The Top Three Computer Mics

There are quite a few great computer microphones on the market these days but which offers you the best value?  We'll be looking looking at three of best USB mics so you can make an informed choice before you spend your money. If you're considering one of these you'll be more likely to find one that is a good fit for your intended use.

USB mics have had a bit of a bad reputation in the past but recent technological advances have improved the quality of recording significantly. With these 3 mics you can now record clearly and with minimal background noise to offer professional recording quality. User requirements vary and these 3 products cover every need from recording vocals and instruments to podcasts, speech and even VoIP calls.

So long as there is USB port on your PC, all three of these mics will work on both Windows and Mac. Users will never have to worry about compatibility issues. None of the mics require any software or drivers to be installed either so using them couldn't be simpler.

To begin, a stylish and professional option is the Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone. This is the worlds first THX-certified mic and uses Blue's proprietary tri-capsule technology to ensure your recordings are the closest thing to studio-quality as possible. The Yeti has a headphone-jack to allow you to listen to your recordings and also has controls which allow the user to alter headphone volume, mute and microphone gain enabling real-time recording control. It combines 4 different pattern modes so you can record a range of sounds.Stereo mode uses both the left and right channels. Cardioid mode records sounds that are right in front of the mic. If you want to capture sound from every direction, the omnidirectional pattern is good for including ambient sounds. Bidirectional mode records from both the front and rear of the mic.

It comes complete with an adjustable stand that allows freedom to change the direction of recording. For a complete bundle , the features are plentiful in a single microphone. Its retro look gives it a very stylish feel and it will look great next to your computer.

Another quality product comes courtesy of CAD and their amazing CAD U37 USB Studio Condenser Recording Microphone. This product allows users to record studio-quality audio directly onto a computer effortlessly. There is no software or driver to install so it is simply a case of plugging it in and starting recording straight away. The large condenser mic element offers rich and warm recordings and it works best with vocals and instruments. There is a bass-reduction switch which means you can reduce background noise.

Other settings allow you to increase or decrease the sensitivity giving you the option to capture ambiance if desired. The generous 10-foot cable allows for maximum flexibility when choosing where to place it as having it next to your PC or laptop may not always be possible. The only downside to the CAD U37 is how the plastic casing looks but aside from that this mic can do it all and do it well. It has the ability to pick up the full texture of sound in a room in order to fully capture ambiance.

The final microphone to make this top 3 best buys on the list is the Samson Go Compact USB Microphone. They say good things come in small packages and this little microphone is no exception to that rule. With its custom build it will attach onto your laptop which means you can readily take it with you. It is great for recording music, podcasts and even works well with Skype should the need ever arise but it is out in the field that this mic really comes into its own. It features switchable Cardioid and Omni-polar patterns to offer enough flexibility to accommodate different types of recording. The omnidirectional mode allows users to capture an entire room - impeccable for any application whenever. The fact that this mic still offers professional audio quality for such a compact size makes this mic a must have for anyone that needs to record in different locations.

The cost is surely important in the choices one makes and these products fit differing price points. The Blue Yeti microphone is the most expensive of the 3 but is definitely worth the extra outlay in terms of the quality and features it offers. The CAD U37 Studio Condenser Recording mic and the Samson Go Compact mic both sell for approximately the same price and they're less expensive than Blue's Yeti. This makes them extremely good value for money and it really boils down to the type of user - the CAD or the Yeti for home recordings and the Samson being ideal for the type of user that is always on the move.