What about all the cheap USB :mics? MXL, AT, Samson, etc...

[Breeze]

One of my friend's kids on a very low budget asked me what would be a good mic to get for general use on his laptop, particularly for blogging. So I looked around and I was surprised that there's a surprising number of low budget microphones out there with direct to USB outputs. They sit in the $100 - $200 sweetspot. Models include MXL.006, .007 stereo, .008 better capsule, Studio 24 feature rich, Audio technica AT2020, AT2500, Samson C01u, C03u multipattern, G-track feature rich, and that's just a few of them! MXL makes one now that does 24/96.

And from what I can tell, they're ALL Core Compliant and likely work with the CCK, though you may need a powered hub because they're mostly large diaphragm condensers.

Currently the "feature rich" models usually compromise on the audio quality but offer built-in return for monitoring, and in the case of the Studio 24, even remote control of input dynamics processing (though any remote panel wouldn't be available on the iPad). For sheer sound quality, I was petty impressed by the MXL .008's extended frequency response and smooth sound. There's YouTube videos for most of these mics and that's where I've been auditioning them.

Of course, if you already have access to a preamp and an arsenal of mics, this is all pretty irrelevant and you can benefit from proper gain staging and dynamic control. But if you're looking for something simple to carry around with you and cut down on the wire clutter for casual use, or just for throwing ideas together (setup time to recording would be a lot faster with one of these), they might just fit the bill...

It's surprising to me what you can get for the money. Have any of you tried any of these mics with the iPad?

[DrApostropheX]

I got a Samson Go mic for $40 (including shipping) and... well, it's about what you'd expect: it's a $40 mic with a 16-bit, 44.1k audio interface built in. It has an 1/8" headphone jack, but you can't kill the mic's input while it's connected (the mic feeds the headphone constantly, along with the USB audio output, so you'll always be monitoring the room sound -- you can plug in the mic first via the CCK, then plug your headphones into the iPad directly to get around this). It's got a nice clip built-in, though, so you can clip it right to your iPad or laptop, so that part is nice. It's also VERY portable. It folds up into a case the size of an earbud case (about 2" x 1"), so that is great, too.

I used the Go Pro to record the vocals in this iPad-only song: http://soundcloud.com/victor-lams/thursday-two-pm

For $40, I'd recommend it.

The issue with these USB mics though is that very few of them allow you to record at 24-bit and higher than 44.1k, which you want to do for adequate headroom -- most of them are set for 16-bit, 44.1k only. I think MXL makes a 24-bit USB mic, and Blue's Yeti Pro model is also 24-bit, but then you're getting well past $100.

Oh -- and you want to check the power requirement on some of the bigger mics, too: just because the drivers are CoreAudio compliant, if it requires a powered USB hub, that kind of kills the whole portability aspect of it.

[martygras]

My only experience with usb mics is the Yeti by Blue.

It has multiple pattern selection which was what I was looking for. For blogging/skype it's probably great. For music, it has a nice signal to noise spec, but doesn't capture the subtle tones from acoustic instruments as well as I had hoped. Still very useable though. $150 if I recall.

Yeti > powered USB hub > CCK > iPad > GarageBand, is a good combo for home recording.

[Breeze]

The issue with these USB mics though is that very few of them allow you to record at 24-bit and higher than 44.1k, which you want to do for adequate headroom -- most of them are set for 16-bit, 44.1k only. I think MXL makes a 24-bit USB mic, and Blue's Yeti Pro model is also 24-bit, but then you're getting well past $100.

Thanks for chiming in. Actually the MXL Studio 24 does 16/24 and 44.1/48 for 169 MSRP (Amazon sells if for under $130). But I haven't heard it yet, though a Fq plot I saw isn't as nice as the .008 where they obviously traded in features for sonics.

But for the prices, a lot of these mics are great plug and players.

[DrApostropheX]

But for the prices, a lot of these mics are great plug and players.

Yep. Just make sure you don't need a powered USB hub, though. Otherwise, you're better off sticking with a small self-powered USB audio interface and whatever favorite mics you already own

[Breeze]

But for the prices, a lot of these mics are great plug and players.

Yep. Just make sure you don't need a powered USB hub, though. Otherwise, you're better off sticking with a small self-powered USB audio interface and whatever favorite mics you already own

True. Apparently the MXL Tempo mics are designed to work with just the CCK (44.1/48, but only 16-bit):

[DrApostropheX]

Huh! Those Tempo mics do look rather cool!

[bandler6]

Very nice, sturdy and reproduces very nicely.

I really have no complaints for my $58, except for the "zero latency" thing. There is nothing zero about it. It's about a .25-.5 delay that is frustrating top the point that the monitoring is useless.

Mic is going to the office for recording videos and podcasts. Vocal recording will likely end up with and XLR/pre-amp set up.

My 2cents.

[Breeze]

Very nice, sturdy and reproduces very nicely.

I really have no complaints for my $58, except for the "zero latency" thing. There is nothing zero about it. It's about a .25-.5 delay that is frustrating top the point that the monitoring is useless.

Mic is going to the office for recording videos and podcasts. Vocal recording will likely end up with and XLR/pre-amp set up.

My 2cents.

I assume you're talking about the Tempo mic? What recording software are you using? Sometimes that makes a difference.

[bandler6]

I was testing the Tempo with Audible for some quick testing with my daughter singing. Vocals are nice and warm, but I was also just running the mic through the laptop without using any app (except Win7) and there was still a lag.

I will try some different tests today and report back.

[bandler6]

So I tested the Tempo on my desktop at work and unfortunately I get the same result. For podcasts and instructional videos, no big deal. The monitor out put on the mic still yields the equivalent of "Price check on adult male diapers!"

So my search will continue.

[bandler6]

I have downloaded ASIO and a trial of Reaper. It appears that that the change in audio driver has solved the problem. There is now zero latency.

[Breeze]

I have downloaded ASIO and a trial of Reaper. It appears that that the change in audio driver has solved the problem. There is now zero latency.

That's why I asked you what iOS app you used to record. Try the free Tascam 2-track recorder for iOS and see if you get the same latency problem. It was written by Chris Randall of Audio Damage. Audible doesn't seem to be a proper audio app (never heard of it till you mentioned it).

[bandler6]

I have downloaded ASIO and a trial of Reaper. It appears that that the change in audio driver has solved the problem. There is now zero latency.

That's why I asked you what iOS app you used to record. Try the free Tascam 2-track recorder for iOS and see if you get the same latency problem. It was written by Chris Randall of Audio Damage. Audible doesn't seem to be a proper audio app (never heard of it till you mentioned it).

I didn't proof-read my speeling of the original app I was utilizing. It was Audacity. Audible is a subscription audio book service

Thank you again for providing feedback for this noob.

[Breeze]

I didn't proof-read my speeling of the original app I was utilizing. It was Audacity. Audible is a subscription audio book service

Thank you again for providing feedback for this noob.

Oh, so you're not on iOS at all? You don't have an iPad? Sorry, this is board about these types of devices; I assumed you had one.