Reddit mentions: The best microphone phantom power supplies

Continuing the answer, /u/talbayne:

As mentioned above, XLR is a way to get super clear sound - more than USB.
The reason for this, is because the hardware converting the analog (actual) sound waves to digital input, called Analog-to-Digital-Convert (ADC), is better in a preamp, than inside the a usb-microphone... Or at least they used to be.

The ADC is actually just a small chip - or a part of a small chip - which are inside a regular computer chip. They have a number of input pins to register to register the sound from the actual microphone, as seen on this picture of a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - the bigger, black chip, reading XMOS upside down.

16 of those small pins come from the first XLR-input, and 16 from the second. This is because it's a 16-bit preamp, which you can also see from this screenshot.

Now - these ADCs used to require quite a certain amount of power, but do no longer. They can now be powered by 5 volts (to convert to 48 volts) - the output of a USB-port. Or... at least some of them can, and quite a few of them do a pretty decent job.

----
Time for examples in the USB-section:

• The Røde NT-USB ($169) review.
  
  I have a friend who uses this, and I have a hard time not hearing it being just as good as my own microphone (longer down the list).
  
  
• Bill Dewees talks about the Apogee MiC 96k ($20).
  
  That man knows his shit - pro dude, who makes 4k a week doing voice over.
  
  
• The Excelvan BM-800 ($25) is in the opposite price range. How can this cheap thing work? Well, like the XLR-microphones it needs what's called phantom power, which is 48 volts - this comes pretty cheap ($20)... or you plug it into your desktop (laptop won't work, I've read).
  
  
• The Blue Snowball Ice ($45) being compared to a few others.
  
  This one is extremely popular with YouTubers - for a good reason.
  
  ----
  
  Well, that's all good and nice, but what about the XLR options?
  
  When you go XLR, you need a preamp, which provides the 48 volts I described before - also known as phantom power.
  
  If you'd asked one year ago I'd say 'get the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2', but that was what I knew worked.
  Today you have two other options (from the same company):
  
  
• Scarlett Solo - $99.
  
  I takes only one input - but you only have one microphone, right? It converts upto 24 bits (where as my own only goes to 16 bit).
  
  
• Scarlett 2i2 (gen 2) - $149.
  
  This takes two inputs, so when you plugin your guitar you get a separate channel for each... It is also 24 bit, where as my gen 1 is only 16 bit.
  
  Are there others? Yes - plenty, but I don't know them.
  
  -----
  
  So microphones with XLR?
  
  
• I have a Røde NT1 (as a kit) for $269.
  
  
• The Blue Yeti Pro ($245) are spoken of as the next step up from its little brother (USB-microphone, mentioned above).
  
  
  Steep price for a starter, right? Well, the sound from it is not too bad, and this is where you need to remember what I wrote in my previous post - Your clients want clear sound. You can get clear sound from the USB-devices as well, but there will still be some quality loss between them. Decide for yourself what you want, and how much you want to spend on it.
  This list can go on forever, but it's getting late right now, so I'll holdt that here.
  
  ----
  
  I talked about sound treatment, yes?
  
  
• /u/sureillrecordthat has a great YouTube channel, where he posted a "booth" to record in (hear the actual recording at about 13:03.
  
  
• If you don't have a walk-in closet, you can do as I already posted and make sure you cover the microphone from reflected sound waves.
  
  
• If that's not an option, put up cheap panels to absorb the sound waves. They work SO DAMN WELL.
  
  Best of luck with your adventure :)

I think others have said it, but your best bet is to forget about the camera and start with what you have. Even cheap phones work well enough for youtube as long as you can pump enough light into them. You are better off concentrating on the rest of your kit first.

Audio is the most important part of your video. Nothing will make someone skip your videos faster than having terrible audio quality, especially if you are wanting to do ASMR and mukbangs. If you are going to blow your budget somewhere I recommend going big on your audio. For starter mics I recommend the Audio-Technica AT875R. It is a killer mic and the best bang for the buck mic I have found so far. You will need a recorder, but to save money starting out you can record directly to your computer using a cheap phantom to usb adapter and Audacity.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT875R-Gradient-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000BQ79W0/

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B076WF7DSP/

The other thing you will need starting out is light. Your footage is going to look terrible if you just record with available light inside. There are alot of cheap led lights out there but for the most bang for the buck I recommend going the DIY route. A pack of high cri led bulbs is cheap and will give you more light than any similarly priced panel will. You will need a trip to a home improvement store for a fixture and extension cord. I think FilmRiot has a tutorial on this setup, and you can even build a dimmer into the cord for about $10 more. Then you can diffuse the light through a frosted shower curtain for great soft light.

https://www.amazon.com/TORCHSTAR-Dimmable-Equivalent-1600lm-Daylight/dp/B07JMP9K7W/

https://www.amazon.com/Nuvo-SF77-193-Polished-24-Inch/dp/B01F4DSYDM/

https://www.amazon.com/Woods-General-Purpose-Extension-Black/dp/B000KKJUHE/

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Dimmer-Rotate-Almond-18020/dp/B002DNG3EE/

https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-5320-2-Weatherproof-inches-Bronze/dp/B000BW3EK0/

The last thing you will need is a tripod for your phone. You aren't shooting anything that really needs or would benefit too much from alot of movement, so a gimbal or steadicam is just overkill and unnecessary. There are a million tripods out there, but for the sake of consistency I will link to one I found.

https://www.amazon.com/Acuvar-Aluminum-Universal-Smartphone-Smartphones/dp/B00SHJPMEU/

So there's the kit I would put together if I was starting out again. It will give you a great foundation to grow from and when the budget appears for a better camera it will still help you out (I still use my DIY lights in my home studio even now that I have a trunk full of much better lights). I'm not sure what you have lying around to make this cheaper, but by my rough maths you are looking at about $350 USD for everything on my list, and you could probably hunt around and get it even cheaper.

