Audio is an extremely important part of live streaming and can be the reason why a stream can succeed or fail. most viewers are happy to watch low-resolution or low-quality video, however, viewers are very put off by poor quality audio and can be the reason why they leave the stream.
So, Investing in a good quality microphone is essential for creating high-quality content which in turn will help your channel grow.
This post has been written to help you find the best XLR microphone for streaming.
If you are interested in USB microphones then check out our post on the best USB microphones for streaming.
If you are unsure of the differences between XLR and USB microphones, check out this post where we go through both microphone types and help you decide which is best for you.
What factors we considered when choosing a XLR microphone
When we have looked at these different microphones, we have to consider different factors in order to come to a conclusion of which microphones are best,
these main factors are;
Audio Quality: Microphones are audio devices and therefore the most important consideration should always be the quality of sound produced by the microphone.
Price: The price is also an important factor that has to be considered as many streamers have a smaller budget and shouldn’t buy premium equipment when cheaper equipment would be sufficient.
Additional Features: Additional features that the microphone has can also be an important factor that must be considered, things such as the look and feel of the microphone if the microphone requires a cloudlifter, and what is supplied with the microphone; stand, pop filters, or windshields, etc.
Condenser or Dynamic microphone for streaming?
Condenser and Dynamic microphones are two different types of microphones that have some unique benefits and some important differences to be aware of when looking for an XLR microphone for streaming.
Choosing between a condenser and dynamic microphone will depend on your own specific situation, for example, how much background noise is in the room you’re streaming in, and will you be using the microphone for anything other than streaming.
Condenser microphones are an excellent choice for streaming in a treated room or a sound studio. Because these microphones are sensitive, and they pick up every detail (mids, highs, and lows) in your voice to give your audience a clear and soothing sound. So, if you live streaming your music, ASMR, or capturing your instruments, then a condenser microphone will be a great option. However, these microphones are expensive, so you want to ensure that it is within your budget range.
Dynamic microphones, on the other hand, are cheaper than condenser microphones. In most live streams, podcasts, and radio shows, you will notice that they use dynamic microphones because of their proximity effect and a distinct broadcasting sound. The proximity effect simply means the closer you get to the microphone, the more prominent your bass or low frequency becomes.
Dynamic microphones are great for live streaming because they are less sensitive than condenser microphones. This means, dynamic microphones wouldn’t pick up any background noise(any sound 6 inches away from the mic), which is good because it would only focus on your voice, and there wouldn’t be any interference in your live stream.
Our Top XLR Microphones for Streaming:
Shure SM7B
Most Iconic popular microphone for streaming.
Of course, the Shure SM7B is going to be on this list.
This is one of the most popular microphones and seems to be used by the majority of full-time streamers, the iconic microphone is easily one of the most recognizable and sought-after microphones and is generally considered to be one of the best microphones available for live streaming.
The Shure SM7B is a Dynamic microphone that is excellent for streaming in rooms that do have a little background noise as the microphone simply won’t pick up the majority of background noise.
This is a gain-hungry microphone that will need a good quality audio interface or mixer and may also need a Cloudlifter or FetHead to provide an additional gain boost to get the best sound possible.
One of the big considerations before purchasing a Shure SM7B is the price, although it’s not the most expensive microphone in the world it’s also not exactly cheap either, and there are quite a few comparable microphones available on the market which are also quite a lot cheaper.
Rode PodMic
Fantastic microphone for under $100
The Rode PodMic is a broadcast quality dynamic microphone that has been designed specifically with podcasts in mind which makes it especially good for when it’s used on live streams.
The PodMic has a rich and balanced sound which works great for any type of vocal tone people might have, without the need for much equalization.
It features a built-in pop filter which helps remove the majority of plosives, however, it doesn’t remove all plosives so an additional foam pop-filter is definitely recommended to help remove all plosives.
This foam pop-filter which we bought from Amazon fits perfectly and works great!
One of the best selling points for the Rode PodMic is the fact the microphone costs less than $100, which to be honest is an absolute bargain when you consider just how good this microphone is.
Shure MV7
The Shure MV7 has become an increasingly popular microphone for streaming, the MV7 is a new microphone inspired by the massively popular Shure SM7B, however, The MV7 was specifically designed with podcasters and streamers in mind.
Shure MV7 Multi-Connection Technology
One really nice feature of the Shure MV7 is the multi-connection technology, which allows you to connect the microphone to an audio interface using an XLR cable, or connect directly to a computer using a USB cable.
This is excellent for streamers who would like to future-proof their purchases and it works with and without an audio interface.
Sound Quality
The Shure MV7 has excellent sound quality, it has optimized frequency response and voice isolation technology, which basically means the microphone is especially good at cutting out all the background noises and is laser-focused on your voice.
The tones of the microphone can also be customized using the Shure MOTIV app.
Check out our other lists of top equipment to use for streaming on Twitch.
Best Audio Interfaces for Streaming
