Quick answer:
Shure’s MV7 USB – when in doubt about which dynamic mic to choose, you honestly don’t need to look any further than the MV7 USB.
Samson Q2U – a favorite for many users, not only because it’s one of the cheapest mics out there, but because it’s versatile and gives you everything you need in the recording process.
When we talk about the BEST dynamic USB microphone, we take into consideration a number things, such as the degree of flexibility it can provide when it comes to your recording environment and sound source. So in this article, we’ll show you the best options available on the market in that respect.
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Table of Contents
- About Our Top Choices
- The Top 6 Best Dynamic USB Microphone
- Dynamic USB Microphone Reviews
- The Buying Guide
About Our Top Choices
Shure MV7 USB
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
When in doubt about which dynamic mic to choose, you honestly don’t need to look any further than Shure’s MV7 USB. This is a top-quality mic that is literally built for content creation and has the most positive reviews over all.
Pros
- Excellent vocal reproduction
- Top-quality
- Favorable by users
- Excellent compatibility
Cons
- Mic stand or mount isn’t included
Samson Q2U
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Samson Q2U is a favorite for many users not only because it’s one of the cheapest mics out there, but it’s so versatile and gives you everything you need in the recording process. So really, who would not want to have it?
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Well-built
Cons
- Requires a pop-up filter
- Requires an adapter to be compatible with tablets and phones
Top 6 Best Dynamic USB Microphone
- Shure MV7 USB
- Samson Q2U
- Rode Podcaster USB
- Audio-Technica AT2005USB
- Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB
- Samson Q9U
Best Dynamic USB Microphone Reviews
Shure MV7 USB
Pros
- Excellent vocal reproduction
- Top-quality
- Favorable by users
- Excellent compatibility
- Affordable
Cons
- Mic stand or mount isn’t included
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
When in doubt about which dynamic mic to choose, you honestly don’t need to look any further than Shure’s MV7 USB. This is a top-quality mic that is literally built for content creation and has the most positive reviews over all.
Best features and specs
Shure MV7 USB is an upgraded version of an SM7B that effortlessly rejects the background noise because of its highly directional cardioid pickup pattern. Also, it has both XLR and USB outputs which let you record in whichever way you want to. It has a truly pleasing proximity effect and optimized frequency response that easily flatters any voice.
User impressions
Users say that Shure MV7 USB exceeds their expectations by being versatile, having top-quality sound, and being amazingly sturdy built. Also, users are really in favor of this mic being powered by USB, as well as having a wide variety of patterns. Additionally, this mic handles loud noises really well, and it’s very convenient that it has a level meter. Some users, though, wish that a shock mount or mic stand would also be included.
What we think
What we really like about Shure MV7 USB is that except for USB connectivity, it offers an XLR port which is very convenient because you can easily use this microphone whenever and wherever you like. Additionally, we are thrilled that it is compatible with iOS and Android devices because if you’re constantly moving from place to place, this feature allows you to travel light.
Bottomline
Shure MV7 USB is a great choice for someone who is looking for a top-quality mic that lets you record both in analog and digital, it offers a great ShurePlus MOTIV app that lets you manipulate and control EQ, compression, and store presets. Note that neither mount nor mic stand isn’t included in the cost.
Samson Q2U
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Well-built
Cons
- Requires a pop-up filter
- Requires an adapter to be compatible with tablets and phones
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Samson Q2U is favorite for many users not only because it’s one of the cheapest mics out there, but it’s so versatile and gives you everything you need in the recording process. So really, who would not want to have it?
Best features and specs
Samson Q2U is a really versatile mic that comes with a bundle of accessories that comes in handy while recording. It’s lightweight and easily transportable, and having USB connectivity makes this mic an ideal choice to be carried around.
User impressions
Users are happy with Samson Q2U because of its affordability, versatility, and sturdy build quality. I’s always a bonus also when a piece of equipment comes from a trusted and reliable manufacturer. Some users say that they would be even happier if this mic had a pop-up filter and adapter so it would be possible to use with tablets and phones on the go.
What we think
What we really like about Samson Q2U is that it gives you an opportunity to record either straight to your DAW or into the mixer without any driver required for both cases. Additionally, we find it extremely useful when the mic has a built-in headphone output for making monitoring the levels as effortless as possible.
Bottomline
Samson Q2U is a great choice for someone who is looking for an affordable mic that comes with all things needed for the recording process except for a filter to catch plosives. As it’s extremely lightweight and well-built, it’s easy to take it with you while traveling around. Note that it doesn’t have an adapter that lets it be compatible with tablets and phones.
Rode Podcaster USB
Pros
- Stylish
- Great-sounding
- Well-built
Cons
- Doesn’t include a stand
- Rather heavy and bulky
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Rode Podcaster USB is a beast-quality microphone that is trapped into an all-metal chassis and is built so it would last ages. It has a sleek design, looks really cool, and has only a single LED that lets you monitor the level a bit.
Best features and specs
As the name suggests, Rode Podcaster USB is well-suited for podcasting and any other types of speech recording and has a built-in pop-up filter. It has a cardioid polar pattern, frequency response of 40 Hz – 14 kHz, and USB connectivity with a sampling rate of 48 kHz and 19-bit resolution audio.
User impressions
Many users attest to the Rode Podcaster USB as the best mic that they have ever used because it works flawlessly and saves a lot of time that would be spent on cleaning the sound of the recording. Also, users compliment its looks a lot, saying that this mic definitely adds to their style and there is no one who wouldn’t like it. Though, some users wish that this mic would have a stand included and would be a little more lightweight.
