2023-08-09 13:12:00
Without their streaming microphones, Knossi & Co. would not have become who they are. The comparison of four microphones clarifies which sound transducers ensure that the audience understands what streamers are yelling.
One thing is certain: the intellectual outpourings of Knossi, MontanaBlack, Trymacs & Co. will not go down in the annals of German poetry. Nevertheless, the streamers are very popular and of course they have an interest in their viewers understanding them well. Because their shows are always entertaining. In addition to a decent camera, you need a good microphone above all.
For ASMR streamers, that should be able to pick up quiet sounds without clipping the signal. For screamers like Knossi, on the other hand, handling loud sound sources is important so that the sound does not lose clarity. Otherwise, it is still necessary to distinguish between XLR and USB microphones.
XLR or USB for streaming
The advantage of a USB microphone is that you can just plug it into your computer and get started. In addition, these microphones are usually cheaper. That’s it! XLR microphones, on the other hand, require an audio interface that you have to connect to your computer.
In return, they usually offer a better sampling rate and a higher bit depth, which is usually reflected in better sound quality. A USB microphone is usually sufficient for streamers, while musicians, singers or podcasters are interested in the better recording quality of XLR microphones.
Unfortunately, these are also the more expensive option. You can easily shell out 500 euros or more for an audio interface and microphone. A reasonable USB microphone usually costs no more than 300 euros.
With both variants, however, you also need decent headphones to hear yourself and the sound in the game. It is important here that the headphones do not return the sound to the microphone, as this creates feedback. It is also important to distinguish between condenser microphones and dynamic microphones. The difference between the two genres lies in how the microphone converts sound into electrical signals.
Without wanting to get too deep into the technology, the following rule of thumb applies: Because of their nature, condenser microphones are more suitable for recording sound sources in detail and clearly. They are therefore mainly used for voice recordings. Also, you need phantom power to work. This is a power supply between twelve and 48 volts.
Dynamic microphones, on the other hand, are better suited for loud sound sources such as drums. This is because dynamic mics handle high SPL better than condenser mics, which tend to clip when the SPL is too high. In addition, dynamic microphones do not need phantom power. Because streamers tend to talk rather than yell, condenser mics are a better choice for them. Enough theory, let’s have fun.
Sennheiser Profile Streaming Set
Connection: USB-C Frequency range: 20 to 20,000 Hz Sampling rate: 48,000 Hz24 bit
Sennheiser is best known for its excellent headphones. But the manufacturer’s microphones also impress with their recording quality. Anyone who needs an easy-to-use streaming microphone should get this Sennheiser-Profile-Streaming-Set look at. The manufacturer supplies it with a tripod arm that you attach to your desk with a clamp. Of course you attach the microphone to the head of the tripod.
This is a condenser microphone with several setting options. It offers a mute switch if you don’t want the listener to hear something. There is also a control to amplify the microphone (gain control) and a mix control. There is also a headphone output on the microphone, including a volume control for the headphones. There are small LEDs on the gain control that indicate whether the recorded signal is clipping.
Connect the microphone to your computer with a USB-C cable. A three-meter cable is included in the scope of delivery. You do not have to install any additional software. According to the manufacturer, the microphone can simply be plugged in and is then ready to go. Technically, according to Sennheiser, it picks up sounds between 20 and 20,000 Hertz and thus every frequency range that the human ear can hear. It operates at a sampling rate of 48,000 hertz, which is reasonable for a USB microphone.
RODE NT-USB
Connection: USB-C Frequency range: 20 to 20,000 Hz Sampling rate: 48,000 Hz16 bit
If the tripod on the desk is too bulky for you and you intend to take the transducer with you when you travel, this could be the case RODE NT USB Microphone be the model of your choice. This is also a condenser microphone that you connect to your computer via USB. Important: It’s a USB-A connection, so it’s the older and slightly chunkier socket.
