Category: Geeks r Us
This one should be easy but I figured I'd ask anyway, since many of you have experience in such things. There is a huge number of reviews on Youtube and an equally large variety of choices out there to the point that it's a bit overwhelming.
I'm looking for a computer microphone. I would prefer it to be omnidirectional, as I'd like it to be able to pick up sounds from across the room and in the next room as well. I'm not an audiofile, so when I say that I want high quality, I'm not talking about professional levels. As a benchmark, the microphone in the Macbook is excellent for me as are those in several tape recorders made for the average consumer. I just want it to be clear and not muffled and to have some base and not sound like a toy. I'll mostly be using it on the pc to record things for myself, like games of dominoes with Grandma, where we often say funny things, though I may also use it for making Youtube videos. It can connect either via the standard microphone jack or via a usb port. It must be under $50. I would like something durable that won't break in a year or so. It can be a lapel or a desktop microphone. I actually have a very nice headset that uses standard jacks, but the minute I put it down and walk away from it, it can't pick up my voice. This is great for Skype or MSN conversations and for making videos but not for my current needs.
As I said, the one in the Mac is great, but when I use the ISight camera, it makes a constant chirping sound due to my covering the lens. This is completely normal, so I'm not concerned. But if I continue to use that machine to make my Youtube videos, I would like to get a microphone which doesn't do that. My headset only works with Windows machines. So please let me know if the microphone that you're recommending is Mac-compatible or if it only works on pcs. Also, does it require batteries, and if so, does it have an on-off switch or must the batteries be removed when the device is not in use? Thanks.
I've seen the number of views for this topic (currently 31) and am really surprised that no one has been able to offer any suggestions. I didn't think this one was that difficult, considering the huge number of options available.
I have a headset microphone that came with dragon naturally speaking, but it's not omnidirection. I also have a microphone that came with the olympus DSS. This is great.
By the way, the mike with the olympus is mac-compatible, connects through a 1/4 inch connector and doesn't use batteries. I have no idea if you can get it without the recorder, though. I can try to record something with it, so you can see how it is.
Yes, I'm very curious as to how it sounds! Unfortunately, my standard jacks on the Mac are shot, but I could still use it with the pc and probably could get a usb adapter for use with the Mac.
synthesizer101: I'm just wondering if you managed to find the name of that microphone. If not, does anyone else have another suggestion?
I think that I've decided on a microphone which will suit me quite nicely. It's the Audio Technica ATR4600. Designed specifically for computers, this has a lapel mount and a monitor mount and it's omnidirectional as I wanted. Plus, it plugs in using the standard microphone jack. I looked on Youtube for a review, hoping that I could hear it in action, but none was there. They had a few lavaleer microphones, including a nice wireless one with great sound, but from what Audio Technica and a few other sites said, those are only for cameras. In any case, for $5.99 and shipping, I really can't go wrong. I've also read some very positive reviews of it's sound so that helps too. Here it is at B&H.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664547-REG/Audio_Technica_ATR4600_ATR4600_Omnidirectional_Condenser_Computer.html