​

As to editors, I recommend ponying up the bucks for Adobe. It's a little expensive, but it's better to spend a little now rather than spend the time learning a cheap or free NLE and then having to relearn Adobe down the road if you decide to up your game. If you absolutely don't have the budget both Hitfilm's and Davinci have a free version that is pretty solid.

​

edit: forgot to mention software.

(For tl;dr just look at the parts in bold)

I'm not the first nor will I be the last person to say this, but pretty much every brand is gonna be on this list. Personally, I've never had a large issue with any brand, nothing of the caliber to make me not buy from them again.

I feel that you should avoid certain products or product lines. Here are some things that I avoid/know of, for your consideration:

1. Gaming headsets are nearly always garbage. Get yourself a nice pair of headphones, and a separate microphone. Here's my setup. I use the products right below. They're all fantastic, I've been using them all since last summer, and am happy to answer any questions about them. I also know some good alternatives.
   

• Neewer NW-700 Mic ($31.99 on Amazon). Includes mic, cable, the adjustable boom mount and clamp
  
• Neewer NW-100 Phantom PSU ($18.99 on Amazon)
  
• Philips SHP9500S HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones ($54.99 on
  Newegg)
  
  

2. In general, a cheaper product is more likely to be lesser quality. I know, this isn't true for every single product, but that's why you should always do your research on something before purchasing it, no matter what it is (tip for being a smart consumer).
   

• Example: Corsair's cheaper line of power supplies, the CX line, is of lower quality than their RX series. I've used both, and have had issues with neither, however I have heard of people having issues with the older CX series (it was revised, I think in 2015?). The RX series is more expensive than the CX series, but has higher quality components, and a higher effciency rating. Do your research.
  
  

3. Since it is the most controversial brand on the list: Razer is a very hit and miss company. I have had 3 of their mice: The Deathadder Chroma, the Lancehead, and currently the Basilisk. I loved the Deathadder, but I decided to upgrade when the Lancehead came out, after trying it at Best Buy (the wireless version). Ended up not liking the Lancehead after 6 months, it didn't fit my grip well (and wireless version has a more "premium" material that's super sleek, looks nice, but isn't grippy enough for my taste (their usual material is better). So I ordered the Basilisk off of their website right when it was released (October 2017), after doing a fair amount of research, and I love it. No issues with the mouse so far. The software used to control it, Razer Synapse 3.0, is still in development, so it's pretty broken right now (it's shit currently, forgets my profiles from time to time, but I only change sensitivity so it's not a big deal), however it doesn't look like gamery trash like 2.0 did, so it's an improvement. I also had an OG Black Widow with Cherry MX browns that I found at Goodwill - worked good as new, ended up selling it to a friend, he still has it, it still works - I think it's about 6 years old now. tl;dr not everything Razer makes is shit.
   
   
   
   The 1TB Western Digital Blue HDD is probably the most popular component that I have never heard critizism for.

I need a phantom power supply for a Beringer C-1. Right now the Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 looks pretty good, but if I could save $20 and be good with something like the Neewer that be great. I have already had this C-1 for a while now (traded my blue snowball for it and a mixer) but after some research I have found out that my mixer only supplies 15v of phantom and the C-1 needs 48v. I am only using this mic to talk on discord with some friends so nothing too crazy.

What recommendations do you have for something between $20-$40? For my situation I'm looking for the best bang for my buck type of thing. I'm pretty good with tech but audio is just another beast that I don't really want to tackle myself so any help would be very appreciated!

This combined with an InnoGear Phantom Power Supply works really great as a starter kit. I bought it some weeks ago, and I was really surprised of the quality of the mic. To the price I thought it would be really horrible with all the other things that comes in the package, but it's really great. Works wonders especially if you have a good soundboard on your motherboard. The pop filter is really tricky to put on since it has a weird shape for it's clamp, so I bought this mudder pop filter and it fits perfectly on the mic. If you're on a budget or just don't want to go full ham with your blue yetis or other super fancy mics, then these items can be recommended for an aspiring streamer :)


But it's a really good guide you have made here, thank you! :D

Edit: the phantom power supply is from the uk, so you'll need a converter for it to work with your power outlet if you don't live in the uk. Else any other phantom power supply should work just as fine. There's not an XLR cable included in the kit, but they're pretty cheap and can be found in almost every electronics store or music department.

That X/Y mic is great for recording in stereo, but that would make for a weird listening experience I think. If it was all you had, then you'd make it work, maybe combine the L/R tracks into one Mono track so as to avoid being distracting, but since you're not intending to try that, I'll shut up about it.

You've got the right idea wanting ISO tracks of each speaker. Makes editing MUCH more effective. It's also SOP these days for stuff like this. (In the old days of analog recording up through even a few years ago, you wouldn't have the data-writing speeds or bandwidth to record 5 high-quality digital audio tracks to the same hard disk at the same time, so you'd have a dedicated mix engineer whose main job would be to constantly 'ride the faders' on the five people speaking so that the output was clean, clear, and easy to listen to. MAYBE you'd edit, but if you did, you did it with a razorblade and scotch tape. Post-processing was minimal compared to what a lot of folks do today as well. Especially for radio.)

ANYWAY. Forgive the wordsalad.

WAIT! More wordsalad: I should offer up a bit of a correction to my last message, too, because I was using cardioid/omni reasoning that would apply more to standard mics, not lavs. So I changed my mind. Go with omni :-). Reason: Because of how microphones get built, and how lavs are used, the 'dead zone' on the cardioid version would just...point at the floor. So. Not much in the way of rejection in any case. Plus, the more directional the mic, the more careful the speaker has to be not to move their head while they're talking, which is harder to remember than it sounds. With that in mind...

