Contents
- Top 10 rating according to KP
- Editor’s Choice
- 1. Microphone Alctron CU28 (5 640 rubles)
- 2. Microphone Samson Go Mic Direct (3 rubles)
- 3. Set Maono AU-A04 (4 rubles)
- What other microphones are worth paying attention to?
- 4. Microphone SVEN MK-490 (860 rubles)
- 5. Microphone Ritmix RDM-125 (990 rubles)
- 6. Microphone Ritmix RCM-101 (440 rubles)
- 7. Microphone BEHRINGER C-1U (3 rubles)
- 8. Microphone Audio-Technica AT2020USB + (16 rubles)
- 9. Microphone Maono AU-410 (2 rubles)
- 10. Microphone Trust GXT 210 Scorp (1 rubles)
- How to choose a microphone for a computer
Top 10 rating according to KP
Editor’s Choice
1. Microphone Alctron CU28 (5 640 rubles)
The best microphone for a computer in 2022 according to our expert. It has everything you might need for comfortable voice work at home. It connects as simply as possible – via a USB cable, so there will be no problems with complex drivers. The microphone works in a cardioid direction, which means that he himself will remove the “extra” sound from the device.
Specifications: condenser, cardioid type of directivity, frequency range 20Hz – 20kHz, USB connection.
2. Microphone Samson Go Mic Direct (3 rubles)
An interesting microphone that will attract the buyer with its small size. It takes up a little more space than a regular flash drive. If desired, you can use a USB OTG cable with Go Mic Direct, which will allow you to install it away from your PC or laptop. For convenience, the USB connector in this microphone is made retractable. Records sound waves from all directions.
Specifications: condenser, omnidirectional type, frequency range 20Hz – 20kHz, USB connection.
3. Set Maono AU-A04 (4 rubles)
A complete set for recording high-quality sound at home. In the package with the device you will find the microphone itself, a clamp stand, a USB cable and a pop filter. Perhaps such a set will be redundant for a junior high school student, but for work where the quality of speech recording is important (podcasts, online tutoring), it will become optimal. In addition, the ratio of price and quality of the device captivates here.
Specifications: condenser, cardioid type of directivity, frequency range 30Hz – 16kHz, USB connection.
What other microphones are worth paying attention to?
4. Microphone SVEN MK-490 (860 rubles)
One of the most affordable models on our list. The recording quality here is tolerable, and the dimensions are ideal for a schoolboy’s desk. When working with such a microphone, you need to keep it 25-30 centimeters from the sound source in order to avoid strong interference. Convenience to the user will be added by a button on the microphone body, which will turn it off with one click if the situation in the room so required.
Specifications: electret, omnidirectional type, frequency range 30Hz – 16kHz, connection via jack 3.5.
5. Microphone Ritmix RDM-125 (990 rubles)
An interesting model of an affordable condenser microphone. It connects via jack 3.5, which is very unusual for this type of device. The sound in this microphone is recorded “in a circle”, which means that it can “catch” extra audio noise, for example, from a PC cooler or a mechanical keyboard. However, thanks to the convenient stand included, it can be placed in a place where there is the least amount of extraneous sounds. Some users use the directivity of the recording pattern of this microphone for interesting purposes – when creating a smart home voice control system.
Specifications: condenser, omnidirectional type, frequency range 50Hz – 16kHz, connection via jack 3.5.
6. Microphone Ritmix RCM-101 (440 rubles)
Good lavalier microphone for a modest price. The device itself is small and weighs only 10 g – you won’t even notice it when you attach it to your clothes. Nevertheless, this microphone records sound well, albeit with slight noise (for a price of up to a thousand rubles, this drawback does not become critical). The only thing that can alert the buyer in this model is a small problem when recording low-frequency sound. Included is a simple filter from external noise.
Specifications: condenser, omnidirectional type, frequency range 100Hz – 16kHz, connection via jack 3.5.
7. Microphone BEHRINGER C-1U (3 rubles)
Such a microphone is suitable not only for online meetings with colleagues, but also for recording videos or game streams. The small device has all the features of the best microphones for a computer – condenser recording, rugged housing, USB connection and built-in audio card. The sound here is recorded in a cardioid direction, which means that the device will only record what the owner says. This model also has an excellent frequency range.
Specifications: condenser, cardioid type, frequency range 20Hz – 20kHz, USB connection.
8. Microphone Audio-Technica AT2020USB + (16 rubles)
Microphone from the manufacturer of professional audio equipment. For a very impressive amount, the buyer will receive excellent sound quality and the ability to customize the microphone to suit your needs. First of all, this microphone is valued for its “honest” range of operation – from 20Hz to 20kHz – this is not found in every model now. Also in this device there is a port for connecting headphones, the presenter will be able to hear his voice sounding on the air.
Specifications: condenser, cardioid type, frequency range 20Hz – 20kHz, USB connection.
9. Microphone Maono AU-410 (2 rubles)
An unusual combination of a tiny buttonhole and a USB microphone connection interface. Despite its size, when properly set up, this condenser unit records good sound, which is enough for networking or interviews. The microphone wire is braided from thick plastic and will last a long time. The microphone is attached to the lapel of a shirt or jacket with the help of a “crocodile”.
Specifications: condenser, omnidirectional type, frequency range 30Hz – 18kHz, USB connection.
10. Microphone Trust GXT 210 Scorp (1 rubles)
At the end of our selection – a device with an unusual appearance that gamers will appreciate. Such a device is ideal for those who need an aggressive design and good voice recording quality. The device is connected via USB, and it does not need additional drivers. The recording pattern here is omnidirectional, and this should be taken into account when choosing a place where the microphone will stand.
Specifications: condenser, omnidirectional type, frequency range 100Hz – 10kHz, USB connection.
How to choose a microphone for a computer
From the very beginning, you need to decide what you need a microphone for. Recording a crystal-clear vocal part into a microphone for 200 rubles will not work, and buying a device for 15 thousand for communication and video conferencing is not at all necessary. Sales consultant of the Muzekspert store Alexey Andreev gives the following advice on selection.
Microphone type
If we talk about using a microphone for domestic purposes, then it is best to choose condenser or electret models.
The former are more sensitive and give high-quality sound. At the same time, they are more expensive, such models need a separate power supply (the issue is resolved when connected via USB), they are more fragile and “catch” all the noise in the room (fee for sensitivity).
Electret models are many times cheaper, less sensitive to extraneous noise and do not need a separate power supply. The disadvantages of these microphones are not such high-quality sound – the cheapest models can even change the timbre of the voice. However, their quality is enough for online conversations.
Beam Type
This setting determines where the microphone capsule records sound from. Most computer microphones have a circular (omnidirectional) pattern. This means that the sounds are “removed” from all sides of the device, 360 degrees.
When working with a cardioid pattern, the microphone records sound only in front of the device itself, while the sensitivity is reduced on the sides, and no sounds are recorded behind the device at all. It is logical to choose such a system when there is some unnecessary noise behind the microphone.
frequency range
This indicator indicates what spectrum of sounds the microphone can record. In general, human speech sounds in the range from 100 to 300 Hz, but with a change in timbre, it can change significantly, plus or minus. For domestic use, microphone models from 50Hz to 10kHz are suitable. Advanced models operate in the range from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Sensitivity
In a quiet home environment, you do not need to use an ultra-sensitive microphone – you will not be sitting several meters from the device. The sensitivity parameter is inversely proportional to the sound pressure level, which is measured in decibels. For a computer, a microphone with a sound pressure level of up to 70 dB is optimal. Anything above is suitable for recording loud sound at concerts.