The BEST Streaming Microphone Is ONLY $99

For the past two years, I have only recommended one microphone, the Samson Q2U, let me show you why by comparing this microphone to the $300 Rode XDM-100, and the $800+ setup I have for the Shure Sm7b.
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👑Samson Q2u Links, and more:
kit.co/Eljayem/samson-q2u-rev...
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Why Should You Upgrade A Microphone First?
We are assuming that you have a PC that can run a decent stream quality, then the most important purchase is a good microphone, if someone drops by and you are streaming 720p or even 480p they are usually okay with it, but if your audio hurts their ears or doesn’t sound right I promise you they will leave.
There are plenty of affordable USB mics that sound amazing, and you can take them to even better heights when you apply the right filters that are free and come with OBS and Slobs, our recommendation in this video is the Samson Q2u.
🕘Timestamps:
0:00 What do these Five Streaming Mics have in common
0:56 Sponsor Segment - Best Streamer Overlays and Graphics For Beginners! - Own3d
1:26 Why The Samson Q2u being a Dynamic Mic is great
2:05 Why The Samson Q2u Cardioid Polar Pattern is important
2:43 The Samson Q2u Price
3:00 Why you won't need to upgrade the Samson Q2u
3:16 What Microphone Arm Helps Get Great Audio for Streaming
3:50 Testing Details
3:57 Samson Q2u Keyboard Test
4:41 Samson Q2u Fan Sound Test
5:01 Samson Q2u Distance Test
5:29 Samson Q2u VS Rode XDM-100 Vs Shure Sm7b Sound Test
6:31 Which Microphone Should You Buy For Streaming?
Why The Samson Q2u Is The Best Microphone for Streamers
Starting with the basics, the Samson Q2u is a Dynamic Mic, not a condenser microphone, essentially Dynamic microphones are less sensitive than Condenser microphones, which means sometimes they need to be closer and might require a bit more gain, but these aren’t bad things.
Dynamic mics are better in untreated or amateur rooms, like home offices, bedrooms, bathrooms aka your Stream rooms. They are also better at dealing with background noise.
Cardioid means it handles sound right out the front here, and doesn’t pick up sound from behind, or well under it, it still gets audio from the sides but not much. Not all mics are like this, one of the more popular Mics you all know like the Blue Yeti Snowball which can be omnidirectional, which, means it picks up audio from all around.
The style of this video is similar to Alpha Gaming and Gaming Careers in parts. A large influence on this series has come from content creators like Wild4games and Nutty.
👑Watch a FULL BREAKDOWN of the Samson Q2u:
• Samson Q2u USB/XLR Mic...
👑Watch a FULL BREAKDOWN of the Audio-Technica AT2005USB
• Audio-Technica AT2005U...
👑Watch a FULL BREAKDOWN of the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB
• Audio-Technica ATR2100...
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[@Podcastage]

We welcome you to the Q2u cult. ONE OF US ONE OF US!

[@StreamScheme]

Hahaha happy to join! Thanks for all the great videos mate!

[@Adamsgotgame]

The Mic man himself 😊

[@wagonet]

Love my q2u. Bought it because of your review sir!

[@Yes20867]

You did great on the video! Really makes sense. You always do well at explaining things. I really would love to learn more about how to get a mic setup with the GOXLR. I have a goxlr and Samson q2u, but unfortunately all videos that I’ve seen about how to set up a mic with all the settings in the goxlr are always confusing. I would love to see you explain it and explain how to set it up. There aren’t a lot of videos explaining how to do that.

[@mrphillipchan2]

Fun fact! That Neon Squirtle in the background is my fan art I did back in 2014! Keep up the good work dood!