Movo LV4-C: Get these, I think. Maybe just buy one, test it to make sure it's not utter crap, and then buy the rest. There's a favorable comparison to MXL in the comments, and they have some of the best budget-mics I've used. They're never going to replace a lectrosonic or sennheiser or electrovoice or shure or or or...but they'll get you there if you don't have $2000 to spend on mics alone. And by the looks of it, the LV4-C mic may well be a copy of the MXL mic referenced, if not the exact same hardware with different branding. So, even better. Not a pro mic by many measures, but it'll do the job and be an improvement over nothing.

As for the rest:

Shure CVL: The adapter you'd need to run these costs a minimum of 20 bucks apiece. Doesn't justify the cost, plus: adapter. More stuff to forget, more stuff to break.

Behringer XM1800: These are probably ::choke:: fine? But You'd need stands and cables and also they probably don't sound any better than your laptop mic. So...they could work, and 80 bucks for six mics is just a ridiculous price. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose. Still, with the lavs, as long as you affix them correctly, you'll have the least amount of stuff to worry about while you're recording.

Goliton Cardioid Lav: NO. No. Please just...not these ::Cries::. These would be WORSE than just screaming really loud and hoping your neighbors can hear and enjoy your show.

-----

If you do get the lavs, check out this pic of a 'Broadcast Loop' for an example of a good way to minimize cable noise and strain on the cable. (Although with a cheaper mic, I'd use a bigger loop than you see in the pic to avoid breaking the cable. You're not doing this on video are you?)

And for that 5th mic, the inline preamp /u/matgoebel doesn't actually supply phantom power, so it wouldn't work for your setup. Keeping it cheap, something like this might do the trick, but it's one more piece of kit.

So here's a question(s) to consider, in no particular order of importance:

• Will all five of you be recording all the time, every single session?
  
  
• Why did you decide on lavalier mics to begin with?
  
  
• Is finding a phantom power workaround really worth your time?
  
  If it is, then it is. But if it's not, you could always go the dynamic mic route, which means you wouldn't need phantom power on ANY channel, hell—even handheld would be fine if you don't want to mess with stands, just be careful to have some slack in the cable coming off the mic—don't let the mic support the weight of the cable. Those Behringer mics are worth a shot, although after listening around I think if you go that route you might want to check out these Behringer 8500s instead. They're a little meatier sounding, not quite as harsh, which I think you'd end up preferring in the long run. (Until you can afford THE VOICE OF GOD)
  
  EDIT: fixed my own stupid markup mistake.

The big difference between the two is going to be that the SM58 is a dynamic microphone and the BM-700/800s are condenser microphones.

Advantages of a dynamic microphone generally are that they can tolerate being used in very loud settings and they don't require +48v (phantom power). Disadvantages are typically that they don't tend to be as "detailed", high end is often lacking (especially on something like an SM58 that has a built in windscreen). Also, the reason they can typically handle being used in loud settings is because that is essentially how they work. You are physically having to move a coil with sound pressure. In order for that to happen, it is going to typically require a reasonably loud source (great for guitar amps, drums, sometimes vocals).

Advantages of a condenser is that they tend to be a bit more "detailed" or more "clear" sounding than dynamic mics. High end is usually a lot more present and they are great at picking up much quieter noises. Instead of having to move a giant coil with sound pressure, you are making a small piece of thin metal vibrate (great for vocals, strings, acoustic guitars, piano, etc.).

Disadvantages of a condenser mic are that they typically cannot handle being thrown in front of something really loud. Fancier condensers will have built in pads to reduce gain, but looking at those BM-700s, that isn't a feature you will be getting. Also, condensers are going to require +48v of power (phantom power), which your Tascam doesn't have. It would require something additional, like this (https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1502757851&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=phantom+power&psc=1)

Phantom power supplies aren't terribly expensive, and they will always serve a purpose. Especially if you continue using that Tascam or other fancier Tascam units. I only have experience with the Tascam MidiStudio 688, but it is one of their better options and doesn't have it. It's possible the PortaStudios have it, but I don't believe they do.

As far as mic stands go, that should be pretty universal. The mics appear to come with their own shock mounts (likely what you mean by 'fancy holder'), which will just attach to the mic stand. You shouldn't have any issues there. My only suggestion would be to get one on a tripod that has an arm (boom stand). Some of the stands i've picked up on Amazon are extremely light. Many people suggest making sure you seal off the bottom of the main pipe and then filling a bit of it with sand to add some extra weight. I haven't had to go that far, but just be careful with how far you try to get the arm to reach.

Not having used the BM-700 / 800, I can't specifically recommend them, but like most microphones, you can likely find something cool to do with them, even if they don't sound 'good'. Back at the studio I worked at we had this junky little RadioShack microphone that looked like a Transformers action figure. The thing sounded horrible on its own, but made for a really badass room mic when recording drums.

Most likely in this case you will get what you pay for. A $25 condenser likely isn't the highest of quality, but that being said, it may not be that bad and might work better on things like guitars and vocals than the SM58. Worst case scenario is you are out $25 and have an extra mic laying around that may not be your 'go-to' mic, but could come in handy at some point.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you still have questions.

Hello! As of now i have a BM-800 condenser microphone and the philips shp 9500 as my head phones. Both of these go straight into my mobo (i use this pre amp for mic Link) and they sound solid but im wanting the best (or a good upgrade). Would getting a scarlet solo be worth the cost as an upgrade to my audio setup? I could use it as an pre amp for my mic and Dac for my headphones right? I need suggestions please help me im kind of an audio noob. Thanks!

