ASMR Gear • USB Microphones


The Best of USB Microphones

You just want my number one pick? That depends. It’s actually a tie!

Short Version : the Zoom H2n and Blue Yeti microphones.

The Zoom H2n is my preferred microphone because it is superior. It’s also a bit more technical to start with, so if you want something simple then you want the Blue Yeti instead.

Both of these microphones can be used as USB microphones, with the Zoom H2n offering additional options such as line out or recording to SD card, and both come in at around £120.

The Zoom H2n will benefit from something to mount it on, such as a Pixi tripod, adding to the cost a little, whereas the Blue Yeti has its own stand. Further details for both microphones are below for comparison.

I’ve also included the Rode NT-USB as an honourable third place mention, just pipping the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ to that spot. I remember the NT-USB being a bit more expensive and maybe not quite as versatile as the top two, but since the price has come down, it’s at least worth checking out.

Please take a look at my accessories guide if you’re thinking about microphone arms, shock mounts, tripods, longer cables and the like. Also if you’re worried about noise appearing in your recordings, take a look at my troubleshooting tips.

What are the Other Options?

My advice would be to read through the types of microphone and settle on one that you can both afford and grow into. It doesn’t need to be expensive.


My Top 3 USB Microphones

Zoom H2nBlue YetiRode NT-USB

Zoom H2n (£119)

Zoom H2n USB Recorder Microphone

My first pick is the Zoom H2n, which makes a really interesting UBS microphone, and I use mine mostly for this. The H2n has a dizzying array of abilities beyond a Blue Yeti, including an ability to record without a computer straight to SD card. Or you can record to computer via USB, as you would with a Blue Yeti. Whatever you like!

Let’s say you don’t use the USB today. You can record audio straight to SD card while recording your video on an iPhone, DSLR or whatever, and then all you need to do is import both the audio track and the video track into your editing software. Sync them up and you’re golden. The likes of Filmora can even do the sync for you.

The major benefit of this type of setup is portability. You can take a recorder and portable camera just about anywhere without lugging a hefty computer with you. Plus there’s no noise from any of the equipment. It’s all blissfully silent. The quality from specialist gear like this is higher, so yeah, you’re entering a whole new level of ASMR production from trying to use a noisy computer and basic recording equipment.

Listen to this English duo for proof. Filmed on a Fuji X100S with audio on the Zoom H2n. (It’s there on the table.)

Thanks to David play Larus sing

H2n’s Advantage over The H-n Family

The funny thing about getting a recorder is that it isn’t even that expensive for what it does. One of the Zoom H4n Pro reviewers on Amazon boasted that they used it in a Hollywood movie. And if you just did a double-take, right, I did too. But then that’s the kind of company Zoom is. It’s the company that professionals use. And this is the kind of gear that they use. You could have this gear as well. I own an H2n and love it to pieces.

Since I just mentioned the H4n Pro in such a glowing light, you might be wondering why you’d go with the H2n at all. Isn’t is worse? No, it has more built-in microphone capabilities than the H4n does and appears (after sifting through many comparison reviews and videos) to be the better stand-alone device. That’s right, Zoom have built more surround sound capabilities into the H2n and given it its own niche in the series.

In particular, it’s the 4-channel surround sound and spacial audio capabilities that jump out of the official specs.

H2n Description by Zoom

H2n Description by Zoom

The workhorse of field recorders
The Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
The H2n Handy Recorder is the only portable recording device to come with five built-in microphones and four different recording modes: X/Y, Mid-Side, 2-channel surround and 4-channel surround. Other advanced features include automatic gain control and onboard MS decoding, plus effects like compression, limiting and low cut filtering. You can even use the H2n as a multi-purpose USB microphone!

Using the H2n
With its multiple microphones and recording modes, the H2n can handle just about every kind of application. Here are just a few ways it can be used:
• Live recording of concerts and rehearsals, in either stereo or surround sound
• Location videography—the H2n gives you plenty of options in postproduction
• Creating audio for YouTube videos
• Generating lasting audio documents of important events
• As a USB microphone providing input to recording software

Five microphones, four ways of recording
The H2n offers not one, not two, but five built-in microphones. Two of them are arranged as an X/Y pair, while the other three are configured in an MS (“Mid-Side”) pattern. They can be used separately for X/Y or MS stereo recording, or combined to create stunning 2- or 4-channel surround sound.

