Looking to get a half decent microphone

[GeorgeStorm]

Hey,
As above, since my current mic is a bit meh, and I'm wanting to start doing some recording of gameplay and stuff, I thought I'd get a new mic.

Been recommended the Blue Yeti, any other ones worth looking at?

Ideally looking for usb, since I don't really want to fork out for an audio interface at the moment.

Thanks
George

[Kumagoro]

The blue yeti is as the name suggests big. The snowball I think is a bit smaller. Be aware that there is a snowball ice as well. I don't know how good they really are but I have a snowflake which it's a lot better than built in mics at least.

look them up in camel camel camel I think yeti goes down to about 80 and snowball to 50 quid

[fuddam]

Go to Editors Keys and grab the SL150 or SL300. On special recently, too, IIRC. I use the latter for corporate training videos (voice overs)

[kalniel]

I use a Yeti for recording sound for videos in my job, it's very good, though we're also finding that people are moving away from wanting too professional sounding stuff - it's got to be clear of course, but they actually like it to sound like a normal environment rather than a studio. Don't know if that applies to gameplay videos, but I expect it might a little.

[GeorgeStorm]

The blue yeti is as the name suggests big. The snowball I think is a bit smaller. Be aware that there is a snowball ice as well. I don't know how good they really are but I have a snowflake which it's a lot better than built in mics at least.

look them up in camel camel camel I think yeti goes down to about 80 and snowball to 50 quid

Yeah I know it's not small, but I think with my current desk setup it would fit fine without blocking anything/me having to change anything
Not a fan of the snowball look/design, also I think I may have more difficulty positioning it based on it's smaller default stand.

Hadn't heard of that site before, useful!

Go to Editors Keys and grab the SL150 or SL300. On special recently, too, IIRC. I use the latter for corporate training videos (voice overs)

Hadn't heard of these, they didn't come up when I did some initial googling for recommendations, however they seem to be rather good, and a pretty good price. Would you recommend the extra money for the 300?

I use a Yeti for recording sound for videos in my job, it's very good, though we're also finding that people are moving away from wanting too professional sounding stuff - it's got to be clear of course, but they actually like it to sound like a normal environment rather than a studio. Don't know if that applies to gameplay videos, but I expect it might a little.

Sorry I'm not exactly sure what you mean, what makes it sound like a normal environment?

[kalniel]

Sorry I'm not exactly sure what you mean, what makes it sound like a normal environment?

Mostly just having things going on in the background that the mic picks up as well, not having a radio quality voice recording etc.

[fuddam]

Hadn't heard of these, they didn't come up when I did some initial googling for recommendations, however they seem to be rather good, and a pretty good price. Would you recommend the extra money for the 300?

Probably not, if the current price difference is big. I have the SL300 but in retrospect, reckon the SL150 would have been fine. More depends on the environment you're recording in.

I'm not an audiophile, but these things work for me. Had looked at the Rode mic of similar design, but bought the SL300 since price difference wasn't justified.

EDIT: they have a refurbished SL300 going for £69(!) - THAT is a steal!
http://www.editorskeys.com/products/...ophone-extras/

[GeorgeStorm]

Mostly just having things going on in the background that the mic picks up as well, not having a radio quality voice recording etc.

Fair enough, hadn't really considered that.

Probably not, if the current price difference is big. I have the SL300 but in retrospect, reckon the SL150 would have been fine. More depends on the environment you're recording in.

I'm not an audiophile, but these things work for me. Had looked at the Rode mic of similar design, but bought the SL300 since price difference wasn't justified.

EDIT: they have a refurbished SL300 going for £69(!) - THAT is a steal!
http://www.editorskeys.com/products/...ophone-extras/

I like the look of them, and I had seen that refurb, but it doesn't include the extras the normal one does I think? (like the mount thing for instance, and I'm not sure of warranty situation)

Edit:
Turns out I just can't read
1 year warranty, and I've just noticed the 150 for £50 refurb which is tempting, since part of me does wonder if it's silly spending so much on a microphone, and some of the money saved could be used for a stand etc...

[Moby-Dick]

I've used a blue snowball for a couple of years now - not only for all of my Skype work ( I spend a LOT of time on conference calls ) - but I record the podcast using it. Never given me any problems and its not quite as huge as a yeti.

[GeorgeStorm]

I've used a blue snowball for a couple of years now - not only for all of my Skype work ( I spend a LOT of time on conference calls ) - but I record the podcast using it. Never given me any problems and its not quite as huge as a yeti.

Fair enough thanks, I'll bear it in mind

[PurpleShift]

I see the date but would like to know what you settled on, I have had 2 blue snowballs and both of which were really quiet, however I was wondering about the yeti.

[GeorgeStorm]

I ended up going for the EditorsKeys SL150 which has been great

[starkyller]

Antlion ModMic 4.0 is good