Hello,
I have recently received the at2020 microphone and today I connected everything. I connected the phantom PSU to a socket, the xlr to xlr cable to the phantom PSU and to my microphone, and then I connected this xlr to 3.5mm jack cable from my PSU to the PC. So, I turned on my PC, turned on the PSU, and decided to test it by recording my voice. This is going to be hard to explain, but when I played the recording I heard a static type noise for a split second and then I heard my voice (which was extremely quiet, barely audible). Please help. I don't know what to do at all since I don't have much experience with microphones. I hope my microphone isn't broken.
P.S: I HAVE NOT configured anything with the microphone. I simply plugged everything in and tested it. I didn't configure it because I was not sure that this was necessary. Is it?
Also, I do have a recording of what the microphone sounded like. Please let me know if you would like me to link it.
Below I have linked all the parts that I bought.
Phantom PSU: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSYF0BH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
XLR-to-3.55mm cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068NZD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My current microphone is a Neewer NW-800 with a pop filter, stand, power supply, & shock mount. In total, around 100 dollars (excluding shipping and the wire/adapter)
Microphone,
Boom Arm,
Pop Filter,
Power Supply,
I got mine for around 65 because the mic was on sale, so I would wait until it goes on sale again to be a bit more affordable.

PS: If you want to connect this mic to the PS4, I recommend these two:
Wire, Adapter

Yes, your specs are good enough for an LP series. I agree with Pyroraptor (Audacity, OBS Studio/Standard OBS, Gimp, I use Lightworks, but you could use HitFilm. The webcam seems pretty nice. Just remember that the Neweer is a condenser mic, meaning it will pick up almost anything, so it would be a good idea to either remove any potential background noise in Audacity or use a noise removal program. I would focus on the mic and software first, webcam later. Hope this helps! -Alduin

blue yeti not needed it's expensive. my mic is 30 dollars and with tweaking it can sound decent or pretty good Neewer NW-700 I have a power supply with it and it's highly recommended. Neewer 1-Channel 48V Phantom Power Supply. for other good or decent mics look up condenser mics. or alternative common twitch mics. the reason behind why i'm saying what I'm saying is alpha gaming check this out and your understand. how to set it up is gaming career within obs. hope this helps. total about $50 vs blue yeti $100+. unless you can afford it I'd go with $50. good luck and hope this helped

Sounds like a good idea, but unfortunately I live in Canada. Samson mics are $80+, the Blue Snowball iCE is $60, and the cheapest good mic setup I could find (cheapest good mic + cheapest phantom power + cheapest good stand) is $85.

I'm mic-tarded but I'm pretty sure those are my cheapest options, all of which I'd rather DIY some cup or something instead.

I got this condenser package and this power supply alongside my headphones.

I looked at mod mics but overall I'm much more happy that I got this package, the mic is surprisingly really high quality for the price and it comes with everything you need. Overall I would definitely recommend these two items over a mod mic, but I understand that some of that is just personal prefrence.

It also makes your setup look awesome :D

I would recommend Audiotechnica AT 2035 bundle on amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone-Polishing/dp/B01D5E9FBM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=audiotechnica+at2035&qid=1565174186&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A3C1OYEM4FMOSU)

Using it for more than year, perfect voice and great for both recording streaming or even signing :)

*take into account that for using it you need phantom power (~20 USD on amazon, like this one https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B076WF7DSP/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=phantom+power&qid=1565174334&s=gateway&sr=8-5 )

No, you'd need either a dedicated phantom power provider, like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Or, better yet, a preamp that provides phantom power AND increases the gain, which makes you louder. Otherwise, you'll sound like you're whispering even when you're shouting, and you'll have to use the computer's built-in gain amplification, which will introduce static and make you sound bad.

So get this instead:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008879GO8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You also need an XLR female-to-female cable to connect your mic to the preamp, and then an XLR to 3.5mm(?) cable to go from your preamp to your computer. The phantom power supply that I linked you should come with the first cable, and the second cable should come with your microphone. You can just buy the first cable separately.

The setup I have is almost the same as this (just different mic (Floureon BM-800)), and I get compliments on my audio quality whenever I use it for phone calls, online games, or youtube videos so you should be good.

Taking the route of a condenser microphone is more costly and technical than just getting a usb mic, which is an all-in-one plug-and-play solution, and the quality difference isn't that dramatic, so it's your choice.

Honestly it sounds a little cloudy. That might be the 60 htz hum. It is really bad in the intro, but is way better later on. I don't know if you are doing some post processing on the audio or if it is the difference in the mic, but it is better. You can still hear it though esp when the video transitions from him speaking to audio from the debate.

Getting rid of that last little bit of hum will add a lot of clarity to the audio. I looked around and the biggest culprit is an AC ground loop. It is likely to have a simple fix depending on your setup. It could also be a bad cable or a bad mic, or even the gain turned way to high. If your mic needs an amplifier it is common to see people turn the gain up way too high to try and get the audio levels you need. If you got a mic that has an XLR it is likely to need some sort of phantom power source. It is not likely to be a broken mic if you just upgraded it. I'd check the gain, see if your mic needs additional power, and see if you have an ac ground loop.

The hum reduction you got does sound way better. Next stop proper lighting and getting ride of that awful green screen.

I make no claims of being a professional, but like to think of myself as helpful, so if you need help with anything just let me know and I'll do what I can. My brother does AV stuff for a living so I have some resources I can pull from for info and recomendations.