Mid-Side for variable stereo width
Mid-Side recording is an incredible technique that allows you to actually adjust the width of the stereo image after it has been recorded, while maintaining perfect mono compatibility, making it especially useful for film, video and television projects.

The three microphone elements in the H2n MS mic are set directly on top of one another. One faces forward and the other two face to the side.

The H2n’s onboard MS decoder allows you to adjust the relative level of the mic elements, either during the recording process or afterwards, during post-production. As you increase the level of the Side microphones, the perceived stereo width increases as well.

X/Y for natural-sounding stereo
The X/Y technique provides a great way to cover a wide area while still capturing sound sources in the center with clarity and definition, making it perfect for all types of live stereo recording.

The H2n’s built-in X/Y microphone provides two matched unidirectional microphones set at a 90 degree angle relative to one another, optimum for most stereo recording applications.

Surround sound for lifelike realism
The H2n allows you to combine the signals from both the X/Y and MS microphones in order to create surround sound recordings of everything you hear—not just those sounds coming from in front of you, but from all directions.

Use 2ch mode to create a single stereo file of the combined mics, or 4ch mode to record the signal from the H2n’s X/Y mics onto one stereo track and signal from the MS mics onto another. The resulting pair of tracks can then be routed to separate speakers for an immersive listening experience or can be blended into a custom stereo track. In addition, the H2n’s MS decoding feature can be used to independently alter the level of the Side signal in both 2ch and 4ch modes.

Spatial Audio for VR
The Zoom H2n is the only handheld recorder that captures four-channel surround sound audio. With Firmware v 2.00, it’s perfect for the creation of 360-degree “Spatial Audio” files, the next-generation surround sound format native to the Google JUMP Virtual Reality Platform.

Using “Spatial Audio” mode, you can create a single four-channel, multi-track WAV file that includes Omni,
Left/Right, and Forward/Backward tracks. This Spatial Audio file is then ready to be combined with 360-degree VR videos recorded with the Google JUMP compatible camera rig (such as the GoPro Odyssey or Ricoh Theta). Once completed, the immersive videos are ready to upload to YouTube.

Note: Viewers using the YouTube Android app on Android version 4.2 or higher can listen to spatial audio on headphones (recommended) or speakers.

Additional information regarding H2n and Spatial Audio for VR:
Recording Spatial Audio with the Zoom H2n
Use spatial audio in 360-degree and VR videos

The Ins and Outs
The H2n Line In is a stereo ⅛” mini phone jack that can accept two channels of mic- and/or line-level signals. Condenser microphones requiring Plug-In Power (2.5 volts) can be connected to this jack. An analog-type Mic Gain dial allows you to manually set input level, or you can choose one of the three Auto Gain presets to automatically set the optimum recording level.

The H2n Line Out is a stereo ⅛” phone jack with dedicated volume control. Headphones can be connected to this jack for private monitoring of the input or recorded signal. There’s also a built-in speaker on the back panel for fast monophonic monitoring of the recorded signal without the need to make any connections.

The H2n USB port provides a digital output of the stereo mix and allows data to be sent to and from your computer. From there, it can be imported into editing software such as the supplied WaveLab LE. USB also enables the H2n to be used as a 4-in/2-out audio interface or as a USB microphone.

Pre-Record, Auto-Record and Data Recovery
Pre-Record
The interview started a split-second before you were ready. The conductor lifted his baton just as you were checking a cable. The talent went back on-air a moment too soon.

No problem… as long as you’re using an H2n. Its Pre-record function automatically keeps the H2n silently but continuously recording in the background, all the time, keeping the previous two seconds* when you hit RECORD.

*One second when recording in 4ch surround mode at a 96 kHz sampling rate.

Auto-Record
Auto-Record allows the H2n to automatically start recording when a certain level of sound is detected. As soon as an incoming signal exceeds the Start Level you’ve set, recording begins. There’s an equivalent Auto-record Stop function, too; as soon as incoming signal drops below the Stop Level you’ve set, recording ends.

Data Recovery
The H2n’s Data Recovery feature automatically repairs corrupted files—something that can happen if power is interrupted during recording or if an SD card is removed during a writing or editing procedure.

