Microphones

What to look at when selecting a computer microphone 

Microphone vs headphone-mic combo 

If you spend the better part of your day in front of your computer, sooner or later you’ll start thinking about buying a mic. It can help you to create and work more freely – for instance, talk to clients or participate in department meetings – or just stay in touch with your friends. 

The biggest advantage of a standalone mic is definitely the sound quality. It’s higher compared to headphones with a mic, so you can use it for things like recording a podcast. Not only does a standalone computer microphone have better specs, but it can also come with extra accessories. For example, a pop filter that muffles plosives, i.e. consonants with a “popping” sound like p or b; such a filter is available, among others, with our Solum Streaming and Solum Streaming Onyx White models. Another accessory is a shock mount, which comes with microphones such as Axis Streaming or Axis Streaming Onyx White. 

On the other hand, if you prioritize comfort, buying headphones with a microphone is worth considering (for example Viro Plus USB or Viro Plus USB Onyx White). Not only are they lighter and take up less space on your desktop, but they do not require you to buy any additional gear; everything you need comes with the equipment itself. Just keep in mind that the sound quality will be lower than that of a standalone microphone, so it will be suitable mainly for conversations and video games. 

Which computer microphone to pick 

When selecting a mic for your computer, there are a few major considerations, namely: 

• Sound quality – it depends chiefly on the membrane, which collects the pure sound of the recording and ensures that each word you speak is clear. 
• Directionality – the mic’s sensitivity to sounds coming from various directions. Types of microphones include cardioid (sensitive to sound coming from the front), omnidirectional (which collect sound from all sides) and figure-8/bidirectional (which record sounds on either side of the mic). 
• Additional functions and accessories – such as a pop filter that blocks plosives or a shock mount. 

It’s also important that the model you pick is compatible with the software and equipment you intend to pair with it. ENDORFY microphones (such as Solum Broadcast and Solum Studio) have their own software, so connecting them is as simple as plugging in a USB cable. It’s a very handy solution, especially compared to a time-consuming installation. 

Most interesting microphone accessories 

Buying a mic is usually just the first step on the path to perfect quality – especially if you work creatively and you care about clear and detail-rich recordings. This is why you might want to take an interest in buying accessories that will enhance the material you produce and make your audience feel like they’re in the room together with you. The most popular additional gear includes: 

• Mic stand – as far as we’re concerned, this is a must for every microphone owner. It frees your hands and allows you to comfortably angle your gear the way you like it. 
• Shock mount – usually attached to the stand. Its job is to dampen any movement transferred from the desktop on which the mic is placed. 
• Windscreen – reduces crackling and external noises picked up by the microphone. 
• Pop filter – muffles the so-called plosives (for example “p” and “b”) when recording speech. 

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