Hey, I know I'm hitting this late. I'm looking to start a DnD play podcast with a few friends of mine. I'm totally new to audio recording though and would love some advice on getting recording gear. I was looking at mics and equipment and found a really good deal on some very cheap mic sets, and also know I'll probably need Phantom power and a mixer.
Do you think I could get away with starting with this stuff I've picked out (I've gone cheap because I'm very new at this) or is there other stuff you would recommend? Also ,is there anything I'm missing or should I be able to plug this stuff into a PC and record? OH! I almost forgot, I'm getting 3 mics to record 5 people, do you think that's enough or should I plan on one mic per person? Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Stuff I'm planning on buying:
Mixer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QDN6Z83/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ALJSAJJCN3221&psc=1
Mic Set : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0756V2B6R/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AVM8BIH53RWJ1&psc=1
Phantom Power : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2HC58KVPP5OOH&psc=1

Like the other comments say, I'm still in the "not liking my own voice phase" i like to think i have a good voice but I still never like what i record. But other than that, I highly recommend getting a decent mic. Aim for XLR, if you can, over USB microphones. They are a bit more expensive but totally worth it for quality. the NW-700 is a really good beginner Microphone. As of now its only $27 which is awesomely cheap for an XLR, although you will have to buy a phantom power, little box that powers the microphone since the computer itself cant generate it, but thats only an extra $17. And a small adapter to actually go into your PC. This is by no means professional but any XLR is better than a USB microphone, in my opinion.

Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XOXRTX6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Phantom Power: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_2/132-8551522-3088534?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B014H8AWGC&pd_rd_r=ee89c156-a0db-4f07-b5fd-08246cdd8db3&pd_rd_w=oJwwl&pd_rd_wg=2W4Tj&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=GZSZ5G9AGGFHYCWXQWJM&psc=1&refRID=GZSZ5G9AGGFHYCWXQWJM

​

Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_3/132-8551522-3088534?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00IRVQ0F8&pd_rd_r=ee89c156-a0db-4f07-b5fd-08246cdd8db3&pd_rd_w=oJwwl&pd_rd_wg=2W4Tj&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=GZSZ5G9AGGFHYCWXQWJM&psc=1&refRID=GZSZ5G9AGGFHYCWXQWJM

​

I myself am no professional but have been into this for a while and had this very microphone for like 2 years. I've since upgraded to an AT-2020

Don't laugh, I've been using the logitech guitar hero mic because I can't get the condenser to have sound, but I'll list what I have for the ACTUAL set up.

Videos, mostly youtube/advocacy content, in the future there may be podcasts. Mostly spoken content, which is why I went condenser, all the research I did suggested this for talking. I also have a pop screen (not sure if you consider that relevant, but being thorough).

This phantom
https://www.amazon.ca/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC

This mic (or very similar):
https://www.amazon.ca/Professional-Broadcasting-Recording-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00X9OM4BW/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1500311177&sr=1-13&keywords=bm+800

Line-in from the phantom thinger to my iMac (late 2011)

Garageband to record.

By the way, thanks so much. This is by far the most supportive, helpful, and kind r/ I've ever been to!

Yeah I mean you should be able to find short videos of the pictures I linked and cut like 0.3 seconds into your video in between scenes. Also, this is the mic I use, and it's damn near Blue Yeti quality (You'll need one of these in order to use it though). And there was a thread just a day or two ago on this subreddit that covers music. For CS GO videos, I think part of the humor is using some of the overused tracks, but that's just me.

I'd love to critique your video, but I think you're only allowed one review item per post. I'd be happy to comment on it once you've created a [Video Review] thread for it specifically.

Let me start by saying I highly recommend going the route the other commenter said and buying the audio interface - it will save you a lot of headache and is the proper solution for this. However if you still really want to use that sound adapter with that mic you will need this to be able to get a signal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_KMu.AbYYXBWAS Plug the XLR to 1/8” that came with your microphone on the output and plug the other end into the sound adapter. Then plug the included XLR from the input of the power supply to the microphone. Disclaimer: You may have hums and hisses doing this and that is why it is better to go the interface route. Plus your trusting cheap electronics to not send 48v directly to your computer and fry the whole damn thing just to save about $80.

Hello, I'm new to this subreddit (and recording in general). For Christmas, I got an AT2020 microphone. I then purchased a 1-channel 48V phantom power supply to use with it. So my setup is the AT to the power supply via XLR to XLR, and then the power supply to my mic port via XLR to 3.5mm input.

I finally tried out the full setup today, and the microphone is recording much more quietly than I'd hope. I have to put my lips basically on the microphone to get a decently loud recording (in Audacity btw). I applied 20db mic boost through Windows and that fixed the issue, but I got static as well.

Could anyone more knowledgeable let me know about any settings I need to configure or anything like that? Thanks for your time!

Condenser Microphones need power to function. The audio port on your motherboard does not give nearly enough. The microphone will work much better and be less noisy with more power. You can either use a USB sound card to give the mic 5V of power or get a 48V phantom power supply to maximize your performance.
I got this USB Soundcard and this Power Supply. I use both together and It sounds great. The microphone also works alright with just the USB card. hope it helps. p.s. I have the same mic.

Yeah, sounds like you bought the wrong amp. That's an amp for bookshelf speakers.

You are correct, you should have bought a phantom power supply, and not an amplifier.

Here's Neweer's phantom power supply, at about the same price range as that lepy amp.

e: If you wanna turn lemons into lemonade, you could grab some good bookshelf speakers. That's a pretty good amp for the price. These are the speakers that /r/audiophile recommend for a budget, and the lepy amp will power them just fine.

Fair point. I'll cover him.

I recently bought a new mic setup after being entirely USB audio for years, and I wanted to see how good analog mics were nowadays.

I got this mic and this phantom power, and they are about the best sound equipment I've ever used.

Add to that a $15 stand, and you have significantly better than a yeti for 2/3 the price.

