Need mic help

[needadvice]

I'm trying to decide between the NEAT worker bee (xlr) and bumblebee (usb) mics atm. The worker bee's more expensive due to having to purchase an audio interface, but I've heard that xlr mics are much better. I'll be recording music (clarinet) and doing some gaming. Would it be worth it to spend the extra money to get the worker, or would the bumblebee be sufficient? I won't be doing professional recordings, I'll just be recording for fun. By the way, I'm talking about 1st gen mics (the old version) and not the new NEAT mics, but if the new ones are a lot better for the price, then let me know.

[The Elf]

The 'future proof' option is a 'normal' mic and audio interface. Having a separate audio interface at the very least opens the way to connecting other instruments, such as guitars and keyboards - and will typically have at least a pair of channels for stereo recording. None of this may be important to you right now, but may become so.

Whether this translates into being right for you and your budget is a different matter.

[Dave Rowles]

What Elf said.

Nothing else to consider really. Personally I'd always got for XLR mics with an interface...but then I've got a load of XLR mics already!

[Drew Stephenson]

USB mics have got a lot better in recent years and now regularly give you a full 24bit word-length (as the bumblebee does) so it's really down to how well you know yourself. If you're confident that the recording side of it will remain just you and the clarinet and for a bit of fun then the USB mic is probably the way to go.
If you do have wider interests in recording, or think you might be tempted down that route, then a separate mic and interface is definitely the way to go.

[ef37a]

Welcome Needadvice. Now, with the greatest respect you have fallen into the trap most newcomers to recording do, you are thinking only about 'the front end'. That is, how to get audio INTO the computer. At least as important is the way you HEAR what you have recorded. Most USB mics do not give you that function, a few do have headphone outputs but unless you are paying a good chunk for one of the 'names' the converter and amplifier quality is likely to be on a par with the headphone jack on your laptop, i.e. not good to crap.

There are some really good 2 in 2 out* interfaces about now for well under £100 and a good microphone and XLR cable can be had for about the same.

I am sure others can suggest good mics for clarinet. Son played one for a time and we recorded it using a Sontronics STC-2 LDC. Seemed ok to us!

[Drew Stephenson]

I'm really not sure that's true anymore Dave; most USB mics from any of the decent manufacturers have a perfectly good headphone amp built in; including the bumblebee that the OP is looking at.

[ef37a]

I'm really not sure that's true anymore Dave; most USB mics from any of the decent manufacturers have a perfectly good headphone amp built in; including the bumblebee that the OP is looking at.

Fair enough Drew I have not used one. However even given a decent D2A and headphone amp it still seems a kludge for music work? Ok for the podders.

An interface gives you a headphone feed AND a line out to a set of active speakers or, at a pinch, a 'hi fi' system. We can debate the merits or otherwise of speakers v cans but after all, a clarinet IS meant to be heard 'in the air'?

USB mics have their place, I have one but they are a dead end for recording whereas an AI is really just a beginning...and HTF you adjust the cans level on a mic and not put handling noise on the recording I do not know!
*Forgot: Do not get a single mic input AI. You will soon regret it.

Dave.

[John Willett]

What Elf said

A normal mic. with an interface is best every time.

[orange]

A normal mic. with an interface is best every time.

I'm not sure that's entirely true - Personally I'd only buy traditional mics but don't dismiss the USB mics.

I recently organised a session at very short notice with a load of people doing a film script read-through over Zoom (recording locally via audacity)

I bought a few Rode NT-USB mics and they were excellent. Plug and play on a mac. Headphone output with a volume/mix control on the mic body. They worked beautifully. Technophobes over in LA had zero problems plugging them in and getting great results, they didn't even need me talking them through setting them up.

Would I buy them for myself - no, I'd buy an interface and traditional mic - but for somebody who just wants to do some casual and fuss free recording the USB mics are ideal IMO.

You have to remember that not everyone understands what an XLR cable is or why they need phantom power...or why they need an additional box hanging off their laptop...and many don't really want to learn. Just plug and play and at a little over £100 they don't need to last for the next 30 years.

Not everyone want to get deeply involved with the mechanics of recording...and I suspect the original poster would do very well with a USB mic.

[ef37a]

The fact is Orange that the OP came to 'the world's premier RECORDING magazine' for advice. That tells me he was rather more interested in the quality of his recordings than the average podder.

