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Finding the best mic for streaming games on Twitch and YouTube can be tough. With the right mic though, streaming your favorite game becomes a lot easier. A good mic is one of those tools that is required for streamers and those doing podcasts. In this article we’ll explore all the different options so you can pick out your perfect one.
Is A Good Streaming Microphone Expensive?
The cost of a streaming microphone will range depending on the quality that you desire. If you’re just getting started, you may want to look for a cheaper option to test the waters. as you get more serious about your content, you can upgrade to a more expensive microphone that will provide better sound quality for your viewers.
What I have found is you do not need a broadcast quality microphone which will run in the thousands of dollars. Due to the fact the audio streamed when gaming or via podcast is compressed, the nuances of a top of the line broadcast mic is lost.
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I have found mics under $200 to suffice when setting a stream or podcast giving the viewer/listener a great experience.
Now that we know cost is not as big of a factor when it comes to streaming microphones, let us move on and look at the types of mics available for streamers.
Types of Mics for Streamers
When it comes to streaming or recording podcasts, you want a microphone that will provide clear sound without picking up too much background noise. There are three main types of microphones that streamers use:
1. Condenser Microphones
2. Dynamic Microphones
3. Lapel Microphones
Let’s take a closer look at each type of microphone and see which one would be the best for your needs.
1. Condenser Microphones
Condenser microphones are popular among streamers because they provide clear and accurate sound. They are also very sensitive, so they can pick up a lot of background noise if you’re not careful. If you’re streaming in a noisy environment, a condenser mic might not be the best choice.
2. Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive than condenser microphones, so they don’t pick up as much background noise. They’re also more rugged and can take a beating, which is why they’re often used by touring musicians. If you’re looking for a microphone that can handle a lot of abuse, a dynamic mic is a good choice.
3. Lapel Microphones
Lapel microphones are small and easy to hide, which makes them perfect for streamers who don’t want their viewers to see their microphone. They’re also very sensitive, so they can pick up a lot of background noise if you’re not careful. If you’re looking for a discreet microphone, a lapel mic is a good choice.
What Makes a Good Mic?
A microphone should have at least four things to be good for streaming games. It needs to have a low self-noise, be able to connect easily to your computer, have a decent frequency response, and be rugged enough to withstand being moved around.
Low Self-Noise
Self-noise is the hissing sound that all microphones make to some degree. Some mics are worse than others though, and you want to avoid those mics for streaming games. Look for a mic with a self-noise of less than 20 dB. That way, your viewers won’t be able to hear the hissing sound over your voice.
Easy Connection
The best mic for streaming games will connect easily to your computer. USB mics are a great option because they plug directly into your computer’s USB port and do not need additional hardware. That means you don’t have to worry about driver installation or having an audio interface. Just plug the mic into your computer and you’re good to go.
XLR is a another popular cable connection method used by users for broadcasting audio. XLR mics do not connect directly to your PC. Usually there are mixers and audio interfaces available to power and conncet the XLR microphone. It gives you more power and more control of sound, resulting in better overall performance.
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One important difference is that the XLR connector has more rigidity and durability than the USB connector. It would be a long time before XLR microphones could die. Of course, the drawback is it’s more expensive, has additional equipment needed and is more of a chore to setup.
Decent Frequency Response
Frequency response is the range of frequencies that a microphone can reproduce. The human voice is typically in the range of 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz. You’ll want a mic with a frequency response that includes those frequencies. That way, your viewers will be able to hear your voice clearly without any distortions.
Ruggedness
Since you’ll be moving around while streaming games, you’ll want a microphone that can withstand being moved around. Look for a mic with a metal construction. That way, it will be able to withstand being dropped or bumped without breaking.
Pop filter
Live streamers are most overly engrossed in pop filters, which are sometimes referred to as pop screens and/or pop shields. Specifically, it eliminates noise-protection noise when airflow hits the microphone. If you don’t have a pop filter, that’s perfectly fine. Your audio will still be picked up by the microphone, but it may not sound as clear.
Mute Button and Onboard Controls
Mute buttons are one of the most important features for live streamers. There will be times when you need to take a break, whether it’s to use the restroom or grab a snack. A mute button allows you to quickly and easily mute your microphone so your viewers don’t have to hear you during those times.
Onboard controls and smart knob controls are another important feature for live streamers in their recording setup. They allow you to adjust the microphone’s volume and other settings without having to go into your computer’s audio settings. That way, you can quickly and easily adjust your microphone’s settings while you’re streaming.