What we think
What we like the most about Rode Podcaster USB is that it’s based on the industry-standard mic and delivers the same quality with the convenience of being a USB mic. Additionally, the fact that this mic is made by Rode says a lot about its quality and durability.
Bottomline
Rode Podcaster USB is a great choice for someone who is looking for a mic that comes from a well-known and trustworthy manufacturer, has a great design, and is made for speech recording. Note that this mic has a small bump at 10 kHz, which makes the sound bright. Also, unfortunately, it doesn’t include a stand.
Audio-Technica AT2005USB
Pros
- Sturdy build
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable
Cons
- Is rather quiet
- Doesn’t have an internal shock mount
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Audio-Technica AT2005USB is a very affordable dynamic microphone that beautifully captures both vocals and instruments. It’s very well-built and has a built-in headphone output with volume control.
Best features and specs
Audio-Technica AT2005USB comes with all accessories that you might need, including XLR and USB cables, tripod stand, and mic clip. It’s an affordable, portable, lightweight, and sturdy build mic that would be your helper during any occasion of voice and speech recording.
User impressions
Users agree that Audio-Technica AT2005USB is generally a good mic and their top choice for various activities that include anything related to voice recording. Many buyers praise this mic for being well-built, extremely affordable, and easily connectable to the PC and DAW of choice.
What we think
It’s always a pleasure when an affordable piece of equipment turns out to be a reliable and trustworthy workhorse. This can be said about the Audio-Technica AT2005USB, which comes from a respectable and reliable manufacturer who is known for producing really great mics.
Bottomline
Audio-Technica AT2005USB is a great choice for someone who is looking for a mic that records vocals and speech wonderfully. It’s versatile, affordable, easy to use, and comes with all accessories needed. Note that this mic can be rather quiet and doesn’t have any sort of inbuilt shock mount system.
Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Versatile
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Stand is flimsy
- Sound output isn’t sensitive enough
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB is an affordable mic that gives you a chance to experience a top-quality sound that is recognizable by many music producers around the world. It’s compatible with both Mac and PC and works easily with your DAW of choice without requiring any audio interface.
Best features and specs
Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB has many features such as low self-noise, frequency range from 50 Hz to 15 kHz, and top-quality A/D conversion up to 192 kHz.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB because it’s lightweight and extremely portable and provides astonishing sound quality. Also, users are fond of having the possibility to choose between USB and XLR. Having a lot of accessories included is a nice touch. Some users wish that the stand quality would be a bit better and the sound output should be more sensitive.
What we think
What we like about Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB is that it’s very convenient when a mic has a built-in headphone jack and volume control. Additionally, thanks to the cardioid polar pattern, this mic easily rejects any undesirable noise from the sides and back.
Bottomline
Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB is a great choice for someone who is looking for a really affordable, versatile, and easy-to-use mic. It easily connects with any DAW that you use and doesn’t have any issues of compatibility with PC or Mac. Note that you might need a more sturdy stand and you may experience some issues with sound output.
Samson Q9U
Pros
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Stylish
Cons
- Controls are hardly accessible
- Mic stand isn’t included
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Samson Q9U is a good choice if you’re looking for a mic specifically for recording voice and singing, and for even more convenience, it has included a swivel yoke mount. This mic is capable of delivering detailed and clear audio.
Best features and specs
Samson Q9U offers you a great opportunity to use it for broadcasting, recording, streaming, and podcasting. It has USB and XLR cables included, a swivel yoke mount, 1’8″ headphone output for zero-latency monitoring, and a mute button. Its cardioid polar pattern easily rejects sounds from the rear of the microphone. It provides a 24-bit 96 kHz USB-C output.
User impressions
Users like Samson Q9U for having sleek looks and being absolutely the top choice for any podcasting and broadcasting job.
What we think
It’s really cool when you have a mic that is out-of-the-box ready for any type of recording. With Samson Q9U, you can start recording whatever you need at the moment. We really appreciated an included swivel yoke mount that ensures a comfortable position of the mic.
Bottomline
Samson Q9U is a great choice for someone who is looking for a broadcast mic that captures speech and voice on a professional level. It has a sturdy build quality, is flexible, and a great-sounding mic. Note that the mic stand isn’t included.
Dynamic USB Microphone Buying Guide
What is a dynamic USB microphone?
A dynamic microphone is a microphone that converts sound into an electrical signal by the sound wave that vibrates a movable wire or a coil in a magnetic field. Also, sometimes this type of microphone has USB connectivity.
Why would you need a dynamic USB microphone?
Let’s be honest, if you’re on the go and travel from place to place doing interviews or podcasts, most likely that you’ll be doing them in untreated environments. And it’s a widely known fact that there is nothing better for you to catch this type of sound than a dynamic microphone. Having a USB connection opens the world of opportunities for you because you don’t have to take with you an audio interface, instead, you can plug the mic into the laptop and you’re ready for the recording.
Important features
When choosing a dynamic USB microphone, you have to pay attention to its sensitivity, design, and durability.
Sensitivity
It doesn’t really matter what exactly you will be recording with a dynamic mic, a voice, or instruments, still, it has to be capable of catching the quietest sound.
Design
We, as audio producers and music engineers, love to be surrounded by beautiful equipment because aesthetics truly does matter a lot. Especially if you plan to use this mic for streaming or interviewing people, or plan to shoot videos with it.
Durability
Ideally, you should choose a mic that is reliable and requires as little maintenance as possible. Also, it should have a top build quality or a warranty in case something goes wrong.
How to choose the right one for you?
Overall, when you are choosing the best dynamic USB microphone, you should choose one that is pleasing to the eye, has a sturdy build, with top sound quality, and is capable of catching the lightest whisper.