I'm actually considering this. I'm thinking of buying an extra phantom power source from amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=phantom+power&qid=1557003475&s=gateway&sr=8-4) and hooking it up between the mic and CL-1.

Do you know if this will give me clean gain boost like it does for dynamic/ribbon microphones?

1. find a sturdy flat rubber washer that’s inner diameter is JUST enough to stretch over your strap button. The red ones from a Grolsch swing type bottle can work. Or, really any washer whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer button flange that you can install on top of the strap, unscrewing the button if needed. Even a plastic bread clip can work in a pinch, but a sturdy plastic clip like the Dunlop Ergo Lok or StewMac Lokstrap is a more sturdy no-mod solution.
   
   
2. You could get a reverb pedal like the TC Electronics Hall of Fame, but you need to be aware of the mic/line level difference, phantom power, and adapting to/from XLR to 1/4”. Edit:links.

Ok, to fix your phantom power dilemma, try this: http://www.amazon.com/InnoGear%C2%AE-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462236977&sr=8-1&keywords=phantom+power+box

Then as far as audio, listen to people when they say keep it coming from HDMI. Or you can turn it OFF the HDMI in OBS and use the mixer USB but you'll need to use something like an hdmi audio demuxer to bring it into the switch OR even better, run it out the TOSLink digtal port to the mixer with something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/AutoWT-Digital-Optical-Converter-Standard/dp/B011O0N0UQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462237130&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=optical+to+analog+audio&psc=1

Depends on how you define inexpensive.

A good beginner setup would be a Neewer NW-800 + single-channel phantom power box of your choice + a clip on pop filter. Should cost you around $60 for the whole setup and get you condenser XLR quality that'll beat any USB mic in the same price range and much higher.

Links for reference:

• Neewer NW-800
  
• Phantom power supply
  
• Pop filter
  
  Do yourself a favor and use low-end, but real audio equipment like this instead of a Blue Snowball or Blue Yeti. Using those two mics is like writing "I have no clue what I'm doing" on your VA profile, but so many people do it. A Yeti Pro is the minimum you should go for in Blue mics, otherwise the people hiring you WILL be able to tell you're on a USB mic and they WILL use it to gauge your level of experience against you. As a general principle, XLR is a much better look when you're trying to get hired doing voice work.

For software, Audacity is free and is great to use; however, if you want paid software Adobe Audition is the No. 1 choice.

For a decent first microphone I would recommend the Excelvan BM-800 Condenser Studio Recording Microphone with a Phantom Power Supply.

https://www.amazon.com/Excelvan-BM-800-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B00Q4RGQHY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1503717328&sr=8-8&keywords=unidirectional+microphone

https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=pd_sim_267_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2BCQPM4XTFP4YA9ERDFK

If you have questions about the different types of mics and how they work incase you are new to audio I can be of more assistance if needed.

Here's the links


Neewer NW-700 Professional Studio Broadcasting Recording Condenser Microphone & NW-35 Adjustable Recording Microphone Suspension Scissor Arm Stand with Shock Mount and Mounting Clamp Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XOXRTX6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MFR.zbMV7D3WGNeewer 1-Channel 48V Phantom Power Supply with Adapter, BONUS+XLR 3 Pin Microphone Cable for Any Condenser Microphone Music Recording Equipment (8 feet) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hGR.zbE7XTJSP


Edit : here's an awesome pair of headphones, my dad has the lower end models and LOVES them.
AKG K 240 Semi-Open Studio Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KLR.zbXS4SYW2

Behringer UM2 or this thing from Neweer. Both are great, but the behringer will allow you to also control both the headphone volume and mic volume without reaching into the Windows Settings. Just keep windows volume at 100, and experiment with mic volumes to get your ideal sound.

Here's what I use:

Behringer C-1

Innogear phantom power

Rolls MinimixII

I also run the minimix into a Korg Kaoss Pad Mini-KP to add effects and just play around with.

Instead of the USB, you can use the analog line-in or mic-in on your mobo, which will probably allow you to achieve a higher sample rate than USB. You'll also need to make sure that you have all the wires you need, and that they are long enough. Also, while most mixers with an XLR input will claim to carry phantom power on-board, you'll want to make sure that it provides the ample voltage for your microphone.

I put together a nice but budget XLR setup last year and this $18 phantom power source has been working great.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/

Okay I'll get this one then thanks for the help!

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Q7MVKA7W8MYJASZMTPQB&ref_=pd_aw_fbt_267_img_2

I'm gonna have to counter your argument with the one actually worthwhile Gaming Headset. The Kingston HyperX Cloud 1 breaks your argument into pieces. It's built from an OEM that makes actually good headphones, I cannot remember the name off the top of my head though. And, It doesn't use the gimicky Surround Sound.

HOWEVER. Your 7.1 Surround Sound argument is ALSO shattered by the new Sennheiser GSX-1000. An Amplifier that delivers really good Surround Sound for both Closed Back and Open Back (made more for Open Backs) headphones.

Also, you did not think about the Neewer NW-700 Kit that has an excellent XLR Mic in it. You would need to buy something like, 48v Phantom Power to power it, but it does come with an XLR to 3.5mm converter cable to allow you to use Studio Quality audio for whatever you want, all for a bit less than the Blue Snowball. Also the iCE version of the Blue Snowball is really bad...

It includes an A-D converter and +20db fixed amplification. Hardly the best thing on the market but it would technically work.