Onboard effects
The H2n provides an arsenal of effects that allow you to add polish to your recordings and compensate for any problems or limitations in the acoustics of the recording environment.

Compression and limiting can be used to control fluctuations in level, acting like an automatic volume control. The main difference between the two is that a limiter reduces louder sounds more severely.

A low-cut filter removes signal below a designated frequency. This is useful for eliminating pops, wind noise, blowing, and other kinds of low frequency rumble such as transmitted resonance from an onstage mic stand.

There’s also an onboard metronome and chromatic / guitar / bass tuner. In addition, playback can be looped and the playback speed varied without pitch change (or vice versa) to facilitate phrase training.

File types supported
The H2n can record audio in two different basic file types: WAV and MP3. The main difference between the two is that WAV files are uncompressed; that is, they contain all the recorded signal without any data being removed. The WAV files recorded by the H2n can be either 16- or 24-bit, with sampling rates of 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz, and are automatically time-stamped, making them Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compliant—especially important when recording audio for video since it allows for precise synchronization in post-production.

MP3 recordings are compressed, which means that some unnecessary data is removed prior to storage, making them much smaller than WAV files, and thus much easier to upload and download. Some MP3 files exhibit a slight loss of audio fidelity as compared with the original signal; however, this is not noticeable in all circumstances.

The H2n allows you to easily convert WAV files to MP3 format and you can use its internal mixer to mix down the pair of stereo files created in 4ch surround to stereo, with independent control over each track’s level and panning.

Battery life and recording times
The H2n requires just 2 AA batteries—either alkaline or rechargeable NiMH. Battery life when using alkaline batteries is more than 20 hours, even during continuous recording. Alternatively, you can use an optional AD-17 AC adapter, which allows you to power the H2n from any standard wall socket.

The H2n records directly to SD cards. It supports standard SD and SDHC cards, up to 32 gigabytes. The chart below shows maximum recording time with different file formats and card sizes. (Chart)

Using the H2n as an audio interface
The H2n’s USB port allows it to send and receive digital data and to act as a 4-input / 2-output audio interface (enabling you to use it as a USB microphone). Simply connect the H2n to your laptop or desktop computer via USB, launch your favorite DAW or use the included WaveLab LE software, and start laying down your tracks.

State of the art editing with every recorder
The Zoom H2n comes with free download licenses for Steinberg’s Cubase LE music production software and WaveLab LE audio editing software, providing not just the ability to capture superior audio in every box, but to do spectacular things with it.

Take your recordings to a more professional level. Steinberg’s powerful and state-of-the-art audio software used by creators around the world now comes with every Zoom Handy Recorder purchase.

Currently shipping with:
Cubase LE8 for Mac OS X 10.9/10.10 and Windows 7/8/8.1
Wavelab LE9 for Mac OS X 10.10/10.11 and Windows 7/8/8.1/10

For information on license activation and upgrades, visit our Steinberg Software support page.

Features at a glance
• Five built-in microphones and four recording modes: Mid-Side (MS) stereo, 90° X/Y stereo, and both 2-channel and 4-channel surround
• Analog-type input gain control
• Auto Gain provides three preset recording levels
• Stereo ⅛” Mic/Line In mini phone jack with Plug-in power (2.5V)
• Stereo ⅛” Phone/Line Output jack with dedicated volume control
• Built-in reference speaker for fast monitoring
• Large 1.8 inch backlit LCD display
• Records directly to SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB
• Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
• Auto-record and Pre-record features
• WAV to MP3 conversion
• Internal mixdown: four-track surround to stereo
• Up to 99 marks per recording
• Built-in effects, including compression/limiting and low-cut filtering
• Onboard MS decoding
• Normalize and Divide functions
• Chromatic tuner and metronome
• Loop playback with user-defined start and stop points
• Variable playback speed, from 50% to 150% for phrase training
• Variable pitch without affecting playback speed
• USB port for data exchange to and from computer and use as a USB microphone
• 4-in/2-out USB audio interface for PC/Mac computers
• SD card reader function
• Data recovery function automatically saves data if power fails or card is removed
• Mounts directly to tripod or DSLR
• Runs on only 2 standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or AC adapter (AD-17, USB to AC type)
• Over 20 hours of operation with 2 AA alkaline batteries

Accessories
Here’s what comes included with the H2n:
• Operation manual
• 2 AA batteries
• Steinberg Cubase LE and WaveLab LE editing software


Intense, right? You could make incredible ASMR with such capability. Overall the Zoom H2n is a very affordable killer device. Even if you also bought an H4n Pro for it’s XLR abilities, your Zoom H2n would retain it’s place in the sun forever. Definitely a great choice for your first recorder microphone. And also a great choice for your tenth.

