controls and switches for immediately choosing the recording sample. A bit an excessive amount of for individuals who simply need to pep up their Zoom calls, however a tempting mic in case you have greater ambitions.

Kind: Dynamic / XLR

One in all most extremely regarded vocal microphones that qualifies for this record is the Rode Procaster. This wonderful dynamic mic, seems and feels premium with its full metallic development and broadcast-style design.

Tailor-made particularly for spoken phrase, it incorporates a built-in pop-filter, low noise, and the cardioid sample does an incredible job of rejecting background sounds.

There are not any buttons or dials on the Procaster, as a substitute it’s an expert aesthetic with solely the XLR output to interrupt the simplicity.

Audio high quality is incredible, and your vocals will immediately sound extra spectacular in comparison with cheaper mics that you could be already be utilizing. Do you have to actually desire the thought of a USB model, then you should purchase the Rode Podcaster for across the identical value. One factor to keep in mind it that you simply’ll want a good-quality stand in addition to an XLR audio interface for the Procaster, so the ultimate invoice shall be a bit greater than different choices on this record.

Kind: Condenser / USB

The MV88+ Video Equipment gadget from Shure consists of a stereo condenser digital microphone, a Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod and a spread of clips and cables with which you’ll connect any iPhone mannequin you need to use.

The package will not be low-cost, however it’s actually a premium answer with which you get what you pay for. The sound high quality is superb, with a foam microphone that permits you to seize audio outside with out noise even in windy situations.

The frequency response of the MV88 is from 20 Hz to twenty KHz, so any audio supply is captured in stereo. Throughout our assessments, he managed to deal with each audio conversations and the seize of musical devices.

In case you’ve been searching for a premium iPhone microphone that does all of it for a very long time, look no additional. Shure’s MV88+ video package is the really helpful product with which you’ll change the acquire and power of the sign captured by the microphone.

The recording can also be assisted by the MV88+’s sensible microphone clip and the Manfrotto PIXI tripod. The clip works very well, permitting customers to configure their microphone for vertical or horizontal audio or video seize.

The tripod for iPhone is properly constructed, compact for journey and holds the iPhone securely, making it straightforward to carry with one hand whereas the opposite handles the iPhone display.

Kind: Condenser / USB

The Sennheiser Reminiscence Mic is a clip-on-lapel microphone that may wirelessly seize audio for high-quality movies recorded with the iPhone. It’s a nice possibility for individuals who intend to make use of the content material on networks akin to YouTube.

The Reminiscence Mic might be hooked round your neck like or the flap can be utilized as a clip, offering the consumer with nice freedom.

The microphone doesn’t preserve a Bluetooth connection; as a substitute, it shops the audio domestically within the microphone itself, after which synchronizes the audio and video collectively as soon as the recording session is accomplished, all wirelessly.

The synchronization course of is considerably laborious: Sennheiser’s microphone creates an area wi-fi community and makes use of it to switch audio utilizing its free complementary utility, which guides you thru the whole course of. Nonetheless, though it’s a little clumsy, the synchronization lasts 30 seconds and works with out issues, so long as you retain the Reminiscence Mic and your iPhone shut to one another. (In case you don’t, you would lose your audio perpetually).

Video seize with the Sennheiser reminiscence microphone leads to clear audio no matter how far you might be from the iPhone. That is preferrred for recording audio system or large-side interviews at a distance.

Add to all that a sublime magnetic clip and 4 hours of recording time, and what you might have is a wi-fi flap microphone that’s nearly excellent for iPhone. The one downside is that Sennheiser’s Reminiscence Mic is considerably thick, so discreet positioning could also be obligatory.

Kind: Condenser / USB

The Steelseries Alias ​​Professional offers you the very best of each worlds: an XLR microphone with high-quality sound and the simplicity of simply plugging in by way of UCB-C.

It’s straightforward to only plug into the USB-C port and begin utilizing it. Since it’s aimed toward streamers, it’s doable to make use of the Alias ​​Professional with two computer systems on the identical time. There are additionally two USB-C ports within the exterior sound card. It’s able to mixing as much as 5 audio sources and has nice options for anybody streaming video games.

The microphone can both be positioned on a desk or mounted on a increase arm.

There’s a USB-only Alias mannequin, however the Alias ​​Professional that we’re right here is an XLR microphone that comes with an exterior sound card (Stream Mixer). The Stream Mixer is straightforward to make use of. Sadly, the Sonar software program is PC solely and there may be solely a simplified verison of Steelseries’ Steelseries GG software program for the Mac.

In case you’ve left the newbie stage behind you, Steelseries Alias ​​Professional could be a appropriate buy. It’s considerably extra highly effective than a typical USB microphone, nevertheless it has a price ticket to match.