Audio-Technica - ATR2100x-USB

Two ATR2100x paired with a refurbished Focusrite Vocaster Two ($94) and two sets of over the ear headphones.

For noisy environments skip the blue Yeti, get a dynamic mic like the Audio Technica ATR2100x USB or Samsung Q2U, both isolate your voice far better and stay under $100.

I got a Shure MV7+ as a gift, and I like it, but I'm also not convinced it's significantly better than my ATR2100x USB, which has the benefit of being a bit more forgiving of minor background noise. And the 2100x, when it was still available, cost about $50 vs. almost $300 for the MV7+, so cost is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

YEP. I swear I wouldn't be surprised if it captured me blinking (I exaggerate--but not by much!) Mostly I've been told to turn the gain down to try to counter it as much as possible, and maybe install a noise gate, though I haven't gone that far. I just try to be more careful than I had to be with the ATR.

I started with a budget kit on Amazon too, and upgraded later as my show grew. A good starter setup: I’d say grab a simple USB mic like the Samson Q2U or ATR2100x and a set of closed back headphones. Add a cheap boom arm so you’re not holding it. Or Mike stand, That’s enough to get going without spending too much. I personally use my iMac as they are superb over windows IMO. If there are co-hosts (I think I saw that there are) you just double. the mics and headphones. It is a labor of love.

Headset mics are usually pretty trash for anything beyond gaming chat tbh. Even a basic USB mic like an Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB or Blue Yeti will blow any headset out of the water for recording quality If you're dead set on wearing something, maybe look into a lavalier mic, but honestly just get a boom arm and proper mic - your audio quality complaints will disappear overnight

I have an ATR-2100X laying around somewhere but I'm not sure if I took it with me when I moved out of my parents. If I can find that then that'll definitely be the choice since I already have one lol

I guess you're right, but my issue is not being able to easily configure it for things outside of OBS. I'd have to use some other audio software and I remember just being overwhelmed at the time. Ghub is okay when it works. My least favorite part is how aggressively it wants me to enable auto-switching of profiles. Every few updates it re-enables it and the setting to fully disable it is buried in a very unintuitive location. I've had issues in the past with Ghub just crashing constantly as well but that was a while back. Either way I ended up finding an old ATH I had laying around so we're just going with that.

Depends on your setup. For USB: Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR2100x. For XLR: Shure SM58 or Rode PodMic. I us an ATR2100x with Podcastle AI for podcast editing - . Unless you're doing in-person interviews regularly, start with USB and upgrade later if needed .

I would suggest Audio Technica ATR 2100X USB. Costs 90$. Its a dynamic mic, so it has very good background noise rejection. Sounds good, is also very durable

A condenser is not a good choice in that environment. Do what you can to improve your space and then get a dynamic microphone. A good budget choice is the Audio Technica ATR 2100x, although there are plenty of other great options out there.

You can't go wrong with an Audio Technica ATR 2100x. I bought a refurbished one and it is a workhorse. Even though I have two other, far more expensive broadcast microphones, I actually prefer the results that I get from the ATR 2100x. Just my two cents.

For $85 the best option I think is the Audio Technica ATR2100x (USB/XLR) great sound, durable, and versatile. Another solid choice will be Samson Q2U which is similar and in the budget. Both work well for podcasts and are beginner friendly. Avoid cheap condenser mics they pick up too much background noise