USB vs XLR Microphones | Which One Do You Need?

What's the difference in quality and functionality between USB and XLR microphones? Are XLR microphones better? Are USB microphones lower quality? Should you buy a USB microphone or an XLR microphone and an audio interface? In this video, I'll help you decide which one you need based on how you plan to use your new microphone.

--- USB MICROPHONES ---
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+

Deity VO-7U

--- XLR MICROPHONES ---
Audio-Technica AT2020

Shure SM58

--- AUDIO INTERFACE ---
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

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[minister_julius]

To me the XLR audio has noticeably more body with the mids feeling richer. Not to say you can’t make good music on a USB! Cool video

[DISTRACTIONNNGAMIN]

Dude, thank you for the extremely simplified explanation of the differences between the two. I just want to play with vocals on beats so I think usb will do everything I need

[JonGrandeMedia]

So glad I found this channel. Even though I understand the basics of audio, your simple and straightforward explanations of these concepts are super helpful especially for somebody like me. I've learned most things through trial and error so I fall somewhere in that awkward not beginner but not quite intermediate level. Having you be able to put that all into words so consciencely is able to fill in some of those gaps for me.

[FleqxMLG]

Great to see an objective breakdown done by someone who is not blindly recommending XLR because it's better, but actually makes it clear what purpose a USB mic will suffice. I'm just looking for a decent mic on an arm to use with my PC so I don't have to use a headset mic. Good to know USB is not a waste of money for me

[tylermatthews]

I already bought the USB version for simplicity's sake so I don't have to deal with all the extra cords in my tiny home studio. But it does seem like the XLR version is a tad richer. Great vid!

[notary]

This is the best explanation I’ve found so far, for its conciseness, completeness, thanks for the upload!

[lextreasure]

Wow this video was so legit, im surprised how straightforward it is. Dude you're on a whole other level of Thank you!!!

[jetthehawk]

Both are good. I think it comes down to intended use. For a podcast or voice over I think either would do. In terms of music I think the XLR would be better. It picks up mid frequencies better. The USB would do fine for music if on a budget and just starting out. I’d say go with the XLR if you’re looking to do both or not sure what your goals would be long term. If just doing YouTube or podcast I don’t see why the USB microphone wouldn’t be sufficient.

[bundleboxstudio]

Good lecture. Just a note - Not all USB mics record everything from itself like illustrated there. I use a Samson CO3U and it has like 3 controls as to how you can record the vox (left side only, right side only, both), these USB mics are mostly meant for easy vox recording (I usually call my studio a mobile studio). Just like the subtle difference demonstrated by the two audio signals there, whilst an XLR to soundcard to PC may have seemed better than the USB, I find it easier and cost efficient for me to use USB (for vox) . The signal differential is determined by the audio drivers (just like the capabilities shown by a soundcard).

So in the end it's all about preferences. NB: - obviously recording through a soundcard has many options like well said (more instruments etc) but for digital sounds... Just plug and play

[TheINFJChannel]

Audiobook narrators, do not do the USB route. Just don't. The low frequency rumble/static/gurgle Will show up after export. You wont hear it in your DAW....but it's there. Once you export and it gets published, listen and crank it- the static *will* be there. If you care about your craft, go XLR. If you're narrating with a USB, #1 do NOT tell the client that if you want to get hired and #2 just save up for XLR.

I learned the hard way after 37 audiobooks went live and i finally listened. I don't normally listen once the book is pubbed, only during QC in my DAW But now I'm straight and got me a sweet XLR setup🙌

[juliocesarpereira]

Very good explanation. It is clear that it is better to have XLR microphones if you want to interview someone. But I happen to have a USB microphone that has multiple capsules and one of the configurations allow me to use two of them that 180º from each other, thus I can record myself and an interviewee simultaneously. There's one thing that I would like to know which is about latency. By using the headphones connected to my USB microphone, it reduces latency substantially. I have a weekly show and I like to record it live, meaning, I don't edit at all. I prefer it like this, so my voice will reflect the my reaction the songs in real time.

[donaldbundy]

I notice the USB mic had a more present, up front or less room sound which is not bad but I'm old school and prefer wired mics. Make sure you all use good cables.

[MichaelW.]

