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 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.

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.

Came here to say this. I still use the USB mic I started with, but was able to move to a mixer because it has both USB and XLR ports. ATR2100X is what I use but Samson Q2U is pretty identical as well. [Auphonic](https://auphonic.com) really is a lifesaver for me.

Atr-2100x. It is a good mic that has USB-C and XLR connections. Now I have an audio interface, the Audient ID 4 mk2 ( I have it since it came out actually), but, to be honest I don't see any difference in sound quality when using the USB-C connection as opposed through the audio interface.

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 .

Get the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. It's actually less expensive than the now over-recommended Samson Q2U, but it's better in nearly every detail. --- *(Moderator-required disclosure: I host* [The Audacity to Podcast*®, a podcast about podcasting*](https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/)*; run the* [*Podgagement® (formerly My Podcast Reviews) service*](https://podgagement.com/) *to help you engage your audience and grow your podcast; offer consulting and education services to podcasters; curate podcast data for* [*Podcast Industry Insights™*](https://podcastindustryinsights.com/)*; and I frequently talk about and recommend products and services with which I have affiliate relationships and am compensated for qualifying purchases only through my links, with my promo codes, or that indicate me as the referrer. But I recommend things I truly believe in, regardless of earnings. And I am not currently compensated for merely talking or writing about anything.)*

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

Foor Mic's you have two main options - a usb mic that plugs directly into the computer, or a XLR mic that plugs into an interface where the interface plugs into the computer. USB Mics are generally inexpensive, and simple to use, and are great if you only need to plug one mic into your computer. XLR mics require an interface which is an additional cost, but give you more options to choose from. XLR interfaces also let you plug mutiple mics into one computer, incase you want to record multiple people into one device. For someone newer to mics/ audio gear I'd recommend the [ATR2100x.](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ATR2100XUSB--audio-technica-atr2100x-usb-cardioid-dynamic-usb-xlr-microphone?_queryID=a6514230f1fbd3745b034bb7dc53c608&_index=production_products) It's a mic that does both USB and XLR. Great for getting started and if you do buy a interface it will still work. I'd also think about picking up a boom arm (tbh to get started I'd find a cheap one on amazon) and a pop filter like [this](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GMPOPFILTER--gator-gm-pop-filter-pop-filter). The pop filter goes in between your mouth and the microphone and helps cut out plosives (sharp bursts of air from your mouth that generally sound unpleasant). For recording / editing software I use/ have used the following Squadcast / Descript - A paid subscription but it allows you to record remotely with guests through your browser, and descript is a pretty beginner friendly editor that has some cool built in features like text to audio editing. Reaper - An audio only recording / editing program. I like reaper, it's really cheap and they let you use the trial for a while. It can be a bit daunting to edit with at first. Audacity - An open source audio recording and editing tool. It's nothing too fancy, but it works and works pretty well. It is free. Davinci Resolve - A free to use video editing software. Davinci is quite powerful and free to use. however it has a pretty steep learning curve. Hope this helps!