So, do you really need batteries? Not if you’re using USB power, no. You can also use a USB lithium-ion power pack or a USB AC adapter instead of a computer. Batteries are just an option, and the device will automatically switch to the internal batteries when needed, should you put any in. Two fresh AA batteries will last (in reality) around 6 hours.

As with mics such as the Blue Yeti, there’s a headphone port for you to monitor what you’re recording. That’s true for the later Zooms too, which is pro gear and you can expect that as standard now. While the full list of audio features may seem overwhelming at first, the Zoom H2n is an easy mic to get to grips with, while providing you with plenty of room to grow.

The H2n will work as a USB mic out of the box. To use additional features of the H2n with a computer, you’ll need to download and install some drivers from Zoom’s website, and check that the H2n’s firmware is the latest. Overall this is a very impressive piece of kit at a very reasonable price, and it should last you a long time if you take care of it.

Should you want to listen to more of the H2n’s sound quality, I listened to all of David play Larus sing‘s covers when I was making my own choice. You are welcome to do the same if you feel like it. All the ones I saw were done with a Fuji X100S camera and a Zoom H2n audio recorder.

My personal H2n setup has this mic on a Pixi tripod, which I collapse and slot into a shock mount. It’s currently my favourite USB microphone.

Blue Yeti (~£119)

Blue Yeti Stereo Microphone (Aztec Copper)

First off, there are a lot of USB microphones on the market. So many. I really thought I was going to have a headache sifting through a mountain of microphones with very similar capabilities until I read up on the Blue Yeti. This microphone must be as famous in the ASMR community as the 3Dio for very, very good reasons. It has many more relevant features for ASMRtists than the vast majority of the competition out there and so it has to be a top pick for this category.

Firstly it’s a stereo mic. Some people confuse stereo with binaural, but it’s not that, no you need two microphones to create binaural sound. A stereo mic still allows for some incredible effects though make no mistake. The Blue Yeti also has a selector for four different audio pickup patterns, which allows you to screen out sound from particular directions. Smart! Booth Junkie goes over the four patterns in about the next 2 minutes. (~4m30 to ~6m30s is the part to watch.)

Thanks to Booth Junkie

The next feature that’s amazing is the monitoring port for headphones, which allows you to hear exactly what you’re recording with zero latency, a must have feature for many artists. Without that feature you’re just hoping and praying that what you’re recording is good. All you do is plug in some headphones and you’ll be able to hear exactly what your listeners will hear. Most competing mics don’t allow you to do that, but the Yeti does.

Yeti Description by Blue

Yeti Description by Blue

Professional Multi-Pattern USB Mic for Recording & Streaming

The World’s #1 USB Microphone
Create unparalleled recordings with your computer using Blue’s best-selling Yeti family of USB microphones. Thanks to our proprietary tri-capsule technology, Yeti microphones produce pristine, studio-quality recordings with legendary ease. And four different pattern settings offer incredible flexibility so you can record vocals, music, podcasts, audio for video, interviews, or even cryptozoology lectures in ways that would normally require multiple microphones. Whether you’re recording at home, on the road, or in the Himalayas, Yeti helps you produce studio-quality recordings every time.

Yeti for Any Application
From professional podcasting to music recording, gaming, and even audio for video, Yeti carries your projects to studio-quality heights.

Blue Microphones’ proprietary tri-capsule technology gives you four distinct pattern modes to choose from:

Cardioid Mode
Perfect for podcasts, game streaming, vocal performances, voice-overs and instruments. Cardioid mode records sound sources that are directly in front of the microphone, delivering rich, full-bodied sound.

Stereo Mode
Uses both the left and right channels to capture a wide, realistic sound image—ideal for recording acoustic guitar or choir.