I feel like, there is one thing we need to add to the fundamental differences. While there are very few very expensive usb microphones, USB microphones below 300 USD usually have no information about their self- or system-noise. No matter if it’s a Samson Q2U, Blue Yeti, RØDE NT USB, HyperX Quadcast or Shure MV7. Wherever you look, you get information about neither the microphone‘s, nor the preamp’s noise.

If somebody with the technological knowledge and interest in it takes a look at the boards inside, you see why. And to be honest, what’s inside makes me feel pessimistic about it. The hardware in there is the bare minimum to even drive the microphone capsules. So even if the microphone capsule itself was decent: It can only be as good as the board that amplifies the signal and converts it to a digital one (and vice versa if the usb microphone has a headphone out.) And what’s inside leaves me pessimistic about the performance that I can get.

A quite strong example on cheaped out usb microphones is the Blue Yeti Pro, which also has an XLR output. Over time a lot of RMA cases have accumulated, due to unusually high noise levels. This goes to show, that they have no definitive number for noise for a reason.

USB microphones can be sufficient, if you are lucky with your individual microphone or if the environment is rather noisy, because in that case, you struggle to differentiate between self-noise and ambiance noise to begin with.

But even if you do: It’s not only the noise that can vary a lot, but also the longevity. I have been incredibly lucky with my Blue Yeti so far, racking up 12 years of function with a sufficient low noise, at least in front of my tower PC. But I know I am lucky here.

One last thing: Because the manufacturers of usb microphones need to cheap out on all the contents, often enough the advertised pickup pattern isn’t fully realized. Especially cheap usb microphones tend to be far from a real cardioid pattern.

[NarcissisticAbuseHealing]

Thank you for this video. I have a Samsung qu2 on usb and do simple voiceovers. This helped me realize that for what I do there is not much benefit in spending money on a preamp.

[paulbrazel]

Love your videos Kyle - very clear and understandable for an amateur like myself.

Have you ever considered doing a video on dynamic range compression?

[joebarrera]

I am from old school, XLR is the best, USB is okay, but as a professional musician XLR, u get an A+ from me,

[BGtv.]

You should be able to select the usb mic as your input and your speakers or interface as your output 😉

[XMcBainXUSA]

Great video, information is distilled and very clear. Thank you.

[SMRS]

I hear that the USB low end is less or cut off at a certain frequency than the XLR. That's the only difference I heard.

[bobboulden]

I am so glad I found this channel and especially this video, but I still have some questions. For some context, I currently have an extremely capable PC that I built, which I play games on. I am interested in streaming, but have also gotten interested in making synth music. I've had my mic for awhile (usb blue snowball). I also use VB Audio and Voicemeeter to make my voice sound better. Additionally, I use Nvidia Broadcast to hide my AC unit's fan (I cannot get rid of the AC, I live in South Carolina). My speakers are just run-of-the-mill logitech speakers that work perfectly fine (imo) when it comes to enjoying games, podcasts, and music in the comfort of my room. My headphones are just regular turtle beach headphones

About a week ago, I excitedly bought an Arturia Microfreak and a Focusrite Solo. While I have (sort of) figured out how to record from the synth, my whole situation is a mess. I'm constantly in the scenario of switching cables just because I need to go from headphones to speakers. Voicemeeter and VB Audio work well, but I have to be careful when opening these programs because sometimes things just don't work if I do it in the wrong order.

It seems like I have a couple of options: First would be to replace my speakers and microphone with studio speakers and an XLR mic, as well as replace my "gaming" headphones with studio headphones. This at least sounds very expensive, and it seems like I would need to get all three things at once for it to work. Also, having studio speakers just seems like overkill. If I'm really focused on sound quality I wear headphones, but when I'm just sketching out chord progressions or melodies I prefer to use speakers. I'm on the computer all day usually and get tired of wearing headphones.

The second option would be to stick to using virtual synthesizers, only use the Microfreak as a midi controller (or return it in exchange for a cheap keyboard) and stick to what I already have. That's basically what I'm doing for now because it's enough to stream on twitch. It feels extremely limiting when making music though, and I don't like that I spent a pretty big chunk of money on a synth and audio interface that I'm not getting much out of.

This is a long-ass youtube comment. I hope it made sense. Would love if anyone can help, even if it's just a link to a playlist. I am not an audiophile and am not trying to go pro, but I would like to be able to make music that's at least suitable for a synthwave channel. Thanks for reading!