Audio-Technica - ATR2100x-USB

The Q2U and all the Audio-Technica ATR2100 varients have *HORRIBLE* handling noise. No point in paying for the USB in my opinion if it's not being used. !

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 .

Audio-Technica ATR2100x all the way. USB/XLR hybrid dynamic mic (so you can plug straight into your computer), fantastic sound, great quality mic, usually on sale for around $50. B&H Photo currently has it for $49: [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1507757-REG/audio\_technica\_consumer\_atr2100x\_usb\_cardioid\_dynamic\_microphone.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1507757-REG/audio_technica_consumer_atr2100x_usb_cardioid_dynamic_microphone.html) Amazon about the same: [https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100x-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B07ZPBFVKK/](https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100x-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B07ZPBFVKK/) *Disclaimer: I'm Head of Podcaster Support & Experience at Captivate*

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!

Pretty much anything you'd buy would be better than what you already tried. The quality distance between your earbuds and no preamp and a $50 usb mic is likely to be greater than the distance between a $50 usb mic and an interface plus a mic. You can spend a lot of money chasing that last 20%-30% that's the difference between the $50 USB mic and the more expensive gear. And once you know more, it may well be worth spendig the money to close that gap. But while you're learning, maybe not. Having an interface has other benefits and gives the option of using any XLR mic you want to use. It may also be better if you want to record something like guitar using a line in. But if $50-$70 is your budget, a USB mic could be a perfectly good all-in solution to get you started. Something like the Samson Q2U is like $70 an wouldn't be a bad place to start: [https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Handheld-Microphone-Recording-Podcasting/dp/B001R747SG?ref\_=ast\_sto\_dp&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Handheld-Microphone-Recording-Podcasting/dp/B001R747SG?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1) It's a dynamic mic in the same general area as an SM58 and also an XLR mic, so you can use it with an interface later if you buy one.

The Q2U won't be as good as an SM58, but it'll probably be better than a Behringer XM8500 (or certainly at least as good)--so maybe roughly in the zone of a Shure SM48. All of those mic are roughly in the same ballpark in terms sound. So yes, I think you're analyzing it correctly. It should still work fine with an interface when you get one. It's also sometimes handy to have a USB Mic, even after getting an interface. I sometimes take my ATR2100 with me on trips (very similar to Q2U--same parent company), cuz it's portable, and if I want to record something quick on my laptop, it's better than using the internal mic, and I could also more easily do an overdub in a pinch. The longer it meets your needs, the longer you have to save for a better interface too (or perhaps find one used for a good price). So intead of getting a Scarlet Solo, maybe you're able to hold out longer and get a Scarlett 2i2 or a MOTU M2 or something like that, with two XLR inputs that is more useful long-term. I had a used 2i2 gen 1 I got and it worked well. Then I upgraded to a MOTU M4, which has a few more bells and whistles that I'm happy to have, but isn't that big of an upgrade on the used Scarlett, has simlar form factor, etc. There are certainly fancier ones I could get than what I have (MOTU Ultralite mk5; RME Babyface, Audient ID44), but for my needs, the M4 has been solid. Don't really feel like I need more right now.

If you are gaming, then get a dynamic mic as it is far better at not picking up typing noise or a washing machine. There is a reason basically all streamers and podcasters use a dynamic mic instead of a condenser one. Good budget ones are the audio technical ATR 2100x, Samsung Q2U, and Fifine K688 or AM8. I recommend listening to a youtube video to see what one you like the best.

If you are on a shoe string budget I would advise a Zoom Podtrak4 and four Samson Q2U or four Audio Technica 2100X. If you have a pretty powerful budget you can aim for a Rode Procaster II and four Rode Podmics with table stands or boom arms, or four Shure 7dBs if you really want to spend some money. There are two extremes for a four person podcast with XLR for separate channels, there are lots of options in-between.

I tested my ATR2100 (connected via XLR but also has USB-C option) against a Maono PD300X last month (same interface options) with my Focusrite. [Video here](https://youtu.be/2BEIOjn9T48?si=ydi_vPoAMRLkQlkm) if you're curious, but all in all I landed on the Maono. I also cannot stand Blue Yetis.