However you would still need to provide 48v Phantom Power. You could use a box like this to do it.

ok so. mic comes with xlr to xlr. plug that to



neewer 48v https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014H8AWGC/ref=ox_sc_sfl_image_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3A00RPL943XFO


to

preamp https://www.amazon.com/ART-TubeMP-Tube-Microphone-Preamp/dp/B0002GZZNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485455414&sr=8-1&keywords=ART+Tube+Preamps


preamp to xlr / 3.5mm :https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-3-5mm-Inch-Feet/dp/B00QMITC7G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1485456129&sr=8-4&keywords=3.5mm+xlr



to 3.5 mm female to two female : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EFPYYCG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2JSBUBRVPP4SX

both 3.5mm: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EA77952/ref=ox_sc_sfl_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1Y2JY7NYB2QUH


to devices? Like that?

Depends on how you define medium price range.

I use this, this, and this. But you could use a $20 phantom power like this instead of the UM2. I just got that so I could record music as well.

You have three problems to solve to do this:

1. As others have mentioned, you need phantom power. Something like this can provide that:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kXA2CbZFFCSM7
   
   
2. Your amp has a high impedance input so you need a converter:
   
   http://livewire-usa.com/ssqxfhz/
   
   
3. Any overdrive on your amp/pedals is going to want to make this mic feedback like crazy. You’ll need to do your best to keep the back of the mic pointed at the amp and/or isolate the amp in another room and use headphones.

When you talk about a preamp is it something like this ? that could be connect to a sound card usb adapter like this ?

Someone on youtubes comments recommended these

https://www.amazon.com/Floureon-BM-800-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B00Q4RGQHY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1483510854&sr=8-4&keywords=microphone

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=pd_sim_267_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B014H8AWGC&pd_rd_r=M3GTGAR95RJ7ECB5E4AA&pd_rd_w=SVuHi&pd_rd_wg=ykJUa&psc=1&refRID=M3GTGAR95RJ7ECB5E4AA

edit: Theres a better deal on the stand and filter, check mic's freq bought together

edit 2: Might not need power supply, I would look into it also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3C2gfOvdjE

Everybody knows the best way to power your PC these days is with 48V.

I don't know much about audio, but I think I was mistaken. Pretty sure it is a preamp.

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC

Thanks for the tip. My current goal is to buy the ATR2100 along with this little device that's only $20 but seems to work quite well.

Hey! So I'm finally going out and getting a Pre-Amp for my mic. I was planning on getting the Behringer U-Phoria UM2, but I'm not sure about it. Do you have any suggestions for a good Pre-Amp that would work with my mic? Just for a refresher, since this was two months ago...

Microphone: Neewer NW-700

Phantom PSU: InnoGear 48V Phantom Power Supply

Soon to be Preamplifier: Behringer U-Phoria UM2

Newbie here.

I picked up


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006H92QK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


for my PC mic. I am aware that I need a 48V Phantom PS to use this. I'm looking at

https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1473618498&sr=1-1&keywords=48v+phantom+power+supply


My question is do I just go with a XLR to USB converter from that power supply right into my PC? Or are there better options out there?

Decent mic arm

Pretty good mic

Phantom power supply which you need because this is a condenser mic and requires external power to operate

Pop filter because duh

Decent Headphones imo

Total: 132.55 with sales.

Audiophiles will probably jump down my throat for this list but this is an okay starting point if you want decent equipment. The mic's a little quiet but this can be fixed computer-side.

Quick update - I tried hooking up both mics, but ASIO couldnt find the AUX mic. Apparently that's because it doesn't have enough power or something. I'll probably end up ordering this.

Just curious, (and you probably know), why does the AUX mic need power, but the snowball doesn't? Is it because USB also transmits power?

Do you have it set up as shown in the third picture down on this Amazon listing?

If so then it could just be that the camera has a higher gain input than your PC. A different (more sensitive) sound card may fix this.

Your microphone requires power. I had this same issue then i bought my condenser mic. Something like this will work fine. https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484280909&sr=8-1&keywords=innogear+ig101

I use an AT2020, this phantom power adapter, and an XLR-to-USB cable at home. It is significantly better than the Yeti I was using previously.

You need a phantom power supply. I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC

If you search on Amazon you can find others for just a bit more money. I've had no problems with mine, but others have reported that it adds a bit of noise to the signal. Of you can spare the extra money, id go with a lottle nicer one.

That mixer works fine, however I dont believe that it is able to output phantom power, which is required for most studio condenser mics like the one linked.

You would either need to find a console that has phantom power or a phantom power injector for each mic like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=phantom+power&qid=1551113099&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1


EDIT: one of the mic options comes with a phantom power box: https://www.amazon.com/TONOR-Professional-Microphone-Podcasting-Broadcasting/dp/B071NRP9N5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551091734&sr=8-1&keywords=TONOR%2BProfessional%2BStudio%2BCondenser%2BMicrophone%2BComputer%2BPC%2BMicrophone%2BKit%2Bwith%2B3.5mm%2BXLR%2FPop%2BFilter%2FScissor%2BArm%2BStand%2FShock%2BMount%2Bfor%2BProfessional%2BStudio%2BRecording%2BPodcasting%2BBroadcasting%2C%2BBlack&th=1&psc=1

EDIT2: my bad, it does have phantom power

Ya my mic pre should provide phantom power right? https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC it is this one if you would like to know.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5F2lzb34GXSS1

Would something like this work?

For a condenser mic yes, for a dynamic no.

You can use one of these to power a condenser.

Edit: added link to stand alone phantom power box.

For you, I'd recommend getting:

1. this
   
   
2. this
   
   
3. this
   
   
   This is actually the setup I started off with alongside a Rode-NT1KIT and there was no noticeable audio difference between a 2i2 and an xlr to 3.5mm cable with phantom power in the middle.

Generally speaking, the more software you use, the more things can mess up when trying to link them into OBS. I personally never recommend software mixers just as they have a nasty habit of screwing up when live.

One thing I can't stress enough when it comes to audio, don't go too cheap! Fundamentally, you do have to spend a little bit to get a setup that works. An entry level audio setup will still set you back around $100.

