Disappointed in my Blue Yeti USB Mic. Alternatives?

[Altermax]

I was led to believe that the Blue Yeti USB mic was the way to go for rapping vocals, but after trying to improve my set up, mix it as well as I knew how to (I'm far from a pro mixer, but I know my left from my right and how to compress etc), I'm not impressed with the sound quality. Check out the song I made the other day with it (Google "Heart attack Altermax Remix" then go to the youtube link)

Is there an XLR mic that's no more than $80 that you know can destroy the Blue Yeti USB mic? Thanks.

 

[TimOBrien]

The best advice is that pretty much all usb mics are for podcasters and not music/vocals.
When you buy a $100 usb mic you are buying >two< devices, a cheap $40 mic and a cheap $40 interface (built into the mic body).

Save your money, get a reasonable usb interface ($100-150 and up) and then go mic shopping.
Yes you'll spend a bit more but it's cheaper than throwing away your money on a POS usb mic and then regretting it...

 

[acidrock]

The best advice is that pretty much all usb mics are for podcasters and not music/vocals.
When you buy a $100 usb mic you are buying >two< devices, a cheap $40 mic and a cheap $40 interface (built into the mic body).

Save your money, get a reasonable usb interface ($100-150 and up) and then go mic shopping.
Yes you'll spend a bit more but it's cheaper than throwing away your money on a POS usb mic and then regretting it...

It's got a headphone input too, plus a built in stand.

 

[CrimsonViper]

I've been trying to get my Blue Yeti to get a good dry sound as well but at risk of sounding completely unaware about sound recording, it picks up the environment a lot more than what I'd imagine other mics would. Watching the thread to see best ways to use what I got.

 

[Bobbsy]

The Blue Yeti is about as good as it gets in the price range. Moving to XLR you'd have to buy a mic and then spend a similar amount (or more) on an external interface.

The sad fact is that there are no magic mics that sell for $80 and sound like $1000 mics. You'll be better off buying a piggy bank and saving up for a significantly more expensive mic and a decent quality interface

 

[JimmyS1969]

The Blue Yeti is about as good as it gets in the price range. Moving to XLR you'd have to buy a mic and then spend a similar amount (or more) on an external interface.

The sad fact is that there are no magic mics that sell for $80 and sound like $1000 mics. You'll be better off buying a piggy bank and saving up for a significantly more expensive mic and a decent quality interface

^^This is what I should have given rep for.

 

[TimOBrien]

I've been trying to get my Blue Yeti to get a good dry sound as well but at risk of sounding completely unaware about sound recording, it picks up the environment a lot more than what I'd imagine other mics would.

Condensers are, by definition, very sensitive. They pick up room noise, computer noise, guy next door noise and truck down the street noise.

Many voice-over'ists, singers and rappers use dynamic mics like the SM-7b or EV-RE20 for that reason.

Plus, big studios spend million$ to build their acoustically soundproofed studio spaces for a reason....