For sure, if you just want to record a message and bang the attachment to Mum, a USB mic is very convenient. My son in France has a Motu M4 and several microphones but he used a Citronics USB mic to Skype me (he now has a Windows phone so he uses that). The mics are pretty good for one voice or one instrument but guitar and vocal at same time? Tricky and you cannot use two USB mics (well maybe you can on a mac but then you can afford better!)

So peeps, if you want to make simple recordings buy a USB mic but if you come here and ask you WILL be told they are very limiting!

Dave.

[Mike Stranks]

The fact is Orange that the OP came to 'the world's premier RECORDING magazine' for advice.
Dave.

Possibly...

... or maybe he was just trawling the Internet and spotted that this is a place where people ask such questions...

[ef37a]

The fact is Orange that the OP came to 'the world's premier RECORDING magazine' for advice.
Dave.

Possibly...

... or maybe he was just trawling the Internet and spotted that this is a place where people ask such questions...

Well see Mike, I'm a Glass Half Full kind o guy!

Dave.

[orange]

So peeps, if you want to make simple recordings buy a USB mic but if you come here and ask you WILL be told they are very limiting!

Dave, I'm guessing you haven't used one ?

Until I used them I think I felt the same - now I think there are plenty of applications where they are actually pretty useful. I think it's fairly obvious that wouldn't be your first choice for a micing a drum kit, but now I'd have no problem recommending one for a more casual or technophobic user.

It's horses for courses and about finding the RIGHT to for the job - that's not always about the most flexible or 'upgradable'

Taking a look at few SOS reviews from the last month
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/akg-ara
https://www.soundonsound.com/news/preso ... tor-series
https://www.soundonsound.com/news/se-ne ... microphone

seems like the market thinks they are a good idea too.

For sure, if you just want to record a message and bang the attachment to Mum

I can assure you that all the actors in that read through were delighted - and nobody's Mums were involved. I'm guessing you're not going to change your mind though.

[ef37a]

So peeps, if you want to make simple recordings buy a USB mic but if you come here and ask you WILL be told they are very limiting!

Dave, I'm guessing you haven't used one ?

Until I used them I think I felt the same - now I think there are plenty of applications where they are actually pretty useful. I think it's fairly obvious that wouldn't be your first choice for a micing a drum kit, but now I'd have no problem recommending one for a more casual or technophobic user.

It's horses for courses and about finding the RIGHT to for the job - that's not always about the most flexible or 'upgradable'

Taking a look at few SOS reviews from the last month
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/akg-ara
https://www.soundonsound.com/news/preso ... tor-series
https://www.soundonsound.com/news/se-ne ... microphone

seems like the market thinks they are a good idea too.

For sure, if you just want to record a message and bang the attachment to Mum

I can assure you that all the actors in that read through were delighted - and nobody's Mums were involved. I'm guessing you're not going to change your mind though.

Well you have guessed wrongly matey! I had one several years ago from Maplins. Son used it for acoustic guitar and it was ok but we also had a computer with a 2496 sound card, a small mixer and monitors so he could build tracks quite easily. A musician with just a USB mic, even one with headphone facilities is going to struggle to do the same.

After he moved to France I sent him a Citronics CCU3 USB LDC (well, not THAT L!) and he did some very decent classical guitar recordings with it. However, he also wanted to make more complex music and so ended up with an interface, an SM57 and a couple of Behringer C2s.

I am not at all averse to USB mics, fine as I say for 'one off' jobs and a laptop but I shall say again, there is more to making good recordings than 'recording'. Monitoring is at least 50% of the job.

OP is a musician and I shall not give him bad advice. Had he simply wanted a mic for speech over the internet then yes, a USB jobby will do.

Dave.

[Bob Bickerton]

This debate gone on for a bit.

At the end of the day USB mics have their place, especially with people who don't aspire to do anything other than basic single track recording.

Separate microphone and interface gives more flexibility and is more future proof - something to consider if the OP gets hooked on recording.

At the end of the day, there's so much more to making a good recording, yes monitoring, though that can be done easily enough with half decent headphones, but room treatment is critical.

Of the two mics noted by the OP the XLR version has better specs and its frequency response doesn't seem out of place for recording clarinet. I can't find a frequency response chart for the USB mic - probably the same capsule, but if it was voiced for vocals with a high frequency lift, it may not be the best for an acoustic instrument.