[@ShaunRF]

As a Samson Q2U user, I should note that this mic can have major Sibilance issues, meaning it can emphasize the S and Sh sounds. So if your voice strongly emphasizes these sounds naturally, the mic can amplify that quite a bit. Some ways to minimize this are to move the mic off-axis, add a pop filter, or use a de-esser plugin. Edit: I recently discovered that sliding the foam windscreen part way off the mic, so there is an air gap between the top of the mic and the windscreen, can also help a ton. Personally, I recently ended up going with the Techivation T-dee-esser plugin, which is actually free. Aside from that, I'm quite happy with the mic. Especially for the price.

[@comfytoby]

Yes. People should go for a sm58 instead. The sibilance is crazy. Even connected to xlr its still pretty bad. I use a pretty agressive d-esser and the sibilance is still to harsh.. I would not recommend it for streaming. Its still my main microphone, but there are better options. Q2U with Shure A81WS windscreen does solve some of these issues, but still..

[@StreamScheme]

Thanks for the extra info! I never had issues so I assume its my voice luckily! Always good to have extra context for people!

[@dylanj8676]

​@@comfytobyPersonally I can't stand the high end of the 58.

[@comfytoby]

@@dylanj8676 Samson Q2U is even worse in an untreated room.

[@fluphybunny930]

My voice and this mic weren't great. Sibilance is definitely an issue for me and this mic. Saying that it still sounds better than most at this price range and is a good step up from headphone mics.

[@PhtevenTheDuck]

Absolutely wonderful style of review. So useful!

[@RodDammit]

I found ur channel a few weeks ago. Ur tech reviews are spot on the way u present. Ur budget setup vid was great and influenced some of my purchases. I'm still working on getting obs setup. Really kicking my butt but it's coming along. Ur tutorials really help tho

[@lila_roxa]

This video could not be more relevant to me right now. My gaming headset microphone completely broke down and I was starting my search for an upgrade. Thanks for such an informative, fun video!

[@SlippyDipper]

Your stream setup and tech advice videos really helped me move from thinking about streaming to actually streaming, so thank you so much for being in this space! As an extremely new content creator, it would be helpful to see more detail on how certain settings affect the quality you can get out of a product. Learning how to make a less expensive equipment work its best would be a great way to break down some of the intimidating barriers to starting for others as well!

[@StreamScheme]

I’ve made that video :) I made a $10 mic sound amazing. Scroll the channel, you’ll see it

[@BrazenRover]

Yessir, keep doing these reviews! I have been using the same $50 mic for years now. The Newer NW-7000. Never had a problem with it! Thought I had to be nuts. Been looking to make an upgrade and this video couldn't have come in a better time. Thank you sir!

[@Zack-attack583]

Amazing review quick to the point funny and explained in a way that an audio newbie like myself understands what's going on.

[@StreamScheme]

I don't do tech reviews often because I think they are a very difficult type of video, as Educators if we're going to tell someone to spend money, we need to be confident in our choice. I've had and used the Samson Q2u for over 2 years now, and can confidently recommend it both in budget, and performance.

[@Indydi]

Great review! Keep it up!

[@FrozenPhoenix3]

Amazing video, really like the way it was presented!

[@StreamScheme]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@allanwarsing]

Primo video! Top creativity. Loved it.

[@armacalagon]

Not gonna lie. This is the best mic comparison video I've seen that I can easily share with my friends and know that they will understand

[@natalieramsay1558]

Loved this, so helpful and I laughed a lot 🤘👍

[@StreamScheme]

Glad it helped!

[@NewGameSyndrome]

Dude this was great. Keep up the great content and thank you for being a person not an influencer on this

[@the1ntrud3r72]

I love the video - even though i already have a mic i love (mackie em-99b) its still nice to look at a mic video

[@AZRockslide42]

I have been using this mic for years, and I love it. Glad to see more and more people waking up to how good this mic is.

[@baecere2]

very helpful I actually will get the Q2u

[@DancingCorpse]

The Q2U is also regularly on sale for $30 USD or less at Best Buy and Amazon. Lowest I remember personally seeing was $25 early in 2023 at Best Buy. Almost picked up a second one just to have one as a backup. Samson also makes good Microphone Boom Arms IMO. I have two of the MBA38 clamped to my desk, one is for a Q2U and the other is used as a camera/phone mount. The clamp has a huge depth if you have a desk that is awkwardly thick or has a skirt trim.

