Do XLR Mics Sound Better Than USB Mics // Judge For Yourself

[@StephenCarterStressExpert]

A couple of caveats: One, I have a raging cold with head congestion and secondly KZbin compresses the audio signal on top of whatever was done in post or baked in DSP (example: Rodecaster Pro / pro 2) during the original recording. My guesses: Clip 1: XLR; Clip 2: USB; Clip 3: USB; Clip 4: XLR; Clip 5 USB; Clip 6: XLR; Clip 7: USB. In re-listening to your commentary, one point I missed originally was you didn't care whether you could hear a difference in A/B testing because the listener never hears the raw audio. My words here, even if the vast majority of listeners heard content recorded with a good quality USB mic and the same content recorded with a good XLR mic - both properly processed - your average listener couldn't tell the difference. Typically, that's true. I, however, do know the difference. There are a ton of recording variables (condenser vs dynamic mic, room treatment if any, mic technique, and many more). While I will on a rare occasion use a USB mic for podcast recording, 99% of the time I'm going to select a high quality XLR mic that I consider good for the recording environment. If I was just starting podcasting now, that may not be the case. But 10 years in as a podcaster and 60 years in as a musician, I choose to go with what's worked for decades.

[@jesse.mccune]

Thanks for taking the time to participate. Would you say that you're probably an outlier here compared to the typical podcast listener? When you've used USB mics for podcast recordings, have you had any complaints, or even felt the recording was a let down for your audience in terms of quality?

[@StephenCarterStressExpert]

@@jesse.mccune Regarding being an outlier, most listeners for any given podcast other than podcasts about podcasting (e.g., Dave Jackson's podcasts, David Hooper, etc.) aren't podcasters, so yes, from that point of view I'm an outlier. Like the vast majority of listeners, if the audio is listenable - not necessarily pristine but listenable - and the content is of interest, I'll listen to the show. A part of me will assess the audio quality, but that is done quickly. If the audio is problematic, unless the content is super compelling, I'll move on. As far as complaints when recording with a USB mic, there are none because if it's not good enough it wouldn't be released. If you're happy with a Sampson Q2U or an ATR2100X in USB mode, then that's great. Not everyone needs an SM7B, RE20, or an Earthworks Ethos. Start where you are, learn basic audio processing, and - most important - give your listeners the best content quality you can. As your skills and passion for podcasting grow you may decide to purchase higher end mics and other equipment or you may stay with your original baseline tools. If you're having fun, providing quality content, and "good enough" audio quality - whether with XLR or USB microphones - life is good.

[@sorrykiddo]

Hey, Jess. I just briefly listened to your examples on my average headphones (Razer Blackshark V2). Here's what I hear: Clip 1: The sound is quite flat but decently clear. It could be either USB or XLR, as the sound seems somewhat "cheap." However, I would guess it's XLR. Clip 2: Possibly an XLR with a bad preamp. It sounds more like a USB mic with compression, giving it an unnatural quality. This observation might apply to most commercial and advertising audio. Clip 3: Once again, a flat sound with no enhancements, possibly XLR. Clip 4: The sound is more bottled and unnatural, resembling advertising or commercials on the radio. "They're trying to be real but they sound fake!" The true depth should come from the voice, not mechanical enhancements. It could be either XLR with a preamp or USB with compression. There are also small artifacts present. Clip 5: Clear, flat sound. It should be an XLR. Clip 6: Again, a slightly harsh preamp or compression, resulting in a somewhat unnatural sound. It could be both XLR or USB. Clip 7: More like a flat USB sound; you can hear the "bottle echoes," especially at the beginning.

[@jesse.mccune]

Thanks for taking the time to participate and providing some insights into what you're hearing. From your wording it sounds like 5 and 7 are the only ones you're pretty confident in. I'm curious, and I know it might be difficult to describe, about what you are referring to as "bottle echoes"? I thought I had an idea, but my "I just woke up ears" aren't hearing what I was expecting.

[@sorrykiddo]

It's more like a boxy sound, or the person speaking is quite close to the microphone. There's not enough space, it's as if you're in a phone booth. Also, regarding the topic itself, I would choose XLR (and if we're buying one, we need to choose the most advanced one) only if I am generating real income from such activities and can easily reinvest it. For instance, in the case of professional voice-overs, you definitely need clear, clean, and flat sound - the best raw material, much like high-quality A++ grade beef. You can then enhance it with the spices you need. As for KZbin, podcasts, etc., USB microphones are likely the best choice.

