QuadCast 2 S

Good quality top SM7db with Scarlett 2i2. A really good mic that will do the job extremely well, the HyperX QuadCast If you start the second, if you are pro the first

When I was looking for a new mic to replace my aging Yet, it came down to the HyperX QuadCast S, or the Elgato Wave 3. I went with the Elgato Wave 3. From what I heard in side-by-side recording comparisons I liked the Wave 3 more. An added bonus I didn't realize at the time is Elgato's software can utilize VST plugins, while HyperX's ngenuity software does not. They both have built-in features like noise reductions, but neither are great. There are better plugins out there. Elgato makes it easier imo. You can still use VST plugins you just need additional software. One one PC I use Voicemeeter Banana, and on another EquilizerAPO. At this price, it may be worth considering the Quadcast S. The Wave 3 is currently $150, but goes on sale for $100-120. I just want to make one more additional note. The EPOS Gaming B20 has been under $25 on amazon for months. It's a discontinued mic, but I like its sound more than my yeti (not as much as my Wave 3). But it was a quarter of the price for comparable quality sound. (That's the mic I use Voicemeeter for). While still available, that mic breaks the price/performance ratio. It's a steal for the price. (Worth noting EPOS branched off of Sennheiser)

Im not a professional, but most content creators use a Shure SM7B, so that seems to be the standard. Not only is the mic expensive, but audio interfaces that I would need to set it up are also expensive, so I havent gotten myself one as I cant justify it. I was on budget, and I nabbed myself a hyperx quadcast. As long as you understand positioning, and others say get yourself a free software for compression, its a pretty solid mic. One of the best in USB mics

Hyper X Quadcast or Blue Yeti is exactly that budget, and both are as good as you can get with USB. Otherwise, you're going to sink in like another $200 or so into a system just to adapt it. If you want a Shure, go right ahead, but for strictly YT and Gaming? I, for one, cant justify it until my career starts (cuz i rlly do want a shure) or if I hit 1mil subs on YT Edit: I would 100% recommend buying a boom arm for it tho. I used the hyperx for the longest time, bought a boom arm 2 years ago and never hooked it up. The sound difference was so great one of my friends legit thought I picked up a new mic. Positioning is key.

I used to use a quadcast before upgrading, you can probably find a good condition used one off ebay if you wanna save a few bucks on it.

HyperX Quadcast S is a great starter mic it’s like $180

The quadcast S comes with more adjustability as far as the gain goes, and overall quality due to its build and size