[@RH7Squadkilla]

EPIC!! keep up being real. Awesome man appreciate you looking out for those who seek the REAL deals!!!

[@Greenious]

Great Review! Curious as your thoughts on the Audio-Technica ATR-2100x-USB as it's an extremely similar price-point and I was considering getting it as a second microphone (I already have a Shure MV7 and wanted something similar) for another setup that I don't care that much about. Also, as someone who knows a little bit about audio, I'm very suprised on how well you were able to explain the difference between a dynamic microphone and a condenser!

[@Greenious]

Just finished the entire video and saw that you reccomended it there. Ah well. Still, I would like to see a review (from your perspective) comparing those two mics (and maybe the MV7 as well since it offers similar features but is "more expensive".

[@aTuberYou]

thanks for keeping it real man!

[@liamburge463]

My recommendation is actually a takstar ssc598 - if you're using a DSLR cam with mic input. Although it uses a AA battery, it lasts a very long time. I've modded mine to accept a homemade power bank which lasts weeks on it. It has a booster on it, and a low filter cut built in. It was cheap for me under £50 (maybe much less) and given that it has a hot shoe mount, you can take it out on the go! It's a shotgun mic, which (very very basic) means what it points towards is super clear, everything else is quiet.

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

it's a great mic, i made a video about this one recently and you really cant beat this thing for the money. my first elgato low profile sagged, exchanged it, 2nd one works great

[@SirSilverHair]

I got the RØDE NT-USB together with the RØDE PSA1 Arm secondhand from a friend for 120€, looking forward to test it.

[@banan4rang928]

This was much needed for a podcast that I’m starting, but do you have any recommendations for a budget omnidirectional mic?

[@StreamScheme]

Personally the only Omnidirectional mics I use or like are Lav mics, and those don’t work on podcasts well. Those are more for talking heads videos, etc

[@aubreymorgan9763]

haha its so funny i see this and you posted it recently. I'm wanting to upgrade to xlr and sound mixer stuff since my yeti cuts me out while i scream no matter what i do to try and fix it, so everyone says xlr is the way to go. and i am totally lost with which ones to get

[@omarg2079]

I found a couple of Blue Yetis and Snowballs at a pawn shop for $30-40 per mic. If you just want a quick and cheap solution, might be worth looking at pawn shops.

[@Willeinhelm]

Is an upgrade from blue yeti worth it ? Im struggling between samson q2u or shure mv7

[@StreamScheme]

Depends, you can absolutely make the Blue Yeti sound good, I did a video a few months ago on making a $10 grocery store mic sound good.

[@RogueRen]

I like these videos. I personally use the Shure SM58, $99. And I use a cheap Behringer audio interface that was like $120-$150, and that's all my audio hardware save for a mic arm. Everything else is software, and everything I use is free.

[@Adamsgotgame]

This video is underrated.

[@LeSaff]

There is a difference between mic who try to be trendy and really good mics. Sometimes more recent mics are better, sometimes not. I prefer the V7 (or V3, if you don't need to handle it) from sE electronics or the new Earthworks sr117, they sound better to me, but they are just XLR. the mv7 is to me the best one with a double connection, also because of the soft included, very helpful

[@ecorat]

hey, question, this looks like a super professional mic and it sounds amazing compared to the others, i don't know if it was your tone just being higher or the quality of the other two being... yknow, not amazing - but my question was, this looks like a mic you could sing with too. basically my passion is streaming and music so i'd love to be playing music on stream and singing to it as well at some point. would you recommend the Samson for this too?

[@StreamScheme]

Check the video in the description for podcastage’s review of it too! He sings in his!

