Quality gaming microphones

[fustercluck]

Looking for a quality microphone for PC. Not a headset though, because I already have headphones that I like a lot. Needs to be a free standing mic or some sort of attach-on deal. Been using this Zalman clip microphone for a long time: http://www.xoxide.com/zmmic1.html

It's been ok (well worth the 8 bucks) but the wire is a pain in the ass and for no reason sometimes it will act like I'm speaking through a fan. Hoping there's something better so people can hear me crystal clear. Was looking at this: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Deskt...1702759&sr=8-1

but for $19.99 it can't be much better in quality it seems. Any other options out there? Wouldn't mind spending up to $60 or so

 

[giveuosam]

if you ask to me so i always preffer the ax pro 5.1 gaming headset performs extremely well and is compatible with pretty much every gaming pc and game console except the wii.

 

[skulkingghost]

I have the logitech USB microphone in the 2nd link. I paid $36 for mine. It was money well spent. I use skype for hours a day and I also use it for pc gaming with friends. I could not ask for a better microphone. I have been through tons of cheap mics that never lasted before I got this a year ago, its a great, great microphone.

Windows 7 / Vista / XP all detected it natively without drivers needed to download.

 

[KeithTalent]

I've been using this one: http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Produ...roduct=3303013 for quite a while now. It comes with a little alligator clip that just clips on to your shirt or even the wire of your headphones (that's what I do).

Sounds great and is much better than the 3 or 4 other ones I have tried over the years.

KT

 

[HybridSquirrel]

i use a 5 dollar walmart one that sounds crisp as can be.

 

[fustercluck]

I have the logitech USB microphone in the 2nd link. I paid $36 for mine. It was money well spent. I use skype for hours a day and I also use it for pc gaming with friends. I could not ask for a better microphone. I have been through tons of cheap mics that never lasted before I got this a year ago, its a great, great microphone.

Windows 7 / Vista / XP all detected it natively without drivers needed to download.

Hows the range on that thing? I have a keyboard tray that slides out and would have to keep that mic about 2-3ft away on the desk. I think I'd always feel like I have to lean over to talk...even if I didn't need to

 

[CP5670]

i use a 5 dollar walmart one that sounds crisp as can be.

I have a cheap tabletop one too and it works well enough. For gaming, the surrounding environment (computer fans, keyboard presses, etc.) and the compression quality of the VoIP program you're using will make a bigger difference than the microphone itself.

 

[mikej007]

I have that Logitech one as well. Works great and sounds great.

 

[fustercluck]

Alright I'll try the logitech one since I got a $10 amazon gift card to use. Hope it works well, even from a few feet away.

Thanks

 

[Gunbuster]

Heard nothing but good things about the logitech USB...

(I have an old sony mic from the 80's that works fine.)

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Alright I'll try the logitech one since I got a $10 amazon gift card to use. Hope it works well, even from a few feet away.

Thanks

I ordered the same model. One user review mentioned that adjusting the sensitivity allowed him to be heard clearly even when he was 6-8 feet away from the microphone.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

I ordered the same model. One user review mentioned that adjusting the sensitivity allowed him to be heard clearly even when he was 6-8 feet away from the microphone.

Since I just received my mic, I wanted to confirm that this is the case. I was able to record clear sound when using a normal speaking voice from about 6 feet away, and probably could have been further away if not for ambient noise like my PC fans.

 

[Alex C]

I have the Logitech mic too, it works great.

 

[skulkingghost]

Hows the range on that thing? I have a keyboard tray that slides out and would have to keep that mic about 2-3ft away on the desk. I think I'd always feel like I have to lean over to talk...even if I didn't need to

Range is great I have it a few feet away and it picks up just fine.

 

[octopus41092]

I'm using that same Zalman one. It works fine when I place it on the table instead of clipping it onto my headphones. Works perfectly fine for me.

 

[shortylickens]

Much like speakers, if you're REALLY concerned about quality, skip computer stuff and go straight for the good shit.

http://www.google.com/products?sourceid=ie7&q=studio%20microphone&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ACAW&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=if&tbo=0

Yes, its overkill. As is a $10,000 Paradigm system for your computer. But people do it.
If you dont wanna spend assloads, just get a studio mic from Best Buy or some other place.

 

[bobdole369]

This the madman right here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ereo_Pair.html

Or for a nostalgic feel have a look at some of these:

http://k9toa.net/id12.html

I personally like anything made by Shure.

Seriously though - this:

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-C-1-.../dp/B000CZ0RLK

And you'll need a preamp with phantom power - so add this:

http://www.amazon.com/MXL-Condenser-...0121101&sr=1-2

 

[fustercluck]

This the madman right here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ereo_Pair.html

Or for a nostalgic feel have a look at some of these:

http://k9toa.net/id12.html

I personally like anything made by Shure.

Seriously though - this:

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-C-1-.../dp/B000CZ0RLK

And you'll need a preamp with phantom power - so add this:

http://www.amazon.com/MXL-Condenser-...0121101&sr=1-2

Ahh, well I like that Beringer C-1 but if I'd have to get the pre-amp then it's out of my range.

Still looking for better options than the logitech thought but I'll probably just end up getting that logitech desktop one, not a whole lot of choices out there.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

After reading this thread I got the Logitech USB microphone and it is great.

 

[fustercluck]

Yeah i ordered it last night...along with a discraft ultimate frisbee to put me over $25 for free shipping, yay! Also had a $10 amazon giftcard.

 

[fustercluck]

Well I got the logitech one up and running and it's pretty nice.

Buuuut, there's an on/off button. When it's on it has a bright green LED. I would much rather it just be on all the time and never light up at all. Wonder if that's possible to set up. Also doesn't seem to be any customizable options really. I thought I saw a video on amazon of it having more options in the control panel. There's no driver for it though apparently so you take what you get.

Here's me testing it but it may not be fully setup yet: http://www.freewebs.com/fustercluck/testing.wma

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

You could cover the LED with something.

 

[shingletingle]

The Logitech USB mic does not have a mic boost.

 

[fustercluck]

This mic is sucking pretty bad. It's like 1.5 ft away from my mouth and it's too quiet. Got it turned up to max in all settings/games. Sure there's no advanced options for this thing like mic boost or a +30db thing somewhere?

I thought I didn't have to put my mouth right on the mic for it to be clear.

 

[coldmeat]

I have it and it works pretty good for me. If I'm sitting back and playing I just put it on top of my stomach.