Polar pattern
Polar patterns are the properties that determine directional direction of sound. Speaking polarity is the capability of your microphone for detecting your voice.
These 3 polar patterns are cardiac, omnidirectional and bilateral.
The cardioid microphone subtype, a Supercardioid and a Hypercardioid, possesses lower sensitivity angles and is more effective for receptivity to sound in environments. But placing and positioning these microphones is difficult.
Omnidirectional microphones have a sensitivity angle of 360 degrees, making them ideal for recording sounds in every direction at once. This is useful for live streams that are trying to capture all the action in the room.
Lastly, the bidirectional microphone has a sensitivity angle of 180 degrees. It records from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides. These are ideal for podcasting or recording interviews.
Now that we’ve gone over the different features to look for in a mic, let’s take a look at some of the best mics for streaming games.
About My Testing of Streaming Mics
All of the mics reviewed are the ones I currently use on my channels currently or in the past. The one exception is the Rode NT-USB-Mini, which I had not had the pleasure of using before. A friend let me borrow his for a few days to complete the review.
Best Mic for Streaming Twitch and Other Gaming Platforms
Below are my picks for the best mics for Twitch streaming in different price and usage classifications.
Shure MV7 Microphone – Best Overall
Best Overall Mic for Streaming
The Shure MV7 is my current pick as the best microphone for streaming games on Twitch. This dynamic mic has a Unidirectional Cardioid Polar Pattern which just works perfect for my voice and setup.
Usually for serious vocal recordings I prefer condenser mics but the Shure MV7 offers great sound quality and a durable design all while keeping a reasonable price. In addition to improving sound quality, an external mic can help with Twitch Stream delay in your audio feed.
The MV7 is a no-brainer if you’re a game streamer, podcaster or simply want to hear your voice as it was designed to be heard. The mic offers a very natural, neutral sound that can easily be tweaked to your liking with the onboard EQ controls.
This was Shure’s first hybrid XLR / USB mic, meaning you have the option to plug directly into your pc via USB or use XLR into an audio interface.
When it comes to professional-grade sound, Shure’s first hybrid XLR/USB microphones delivers. For the extra money you’ll spend, you get a lot more functionality than you’d get with a standard premium microphone.
The only downside to this mic is that it does not use USB-C and instead opted to go with a micro-usb connection.
Shure’s XLR/USB hybrid microphone, the MV7, has a terrific sound and is an excellent upgrade for veteran podcasters and streamers looking for a microphone that can plug into a USB audio interface and eventually be converted to XLR.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra for the best quality, the Shure MV7 is the best mic for streaming games.
Audio-Technica AT2020 USB – Best USB Streaming Microphone
Best USB Streaming Mic
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a great all-around USB microphone for game streaming. It offers fantastic sound quality and is very versatile, making it perfect for streamers who want to use it for other content creation like podcasting or music recording.
The mic has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate your voice from any background noise. The mic also comes with a stand and a shock mount to help reduce any handling noise.
Using the mix control, you may combine the audio from your microphone and any previously recorded material, while the volume control on the headphone stereo connectivity jack lets you listen to just the microphone signal.
With the exception of the USB connectivity, I noticed no audible difference between the USB model and the go to XLR AT2020 model.
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a great all-around USB microphone for game streaming. It offers fantastic sound quality and is very versatile, making it perfect for streamers who want to use it for other content creation like podcasting or music recording.
The mic has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate your voice from any background noise. The mic also comes with a stand and a shock mount to help reduce any handling noise.
If you’re looking for a one of the best all-around USB microphones that won’t break the bank, the Audio-Technica AT2020 is the best mic for streaming games.
Electro-Voice RE20 – Best Streaming Microphone – XLR
Best Streaming Mic - XLR
This is by far the most expensive streaming microphone in our review. To be honest, this professional microphone is a bit overkill for simple gaming streams audio reproduction as the audio compression in the stream will reduce the quality. I had to include it as it is one of the best microphone for broadcasting.
The RE20 is, however, one of the most popular broadcast microphones ever made. It has been used by everyone from Howard Stern to NPR. TheRE20 features a Variable-D design and a humbucking coil that virtually eliminates proximity effect.
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It also includes an internal pop filter to reduce plosives. The frequency response is tailored for natural, warm vocal reproduction.
The build quality is excellent and it comes with a heavy duty stand mount. This mic will last you a lifetime if you take care of it.