For entry setups I'd recommend looking at the Neewer kits on Amazon. They do need a phantom power source too, yet they're still better than using a basic headset mic. From there, with them being all XLR based, you can use essentially any usb mixer you want. Behringer have a huge range of these with USB output to hook them into PC, starting around $40 too.

https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=pd_sim_267_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00KAPGLQC&pd_rd_r=HNA0G96WDPHBT08VG159&pd_rd_w=bdRjM&pd_rd_wg=xQvDx&psc=1&refRID=HNA0G96WDPHBT08VG159

And the cables are male to female on either end, and plug into this phantom power just fine. Not sure what else you need besides that. That's all it came with.

Either this power supply:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HDNFybXP32WJY

Or this interface:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EK1OTZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OENFyb8GZ7EQD

The Behringer Micromix would sort of work for this application if you got one of these for each mic: http://www.amazon.com/InnoGear%C2%AE-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1462939211&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Ino+gear+48v they act as a 48v power supply for the mic which can then be used to output to your Micromix if you also have XLR to Quarter Inch adapters.

This is what you need

https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC

So what is a Phantom Power? I found this

Innogear 1- Channel 48V Phantom Power Supply with Adapter for Any Condenser Microphone Music Recording Equipment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_aIyUub0Z27YT3

Here's an inline supply for $20 on Amazon.

Will plugging the mic via XLR cable to this guy, www.amazon.com/InnoGear®-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=redir_mobiledesktop?ie=UTF8&ref=s9_top_hm_boF8F_g267_i1,

And then plugging XLR to 1/8 directly into my computer...will that work?

I don't have one. I'm only using XLR cables with a phantom power supply - connecting to my computer. https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC
Should I get some type of audio interface?

Forgot to mention, for the above microphone, you do need this for it to work, and it drives the price up slightly: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1465580713&sr=1-4&keywords=phantom+power

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B014H8AWGC&pd_rd_r=D57N2YTBVSDMCF265EMM&pd_rd_w=6QTEI&pd_rd_wg=tFDSC&psc=1&refRID=D57N2YTBVSDMCF265EMM would this be a good one? its the one it comes with

Nope, I used this to provide phantom power

Do you have an external phantom power supply? That mic needs 48v phantom power. The mac input cannot supply it.

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014H8AWGC/ref=pd_aw_fbt_267_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Q7MVKA7W8MYJASZMTPQB

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014H8AWGC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is the Power Supply

Settings are here

http://imgur.com/a/W5VSf

http://imgur.com/a/1yNNu

If I turn the gain up it sounds thin. I don't know anyone with an audio mixer to help me check the mics side by side :(. I also have this standalone phantom power that i tried to plug the mic into and then into the um2 with the phantom power off on the um2 because i suspected that the um2 had low voltage, but that also did not work. I'm really at a loss as well. I tried using a different XLR cable and same result. Not sure what to do.

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536092751&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=neewer+audio+interface&dpPl=1&dpID=51WQ-rcqglL&ref=plSrch

Sorry. I’m on mobile.

I don’t have any experience with this particular device, but this should do the trick (you’ll need XLR cables too though)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076WF7DSP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dnFxDb5PFHACX

I found this one https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B076WF7DSP/ref=lp_11974571_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1549525755&sr=1-4&th=1 I am not sure to purchase the Usb one or the "wall charge" one... I need this fro my laptop and maybe ps4 if it works

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUS7RSG/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DY1F2CS/

I also needed a 5/8 Male to 1/4 Female mic screw to mount to mic to the arm properly, which wasn't included. Got that for $5 on Ebay, there's tons of sellers.

Maybe if your computer's power supply had an isolated 48 volt tap, you could, but you aren't getting that from USB or anywhere else. Most people have some sort of interface that can supply phantom power.

EDIT: or you could get this?
https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffsb-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00KAPGLQC

Ah no worries, basically if your power supply is like this you can just plug it in to your current motherboard.

So i built a gaming pc and i bought a cheap 36 dollar amazon zingyou bm 800 mic. And when i plugged it in, the sound was very very low and there was a ton of static. Then i bought a replacement xlr to 3.5mm cable and it still was the same thing. So i went to my friends house, who has the same mic and i tried it on his gaming laptop and it worked amazingly. So i ordered a neewer phantom power adapter https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-1-Channel-Microphone-Condenser-Recording/dp/B014H8AWGC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8 . And its still the same problem, low sound and high static

Sorry, I think there is a misunderstanding. I meant that I am using this http://www.amazon.com/InnoGear%C2%AE-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC# which should work

Exactly the type of answer I was looking for. Thank you, However it seems as if now my headset for which I use to game with is also now broken so this makes my budget much tighter. I Don't know if I should go with getting my AT2020 the proper set up to get me going or if I should buy a new headset. I may end up going with the icicle again. I'm not sure. Have you ever tried one of these weird box things I was thinking of using that to power my mic and then buy an XLR to USB or XLR to 3.5mm but I don't know how good of an idea that is. I don't 100% trust this thing. It is advertised as transferring to a sound card/mixer but I don't know if it will work with the cable I mentioned.

https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC
here's the link to the one I have.

I tried plugging it in directly with the XLR to 3.5mm but again it just doesn't show up as a device on Windows. :( I just don't have any idea what to do.

Nope. All you really need is just a power supply which costs you 20$ and if you are having any trouble with simply connecting the mic in to your computer and want that shit on a usb this shit is [$8]
(https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=pd_aw_fbt_267_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AASVCZSRE8KW59EN7DHG) and isnt even necessary like the psu is because you totally can just plug in the mic to your comp and it will work. No you dont need a $70 audio mixer either, thats absurd.