Category: accessible Devices
I am seeking suggestions for a microphone with either a 3.5mm or a usb connector. Either way, it must work in a computer, and if 3.4mm, then I may use it in my Plextalk Pocket as well. So it should be relatively portable. It needs to cost less than $100, though $50 or less would be ideal. I like microphones that pick up everything in the room, with no noise cancellation, so it must be omnidirectional and powerful. I actually have an excellent one from a Canon camera, , but I don't know the model! It was on a mono ear hook, but that part is broken now. The microphone still works, however, and has two 3.5 connectors, one for headphone and one for microphone. The sound quality is similar to the built-in one on the Plextalk, but with a bit more base and with a farther range.
I also have an original Samson Go Mic, which is an excellent product, especially since I can just clip it to my laptop or netbook. But either there is something wrong with mine or it has a flaw in which the cable keeps acting as if it's connecting and disconnecting. I buy a new usb cable, it works fine for awhile, and then the same problem starts, and the cycle is repeated. but when I use the cable with my Wilson recorder or anything else, it works fine. I have a Go Mic direct, which is a smaller stereo microphone that plugs directly into the usb port on a computer, but can't find it, and am trying to decide whether to get another one, or if there is something better out there. Thanks.
Honestly, if you go to bestbuy.com, you'll find a lot of fairly cheap but still serviceable microphones and headsets. Other websites will probably have them too, but I usually get mine from Best Buy. I myself suggest the logitech microphones. They don't offer amazing quality, nor can you expect it for spending only like, $30 tops, but like I said, they're good for just random things like voice chat or recording whatever's going on around you.
I know the Go Mic and Go Mic Direct have excellent quality sound, but they started out being $79 or more. Now, I can get them for $39 or les. I'm not sure about headsets but would be willing to try one if it has a good range and clarity. But I have to be careful not to get a unidirectional or bidirectional one if I go that route.
Now that I think about it, the camera mic that I really like is a mono earhook, so that's a bit like a headset. Also, I don't mind recommendations of more expensive microphones, as I can always buy used if I find them.
Frankly, If I were buying on the cheep, I'd buy an Audio Technica AT2005 in most cases...but you seem to want omnidirectional. IN your case, I'd just buy another go-mic, as the only thing that's at all like omnidirectional at your price point is the Cad U37, and I honestly don't care for it's sound.
As I said, I am willing to buy used, which can dramatically decrease the price. I usually buy on ebay, which also helps. In any case, I decided to try the CAD Audio U9. I found it for $19 with free shipping. It's a usb omnidirectional microphone, with a headphone jack, which I really wanted! Unfortunately, I couldn't find any examples of it on Youtube, so I still don't know how it sounds, but for that price, I won't complain! I just wish I could better understand microphone sensitivity and frequency response. Most sites that I found explained it in mathematical terms, without giving any explanations that made sense for me. For example, my original Go Mic has a frequency response of 20Hz-18kHz, while my Go Mic Direct has one of 20Hz-20kHz. They say the later is flat, and I have noticed that the Direct is a bit quieter than the original. But it's also stereo. In any case, the new one has a response of 50Hz-18kHz. I have seen various But what does that mean? Will one have more base than another? Is one better at picking up certain sounds? What about distance? Is this where things like -35DB, -54DB etc. come in, and which is better, higher or lower numbers? I want something that will pick up the entire room, not just my voice or things close to it. So I try to avoid ones with noise cancellation. Am I right in diong this, or does that have nothing to do with my goals? I have been considering the mics made by Sound Professionals, but I really need to hear them first, since the cheapest one I found is $69.
I like USB mikes because if I'm talking with another screenreader user I can just point it at my speakers so they can hear what's going on if we're doing techy stuff.
I'm a bit confused. You could do the same with a regular 3.5mm microphone.
You're right. I meant to say any of the free-standing non-headset mikes.