What are the issues with USB mics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter D1COV
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mjbphotos said:
Lousy audio to digital conversion, typically.
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That's interesting. Considering that probably half of the audio interfaces being sold these days are USB, I guess you can't blame the port or the technology, right? Maybe it's because of the lack of a preamp...
 
Just because half of the interfaces sold might be USB, that doesn't mean they have the highest quality converters.

MickeyD sells more burgers than anyone else too.
 
c7sus said:
Just because half of the interfaces sold might be USB, that doesn't mean they have the highest quality converters.

MickeyD sells more burgers than anyone else too.
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Fair enough, but nobody says USB interfaces are inherently inferior...because they're not. That's just a fact. What are you arguing about?
 
I'm saying quantity doesn't equal quality. A single AD chip in a Lynx or RME product costs more than the entire workings of the most common USB mics.

If quantity pertained to audio performance the imbeded soundcards on motherboards would be the best.
 
Also USB as a data communication protocol has nothing to do with the quality of AD conversion whether it be in an audio interface, a USB mic or whatever else. That is a separate process with converter chips and an analog front end before the data hits the USB port

The main gripe with USB or cheap stuff in general is that is generally touted and presented as some cheap "Pro" alternative that will make your recording sound like it was done by Alan Parsons, without you putting in any time or effort which, of course, it won't. So long as you are aware of what you are getting yourself into, what the most you can expect and what the inherent capabilities and weaknesses of any of your gear is then you can get the best, most usable results out of it.
 
A. Because the market for USB microphones only supports budget gear, so the parts like mic elements and converters are the cheapest available.

B. Because, with a few exceptions, the monitoring function is not integrated. That leaves you with a longer path from input to monitor output, a cause of increased latency.
 
Most have only cheap 16-bit converters.
Monitoring is poor.
Short usb cord means you'll get more pc noise.
They're really mostly made for podcasting.
 
I purchase a 'budget USB mic' and thats what I got. Spend you money on a decent mic. You can usually get some pretty good quality from the same price range (maybe a little more) than with USB. I used mine about twice and then stuff it on a high shelf.
 
D1COV said:
I know they are frowned upon, but what results from them cause the dislike.
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Other than most of them sound like a$$?

They're (I should say "most of them" as I've not tried every single one) made from the absolute cheapest possible components, the crappiest possible elements going into the cheapest preamp circuit, into the most worthless A-D converter shoved through the more unreasonable USB interface (the USB interface being the least of your worries - everything else just adding to your troubles).

Think of the SM58 -- Pound for pound, about as cheap as high-quality potting soil and a surprisingly usable, durable and flexible microphone at around $100.

Contrast that against a typical USB mic for around the same amount... How high could the quality possible be at that price point?
 
Another thing about cheap gear, it has no resale value. Invest in decent hardware and it will retain some of it's value. People will be buying Shure SM57/58 mics for a long time, so if you want to upgrade, or lose interest, you can sell it easily. Unlike a cheap USB mic which will probably be hard to sell - of course you can probably get them used on ebay for way less than retail.
 
Is it possible to get a quality recording from a USB mic
 
I have to say I was surprisingly pleased with the quality from the AT2020 usb..... I wonder if we recorded 2 versions of the same audio using a mid priced usb mic, and say a shure sm58 whether anyone could tell the difference???? Baring in mind I am a massive fan of the SM58.
 
You'd most definitely hear a difference -- If for no other reason, the 58 is designed with a 2-4 inch proximity and the 2020 with a 1-4 foot proximity.

On listening solo'd, the 2020 would likely sound more "real" and more "natural" --- while the 58 may very well actually fit the mix better (voice/mix dependent, of course).

That all said -- You'd hear a rather dramatic (and more "fair") difference between the 2020USB and a standard 2020 through a great preamp into a great converter also...
 
Then do that same exercise across 20 tracks of various instruments and backing vocals whatever.

You'll be hearing a world of difference by then.
 
It wont really matter once you run it through auto-tune and compress it into a pancake...
 
Buy a USB mic if you have a laptop and you can record rehearsals or songs ideas everywhere. Definitely not for high quality home recording, but good enough and better than a lot of portable recorder.
 
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