Personally, I would want a high quality interface, with a nice mic (Neumann TLM193 or AEA N8) in my treated room with good monitoring - but hold on, what does the OP want to do:

I won't be doing professional recordings, I'll just be recording for fun.

Ah - so it really doesn't matter............

Bob

[orange]

Well you have guessed wrongly matey! I had one several years ago from Maplins. Son used it for acoustic guitar and it was ok but we also had a computer with a 2496 sound card, a small mixer and monitors so he could build tracks quite easily. A musician with just a USB mic, even one with headphone facilities is going to struggle to do the same.

After he moved to France I sent him a Citronics CCU3 USB LDC (well, not THAT L!) and he did some very decent classical guitar recordings with it. However, he also wanted to make more complex music and so ended up with an interface, an SM57 and a couple of Behringer C2s.

I am not at all averse to USB mics, fine as I say for 'one off' jobs and a laptop but I shall say again, there is more to making good recordings than 'recording'. Monitoring is at least 50% of the job.

OP is a musician and I shall not give him bad advice. Had he simply wanted a mic for speech over the internet then yes, a USB jobby will do.

Dave.

well I may have 'guessed' wrong matey but I was just going by what you said ?

Fair enough Drew I have not used one.

but now it turns out you have VERY valuable experience with your microphone from Maplins - thanks for sharing. You've certainly changed my mind

[ef37a]

The Maplin mic was bought several years ago and cost £70, comparable to one of £100 today. USB mics are mostly very similar because most are 16bit devices and I suspect use a standard converter?

In any case, do not denigrate the microphone! It was pretty good, not quite as good as my Sontronics LDC (through an A&H mixer into the 2496) but not at all bad.

The Citronics was bought only about 3 years ago and again, a very serviceable microphone, and, as mentioned, very handy for those tasks where you just want to plug in and waffle.

"...I have not tried one" referred to a specific mic with headphone capability not USB mics in general.

You seem to deliberately ignore my point that, whilst USB mics are convenient in many situations AND their sound quality can be as good as many XLR mics of a similar price. OPERATIONALLY for the musician they are often not the best choice.

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

I think we need to wrap this up, everyone has made their point. The OP, should they ever return, has a nice list of pros and cons and can make their own decision based on their current and expected future needs.

[ef37a]

I think we need to wrap this up, everyone has made their point. The OP, should they ever return, has a nice list of pros and cons and can make their own decision based on their current and expected future needs.

Yes...But I suspect I won't get the last word!

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

[orange]

You seem to deliberately ignore my point that, whilst USB mics are convenient in many situations AND their sound quality can be as good as many XLR mics of a similar price. OPERATIONALLY for the musician they are OFTEN not the best choice.

Dave - I didn't ignore your point at all ? In fact I agreed with it, more than once.

What I am saying is that sometimes they are the perfect choice - even for musicians. It's clear you don't agree but I think your opinion is based on very little evidence, or experience or understanding that everybody's needs and requirements are different....and that's my opinion, and you've said nothing to change that.

Yes...But I suspect I won't get the last word!

you're welcome to it if you feel it's important to you ? Please continue to share your wisdom. Like many others, I hugely enjoy your posts. In 2022 we need all the laughs we can get.

[forumuser840717]

"Zyzzyva" is the last word.

According to the OED at least. It's apparently “a genus of tropical weevils (family Curculionidae) native to South America and typically found on or near palm trees.”

Those of a more spiritually misguided bent might prefer "Amen".

And for French film directors perhaps "Fin".

Or Chuck Jones might choose "Folks!".

[Hugh Robjohns]

[John Willett]

A USB mic is based on computer technology - although it can be a useful bit of kit, computer technology changes very fast and it should be treated as a "throw-away" and needs to pay for itself pretty quickly.

A proper microphone is a mature technology and will last (if treated properly) for decades. So, if you want to make good recordings get a good mic. and an interface. The interface can be a cheap one as it will be replaced every few years (computer technology) and just use the mic. with a new interface when you change.

USB-A is already dying as USB-C becomes the norm.

I remember reading a BBC report on the new Neumann U47 when it came out - price £100 - the s/h price of a good U47 nowadays is about £6-8,000.