Microphones
This page lists equipment recommendations for microphones. For each category, we provide an option that has been tested and found to produce good recording quality. We also provide a number of other options that others have reported using with good results, but we have not tested all options listed.
Choosing a Microphone
The microphone you choose will depend on your use case, but here are some general recommendations for choosing a microphone:
- For general screencasting, we recommend a USB headset with a boom microphone
- Place the boom slightly above your mouth to avoid plosive thumps (e.g., from P's and T's) in your recording
- Favour USB over Bluetooth for better recording quality
- For higher audio quality, consider a higher-end desktop microphone
- Be careful, however: a microphone like the Blue Yeti will pick up a lot of noise from the HVAC system at the University. Be cognizant of where you are recording. Some people record in a closet to reduce noise!
- In general, for recording a single speaker, choose a cardiod microphone. (a cardioid mic is great for focusing sound from a single source, while reducing pick-up from the sides and rear.) If you might need to use your microphone in other settings (interviews, recording lectures), choose a microphone like the Blue Yeti that allows the recording pattern to be adjusted, such as from cardiod to bidirectional
- Where mobility is needed, use a Lavalier (lapel) microphone
- Lavalier microphones clip on to one's lapel and cords can be routed inside one's shirt to hide them
- Inexpensive wired Lavalier microphones are available with 10-15 foot cables. Wireless options are also available
Headset Microphones
Lavalier Microphones
- PowerDeWise Lavalier Microphone (TESTED)
- Includes a 12' cable, carrying case, and a TRRS-to-TRS adapter for plugging into the line-in port of a computer or video camera
- If your computer does not have a line-in port, you can plug into a USB sound card (TESTED)
- Adapters are also available for iOS and Android devices. Contact us for details
- Fifine USB Lavalier Lapel Microphone
- Includes a 6.5' cable
- Plugs directly into the USB port of a computer, requiring no adapters
- Cannot plug into video cameras or iOS/Android devices
- Rode Wireless Go
- Enables wireless use of a Lavalier microphone up to 70 metres
- Transmitter can be clipped onto one's lapel and used as a Lavalier microphone
- Alternatively, transmitter can be clipped onto a belt and an external Lavalier microphone can be plugged into it
Desktop Microphones
- Blue Yeti (TESTED)
- Excellent USB microphone that produces superb audio quality, but see caveats in the Choosing a Microphone section above
- Note that the microphone should be pointed upward toward the ceiling, or downward toward the floor (when mounted). One speaks into the side, and not the end of the microphone
- For best results, position it as close to your mouth as possible and use a pop screen in front of it to reduce plosive thumps
- Adjust the pattern knob to the cardiod pattern when recording yourself. When interviewing someone, use the bidirectional pattern and sit on either side of the microphone
- AmazonBasics Professional USB Condenser Microphone
Desktop Microphone Accessories
- To reduce plosive thumps, use a pop screen in front of your microphone
- To dampen/reduce ambient noise from the HVAC system, consider an isolation shield like this or this
- To reduce the microphone picking up keyboard typing or mouse clicks, place it on a stack of textbooks instead of directly on the desk. For a cleaner setup, use a boom with a shock mount