If you want to connect the microphone to the computer via USB-C, you need one matching adapter. And by the way, if you want to use the microphone with your iPad, you’ll need either the Rode Reporter app, Garageband, or other similar software. According to the manufacturer, however, it can be used with a computer without additional software.
As far as usability of the Rode NT-USB is concerned, it is a little worse equipped than the Sennheiser microphone. The Rode model offers only two controls and an audio jack for headphones. The top knob is the mix control. It adjusts how much of your direct mic signal is sent to your headphones so you can hear yourself too. So if you turn it all the way to the left, you can still hear the game sound but not what the microphone picks up.
Below that is the volume control. This sets how loud you want to hear the audio signals on your headphones connected to the microphone – including the sounds coming from your computer. Incidentally, the Rode microphone also picks up all sounds that can be heard with the human ear and with the same sampling rate as the Sennheiser microphone.
RODE studio kit with NT1 and AI-1 audio interface
Connection: XLR Frequency range: 20 to 20,000 Hz Sampling rate: 48,000 Hz, 96,000 Hz, 192,000 Hz24, 32 bit
If you prefer to use the combination of microphone and audio interface, the Rode Studio Kit could be suitable. This is included in the set Rode NT1 as microphone and the AI-1 audio interface of the manufacturer. A microphone mount is included in the form of a microphone spider. Unfortunately, a tripod is missing. The structure is a bit more complex than with the USB microphone because you connect the microphone to the audio interface and the audio interface to your computer. Once everything is set, set your microphone on the audio interface.
Of course, the Rode NT1 is again a condenser microphone. In terms of sound, it is in no way inferior to its USB likeness and even surpasses it. The reason for this is the faster sampling rate of the NT1. The audio interface impresses with its simple operation. It of course offers an audio jack to connect headphones to it. Of course, plug the microphone cable into the XLR socket. There are two controls on the audio interface for this purpose. With the left wheel you control the microphone gain. When you press it, the audio interface turns on phantom power. It is needed by condenser microphones to work. The audio interface reveals whether the phantom power is activated with a small LED.
Another LED indicates whether the gain is set too high and the microphone is clipping. If it lights up green or orange, the microphone is not clipping; if it lights up red, you should turn down the gain a bit. The second knob regulates the volume of the connected headphones. Important: There is also a button hidden in this rotary switch. Press to switch on “Direct Monitoring”, which forwards the incoming signal to the output with no latency. When it comes to recording quality, there is nothing wrong with the Rode NT1. Again, it picks up sound sources in the frequency range between 20 and 20,000 Hertz with an above-average sampling rate of 192,000 Hertz.
Streaming-Mikrofon: HyperX QuadCast S
Connection: USB-C Frequency range: 20 to 20,000 Hz Sampling rate: not specified 16 bit
What unites the microphones already presented is that they do not impress with a special design. If you are looking for a streaming microphone with a special gaming look, this is it QuadCast S by HyperX the model of your choice. What makes it special is its LEDs, which allow it to blend in seamlessly with other sparkling gaming hardware on the desk. It is again a condenser microphone that picks up sounds in the range between 20 and 20,000 Hertz. Unfortunately, HyperX is silent on the sampling rate of its microphone. The microphone connects to your computer via USB-C. An audio interface is therefore not necessary.
Of course, there is also a jack socket for headphones on the microphone. What HyperX lacks, on the other hand, is a volume control for the headphones. This regulation must then be made in Windows or MacOS. After all, the level on the microphone can be adjusted and this is done using a rotary wheel on the underside. There is also a mute switch. To mute the microphone, you simply have to tap on the top.
The microphone spider is problematic. Unfortunately it cannot be adjusted in height. For most users, the microphone is likely to be too far away if they simply place it on the table. If you’re using a mic stand, though, there’s good news: HyperX includes adapters that allow you to mount the mic to most mounts. Even more of a problem with the mic shock mount is that not all headphone cables will fit through the small slot you have to go through to connect to the mic. This is extremely unfortunate.
Sources:lewitt-audio.com, bonedo.de, teufel.de, youtube.com, computerbase.de
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