RØDE - NT-USB Mini

This is the way. Just to add I'd look for the RODE mini if you're going with them since it's more inline with the iphone shooting style. If you're planning on moving on to shooting on a camera at some point I'd save up for the wireless pro.

I have the Rode NT Mini USB mic. Works well and plugs straight in as an interface. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NTUSBMini--rode-nt-usb-mini-usb-condenser-microphone?mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700080605831475&lid=92700080605831475&ds_s_kwgid=58700008755805609&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=2337469666535&product_id=NTUSBMini&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=m&network=g&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=1026836&creative=708892062224&targetid=aud-297527862170:pla-2337469666535&campaignid=21573890532&awsearchcpc=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21573890532&gbraid=0AAAAAD_RQYnwnS3lPzdXb82EtaEWkXJGz&gclid=CjwKCAjw4K3DBhBqEiwAYtG_9Ac96iwo1YyMR2jWHk0CpUq_kQuTlvrRVcbUjPNjnZslL8Smeu-5DxoCAWsQAvD_BwE

The rode nt-usb mini is a very solid mic for the price

There is no world where a Maono mic is the best mic under $120. The FiFine K688 is an absurd deal for under $80. As a podcast editor, it’s hands down the best usb/xlr mic I’ve heard under $100. I would also take the Samson Q2U and ATR2100x over Maono. I’ve not had good experiences with guests using Maono equipment. Similar to my experiences with people using FiFine’s Yeti knockoffs. I’d also question recommending condenser mics to beginner podcasters like the FiFine K669 and Rode NT-USB. Condensers cause so much more work for any podcaster recording in typical podcaster environments. I’m curious why there’s so much focus on sample rate and commentary that would lead someone new to podcasting to think that higher sample rate = better mic.

I have a Rode NT USB Mini, which I use for the same purposes. It's an excellent microphone.

I used to rock a RØDE NT-USB Mini, but it picked up waytoo much background noise in my room - every keyboard tap sounded like a drum lol. I switched to the Sennheiser and it’s been such a chill upgrade. For your budget, I’d say the Profile is a really solid pick.

I do audio only 1 year ish but recorded demos for past music stuff. I use an h6 for field recording. I use rode micro minis for when interviews aren’t in my studio. I use a rodecaster pro 2 to mix and narrate. Preamps and noise reduction are recorded through this. I have shure 58 mic, and 2 sm7bs. My daw is Logic Pro for iPad til I can afford a MacBook Pro.

The biggest factor is how you’ll be connecting your mic. If you’re plugging directly into your computer, go with a USB mic. If you’re using a mixer or audio interface, you’ll need an XLR mic, but $85 won’t get you a good one in that category. Here’s what I recommend: Check out the RØDE NT-USB Mini. It usually sells for around $99, but you can often find it used on Amazon Warehouse for $65 to $75. We use these in our podcasting company. We’ve got about two dozen of them and send them to guests who appear on the shows we produce. Most of ours came from Amazon Warehouse. I’ve never had to return one. They’re usually just open-box items that work perfectly. Excellent sound quality for podcasting and YouTube USB connection, so no extra gear needed Small and travel-friendly Built-in pop filter Durable and well-made It’s probably the best mic you’ll find close to your budget without compromising quality. Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to help! (Disclosure: I work in podcast development and strategy.)

I can recommend the rode ntg 2 and tbeir mini USB mic isn't bad either. Read up on the ntg, I use it with an audio interface because I think it might need 48 volts but I'm not totally Shure (see what I did there?)

Dude thank you so much! Merlin had a sort of built in plug and play Bino set but I think fine tuning the audio set up is wayyyyy better. I might try to modify this by adding a parabolic dome with my own rode mini mic and see if it improves anything