MICS FOR PODCASTING
Sound your best with the finest USB microphones
1 Yeti X
£150, http://www.bluedesigns.comThe Blue Yeti X is a hybrid model of the
Nano and the original Yeti. This sturdy
microphone has an LED-lit front panel
that monitors your volume levels at a
glance and the sound quality remains
top-notch. If you’re choosing between
this and the original Yeti, the Yeti X has
four condenser mic capsules as opposed
to the original’s three. The Yeti X also
offers a wider array of customisation
options and adjustments you can make
with the new smart knob. The Yeti X is
the best non-XLR microphone you can
pick up for under £200.3 Yeti Nano
£100, http://www.bluedesigns.comThis miniature version of the classic Blue
Yeti is perfect for those just starting out
with streaming; it has great sound-
quality, while its diminutive size and
lightweight metal build make it easy to
transport. The difference its 24bit /
48khz recording sample rates make is
noticeable, too; putting audio from the
Nano and original Yeti side by side
reveals that the former is superior by
quite a margin. It’s only got two polar
patterns, sure (cardioid and
omnidirectional), but the Yeti Nano
more than makes up for it.2 Quadcast
£120, http://www.hyperxgaming.comHyperX’s gamer-centric Quadcast is
an excellent value for the streamer
looking for an easy-to-use clear
sounding microphone.
Its cardioid pattern works well to
bring out the subtle details of your
voice without drawing in background
noise. There’s a clarity to the high end
that we found really commendable
at this price point. A note for
mechanical keyboard users though:
The Quadcast will pick up the clicks, so
it’s worth running your signal through
a noise suppressor.Winner!
70 |^ |^ May 2020
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