The Electro-Voice RE20 is the best streaming microphone for those who are serious about sound quality and are willing to spend the extra money for the best.
Audio-Technica AT2020 – Best Streaming Microphone – XLR Runner-up
Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone
Best Streaming Mic - XLR Runner-up
No surprise here, I love the USB version and the XLR 2020 sounds just as good. It is just hard to find a better mic that gives you this much bang for the buck. Not only one of the best streaming mics for under $100, it is a best microphone for game streams and podcasts period.
The AT2020 is a popular XLR Condenser mic with a high performance usb frequency response and excellent audio fidelity if the necessary components and equipment are available. All that’s included is an XLR cable, stand, and an audio mixer with a 48 V orphan power output. After putting them together you will have warm and detailed audio perfect for video streaming or voiceover project.
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is probably one of the most common microphones available to stream on the list. Audio-Technica’s AT2020 series combines exceptional sound quality and an attractive price – making it among the best microphones in 2022 for streaming video. Some of the world’s best Streamers use these microphones. Lets see what specs are available: Pros and Cons.
Pros:
-Exceptional sound quality for the price
-Attractive and modern design
-USB connectivity for easy set-up
-Compatible with a wide range of devices and software programs.
Cons:
-The stand isn’t very sturdy
-Will need an audio interface for the XLR connection
HyperX QuadCast S – Best Mic for Streaming Games with RGB
HyperX QuadCast S – RGB USB Condenser Microphone
Best Mic for Streaming Games with RGB
The hyper X took over this spot from the Razer Seiren Emote as the V2 of the Razor no longer features RGB.
The HyperX QuadCast S is a great microphone for streaming games with RGB lighting. It offers excellent sound quality and is very easy to use. It is compatible with about any platform you can throw at it including PC, PS4, PS5 and Mac.
The QuadCast S is a USB condenser microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. It has a built-in shock mount to reduce handling noise and comes with a desktop stand.
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It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can monitor your audio in real time. The RGB lighting is fully customizable and can be controlled with the included software.
The HyperX QuadCast S is a great microphone for streaming games with RGB lighting. It offers excellent sound quality and is very easy to use. If you’re looking for a mic that offers both great sound quality and RGB lighting, the HyperX QuadCast S is the best mic
Rode NT-USB-Mini – USB Best Budget Twitch Streaming Mic
Best Budget Twitch Streaming Mic - USB
If you’re looking for a great budget streaming mic option, the Rode NT-USB-Mini is a great choice. This condenser mic offers clear sound quality and easy plug-and-play setup.
The Rode NT-USB-Mini is a great budget USB microphone for game streaming. It offers excellent sound quality for the price and is very easy to use, making it perfect for streamers who are just starting out.
The mic has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate your voice from any background noise. The mic also comes with a stand and a shock mount to help reduce any handling noise.
One thing to note is that the Rode NT-USB-Mini does not come with a pop filter, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you want to use one.
If you’re looking for a great budget USB microphone for game streaming, the Rode NT-USB-Mini is the best mic for your needs.
Marantz MPM-1000 – Best Cheap Twitch Streaming Mic – XLR
Marantz Professional MPM-1000 Studio Recording XLR Condenser Microphone
Best Cheap Twitch Streaming Mic - XLR
If you are looking for the best streaming mic under $50 than look no further. How they pack this much quality in such an expensive product amazes me but I am glad they did. The Marantz MPM-1000 is a condenser microphone that uses an XLR connection.
The Marantz MPM-1000 is a great cheap XLR microphone for streaming games. It offers excellent sound quality for the price and is very easy to use, making it perfect for streamers who are just starting out. The mic has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate your voice from any background noise. The mic also comes with a stand and a shock mount to help reduce any handling noise.
One thing to note is that the Marantz MPM-1000 does not come with a pop filter, so you’ll need to purchase one separately, you probably will as I noticed it picking up a fair amount of background noise during use.
If you’re looking for a great cheap XLR microphone for streaming games, the Marantz MPM-1000 is the best mic for your needs.
HyperX SoloCast – Best Cheap Mic for Streaming – USB
Best Cheap Mic for Streaming - USB
This was a close one between the HyperX and the Blue Snowball. Both offered great sound and amazing bang for the buck. In the end, I had to give the nod to the HyperX SoloCast.
The main reason I picked the SoloCast over the Snowball is that I found it more natural sounding . It also did a better job of canceling out background noise.
If you’re on a budget and looking for the best cheap mic for streaming games, the HyperX SoloCast is the way to go.