[@jesse.mccune]

I wonder if it's proximity effect that you're hearing or perhaps it's the sound of their voice, or a combination of the two. You make a great point about the choice being dependent on its use. I definitely wouldn't choose a USB for professional VO work. That's a space where you're competing with others who are using higher end equipment in booths for paid jobs. It's not uncommon for VO actors to have recording $5k or more invested in their recording chain. It's also not uncommon to see them using a really good mic into an affordable interface. When it comes to podcasts and KZbin, where you aren't competing with one another on quality for paid jobs, I'm of the mindset that the goal should be about sounding good and simplicity. A good USB mic and a little post-production is all that's needed to produce quality results in this space.

[@StephenCarterStressExpert]

If you're using a decent USB microphone, your file is typically going to be listenable. I recently purchased an Audio-Technical ATR2100X for travel which offers a USB / XLR combo. I did an A/B comparison and there is a difference in the raw audio signal renderings. Are both listenable? Yes.. Is the XLR signal better? Yes. If the USB signal is EQed / processed, can you get nearly the same quality as the XLR signal? Yes. For most recordings, I want the best audio quality possible so I'm going to use one of my XLR mics such as the SE Dynancaster DCM8, RE20 or RE320, or even an SM58. If "good" is good enough, you can use a decent USB microphone and save money. If you want the best audio quality, spend the money and purchase a good interface and the best XLR mic you're able to afford.

[@jesse.mccune]

Thanks for the response. On raw recordings, I can hear a difference too, but our audience never hears the raw audio. Would you mind sharing which clips you think are XLR?

[@ilblues]

Just for giggles, odd numbers USB, even numbers, XLR. Realistically though Jesse, I'm listening through Sennheiser Pro 280's plugged direct into the headphone jack on a Dell Micro PC which thanks to whatever is going on in the mother board, has a LOT of background noise - at times it sounds like an electrical storm - then abruptly is completely silent. I've no idea why. I'd have to move to my DAW PC with an Scarlett 2i2 gen 3 and Beyer Dynamic DT990 phones to hear the self noise level of the mics. As far as noise goes, I get a lot better mic performance out of my Tascam DR-10X which I use for reading narrations / audio-book type work and my Zoom R4 I use for recording songs. There is a difference in the noise floor when the recorder / preamps are on battery compared to something plugged in to AC or a preamp with a wall plug. There's no battling 60 cycle hum with a battery rig. The 2i2 does admit noise that the DR-10X and R4 do not. I have just one USB mic - a cheap one by FiFine that makes a better hammer than a microphone. It did a poor job of capturing the low register of my baritone voice.

[@jesse.mccune]

I appreciate you battling the electrical storm to listen and provide your answers. It's not surprising that you get better performance from the DR-10X than the 2i2. I would expect it to have a better preamp since it comes in at $200/channel compared to the $100/channel of the 2i2. Zoom's stuff is really hit and miss. Some of it delivers great quality, and on some products, they cut so many corners that it's barely usable.

[@devrimyalcin]

Clips 1, 3, 5, and 6 sound more clear and natural. Are these clips recorded via XLR?

[@jesse.mccune]

Thanks for participating. One of those is an XLR mic. You can find the answers in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6uTaaWkbLuVhbc

[@devrimyalcin]

Thank you for your quick reply indeed. I realized my guess was totally wrong when I watched the following video. However, I noticed that there were different mics used in this "experiment". It may change the voice character at all. @@jesse.mccune

[@jesse.mccune]

@devrimyalcin No problem. One of the main things I wanted to point out with this video one type of mic isn't better than the other. Mics don't inherently change the character of one's voice like many people think. Mics will impart their own EQ curve, which might flatter one voice, but not others. I know I've found this to be true with the various mics I've tested and used. I have a lot of mids in my voice, so mics like the Audio Technica ATR2100x and Samson Q9U didn't make my voice sound its best, but I still sounded like me. A good way to really hear how little a decent mic changes someone's voice character is to watch some Podcastage videos. It doesn't matter which mics he uses, he still sounds like him.