What Are The Different Types of Microphone?
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Discord has become the go-to meeting place for a variety of online meet-ups; from creative communities to gaming sessions.
No matter what you are using discord for, you need a good microphone suited for long sessions of use that is comfortable and provides good audio quality.
So what’s the best microphone for discord? Keep reading to find out.
Do You Need A Microphone to use Discord?
Discord is all about communicating and connecting with people so being able to understand each other clearly is essential. While you could get away with using the inbuilt mic on your computer you’ll probably find yourself having to repeat yourself a lot.
A lot of standalone microphones (especially desktop mics) have built-in noise suppression that eliminates background sounds such as the clicking of your keyboard and the sound of your air conditioner. This means when you speak it’s only your voice that your fellow discord users will hear.
Inbuild microphones don’t offer any audio filtering so you end up broadcasting every sound in your room to the entire chat. For this reason, getting an actual microphone is essential for any serious discord user.
Headset vs Desktop Microphones
Headsets and desktops mic both have their advantages and disadvantages. Headsets can give you an all-in-one solution to both getting a mic and headphones in one package.
The issue with headset microphones is that there are usually not the best quality and the proximity of the mic to both your mouth and the sound coming out of the headphones can lead to a few problems.
Having the mic so close to your mouth can make your voice sound distorted and unclear as well as pick up sounds you don’t want the rest of the chat to hear such as your breathing and sounds of swallowing.
Having the mic close to your headphones can also mean the mic will pick up those sounds as well; especially if your volume is high. This is particularly common while playing loud video games such as first-person shooters.
Desktop mics don’t have these issues because they can be placed further from your mouth and headphones so that only the sound of your voice is picked up.
The disadvantage with a desktop mic is that you will have to buy the microphone and the headphones separately, but this set-up will give you far better audio quality than what you’ll find on a headset.
Best Microphone for Discord
1. HyperX Solocast
Pros:
- Tap to mute sensor
- Unbeatable budget price
- Comes with adjustable mic stand
Cons:
- Looks basic
- No physical volume knob
If your looking for a super affordable mic that works great with discord then look no further than the HyperX Solocast.
This is a USB connected condenser microphone suited perfectly for use with Discord. Despite its budget price, the audio quality on this mic is just as good as mics that cost double its price. It doesn’t take long to get this mic up and running and sounding great.
Simply plug it into your USB port and off you go. While more expensive mics may use XLR outputs the Solocast keeps it simple with its ability to plug in via USB, without losing out on sound quality.
Another huge advantage of the HyperX Solocast is its Tap-to-mute sensor that allows you to quickly mute and unmute yourself while talking on discord.
This feature may not be essential for other uses of this mic such as music recording or recording vlogs. Having this feature for a discord microphone is nearly essential, especially if you live with other people that are prone to interrupting your discord sessions.
2. Razer Seiren X
Pros:
- Inbuilt volume control
- Built-in noise reduction features
- Tap to mute button
Cons:
- Has to be kept close for noise cancellation to work
- Stiff USB cable that makes adjusting mic difficult
Razer’s most popular streaming mic is a great choice for discord due to its built-in noise reduction features and easy set-up.
The Seiren X is built to assist with keeping unwanted sounds from getting into your microphone. This is done by the mic Ultra-precision pickup pattern that helps reduce background by recording your voice at a tighter angle.
The included shock-resistant mic stand also helps keep your audio clean by dampening vibrations caused by accidental bumps and knocks. This mic is also one of the best for discord because it features a mic mute button as well as a mic volume knob on the microphone itself without having to change anything on the discord app.
Its compact size also helps make this a great mic for discord as it can easily be packed away for use outside of your home when using a laptop.
3. Blue Yeti
Pros:
- Different sound modes help you get the perfect sound for Discord
- Inbuilt volume control and headphone input
- Straight forward setup
Cons:
- Can be too sensitive if not using the correct audio mode
- Most expensive mic on the list
The Blue Yeti Mic is synonymous with streaming on both discord and twitch, and for good reasons too! This mic has a lot of brand recognition in these circles and has gained a lot of popularity due to its reputation for clear vocal recording and its easy out the box setup.
The Blue Yeti mic can be plugged into your computer via USB meaning it’s ready to use without the need for an audio interface or any additional cables.
Another draw towards the Blue Yeti is its different microphone settings that are designed to help you get the best sound depending on what kind of environment you’re using it in.
If your using it with discord your best bet is to set it to cardioid mode and turn the gain to just under halfway. This should filter out any background noise while making your voice sound clear to your fellow discord users.
FAQ:
Is Blue Yeti Discord certified?
Yes, the Blue Yeti is a Discord certified mic. Discord certification means that Discord has chosen this mic as a preferred microphone that is easy to use and sounds great with Discord.
The entire list of Discord certified microphones can be found on their website here.
How do I make my mic better on Discord?
There is a way to make any mic sound better on discord without having to buy a new one. This is done through the use of VSTs to add equalisers and compressors to both your microphone and headphones. This helps reduce background noise and clipping on your mic from a software level instead of using pop guards or pre-amps.
What is the Best Microphone Software for Discord?
There are a number of VSTs that can achieve this but the ones that I have found to be the best are a combination of EqulizerAPO and ReaPlugs. Setting these up to filter your microphone will give you more control over how you sound over your mic and help get rid of unwanted sounds from interrupting your Discord sessions.
A video of how to set up EquilizerAPO and ReaPlugs can be found here.
