Mic for client PC use at DVinfo.net

Dan Robinson · December 1st, 2008, 10:48 AM

I have a couple of clients who want to record some VO material themselves on their office computers. They both are willing to buy their own mics, which is good as I don't want to have to leave my Sennheisers with them.

Basically I need a mic that they can just plug into the PC's sound card jack and record with software. I felt that buying $500 mics was overkill for this task, but then again I don't want to be cheap either. Are there decent mics in the $100-$200 range (or less) that would work here?

Seth Bloombaum · December 1st, 2008, 11:13 AM

A USB mic is great for this task, because it bypasses the computer's sound card, which on most PCs is a piece of junk just adequate for playback.

I've had good success with the Samson CO1U, less than $150.

Our very canny forum member Ty Ford recommends the Rode Podcaster (abt. $230), because it has a built-in headphone jack, handy for monitoring with headphones while you're recording. This is a good thing because there is built-in delay (latency) that occurs when laying down trax with a usb mic and monitoring through the PC's soundcard.

Marco Leavitt · December 2nd, 2008, 09:26 AM

Brooks Harrington · December 2nd, 2008, 09:34 AM

Costco got it beat.

Costco - Blue Microphones Snowball Professional USB Microphone

December 1st, 2008, 10:48 AM	#1
Dan Robinson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 131	Mic for client PC use I have a couple of clients who want to record some VO material themselves on their office computers. They both are willing to buy their own mics, which is good as I don't want to have to leave my Sennheisers with them. Basically I need a mic that they can just plug into the PC's sound card jack and record with software. I felt that buying $500 mics was overkill for this task, but then again I don't want to be cheap either. Are there decent mics in the $100-$200 range (or less) that would work here?

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December 1st, 2008, 11:13 AM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,728	A USB mic is great for this task, because it bypasses the computer's sound card, which on most PCs is a piece of junk just adequate for playback. I've had good success with the Samson CO1U, less than $150. Our very canny forum member Ty Ford recommends the Rode Podcaster (abt. $230), because it has a built-in headphone jack, handy for monitoring with headphones while you're recording. This is a good thing because there is built-in delay (latency) that occurs when laying down trax with a usb mic and monitoring through the PC's soundcard.

December 2nd, 2008, 09:26 AM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,441	I hear good things about the Blue Snowball. If anything, it's got the coolness factor. Blue \| Snowball USB Microphone Podcasting Kit \| B&H Photo Video Also... Blue \| Snowball - USB Microphone with \| SNOWBALL BUNDLE \| B&H This also looks interesting. Blue \| Snowflake Compact USB Microphone \| SNOWFLAKE \| B&H Photo

December 2nd, 2008, 09:34 AM	#4
Brooks Harrington Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 150	Costco got it beat. Costco - Blue Microphones Snowball Professional USB Microphone