More popular than ever before, streaming is a dynamic way for creators to connect, entertain, and share their passions with viewers. In this streamlined walkthrough, we’ll uncover the best microphone options for live streaming so you can confidently proceed with crystal-clear vocals that deliver a professional touch to your content.
Microphones are an essential tool that can transform your streaming experience — most importantly, they can almost instantly indicate the overall quality of your stream to watchers. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer, a music enthusiast, or a content creator exploring various virtual reaches, the clarity and richness of your voice are pivotal in making a lasting impact.
Streaming Microphone Features
Condenser vs. Dynamic
The first question you’ll have to ask yourself is if a condenser or dynamic microphone is better for your setup. Condenser microphones are known for their sensitivity and capture a broader frequency range, making them suitable for nuanced vocals and more detailed sounds. On the other hand, dynamic microphones are less sensitive but excel at isolating sound sources and handling high volumes. Firstly, consider your streaming environment and whether you need a condenser or dynamic microphone.
USB vs. XLR
USB microphones are plug-and-play, offering convenience and ease of use—particularly for streamers who may not necessarily be audio experts in their spare time. These mics are especially suitable for beginners and those without an audio interface. On the other hand, professional streamers prefer XLR microphones for their higher audio quality. Just be sure that your streaming setup can accommodate the chosen connection type.
Polar Pattern
Cardioid microphones capture sound from the front, making them ideal for isolating the streamer’s voice and minimizing background noise. Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all directions, which can be useful for group streaming or capturing ambient sounds. For the most part, you’ll encounter cardioid mics when shopping for live-stream audio, and those are precisely what you’re looking for 99 times out of 100.
Frequency Response
Consider the microphone’s frequency response, which indicates the range of frequencies it can capture (i.e., 20Hz–20kHz). A flat frequency response is generally preferred for natural voice reproduction, while some microphones may have tailored responses for specific applications. In general, it’s best to look for a microphone that complements your voice and streaming content. That said, virtually every modern microphone accurately captures a broad frequency response for the totality of your voice, and the ones we’ve chosen all offer minimal coloration, or a sonic profile that’s well suited to broadcasting.
Additional Features
Many microphones of the USB variety come with a built-in headphone jack for real-time monitoring. This feature allows you to hear how your voice sounds without any delay, enhancing your ability to adjust settings on the fly. USB mics also come with onboard gain, allowing you to fine-tune the sensitivity intuitively. This feature is particularly useful for managing loud or quiet voices and optimizing audio levels during your streams.
How you will mount your microphone is another thing to consider. Some come with integrated tripods, while others may require a separate shock mount, boom arm, or stand for optimal positioning and reduced vibrations.
By considering these features, you can select a microphone that aligns with your streaming needs, ensuring that your audience enjoys clear and immersive audio during your broadcasts.
Best Microphones for Streaming
Shure MV7+ Dynamic Dual XLR/USB Podcasting Microphone
Step into the spotlight with the Shure MV7+, a microphone that’s about to elevate your streaming game to a new height! With its hybrid XLR and USB-C outputs, this dynamic wonder is the perfect companion for your streams. Ensuring crystal-clear audio whether you’re deep in dialogue or belting out battle cries.
The LED touch panel doesn’t just show off your sound levels in 16.8 million colors. It also lets you mute with just a tap. And let’s not forget the real-time Denoiser and Digital Popper Stopper™, your new best friends for keeping those pesky background noises at bay.
Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic
The Shure SM7B is one of the most ubiquitous and highly regarded dynamic vocal microphones ever designed. A mainstay in broadcast studios the world over, the SM7B offers an integrated pop filter, an internal shock mount to eliminate handling noise, and a wide, flattering frequency response tailor-made for the human voice. Legendary engineer Bruce Swedien popularized the Shure SM7B when they used an earlier model to record Michael Jackson’s vocals on Thriller. Armed with a trusty SM7B, your stream audio will be indisputably great.
Shure MV7 Unidirectional
The Shure MV7 is a contemporary riff on the SM7B above, designed specifically with modern-day creators in mind. It features USB and XLR outputs, a built-in headphone jack, an intuitive touch panel for optimizing settings, a frequency response ideal for vocals, and even an Auto-Level mode that makes manual gain staging a thing of the past. The MV7 is a streamer’s dream, simplifying or automating many of the intricacies associated with dialing in a microphone. Like the iconic SM7B before it, the ultra-modern Shure MV7 is well on its way to becoming a classic in its own right.
Audio-Technica AT2020
Audio-Technica’s AT2020 is one of the top affordable workhorse condensers for live streaming and broadcast. It incorporates a linear, full-spectrum frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz, superior transient reproduction, low self-noise, and high SPL tolerance. Part of its design genius is a low-mass diaphragm that effortlessly captures the natural details of performance or voiceover while being sturdy enough to handle loud sound sources with minimal distortion. The AT2020 is an outstanding starter mic for steamers, offering the outstanding depth and dimension of condenser-based sonics in an affordable platform that’s easy to use.
Blue Microphones Yeti X
The Blue Microphones Yeti X is a USB condenser utilizing a custom four-capsule array for exceptional clarity, focus, and audio fidelity. Blue’s Yeti lineup has been a hit for some time, distinguished for its affordability and sound quality, and the X incorporates traditional design elements with the profound convenience of a USB condenser. Its multi-function Smart Knob controls headphone volume, microphone gain, the blend of computer and mic audio, as well as the onboard mute function.
The Blue Yeti X also stands out with four selectable polar patterns, typically reserved for pro-level offerings as much as ten times the price. These include cardioid, omni, figure-8, and stereo for versatile pickup.
Rode PodMic
The RØDE PodMic is a broadcast-quality dynamic microphone featuring analog XLR and digital USB-C connectivity, onboard DSP for advanced audio processing, a built-in, zero-latency headphone output, and an extremely low-noise, high-gain Revolution preamp. The PodMic is even compatible with iOS and Android, offering a hi-fi audio solution for mobile streaming and podcasting. An internal pop filter reduces the impact of plosives, and the integrated capsule shock mount reduces handling noise and vibrations for crystal-clear audio in every environment. The comprehensive RØDE PodMic delivers pro quality in an easy-to-use format for content creators looking to level up their gear.
Rode NT-USB+
RØDE’s NT-USB+ condenser is a professional-quality USB microphone with next-gen features to make streamers’ lives easier. Its capsule is inspired by the popular XLR NT models, capturing the same fidelity that has made the NT1 and NT1-A studio workhorses for years. With its ultra-low-noise and high-powered Revolution preamp, detachable pop filter, and desktop tripod, the NT-USB+ is ready to take your stream quality to new heights. Just plug in and go—should you want to optimize your sound further, use the powerful APHEX processing accessible via the RØDE Connect application.
Conclusion
Whether you’re engaged in intense gaming sessions, delivering poignant commentary, or sharing your musical talents, the features of a microphone play a crucial role in shaping your streaming experience — for both you, as the creator, and especially for viewers. From the nuanced sensitivity of condenser microphones to the rugged isolation of dynamic counterparts, and the point-and-shoot versatility of cardioid patterns to the immersive reach of omnidirectional options, each aspect contributes to the unique harmony of your broadcast. All of the choices listed here were carefully considered to balance cost, quality, and ease of use; no matter which way you go, the best microphones for streaming will help apply the professional varnish your content deserves.
