Introduction
If you’re in the market for a USB microphone for your music classroom, Black Friday is definitely the time to buy! There are always great deals to be had on USB microphones this time of year! In this blog post, we will discuss five of the best USB microphones to look for during Black Friday sales, why you may need an external USB microphone and their ease of use!
Plus, if you’re looking to use a USB microphone on an Apple Mac computer, we will also address the importance of choosing the correct adapter and the difference between USB microphones and XLR microphones.
Read on to learn all about the best USB microphones for your classroom!
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links which will earn me a very small commission (at no extra cost to you!). These are all books that I recommend because they are quality resources and any commissions earned go back into supporting the upkeep of this site.
Why You May Need an External USB Microphone
USB microphones are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. USB microphones offer a great balance of quality and price, making them perfect for music teachers who are looking for a medium-level microphone that can capture incredible sound.
In-built internal microphones inside computers and laptops have come a long way, but sometimes internal mics just can’t record sound to the highest quality. USB microphones are great for capturing sound and can provide medium-level recording capabilities that internal mics cannot achieve, such as creating videos for your students, recording audio examples, or recording your ensemble (without picking up the noise of the classroom next door).
And because they’re USB, they’re compatible with virtually any computer or laptop. So if you’re looking for an affordable and easy-to-use microphone solution, USB microphones are a great option.
USB Microphones are Easy to Use!
USB microphones are incredibly easy to use; they offer plug-and-play capabilities and will usually show up directly as an input option in your recording input dropdown as soon as you plug them in. USB microphones are also very student friendly and more durable than more expensive studio mics because they are built to stay on your desktop.
USB microphones come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for various purposes, from recording music to podcasting to vlogging. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, affordable microphone that will give you great sound quality that’s a step up from an inbuilt microphone, a USB microphone is the way to go.
How to Choose the Correct Adapter for Your USB Microphone: Mac Considerations
If you’re using an Apple Mac computer, I’ve found that it’s best to use Apple brand products when recording audio. Yes, they will indeed be a little more expensive than some off-brand products, however, in recording, it’s important that things are seamless and work well.
I highly recommend using Apple’s native USB to USB-C adapter if you want to connect a USB mic to your USB-C Mac!
USB Microphones vs. XLR Microphones with Audio Interfaces
USB Microphones are great, but they are only perfect for some situations. USB mics are better suited for single-source sounds, like podcasts, voiceovers, and soloists – not for recording multiple instruments simultaneously, such as a soloist with an accompanist or multiple vocalists where you may need to adjust individual levels. USB mics are also limited in the number of controls they have, whereas XLR microphones offer more control.
XLR Microphones require the use of an audio interface, meaning they are not plug-and-play devices. They are plugged into your computer via an external “box,” which will generally require a driver download to use. The addition of an audio interface is an additional expense but may be worth it for those times that you need to record from multiple inputs at once.
Five of the Best USB Microphones for Music Teachers
ATR2100X
ATR2100X (≈ $80USD): Audio Technica makes a great USB microphone that is great for vocal or classroom recordings and can easily be used to record music or podcasts. It has a very natural sound quality that won’t need much additional processing after you’ve recorded it.
I REALLY like this microphone because it does “double duty.” If you notice in the image below, at the base where you plug in your cables, you can plug in both an XLR cable or a USB cable. This means that you can use the mic to plug directly into your computer OR plug into an audio interface for additional adjustment and levels.
I also love the ATR2100X because when you hold it, it looks and feels like a vocal mic. If you are going to use this with students, this is one of the most natural feeling options that are easy for them to use.
Blue Snowball
The Blue Snowball (≈ $60USD) is another super popular microphone that I’ve seen recommended dozens of times (I also have owned one myself for years).
The Blue Snowball is fantastic because it allows you to capture sound in different ways. You can have it pick up sound from just in front of the microphone, or it can pick up sound from around the whole microphone (which means it’s good for recording a whole ensemble). You can unscrew the ball portion of the microphone and place it on a mic stand easily, too, for group recordings!
Blue Yeti
Blue also makes another great option called the Blue Yeti Microphone (≈ $130USD). This is a wonderful microphone with a little better quality than the Blue Snowball.
The Blue Yeti is great because it also has various recording styles and modes, including stereo-mode and bi-directional. I’ve also included a little graphic below that shows the correct way to use this particular microphone. Many people aim the microphone toward them, which doesn’t allow for correct audio placement. Instead, leave the microphone standing up for much better audio capturing!
Samson Meteor
The Samson Meteor (≈ $70USD) microphone is a very fun (and very portable) option because the legs fold in on itself- perfect for popping into your bag on the go! It also has a headphone jack in the back for zero-latency monitoring. This is only a cardioid pattern mic, however, so it will only pick up audio in front of it (not surrounding it).
Samson C01U Pro
The Samson C01U Pro microphone is another wonderful plug-and-play condenser microphone that’s ideal for individual recordings. It’s highly recommended and requires no software drivers – truly a plug-and-play device!
Final Thoughts
USB microphones are a great option for music teachers because they offer ease of use and great sound quality. In this blog post, we’ve highlighted five of the best USB microphones for music teachers to consider, especially during Black Friday sales.
We’ve also discussed the importance of choosing the correct adapter for external USB microphones on Apple Mac computers and different USB microphones’ capabilities. With the variety of USB microphone options out there, you’ll be sure to find one that fits your individual and classroom needs!
Do you have a favorite USB microphone that you use in your classroom? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
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Looking for More Resources for Music Teachers?
Hello! I’m Katie Argyle – an Australian music technology trainer and consultant with a passion for helping music teachers through my businessMidnight Music.
I’m a qualified teacher but no, I don’t currently teach in a school. I help teachers through my online professional development space – theMidnight Music Community– where there are tutorial videos, courses, links and downloadable resources.
I like to focus oneasyways to incorporate technology intowhat you are already doing in your music curriculumthrough a range of creative projects. I also run live workshops and have presented at countless conferences and other music education events.
If you want simple, effective ideas for using technology in music education, I would LOVE to help you inside theMidnight Music Community.