[@BLKJCKS]

I’m not super familiar with mics. If I simply plug this directly into my laptop, will it work in discord and while recording? And will it work with both of those at the same time

[@ddaviticusb8078]

I SUPER APPRECIATE YOU EXPLAING WHAT THE GRAPHS MEAN CUZ I HAVE NOW CKUE WHAT THEY SAY 😂😂 MUCH APPRECIATED ❤

[@Br4vado]

I have this microphone in an x. L. R box, I really need help my windows. Test is showing one percent I'm sure it's the XL box by. I just need help

[@aaliyah8428]

Did u change ur channel name? Great vid btw,The fan test on the Samsung q2u was crazy!

[@goofy9125]

what is the song at 4:16

[@Milarmy]

Honestly if i didn't yet i would subscribe

[@CJ-uh8bk]

Rode XDM-100 usb mic is on sale for $100 atm

[@MagentaDinosaurs]

When you live in NZ and this mic still costs $200... 😢

[@muspelling]

Shure is the best one, Samson takes the second place and Rode... surprisingly sounded the worst one. I have a Samson but my voice is very flat and boring. I was thinking of buying a HyperX Quad but I guess I won't for now. Thanks.

[@FuncleChuck]

ALL a new creator needs is (list of 40 completely subjective things that are probably all sponsors of the person saying them)

[@StreamScheme]

This video is literally just about one microphone? That’s not sponsored? Huh? I’m actively making fun of the videos that do what you’re saying, I don’t understand how you’ve taken this away.

[@procrastinathor4594]

I like graphs :|

[@Glass-Bowl]

I've been of the mind that honesty sells for a long time, and it's why, on top of the amount of thorough work you put in, I think you're going to stay relevant for a long time and keep the viewership of the subscribers you get. Watched some mic tests for the Blue Snowball Ice (and I didn't know much about condenser microphones (now I'm half a wizard)), and thought they sounded good enough until I tested the hardware for myself and can't position it in a way to stop peaking at my very quiet fans and still pick up my voice. CARDIOID doesn't make enough the difference and it's noise cancellation is just a bit of reduced gain. In hindsight if you listen hard enough with a pair of untrained ears, you can hear every time a finger brushes against a surface. I'm also sitting here looking at a $20 arm and a bunch of pop filters and things to hang in front of this giant moon that I'm to put in front of my face, which I'm concerned will still be too close to my keyboard. Nah I %/&kered up. Q2u me. What's nice is I don't really need to listen to any quality tests because I've been watching your videos and am confident you're not selling me a pitch.

[@Adr_Voids]

Nice video, would be useful if i could use such microphones, but do you know how to make a normal headset mic sound better, i have to use a metadox phasma mask to not bother my parents while streaming and it's started to sound worse lately Also might as well #Own3dGiveaway Synthrunner Twitch Allerts

[@DimebagDarrenLowe]

Presonus Revelator Condenser $99 .. full DSP suite, no comparison

[@CraftedCroix]

1:35 I care

[@cameronshrek751]

#Own3dGiveaway Skylla Stream Overlay Template Package

[@TheG7Ginger]

Like the review, hated the noise of the cuts. Not great for reviewing an audio product.

[@StreamScheme]

If I was using a different mic for most of the video, and then only showing small segments of the mic, sure I get it, but this entire video is on the Samson showing a real use case of how it would appear and sound in videos. If the sound effects or music in this video mean the mic is hard to understand, than hey, maybe you don't like the sound it produces, or it won't fit your style of content. I don't know, I thought a lot about it before making the video, and felt making an engaging video and showing how the mic works in this style of content was better for showing it off.

[@JyFK_]

❤❤😂🎉

[@JyFK_]

Lfg !!!

[@JyFK_]

Second

[@InnitOrbit_]

First!!

[@T0ASTYC0ASTY]

Bitch I was too late

[@kany]

im the 3000th view

[@vijay8189]

I have sponsorship for you buddy, how much gonna you charge, and how to contact you ?

[@snackie1359]

I wanted to see the graphs tho 🥲

[@Milarmy]

Second