Best Overall USB Mic for VocalsWhen it comes to recording vocals, one name is trusted above all others – Blue Microphone. Blue has built their reputation on high-quality microphone hardware and as a result, their Blue Yeti USB Mic is the most popular choice for serious at-home recording.
Audio-Technica AT2020It may come cheap but it doesn't include a stand or arm. Audio quality-wise, the AT2020 has better output compared to the popular Blue Yeti. But that's just one thing. Yes, it does offer outstanding audio output, it has a great build and even has better audio pickup than the Blue Yeti.
As mentioned in our Blue Yeti review, I highly recommend getting a microphone stand or boom arm for your Blue Yeti. This will make it much easier to position the mic right in front of your mouth, as the included stand isn't tall enough for most situations.
A Blue Yeti microphone can be connected to an iPhone or iPad by using a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. For long recordings use a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, it has a Lightning input to pass-through power. Blue Yeti Nano, Snowball, and Snowball iCE mics can also be connected to iOS devices in the same way.
You will want to plug headphones into the 3.5mm input on the bottom of the Blue Yeti microphone, and adjust your computer settings for input/output. On the Yeti mic, adjust the pickup pattern and gain.
Best Pop Filters for your Blue Yeti in 2020
- Best overall: Auphonix Pop Filter for Blue Yeti Microphone.
- Premium option: Blue Universal Pop Filter.
- A sponge pop filter: Vocalbeat Foam Windscreen.
- Three-layered screen: Moukey Metal Pop Filter.
- Dual-layer shield: Mugig Mesh Pop Filter.
- A colorful option: HDE 6-inch Pop Filter.
A: There is a way to connect AirPods to a Yeti X but there is a noticeable delay when doing so. You'll want to connect everything to your computer normally, so pairing the AirPods with your computer and plugging your mic in via USB. Then right click your sound icon, on the taskbar, over by the time.
In short, if you just want to dip a toe into making music, the Blue Yeti will give you some useable, but mediocre results; however, if you actually want to learn and get good at this.
If it is for podcasting I would say that Blue Yeti is a good choice, if it is however for a professional or home studio setup, then AT2035 is a better choice. So, the point is you really need to understand how you would use the mic.
XLR mics are usually higher quality than USB mics. XLR mics are just one component in a three-component set-up (mic, pre-amp, analog-to-digital converter). It is easier to upgrade components.
The most significant differences between both Yeti models are when it comes to design and recording resolution. The Yeti Pro is made of higher-quality parts and offers vastly superior sound with sample rates of 24-bit and 192kHz vs. Not everything about the regular Yeti is positive, however.
The Snowball offers cardioid, omnidirectional and cardioid with -10db pad, making it a solid choice for individual vocals or podcasts as well as recordings that require a more comprehensive sound. But the Yeti has both cardioid and omnidirectional as well as bidirectional and stereo settings.
Best XLR Mic for Streaming and PodcastingYou'll need to plug it into a mixing board, and also buy the aforementioned cable, so it's more of a pro setup than the mics above, but if you're looking to something more advanced the AT2020 is a great way to get started.
Audio-Technica AT2035You'll find the AT2020 a little further down the page, but the AT2035 would be my choice under $200. It's perfect for recording podcasts, streaming, or singing with a nice smooth and natural sound.
Blue Microphones Blue Yeti Professional Multi-Pattern USB Condenser Microphone 988-000103 - Best Buy.
AT2020 is Audio Technica's first entry into the world of microphones. I currently use an Audio Technica AT2020 microphone which doesn't have a mute button, so instead I have only the microphone connected to this hub, in line with both my PC and Playstation 4. Pivoting, threaded stand mount included.
Pressing the button once quickly deactivates the mic (mute) and when you press it again, it only takes a second or two for the PC or PS4 to recognize it and you can immediately use it again.
A USB mic basically has the entire interface shoved into it. The general size of components usually makes these mic/interface combos lower in quality. Cramming comes with a price. USB bus power can be poor.
Yeti Blue microphones are widely popular for podcasting and home sound recording. They do have a big drawback of being overly sensitive. They pick up too much background noise even when the gain is turned way down.
It will restrict any other sounds beaming from the back or the sides of the Yeti. For this reason, the cardioid mode eliminates more background noise. It is the gamers, podcasters, and other live recording patterns of choice. Check out this article about whether the Blue Yeti microphone is good for singing here!
