There’s very little in it between the Q2U, the ATR2100, and the Maono AU-HD300T. I go into more detail in the post I’ve linked to there. XLR/USB Combo Mics The controls themselves include a low-frequency cut to add clarity and headroom to bass-heavy voices, as well as a mid-boost that enhances the most prominent frequencies of the human voice and renders a more polished, production-ready sound. Both these options allow users to sculpt and adjust the microphone’s frequency response on a case-by-case basis depending on the voice of the speaker, which ultimately cuts down on editing time by capturing a clearer vocal sound from the start. These switches, along with an easy-to-access mute button, make the Samson Q9U an ideal choice for production environments that require on-the-fly adjustments to sound. The Shure MV7 is a truly professional mic. Not only does it offer clear audio recording, but it also has the ability to connect via USB and XLR. You will need a dedicated audio interface if you choose to take the latter route. No matter how you connect it, users say they are extremely pleased with the recorded audio.

The front face of the mic has a silver grille and a small status LED—watch this light for peak indicators. There's no gain knob, but you can use the switch on the left side to "pad" the mic -10dB—useful if your recording subject is loud, or seems to be peaking out at times. You can adjust the gain in your recording software in a more fine-tuned manner, but there's unfortunately no gain knob on the mic itself. The dual mic patterns are a solid feature, allowing you to record in cardioid or omnidirectional modes. Cardioid is ideal for most applications in which your sound source is a single person or object in a fixed location, and the omni mode is ideal for recording an entire room's sound.It's very easy to distort the mic, so you might favor the -10dB pad setting, but the main source of issues is likely to be plosives. The Go Mic is so small, using it with a pop filter will be a challenge, unless you affix the mic to a stand and attach the filter to that. If you have no pop filter, pivoting and angling the mic on its stand is essential—you want to be close enough to the speaker to get a direct, close sound, but aiming the mic at the speaker's nose will eliminate the direct line to the capsule that otherwise would result in pops on plosives. It also performs well with handling noise. It’s always preferable to mount your mics in a boom arm or stand, but it might be easier to walk around holding the mic if you’re doing some on-location interviews. The only mic I’ve come across that ‘handles’ better than the Q2U is the Shure SM58. Where Would You Use It?

The Samson Q9U microphone is for plug-and-play operation, whether you’re using its XLR or USB output. Using the included USB-C cable, I first plugged the Q9U into my laptop and then plugged a pair of headphones into the rear of the microphone, through which I was immediately able to hear my voice. I then opened Logic Pro, set the Samson Q9U as my input and output device, and just like that, I was ready to record. Its simplicity, versatility, and accessories make for incredible value. It’s the mic we recommend to people the most here at The Podcast Host, and we use it a lot, too. Includes mic clip, tripod stand, tripod stand extension, foam windscreen, USB cable (2.25m) and XLR cable (3m) Audio-Technica is a renowned brand in the audio space. And the AT2020 is a top recommendation if you’re looking for a mic from the brand. The microphone is specifically meant for vocalists, so it emphasizes clear tones. On the rear of the microphone are two small, clearly marked switches for adjusting the mic’s frequency response, a USB-C port for direct digital recording to a computer, an analog XLR output for interfacing with compatible audio equipment, and a headphone output for latency-free monitoring while in USB mode. In USB mode, the Samson Q9U acts as its own audio interface, offering 24-bit/96kHz analog-to-digital conversion and several front-end equalization options without the need for extra software or equipment. There are a lot of great podcast microphones out there, but these features help the Samson Q9U compete. Getting started with the Samson microphone

Here are a couple of sound samples I’ve recorded for you. They were initially recorded for our Best Budget Mics roundup, and feature segments of a reading from Beatrix Potter’s dark horror classic Peter Rabbit. Samson Q2U as USB