Blue Microphones - Snowball iCE USB Microphone

I have used blue snowball ice for 4 years, now jumped on logitech blue yeti, no problems, clean sound :)

I'd steer clear of stuff with LED strips on it that's branded and marketed towards gaming. Generally speaking this is always rebranded stuff that slaps on some LEDs, call's it a "gaming" thing and then doubles the price. There are two mics that you see EVERYWHERE when you start looking at professional creators doing livestreams, lets play, and reaction content: [Shure SM7B](https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm7b?variant=SM7B) (or SM7dB) [Rode ProCaster](https://rode.com/en-us/products/procaster?srsltid=AfmBOoqbDBqgCTk8jiqVmo0VI9sTE7sj9zHTYlBbhTP29rJbuBMfc3oR) Also occasionally the Electrovoice re20. I own both a Rode ProCaster and a Shure SM7B. Before those, I had a cheap $50 blue snowball ICE. I fought for about a year with the Blue Snowball Ice. Too sensitive, picks up too much room noise/cars outside, etc. If you want to hear how bad that mic sounds, you can look at my channel and sort by the oldest videos (that are like 7-8 years old now). I spent hours per video trying to tweak the audio and it still always sounded bad. When I got the Rode ProCaster, everything changed. Suddenly there was a big enough difference between the room noise and my voice, that I could use an expander effect to make the audio silent when I wasn't speaking, and it didn't cut into my voice. I no longer had to agonize over the audio. It also just makes my voice sound so much better, especially with a little bit of post recording effects added correctly. I got the Shure SM7B last year, and honestly... it's a great mic, but IDK, for double the price of the Rode ProCaster, I expected more. I like my ProCaster better. Gives more warmth to the low end of my voice and makes it shine. The SM7B also picks up more room noise than the ProCaster. Don't get me wrong, it's acceptable, but I prefer the Rode. If you decide to get the ProCaster, you will need to pair it with an audio interface, and you might need a cloudlifter to give it enough clean gain, depending on the audio interface. If you want my exact setup, here's what I use: Rode ProCaster Cloudlifter CL-1 Focusrite Scarlett Solo (gen3, but get whatever is latest gen) Been using this for 7+ years and I've had so many compliments on my voice. Never did I think I had a "good" voice, but I guess a good mic will do that.

If you want solid under $150 mics, for live conferences a clean USB option like the Blue Snowball iCE or Samson Q2U (USB/XLR) works well and won’t pick up every room noise. For podcasts/shows, a dynamic like the Shure SM58 (used can be under 150) or a USB like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x gives better voice clarity. All are easy to use and widely recommended by people starting out.

Go to Target, buy a cheap streaming mic. You DO NOT need anything any better at this point. See also [this microphone](https://www.target.com/p/blue-snowball-ice-usb-microphone-white/-/A-89647118) which has been used to make professional demos and recordings!

Switching from a Blue Snowball USB mic to an AT2020 and Scarlett 4i4 made a huge difference In my recordings. I have a little more control over the input so I have less to adjust in post.

Honestly, if you have a small carpeted room, or can a find a good space I think that matters more. I used a blue snowball my first 40 or so auditions and got roles. Now I have an AT2020 with a cage and interface and my music producing friend said it didnt sound that different. I dont think it does either. Oh and don't talk directly in the mic, just try to avoid popping it maybe put a sock on it or something

The Snowball is a cheap condenser mic. They tend to pick up more transients in my experience and I've measured increased ambient sound with them but they are *crisp* and can record in higher fidelity. Dynamic mics have to be closer usually and seem to have a tighter pickup pattern. They sound slightly more compressed as well. Usually a new person working with a dynamic mic can get away with more than a condenser. MXL makes some decent cheap condenser mics but ifg you want a good one, the Røde NT1 5th gen (XLR and USB) or the Signature Edition (same but XLR only) is a very good starter mic. It will pick up the cat in the litter box downstairs, though. DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am in fact an asshole. !

Hi! For lightings, I think you can find a variety of cheap ones on Amazon or your local e-commerce website For Mic, if you have a tight budget, I recommend USB mics like: - Blue Snowball - HyperX solocast - Razer Seiren They’re plug and play and sounds so good. Everytime I speak my friends always surprised how good the quality is. It’s more than enough for beginner streaming/recordings If you have tighter budget, then I recommend Lavalier mics. Many options as well online Hope this helps!

Been using Blue Snowball for a decade and ir works great. Recently upgrade to Shure MV6 but too soon to tell.

You could always look at getting a yeti snowball or something similar. Good starter mic, you just have to play with filters a little bit.