I'm in the market for a better mic setup for gaming and voice chat. Currently, I've got the FIFINE USB/XLR dynamic mic, but it picks up too much sound from my husband who sits right next to me, also using the same mic. We've tried moving them around and adjusting the gain, but nothing seem to help when we're both active at the same time.
I'm looking for a microphone that really isolates my voice and minimizes background noise, perfect for gaming, Discord, or streaming. Ideally, I'd like something USB (though I'm open to XLR if it provides a significant upgrade). My budget is between $100 and $250, but I'm flexible if there's an option that offers a huge improvement. Have any of you dealt with this problem? What mics or setups do you recommend that can effectively reject nearby sounds?
3 Answers
I had a similar experience with a Fifine condenser mic, which was picking up all sorts of background noise. I switched to the Rode Podmic USB, and I love it! It costs around $200 and although it doesn't come with a stand, it's really sturdy and solid. Just keep in mind you'll need a boom arm and some extra apps for adjustments, but it's worth the investment for solid sound.
You should really look for a cardioid or hypercardioid microphone. These are made specifically to capture the voice directly in front of them, which should help with the bleed you're experiencing. They can get pricey, but anything will probably be an upgrade from your current setup.
Shure makes great mics if you’re willing to invest a bit! The Shure MV6 USB is about $170, and the MV7 USB is around $300. I’ve had my MV7 for a couple of years and it's been fantastic. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you might want to check out NVIDIA Broadcast, it can really help with background noise.
I don't have NVIDIA, I'm on AMD. Not sure if there's an equivalent option!