Vonyx CMC200 Phone & Camera Condenser Microphone
The first microphone for YouTubers in this list is the CMC200 from Vonyx. This microphone is slightly different from the other options, as it connects directly to a video camera or phone, making it a perfect microphone for vlogging on the move.
It comes with a shock mount that secures onto your smartphone or camera to minimise handling noise, as well as a pop filter that covers the microphone to reduce noise like wind and harsh pronunciation to be picked up. The CMC200 is a plug-and-play solution that requires no battery – it simply connects directly to your camera or Android/iPhone.
A 3.5mm Jack cable is included with this vlogging microphone to connect it to your camera, and the sturdy aluminium construction of the mic makes it both lightweight and robust for everyday, on-the-move usage.
Key Features
- Compact condenser microphone that is ideal for on-the-move recording such as vlogging and holiday trips
- Shock mount included to secure it to your camera or smartphone while reducing handling noise
- 3.5mm Jack cable supplied to connect it directly to your smartphone or camera without a battery being needed
- Durable aluminium build to take it with you on a daily basis without the microphone being compromised
- Pop filter included to reduce unwanted noise being picked up by the microphone, such as wind
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for convenient on-the-move use
- Connects directly to a camera or smartphone without a battery needed
- Shock mount and pop filter provided to reduce unwanted noise
Cons
- Not suitable for a studio room
USB Podcast Mic with Stand - Power Dynamics PCM120
Next in this list of the best YouTube microphones is the Power Dynamics PCM120 condenser microphone. This mic can be connected directly to a laptop or PC without the need for a mixing desk thanks to the USB connection (with included cable).
There is a headphone connection on this microphone to hear your voice easily as you speak, with the mic and headphone volumes being independently adjustable using the dials on the side of the mic. There is also a mute button that stops your voice from being picked up – ideal when live streaming if you don’t want your viewers to hear you talking to someone in the room.
A shock mount desktop stand is included with this mic for simple placement on your desk, and the supplied pop filter helps to minimse harsh sounds being picked up by the microphone for a smooth and clear recording.
Key Features
- USB connection to connect the microphone directly to a PC or laptop without a mixer needed
- Headphone connection with adjustable mic and headphone volume controls for simple mixing
- Mute button to easily stop your voice from being picked up at any point
- Adjustable shock mount desktop stand included for easy positioning on your desk
- 30Hz - 18.000Hz frequency response with a high sensitivity to capture your voice perfectly
Pros
- Connects directly to a PC or laptop via USB cable (included)
- Simple desktop mounting using the included shock mount stand
- Headphone connection and volume control to hear your voice easily
Cons
- Doesn’t have an XLR connection
USB Podcast Microphone with Stand - Power Dynamics PCM100
The PCM100 by Power Dynamics is next on this list, which is a stylish, compact USB microphone with an included shock mount stand for easy desktop placement. The USB connection means that the PCM100 can be directly connected to a PC using suitable software, without the need for an audio interface or mixer.
This microphone for YouTubers has a cardioid polar pattern, which means that it only picks up sound from the front of the mic. Eliminating any sound from the back of it makes it perfect for YouTube videos where you will have speakers in operation.
The stand included with the PCM100 can be adjusted in height for perfect positioning, and the shock design of the stand means that any vibrations on your desk will not be picked up by the microphone, resulting in a clear recording of your voice.
Key Features
- USB connection for the microphone to be directly connected to a PC or laptop
- Shock stand with a fully adjustable design for simple and convenient positioning
- Cardioid polar pattern that only picks up sound from the front of the microphone
- 30Hz - 18.000Hz frequency response with a high sensitivity to perfectly capture the sound of your voice
- Compact size with a sleek black finish that fits in nicely with any studio or podcast room
Pros
- Directly connects to a laptop or PC using the included USB cable
- Shock mount stand included for convenient positioning on your desk
- Cardioid polar pattern that stops noise from the back of the mic being picked up
Cons
- Not suitable for on-the-move operation
Vonyx CMS300W Condenser Studio Microphone Set, White
Next up is the CMS300W microphone from Vonyx, which is a full condenser microphone set with multiple accessories. This microphone comes with a boom arm stand that attaches to the side of any desk thanks to the included rotating clamp.
