If you're just testing things out and aren't very experienced yet it might not be necessary to buy a very fancy mic from the get-go. You're probably going to want to think about whether or not...
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If you're just testing things out and aren't very experienced yet it might not be necessary to buy a very fancy mic from the get-go. You're probably going to want to think about whether or not you're committing yourself to either an XLR or a USB mic, as they will not be interchangeable in time. So to give a very brief recap of my own basic knowledge:
USB mics are more convenient and often come with internal hardware to help boost or alter your sound
XLR mics require more effort and material to set up, but remain the industry standard for high-end sound production and offer a lot more flexibility in the long run.
In terms of prices they have remarkably similar entry levels. Discounting things like 15$ USB mics (although you can totally go for one if you feel like it) the Blue Yeti Snowball is a reasonably good USB mic and very affordable compared to it's more popular, bigger brother. On the XLR side of things I've had a lot of hearty recommendations for the Audio Technica 2020 as a good beginner's XLR mic, or if that's too expensive you can go for this Neewer NW-700 which is what I use (the audio quality is ok but the material itself leaves something to be desired), in both cases you're going to want to think about eventually getting yourself a preamplifier or dedicated audio-interface though.
More then your microphone though, what's going to be important is the room in which you set it up. Check out this video if you want some tips on how to properly set up your recording space. They also have an interesting video on mic choice if you really want to get a lot of info before you purchase.
Great answer, and I second going with a Neewer. I have an NW-800, and it's very good. It's only slightly different from the NW-700 (or the NW-1500) and I find it slightly better for recording...
Great answer, and I second going with a Neewer. I have an NW-800, and it's very good. It's only slightly different from the NW-700 (or the NW-1500) and I find it slightly better for recording music.
Outside of other Neewer suggestions, I have no additional advice that isn't fully covered in the links provided in this comment, which is superlatively good.
Edit: I lied, i have one other bit. I have a blue Yeti. I prefer the Neewer, for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it gets better results. I have a few other cheap components that go with it, including a power supply that has USB out to my computer, which is quite good.
Currrently I'm using a Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic100 which isn't the cheapest for what it does, but the sound quality is very good, the levels of control are nice, and it has phantom power which...
Currrently I'm using a Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic100 which isn't the cheapest for what it does, but the sound quality is very good, the levels of control are nice, and it has phantom power which my NW-700 needs. But I fully expect something like this Neewer Pre-amp/power combo to produce just as acceptable a result if you're starting out. The ArtTube recommended in the videos also seems to have stayed a mainstay so If you're willing to plop a little bit more cash down it might be a good investment. You can also go straight for an Audio Interface with the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 but I have zero experience with these so I don't know how noticeable the differences with the other products are. If you really want to get fancy, or are looking to already plan your upgrades ahead you could go for the Personus Audiobox but another interface I've seen get a lot of love are the Focusrite Scarlett line of audio interfaces, and although I have experience with neither I can tell you that Youtubers who use the latter(Digibro, Bobsvids) tend to produce some good sound.
If you're just testing things out and aren't very experienced yet it might not be necessary to buy a very fancy mic from the get-go. You're probably going to want to think about whether or not you're committing yourself to either an XLR or a USB mic, as they will not be interchangeable in time. So to give a very brief recap of my own basic knowledge:
In terms of prices they have remarkably similar entry levels. Discounting things like 15$ USB mics (although you can totally go for one if you feel like it) the Blue Yeti Snowball is a reasonably good USB mic and very affordable compared to it's more popular, bigger brother. On the XLR side of things I've had a lot of hearty recommendations for the Audio Technica 2020 as a good beginner's XLR mic, or if that's too expensive you can go for this Neewer NW-700 which is what I use (the audio quality is ok but the material itself leaves something to be desired), in both cases you're going to want to think about eventually getting yourself a preamplifier or dedicated audio-interface though.
More then your microphone though, what's going to be important is the room in which you set it up. Check out this video if you want some tips on how to properly set up your recording space. They also have an interesting video on mic choice if you really want to get a lot of info before you purchase.
Great answer, and I second going with a Neewer. I have an NW-800, and it's very good. It's only slightly different from the NW-700 (or the NW-1500) and I find it slightly better for recording music.
Outside of other Neewer suggestions, I have no additional advice that isn't fully covered in the links provided in this comment, which is superlatively good.
Edit: I lied, i have one other bit. I have a blue Yeti. I prefer the Neewer, for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it gets better results. I have a few other cheap components that go with it, including a power supply that has USB out to my computer, which is quite good.
Currrently I'm using a Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic100 which isn't the cheapest for what it does, but the sound quality is very good, the levels of control are nice, and it has phantom power which my NW-700 needs. But I fully expect something like this Neewer Pre-amp/power combo to produce just as acceptable a result if you're starting out. The ArtTube recommended in the videos also seems to have stayed a mainstay so If you're willing to plop a little bit more cash down it might be a good investment. You can also go straight for an Audio Interface with the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 but I have zero experience with these so I don't know how noticeable the differences with the other products are. If you really want to get fancy, or are looking to already plan your upgrades ahead you could go for the Personus Audiobox but another interface I've seen get a lot of love are the Focusrite Scarlett line of audio interfaces, and although I have experience with neither I can tell you that Youtubers who use the latter(Digibro, Bobsvids) tend to produce some good sound.