Omnidirectional Mode
Picks up sound equally from all around the mic. It’s best used in situations when you want to capture the ambience of “being there”—like recording a band’s live performance, a multi-person podcast or a conference call.

Bidirectional Mode
Records from both the front and rear of the microphone—good for recording a duet or a two-person interview.

Total Recording Control with Yeti
Yeti features studio controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute and microphone gain—putting you in charge of every level of the recording process. If you’re experiencing distortion or feedback while recording an especially loud source—like the deafening sound of an avalanche—simply adjust the microphone’s sensitivity with the gain control. Or if you want to take a break in the middle of a podcast, use the instant mute button.

The microphone comes equipped with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack that allows you to listen to what you’re recording in real-time, without latency delays—that means no more hearing a note 3 seconds after you played it. You can adjust the volume of your headphones using the control on the front of the microphone.

Innovative Design Makes Recording Easy
Yeti doesn’t mind getting pushed around—it lets you adjust and pivot the microphone in relation to the sound source, which optimizes your sound quality. Once you’ve achieved the desired angle, simply hand-tighten the set knobs to secure it in place. Yeti is a side-address microphone, so you can capture the best sound by going face-to-face with it. The microphone can also be folded down for easy portability, or removed completely from its base for mounting directly on a mic stand or Radius II shockmount.

Hassle-free Setup
Simply plug Yeti into your computer’s USB port with the included USB cable, calibrate it with your operating system, and you’re ready to record—rain, shine or snow. Yeti offers driver-free operation, while the Yeti Pro requires easy-to-install drivers, available from Blue.

Yeti is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8 (including 8.1), Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Home and Professional), and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher), and requires a minimum of 64 MB of RAM*.

The Yeti USB Microphone is backed by a two-year limited warranty.

Start Recording Quickly
Who needs a learning curve? Yeti was designed with a convenient, no-hassle workflow in mind. Set up in seconds with the included desktop stand or connect directly to a mic stand. Adjust microphone gain, pick up pattern, headphone volume, or mute/unmute with easy-to-reach controls. And record in comfort with Yeti’s side-address operation—just speak, sing or play into the Yeti on the same side as the Blue logo to capture pro sound.

The Yeti is a side-address microphone. A side-address microphone accepts sound from an angle perpendicular to the mic—as opposed to a front-address mic, which accepts sound from the “end” of the microphone.

FULL FEATURES
• The ultimate professional USB microphone
• Tri-capsule array—three condenser capsules can record almost any situation
• Multiple pattern selection—cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo
• Gain control, mute button, zero-latency headphone output
• Unique positionable design
• Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, gaming, field recordings, conference calls and more
• Plug ‘n play—Mac and PC compatible

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Microphone and Performance
• Power Required/Consumption: 5V 150mA
• Sample Rate: 48 kHz
• Bit Rate: 16-bit
• Capsules: 3 Blue-proprietary 14mm condenser capsules
• Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.5% 1kHz)
• Dimensions (extended in stand): 4.72″ (12cm) x 4.92″(12.5cm) x 11.61″(29.5cm)
• Weight (microphone): 1.2 lbs (.55 kg)
• Weight (stand): 2.2 lbs (1 kg)

Headphone Amplifier
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Power Output (RMS): 130 mW
• THD: 0.009%
• Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 22 kHz
• Signal to Noise: 100dB

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Windows
• Windows 7, 8.1, or 10
• USB 1.1/2.0/3.0

Macintosh
• macOS 10.10 or higher
• USB 1.1/2.0/3.0


The overall construction of the Blue Yeti looks incredible, quite a large microphone, very easy to brush, tap and interact with. It’s also perfect for voice work, from whispers to normal speech. So you can podcast with it as well if you wanted. A very flexible microphone, and the price point is also frequently mentioned as being very attractive for everything that you get. Great value.

If you’d like to hear the microphone in action, take a look at this video from Caroline ASMR.

Thanks to Caroline ASMR

Caroline uses the Blue Yeti a lot and I have to say it sounds amazing and she gets really great results out of it. It’s funny because some people much prefer the stereo sound you get with the Yeti over the binaural options and it really goes to prove you don’t have to spend a lot to get into creating the best ASMR.