The boom arm stand that comes with this microphone is fully adjustable for easy positioning when recording. A pop filter is included that clips onto the boom arm, which stops quick bursts of air from your mouth from hitting the mic and causing clipping.
This YouTube microphone also has a USB connection, making it able to connect directly to your laptop or PC without an audio interface or mixer being required. As long as you have suitable software on your PC, your voice can be recorded instantly – making this a great, compact, all-in-one solution to start filming videos.
Key Features
- Compact USB condenser microphone that can be connected directly to a PC
- Boom arm stand with a rotating clamp that holds it securely onto the side of any desk
- Pop shield included to reduce the amount of air hitting the microphone
- Cardioid polar pattern to stop sound from behind the microphone being reproduced
- Shock-proof cradle for the microphone that stops vibrations from getting picked up
Pros
- Direct connection to laptops or PCs using the provided USB cable
- Boom arm to attach securely to the side of any desk or table
- Perfect for small home studios for easy video recording
Cons
- Doesn’t have any built-in controls
Vonyx CM400 Studio Condenser Microphone Silver
The final microphone for vlogging on this list is the Vonyx CM400. This microphone is slightly different from the other options, as it has an XLR connection instead of USB. This means that a suitable mixer or audio interface will need to be used in order to connect it to your PC or laptop.
A shock mount is included with this YouTuber mic, which can be attached to any standard microphone stand by using the threaded pole. The mount can be attached to desktop stands and boom arms, making it versatile to position in a variety of studio setups.
An XLR to mini-Jack cable is included with this mic to connect it to a suitable mixer. It also comes with a pop shield that attaches to the main top section of the mic, resulting in less air hitting the microphone for a clear vocal recording with minimal clipping.
Key Features
- Compact silver condenser microphone that is perfect for vlogs and commentaries
- XLR connection with an included mini-jack to XLR cable to connect it to a suitable mixer
- Shock mount included that can attach to any microphone stand while reducing vibrations
- Pop filter provided to minimise the possibility of microphone clipping
- Wide frequency range to capture every detail of your voice accurately
Pros
- Can be connected to any mic stand with the supplied shock mount
- XLR connection to use with any audio interface or mixing desk
- Pop filter keeps audio recordings clear with minimal clipping
Cons
- No USB connection to use directly with a PC or laptop
Summary
This selection of the best YouTube microphones takes into consideration the different scenarios in which they will be used – whether it’s for commentary videos, on-the-move vlogs, or gaming live streams. They each come with a cable to connect them either directly to your PC or to a suitable mixer/audio interface, giving you a full audio solution to start recording your voice in a crystal-clear manner for your videos.
Covering a wide budget range, this selection of the best microphones for YouTubers come with stands and mounts that allow them to be placed on a desktop or mounted on the side of your desk. The inclusion of pop filters and pop shields stops any harsh air from hitting the microphones, resulting in a clear recording with minimal chance of clipping.
The condenser design of these microphones for streaming and videos makes them able to pick up quiet sounds thanks to their high sensitivity. This means that the full sound of your voice can be captured effectively without being too tinny or bassy. Each microphone’s stylish design helps them fit in seamlessly with your setup, with the compact and lightweight builds allowing for easy placement options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What microphone is best for YouTube?
If you are using a microphone to record videos at a desktop, a USB microphone would be the best option, as it connects directly to your PC, where you can then use suitable recording software to capture your voice. If you want a higher level of control over the audio, however, the YouTube microphone you go for could be one with an XLR connection, as you could first connect it to a mixer to adjust the sound of your voice before it gets sent to your software.
How are microphones used for YouTube?
YouTubers use microphones to record their voices, where you can then hear them speaking during their videos. There are different types of microphones that are better suited for different videos, such as clip-on microphones that connect with a camera for on-the-move recording. Most commonly, condenser mics are used, which are mounted on a stand in a studio environment to record voice-overs, commentaries, gaming videos, and vlogs.
Can I connect any microphone to my PC?
There are USB microphones available that can connect directly to your PC, which are the most common choice by streamers and YouTubers to record themselves. If a microphone only has an XLR connection, it will need to be connected to a mixer or audio interface before it can correspond with your PC. Both USB and XLR microphones are great choices for YouTube videos and streaming, but you will need to consider whether they will compatible with your setup or not.
How do I choose the right microphone for YouTube?
