Maono - HD300T Dynamic Microphone

While the Q2U is a solid mic choice, I'm not sure why this would be recommended ahead of the similar, currently cheaper (on Amazon) AT2100X, which has newer converters, allowing for higher quality USB recording. I'd also be considering the Maono HD300t. These all give you the option to start with USB and graduate to XLR later if the need (ie multiple mics) arises. Honestly from what I've heard I don't think you'll notice the difference in sound out of either. Audacity is free and apparently fine, though I've always found it clunky and unintuitive, probably just because I don't use it much. I like Reaper much more and it's essentially free if you don't mind a nag screen after the 60 day trial period. You might even be compelled to pay up for the amazing value for what you get, allowing you to grow way beyond the basics. A lot of eBay cheap scissor boom arms that clamp into the edge if a table come with a disc style pop filter which can be quite effective. The cheap stands are fine if your mic isn't a chonka. Another option is a gooseneck style stand. The Maono I mentioned comes with its own pop filter and stand, though it would probably be better on a boom arm. Depending what you're using it for you might want to hang some moving blankets on your walls to absorb sound reflections and make sure you have a rug or carpet to avoid reflections between the floor & ceiling. I personally find it annoying listening to recordings where the room sound is very prominent. Moving blankets can easily be hung on clips on command hooks and are more effective with an air gap. Thick curtains (drapes apparently in the US) are another good option along the walls if you're serious about getting good sound. This setup, while inexpensive, would let you produce audio to a pro level with sufficient skill, talent and practice.

Another vote for NOT getting the Blue Yeti. If you want more than 1 mic you'll have major headaches with USB (except in very specific circumstances which are probably not for newbies). Plus in every mic shootout I've ever heard including a Blue Yeti, something else around the same price sounds better. And I see people sounding even worse than they could by talking into the wrong part of Blue Yetis all the time because of their silly design. I'd suggest AudioTechnica AT2100X, Behringer XM8500, Maono HD300t, Shure SM58 or my current personal fave SM57 with the real Shure lockable foam pop filter which makes it look way cooler (IMO). I would make sure whatever XLR interface you get has Loopback - which lets you easily route sounds from your computer such as a remote guest or music/SFX on a soundboard to your DAW. Without this you will experience many frustrations. While I'd love to recommend the inexpensive Behringer 202HD, it doesn't have a mix balance control which allows you to adjust the balance of sound coming from your DAW and your import source (voice); also I've been unable to confirm whether it has built in Loopback despite one Google hit saying it does. The 4 preamp version definitely does not.

Sorry but you can't expect good clean sound when they are using speakers at their end. That will always leak into the microphone and cause echo and to remove that requires echo cancellation settings to be enabled which always severely impact the source sound. The Neat Bumblebee 2 is pretty impressive for $50. Would be better if it could be put on a gooseneck stand that brings it up close to the mouth. Possibly even better is the Maono HD300t, currently $60 on Amazon, since it's dynamic, comes with pop filter and a stand that (I hope) raises it closer to the mouth. But forget it if they've got their speakers up. If they can overcome this obstacle and are using Zoom, have them go into audio settings and select Original Audio. This disables all the echo cancellation algorithms and allows higher bit rate audio

The most solid recommendations you'll see again and again will be for the Samson Q2U and the very similar ATR2100X. I usually suggest the AT because it has newer converters, doesn't restrict you to 16 bit and has USB C. I've always thought they sounded much the same but came across [this](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p4J4Nbus6NU&t=2s) vid last night which really highlights the differences. While in some ways I prefer the warmer sound of the Q2U I have to say its very low output level and high noise floor are borderline unacceptable. Now the mics in this comparison are second hand and I can't rule out a technical problem with this particular Samson unit, as I haven't encountered these issues in other comparisons. Of the alternatives, I've always thought the Maono HD300t is a good value package, coming with a usable stand and pop filter, and I just like how it looks, but it is a bit on the bright side. Check it out amongst the comparisons to the Fifine K688 [here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bZQ0NiQnlrk) If you want that SM7B look without paying for it (and dealing with the low output XLR issues) I think Maono's copycat mics sound a little better than the Fifines - the PD100X, 200X & 300X; but just now, going back to that vid I linked which I haven't heard in a while, I think the K688 sounds pretty balanced.

USB only causes probs when you try to mix multiple USB mics or hybrid mics using their USB outputs. Some other good USB + XLR options I like are the AudioTechnica AT2100X, the Maono HD300t and one of their SM7B lookalikes the PD200X which I think sounds better than the similar looking FiFine K688. You can find comparisons on YT

I ordered a cheap podcast USB mic from Amazon 3 years ago, called the Maono microphone. I'm still using it, and it sounds great, and it was about 70$ USA

maono and fifine are great value. pd100x or am8 perform pretty similarly. seiren is pretty spartan when it comes to features. hyperX is good but pricey

I vouch for maono/fifine. Gamer brands are overpriced. Just a heads up, if the mic is an XLR jack, you'll be needing an audio interface tho. That I cant say much about it.

Have you watched the reviews/sound tests on YouTube? I'm definitely not the right person to give any advice as I only have experiences with cheap chinese microphones. 😁 But since you said it's just for hobbies, Maono has some great choices to choose from and there are a bunch of reviews on YouTube testing & comparing them out in different condition. You'd definitely want a mic with a gain control if you also play an instrument as mics for singing are usually only good for close-up singing. I personally own two Maonos. 1 for singing up close, 1 for casual instrument playing. I don't have any room treatment or whatsoever but their microphones naturally reduce background noises and I'm not interested to upgrade as I'm not willing to invest that much for a hobby.

Get one with a shock mount if you can. The desk mics will pick up every little bump and nudge when you hit the table kahit very minor. The maonos are great value for the money if you're on a budget.

With that being said, you can basically use any mic and tune it to your hearts content. Blue snowballs are good I’ve heard and I use a maono in the same situation you are. The Maono does me good enough

Maono! May own software.