Why Do Microphones Matter For Gaming & Streaming?
Gaming has come a long way to the point where communication is a not only a big part of the gaming experience, it’s also an integral part of the entertainment aspect of gaming when it comes to streaming as well.
There are endless options of microphones to choose from for every application and use case under the sun. Not to mention every budget under the sun. So it can be tedious and difficult finding and choosing the best microphone for your gaming and streaming needs.
For gaming as well as streaming you will want a microphone that is both crisp as well as clean and halfway decent sounding.
Pop Filter or No?
Most gaming and streaming microphones come with a foam pop filter or windscreen, however some models do not. Some models need one more than others because of their build and makeup. I recommend a pop filter for some of the models below so be mindful of that.
Blue Snowball Ice
- Desktop style microphone.
- Stripped down version of the blue snowball which is great for gamers.
- Outstanding sound quality. Very crisp and clear playback. Boost in the low end sounds like podcast, radio and vocalist applications.
- Great noise cancellation. Hides ambient noise great.
- Top notch value for what it does and the sound produced.
- Great for streaming.
Check on Amazon
Blue Snowball Ice Specificaitons
Transducer Type: Condenser, Pressure Gradient With USB digital output
Polar Patterns: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 40 –18 kHz
Sample/word Rate: 44.1 kHz/16 bit
Weight: 460g
Connector: USB
Dimensions: 325mm (circumference)
Samson Meteor Mic
- Desktop style setup microphone.
- Table stand built in and folds down.
- Really good audio quality. Bass presence gets higher the closer you are in proximity to the microphone.
- Not great for noise and ambient sound reduction.
- Has a handy mute button on the front of the mic as well as a headphone volume feedback dial adjust.
- Comes with velvet travel bag
- Great value.
- Great for traveling and on the go
- Fairly good for streaming.
Check on Amazon
Samson Meteor Mic Specifications
Microphone Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Diaphragm Size: 98″ (25mm)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
Max SPL: 120dB SPL
Signal to Noise Ratio: 96dB (A weighted)
Color: Silver
Connector: USB
Weight: 6 lb.
Included Accessories: USB Cable, Carry pouch
Manufacturer Part Number: SAMTR
Antlion Modmic
- Attaches to headphones
- Gives you the flexibility of repurposing and turning a pair of headphones into a gaming headset. Lots of headsets are notorious for bad sound quality.
- Headset style. Easily adjustable and rigid enough to hold whatever form you set it to.
- Comes with foam wind screen.
- Good sound quality. Omnidirectional mode sounds higher quality than unidirectional mode however you will pick-up more ambient noise in omnidirectional mode.
- Great for users who already love and are committed to a model of headphones.
Check on Amazon
Antlion Modmic Specifications
Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Windows, and Macs
Connector: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) TRS male (headphone jack)
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 100 Hz to 10 kHz
Sensitivity: -38 ± 3 dB
SNR: >50 dB
Impedance: 2.2 kOhms
Current (Maximum): @ 2 V: 500 mA
Max SPL Level: 110 dB
Cable Shield Type: Coaxial shielding
Cable Thickness: 1/10″ (2.5 mm)
Cable Length: 10.8′ (3.3 m)
Boom Length: 6.9″ (175 mm)
Samson Go Mic
- Comes with boom or mount hardware and carrying case
- Able to clip to laptop which is handy.
- Anything heavier than a set of earbuds tends to be enough to counterbalance the mic and tip it over. This won’t be an issue if you bolt it to your desk or table using the eyelet.
- Three different setting switches on the microphone: omnidirectional, cardioid and -10db. -10db setting is great for noise reduction and hiding ambient noise.
- Good audio quality but you have to get fairly close and you will need a pop filter to avoid clipping and popping peaks on this mic. A pop filter certainly diminishes the whole portability intention of this microphone.
Check on Amazon
Samson Go Mic Specifications
Bit Depth: 16-Bit
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
Output Connectors: 1 x USB (Type Unspecified)
Headphone Connector: 1 x 1/8″ (3.5 mm)
Operating Voltage: Not Specified by Manufacturer
Length: 6″ / 152.40 mm
Diameter: 2″ / 50.80 mm
Weight: 0.7 lbs / 0.32 kg
Neewer NW-800
- Desktop style setup microphone
- Very nice colder sound that some prefer over a bassier sound like the blue snowball ice and other microphones. It sounds very good despite being thinner in the lower frequencies than other mics. Slightly quieter than competitors but not much. Keep in mind that voltage will affect the sound produced.
- Great value for the money. That means a lot.
- Probably best to buy a pop filter to go with this microphone.
- Comes with shock mount, stand adapter, foam pop filter and an xlr to 3.5 jack cable
Check on Amazon
Neewer NW-800 Specifications
Microphone-core: Dia.16mm
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz-16kHz
Sensitivity: -38dB¡À2dB(0dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz)
Output Impedance:150¦¸¡À30%(at 1kHz)
Load Impedance: ¡Ý1000 ¦¸
Equivalent Noise Level: 16dBA
Max.SPL:132dB
S/N Ratio:78dB
Electrical Current: 3mA
Voltage:1.5V Battery
Body weight: 11oz/316g
Color: Blue
Material: Metal