The SoloCast is a USB condenser microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. It has a built-in shock mount to reduce handling noise and comes with a desktop stand.
It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can monitor your audio in real time.
The SoloCast is a great budget microphone that offers excellent sound quality and is very easy to use. If you’re looking for the best cheap mic for streaming games, the HyperX SoloCast is the way to go.
Honorable Mentions
Below are the other mics for streaming that I was able to test. They did not get a spot on our list for best mic for streaming games but are worthy for consideration as everyone’s voice and hearing varies.
Blue Snowball
Honorable Mention
The Blue Snowball is a great budget USB microphone for streaming games. It offers excellent sound quality for the price and is very easy to use, making it perfect for streamers who are just starting out. The mic has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate your voice from any background noise. The mic also comes with a stand to help reduce any handling noise.
Rode NT-USB
Rode NT-USB Versatile Studio-Quality USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Honorable Mention
The Rode NT-USB is one of the best microphones for streaming and is a great USB microphone for streaming games on Twitch and podcasting. It offers high quality audio and near studio sound. It is very easy to use, making it perfect for streamers who are just starting out. The mic has a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate your voice from any background noise. The mic also comes with a stand and a pop filter to help reduce any handling noise.
Blue Yeti X
Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser USB Microphone
Honorable Mention
The Blue Yeti X is a great USB microphone for streaming games on Twitch and podcasting. It offers excellent sound quality and is very easy to use, making it perfect for streamers who are just starting out. The Yeti is a condenser mic and does a great job capturing you natural voice while blocking out background noise. The mic also comes with a stand and a pop filter to help reduce any handling noise.
Samson G-Track Pro
Honorable Mention
The Samson G-Track Pro is one of the best mics for streaming games because it’s versatile and easy to use. It’s a great choice for both beginners and experienced streamers. The G-Track Pro has two different capsules that you can switch between depending on what you’re recording. One capsule is designed for vocals, while the other is designed for instruments. The G-Track Pro also has a built-in preamp so you can connect it directly to your computer.
Elgato Wave:3
Elgato Wave:3 Premium USB Condenser Microphone and Digital Mixer
Honorable Mention
The Elgato Wave:3 is another great option for streaming games. It’s a bit more expensive than the G-Track Pro, but it offers some features that the G-Track Pro doesn’t. The Wave:3 has three different capsules that you can switch between depending on what you’re recording. It also has a built-in preamp so you can connect it directly to your computer. The Wave:3 also comes with its own software that you can use to control the mic.
Final Thoughts
Picking out the best mic for streaming games can be tough, but with this guide you should have no problem finding the perfect one for your needs. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to help.
Happy streaming!
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FAQ
What is polar pattern and which do I need for gaming?
The polar patterns determine how much and from where audio signals are picked by the microphone. When gaming you will most likely need the pattern to pick sound right before the microphone, and not a lot else (the environment).
Here are some typical polar patterns:
Cardioid: Records from a camera. Excellent for vocal and video production.
Bidirectional: Captures a sound before or after a microphone. I like the interview with a single person.
Omnidirectional: Senses sounds from all angles. Ideal for roundtable interviews but not primarily for games or streaming. Stereo: Excellent for ASMR recordings.
Do I need a microphone boom arm, shock mount or pop filter?
No, you don’t need any of those things. But they can improve the sound quality and protect your microphone.
A microphone boom arm is a handy tool that allows you to position your mic exactly where you want it. They’re especially useful if you’re streaming games on a desk with limited space.
A shock mount is a type of mount that helps to reduce vibrations and noise. They’re not essential, but they can help to improve the sound quality of your stream.
A pop filter is a type of filter that helps to reduce popping noises when you speak into the mic. They’re not essential, but they can help to improve the clarity of your voice.
What’s a good sample rate for a microphone?
The sample rate is the number of samples per second that are taken by the microphone. The higher the sample rate, the better the quality of the audio.
Most microphones have a sample rate of 44.1kHz or 48kHz. But some high-end microphones have a sample rate of 96kHz or even 192kHz.
What is the Best Mic Placement for Streaming?
The best mic placement for streaming is right in front of your mouth. This will give you the clearest and most natural sounding voice.
If you’re using a desk mic, you can position it so that it’s just off to the side of your mouth. This way you won’t have to worry about it getting in the way of your keyboard or mouse.
If you’re using a headset mic, you can position it so that it’s just below your chin. This way you won’t have to worry about it getting in the way of your glasses or sunglasses.