The Blue Yeti microphone also comes in a lot of different colours, including newly released ones. I have a gallery. Also because this is USB, you won’t need a specialist recording device, you just record on your computer, do your editing and then you’re done. Easy.

Rode NT-USB (~£120+)

Rode NT-USB Studio Quality USB Microphone

I was determined to find at least one good competitor to the Blue Yeti for the USB category. Although I found the “quite good” Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ microphone, it wasn’t good enough to recommend to you for ASMR. Then I came across the Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone, which is at least worth a look. Something to challenge the Blue Yeti? Let’s dig a little deeper.

NT-USB Description by Rode

NT-USB Description by Rode

NT-USB
Versatile Studio-Quality USB Microphone
• High quality studio microphone with the convenience of USB connectivity
• Pop shield, Tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch and 6m (20’) USB cable included
• 3.5mm stereo headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring
• Direct mix control between mic input and source output
• Compatible with Apple® iPad
• Compatible with the SMR shockmount & WS2 foam windshield
• Two year extended warranty when you register your microphone

The NT-USB is a highly versatile side-address microphone that is ideal for recording singing and musical performances in addition to spoken applications such as podcasting and voice-over.

It is fully compatible with all mainstream recording applications on both Windows and Mac OS based computers, as well as the Apple iPad using RØDE Rec, GarageBand, or any other recording app that accepts an external microphone. Use on the Apple iPad requires a suitable USB connection adaptor, such as the Apple Camera Connection Kit.

The body of the NT-USB features a zero-latency stereo headphone monitoring (3.5mm) jack, which allows you to monitor the microphone input in realtime, along with dials to adjust the monitoring level and mix between the computer/iPad audio and the microphone input.

A premium pop-filter is included, which fits onto the base of the mic, positioning the filter the ideal distance from the capsule to minimise plosives (hard ‘B’, ‘T’ or ‘P’ sounds that produce a harsh sound) during singing or speech. Also provided is a high-quality stand mount with industry standard 3/8” thread, desktop tripod stand that allows the NT-USB to sit at a comfortable height on a tabletop, and a pouch for storage of the microphone when not in use.

NT-USB Specifications
• Acoustic Principle — Pressure Gradient
• Active Electronics — JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer, A/D converter 16bit 48kHz
• Capsule — 0.50″
• Polar Pattern — Cardioid
• Resolution — 16-bit
• Address Type — Side
• Frequency Range — 20Hz – 20kHz
• Maximum SPL — 110dBSPL
• Power Options — USB bus powered
• Weight — 520g
• Dimensions — 184mmH x 62mmW x 50mmD
• Output — USB Output
• Warranty — 1 year with free extension to 2 years following registration here


Well okay. First thing’s first, Rode have reduced the price on Amazon to match that of the Blue Yeti. People who own both microphones report that while the Blue Yeti has more features, the Rode delivers a higher audio quality. You also get a custom pop filter thrown in, so you don’t have to buy one of those as an extra.

Great features worth noting on the Rode include plug and play (no drivers to install, just plug it in and it works) and that all-important headphone jack for monitoring what you’re recording. Overall I still think the Blue Yeti is the safer bet as the better microphone for ASMR in the USB category on price and features, but if you’re sold on the Rode’s higher quality as a studio mic then why not give it a shot.



Conclusion

As you can see, all three microphones have gravitated to a similar price, which is that of the Blue Yeti. The Zoom H2n and Rode NT-USB have both dropped in price to match.

The Zoom H2n became my personal favourite once I got to grips with it. It’s a professional recorder microphone as well as a USB microphone, and it does more than the other two at a higher quality. The one downside, perhaps, is that it’s a bit more complicated — but therein lies its greater potential.

The Blue Yeti is the most aesthetically beautiful of the three microphones. It’s also the most popular, with many colour variants, and it’s very easy to use. The only downside might perhaps be its bulk if you intend to mount it, so be sure your mount can handle it. You can see my Blue Yeti gallery here.

The Rode NT-USB is a bit of a wildcard. It’s good, no doubt, from a well respected brand.

Lastly, if you’re interested in stepping up a level, you should definitely check out Recorder Microphones. All of these double as USB microphones, plus they also act as an audio interface for professional external mics that require XLR ports. They are, however, more money.