Microphones

Microphone choice is dominated by two decisions: whether you want USB convenience or XLR flexibility, and which pickup pattern suits your room. A more expensive microphone in a bad room can sound worse than a cheaper one in a treated space.

• Connection: USB, XLR, or both. Hybrid microphones let you start on USB and move to an interface later.
• Pickup pattern: cardioid rejects more room noise, omnidirectional captures more of it.
• Monitoring: a headphone jack with zero-latency monitoring is a practical convenience.
• Mounting: desk stands transmit vibration, so an arm or shock mount often helps.
• Controls: hardware gain and mute are useful when software is unreliable.