Firstly, you should think about the space you have available and whether you would prefer a desktop stand or boom arm stand that attaches to the side of your desk. Next, you should consider whether you want a microphone that firstly connects to a mixer and then to your PC, or if you would prefer a USB microphone that connects directly to your PC.
What do I need to record YouTube videos?
The main things you will need to record studio YouTube videos are a PC, a recording software, a microphone, and a camera. The camera is optional depending on whether you will be recording a face-cam, and if you are using a camera, you will also need some suitable lighting so that your face shows up clearly in the video.
Do I need a pop filter?
Although pop filters are not 100% necessary, they do ensure a clearer audio recording of your voice, as they minimise the amount of air hitting the microphone. Without a pop filter, when you are saying words that start with harsh consonants like ‘P’ and ‘B’, the air coming from your mouth can cause a harsh clipping. By adding a pop filter with your microphone, this air is reduced, which results in a much cleaner sound.
Videos on YouTube
Since the first YouTube video was released all the way back in 2005, the platform has grown enormously, with the current total view count on the platform being in the multi-billions. As of 2022, YouTube has over 38 million active channels uploading content, which makes it extremely hard to stand out from the rest and get noticed for your hard work.
A good first step to gaining extra viewers is by making sure that the quality of your content is on par with the top creators on the platform. The microphone that you use will factor into this, as people are much more likely to carry on watching a video with good audio quality. Of course, starting YouTubers will be on a budget, so you won’t be able to afford the top-end equipment straight away. Luckily, there are a huge range of budget-friendly microphones on the market that ensure quality and a fantastic starting point for your setup.
The main way to stand out from other channels on YouTube is to come up with original, captivating ideas. This is a lot easier said than done, however. Even if you are doing a video idea that has been done many times, it is important to put your own spin on it – make it your own by injecting your personality and humour into the video. If anything, it is your personality that will keep viewers coming back to watch more of your content.
Recording Videos
Only a basic setup is needed to start recording videos. As long as your editing is good, and the video plays with seamless transitions and audio, you will see more and more viewers coming to your channel. Come up with multiple ideas, and plan your videos thoroughly, as a well-thought-out video is what will keep your viewers engaged throughout the entire length of the video, rather than just for a couple of minutes.
As for the actual recording process, the microphone that you use is extremely important. For new YouTubers, a USB microphone that you can connect directly to your PC or laptop is the best option. It is best to keep your setup as minimal as possible while having everything you need to record a high-quality video, as you can ensure that the starting process isn’t too overwhelming for you.
If, however, you would rather have controls on your desk to adjust the microphone settings, it is best to have a mixer. When using a mixer, you can adjust the gain, low and high EQ settings, and in some cases, a built-in echo or reverb effect. The customised signal of the mixer is then sent to the recording software on your PC where it can be recorded.
The positioning of your microphone is important when recording a video, as it needs to be able to pick up your voice clearly without getting in the way of your camera or computer screens. There are some desktop-mounted stand options available, as well as some options including a boom arm that attaches to the side of your desk where it can then be freely moved for the best positioning.
Mics for YouTubers
All YouTubers will need a microphone to record their voices (if you make videos where you will be speaking). It is important to use a good microphone and not the one built into your gaming headset, for example, as it instantly makes your videos a lot more professional. There are many high-budget microphones available that provide the best quality, but it is a common misconception that one of the high-budget microphones are required.
In fact, there is a huge range of microphones for YouTubers that are very budget-friendly while also providing fantastic sound quality. A few options even come with built-in volume controls and the ability to mute the mic, which is great when streaming if you don’t want your viewers to hear you talking to someone else in the room, for example.
Many of the microphones for YouTubers that we offer come with shock-resistant mounts, which massively reduce the vibrations from your desktop being picked up by the microphone. This allows you to have speakers playing fairly loudly without the audio of your voice being affected.
Pretty much all microphones for YouTube recording will have a cardioid polar pattern, which means that sound is only picked up from the front of the microphone, rather than the sides and the back. This ensures that your voice is picked up perfectly, while any unwanted background noise such as the sound from speakers or your keyboard will not be picked up.
The frequency response of a microphone is important, as it makes the difference between having a tinny audio recording where you can’t be heard clearly, and a crystal-clear sound. By having a wide frequency range, a microphone will be able to record the low, mid, and high aspects of your voice, resulting in a great recording.
