Reddit mentions of HDE USB Microphone Cable for Karaoke Microphone USB Male to XLR Female Mic Cables for Microphones Recording Singing Karaoke (10 ft)

I think I would like a representation of the /r/kerbalspaceprogram auto-mod flair bot to be punched very much.

I'm in Orlando and don't fly home until Saturday, so I'd drop it in the mail then. This adapter appears to be of dubious build quality but is cheap and (when working) works fine.

$30 for this one but Blue makes fairly decent quality and reasonably priced audio components for home recording.

This doesn't really answer his question.

An audio interface takes an XLR input or inputs and outputs it to your computer via USB. A typical audio interface such as the Xenyx 302USB will provide some functions such as zero latency monitoring, phantom power and built-in preamp/s. There are also very simple audio interfaces like this XLR to USB cable or the many cheap USB soundcard dongles you find online (I wouldn't recommend either of these options unless you are using a dynamic microphone).

A standalone preamp takes the signal from your microphone and amplifies it to a usable signal before sending it to an audio interface. You do not need a standalone preamp to use an XLR microphone.

XLR microphones also sometimes require "phantom power", which many audio interfaces can provide (THE AFOREMENTIONED XLR TO USB CABLE DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY PHANTOM POWER). This is often labelled on a button on your interface as "+48". If your interface doesn't provide enough phantom power, you'll need to also purchase a phantom power supply. Your XLR microphone plugs into the phantom power supply, then from the phantom power supply, it connects to your audio interface.

How much voltage (phantom power) do you need for an XLR microphone?

• Dynamic microphones (such as the Shure SM58) don't require any voltage
  
• Electret condenser microphones (such as the NW-700) only require ~5V
  
• Full condenser microphones may require 48V (the AT2020 is an example of a full condenser microphone that is listed as requiring 48V, but actual can run on considerably less)
  
  Now finally, to answer your original question, what do you need to use an XLR microphone? You need:
  
  
• An audio interface
  
• A phantom power supply (assuming that your interface doesn't supply it and that your microphone requires it)
  
• An XLR microphone (duh)

If you want to future-proof your setup, go with something XLR based, and later down the road you can upgrade and replace stuff on the cheap.

I personally use an AT2020-XLR on a cheap mic stand that comes with a shock mount and built in cable (gets a bit squeaky after a few months of use, but only when fully retracting it), piped through a phantom power supply and an XLR to USB cable

A really good mic to go with would also be the ATR 2100 as it is both XLR and USB. It's a dynamic mic, so background noise won't be much of an issue. The price point is great, and it would be easy to expand on later. I personally have no experience with the mic, so take that as you will.

I have one that looks like your picture and is an audio cable. The thick part at the usb end contains an audio converter.

It was cheap. It sounds cheap, but it works.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0050CEEIW/ref=mlt_B000H7O9ZI_B0050CEEIW

It's probably one of those 3 pin mics right? Those are XLR mics, and it probably is better quality.

HDE USB to XLR Microphone Instrument Karaoke Cable 3 Pin XLR Female to USB 2.0 Male MIC Link Adapter (10ft/3m) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050CEEIW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_c4W4ybWBR8PAE

You'll need that at the minimum to get it to work. You'll need to boost the audio in your editor though it'll be hella quiet.

Later on you'll need phantom power to get the volume where you want it but that requires another piece of kit.

Not the end of the world, it'll be ok man

Edit: mobile autocorrect is fun

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS
This is a little better option.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-feet-XLR-Female-Cable/dp/B0050CEEIW
This is really inexpensive, but will work.

Keep in mind, you get what you pay for with most things of this nature.

Does the mic have a non-permanent cable? if it does, you could use something like this usb to xlr cable.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Female-Cable-Instruments-Microphones/dp/B0050CEEIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398841494&sr=8-1&keywords=USB+to+XLR

Or if its a permanent cable, maybe something like these

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1398841671&sr=8-8&keywords=USB+to+mic

http://www.amazon.com/iLuv-USB-Audio-Adapter-iCB758WHT/dp/B007PFZEKY/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1398841671&sr=8-9&keywords=USB+to+mic

I'm pretty sure that mic needs an XLR cable and some kind of mixer or audio interface that plugs into your computer. I could be wrong but I don't think the XM8500 is usb.

It seems you need to keep $ low so something like this would probably work:

https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Female-Cable-Instruments-Microphones/dp/B0050CEEIW

Though something like this would be much better:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS

Right on. Well what about this then? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050CEEIW/ref=cm_cd_asin_lnk

Would I be able to use this for a dynamic mic? Or do the same principals apply?

I would be more inclined to chalk this up to your el cheapo "XLR-to-USB" adapter. Should have read the 1-star reviews before buying. Many people have this problem.

https://www.amazon.com/HDE-feet-XLR-Female-Cable/product-reviews/B0050CEEIW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_paging_btm_2?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&pageNumber=2#reviews-filter-bar

You get what you pay for.

I'm really thinking about returning my Samson one.

Be careful with the AT 2020 When purchasing, there's a USB edition which is a lot more expensive and an XLR edition.

I'm thinking about returning the Samson mic and getting the XLR editon then buying this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HDE%C2%AE-10Ft-Xlr-Female-Cable/dp/B0050CEEIW/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1420498926&sr=1-1&keywords=xlr+to+usb

Do you reckon it will work?

You could also get this:https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Microphone-Instrument-Karaoke-Adapter/dp/B0050CEEIW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1524156261&sr=8-4&keywords=xlr+to+usb+cable&dpID=41L6q7XKxUL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch and then buy almost any dynamic microphone.

I'm thinking about buying a mic for discord, maybe streaming (emphasis maybe) and am leaning towards a dynamic mic because I've been told that they're better for reducing background noise vs a condenser.

If I get a dynamic mic with XLR out, what would be the okayest way to hook it up to my PC with acceptable input levels? At the moment, I'm considering this headset with the mic connected to the PC via this XLR to USB cable. Will that combination work ok, or should I be looking at something else?

The other thing I'm considering is this USB stand-alone mic and having game sound through my speakers.

I apologise is this isn't the right place to ask.

You don't need to be in awe. I know what a microphone is, and I know exactly what I'm going to do with it, just didn't know the cable wasn't provided.

My intentions are to record singing in my computer. I don't think I'll need any mixer, so my doubt is: do I only need this cable: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HDE%C2%AE-10Ft-Xlr-Female-Cable/dp/B0050CEEIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380916642&sr=8-1&keywords=XLR+to+USB or this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pulse-3-5mm-Jack-Plugs-Mixer/dp/B003OSS71E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1380918041&sr=8-3&keywords=XLR+to or do I also need some sort of interface?

Thank you for your time.

Most likely. Where are you plugging that cable in?

Chances are your laptop only has audio out, and that cable needs an audio-in. the easiest thing would be get a USB to XLR adapter, something like this