If you’re looking to up your microphone’s audio quality while gaming or streaming, an XLR microphone is exactly what you need. These professional mics promise a crisp and clear recording of your voice. In this article, we will go over our top selections for the best XLR microphone for gaming in different price ranges.
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What are XLR Microphones?
An XLR Microphone is a type of professional and high-quality audio device. These types of mics are frequently utilized by a wide range of users, from broadcasting to singing, as well as video game streamers and podcasters. Even if you are just a gamer who wants a great-quality mic, an XLR microphone can be a great choice. It stands for?X-type, Locking, Rubber Boot, which describes the attributes of the device.
These mics will fall under one of two categories, dynamic or condenser. A dynamic mic will reduce background noise to provide you with vocal clarity and high-end sound quality. However, you will need to keep the microphone relatively close to your mouth when speaking. The alternative type of microphone is a condenser microphone, which tends to be more sensitive and tends to pick up a lot of background noise. This includes keyboard typing, mouse-clicking, and other household noises. Due to this, the dynamic microphone tends to be the best choice for gamers.
What is the Best XLR Microphone for Gaming?
To find the best XLR microphone for gaming, we must consider factors like noise rejection, sound quality, and durability. The top choices that we recommend are the Shure SM7B,?Shure SM58, Shure MV7X, Rode Podmic, and the Elgato Wave. All are excellent dynamic mics that will provide you with unrivaled sound quality during your gaming sessions. The optimal choice for you will depend on your specific vocals, as some products tend to pick up different vocal ranges better than others. Additionally, price considerations contribute to the decision-making process as well. Let’s dive into the details of what makes each pick shine and see if it’s right for you!
Shure SM7B
- Premium Choice for Sound
- Higher Cost
The Shure SM7B stands out as the top pick for the best XLR microphone for gaming that you can buy. This makes it an excellent choice for gaming communication, streaming, podcasting, video recording, or any other gaming need. This model is very well known for being top-tier and an outstanding product. As a result, this device has been the premium choice of microphone for over two decades now. This microphone excels at vocal recording, producing an extremely clean and high-end sound quality.
Due to the Shure SM7B being a dynamic mic, it captures voices extremely well, while giving them a warm and natural sound. It even captures deep voices well, where some audio equipment can struggle to reflect the true depth of the tones. Electromagnetic shielding was built into the device to prevent any humming from other electronic devices, such as computers, that are running near it. Additionally, this product comes with a pop filter that will aid in minimizing any unwanted noise such as breathing, lip sounds, and background disturbances.
This microphone boasts impressive sound quality with features that are sure to blow your listeners away. Therefore, this pick comes at a much higher cost than the others on our list. If you are a beginner or do not want to spend a lot of money, this may be more than what is necessary. The SM7B’s all-metal design gives it a sleek and professional appearance that will complement most office, podcast sets, or gaming rooms perfectly. Don’t forget to purchase a suitable stand or arm mount that will fit your needs!
Check out Shure SM7B on Amazon!
Shure SM58
- Durable
- Affordable
The Shure SM58 is a highly recommended and cost-effective choice, known for its versatility and great sound quality. This microphone has stood the test of time and has proven itself to be one of the best XLR microphones for speech and vocals. This model has been around since 1966 while providing high-end audio for both beginners and professionals. The SM in the model name stands for Studio Microphone, which is why it has been a popular choice for stage and performance mics. This is a well-known product that has been widely used throughout the years for good reason.
One of the main perks of this microphone is the amazing sound quality and reliability for an affordable price. The SM58 features an outer metal grill for durability and protection of the most important parts of the microphone if dropped or damaged. Inside the metal grill, there is an extra internal foam liner that enhances its ability to?minimize any unwanted mouth sounds. It’s crucial to note that a stand must be purchased separately.
Check out Shure SM58 on Amazon!
Shure MV7X
- Midrange Price
The Shure MV7X is a podcast mic that is specifically meant for capturing speech in a high-quality manner. Situated in the midprice range, this is another top-tier choice from the trusted brand of Shure. This mic is a more affordable product that was modeled after the SM7B, which is known for its outstanding sound quality. It is a very professional and sleek-looking microphone that will give your gaming setup a high-end vibe. When evaluating the best XLR microphone for gaming, this model continually ranks high and has a favorable reputation within the gaming community.
Since this is a podcast microphone, it features an exceptional ability to eliminate outside sounds and disturbances. This leaves your speech and vocals as the primary focus, minimizing any distractions that your listeners may hear.?This is a terrific choice if you have bothersome background noises that occur while you are using the mic. Featuring an all-metal design, this is another Shure product that is designed to be durable and last for a long time. It’s important to note that an arm mount or stand must be purchased separately.
Check out Shure MV7X on Amazon!
Rode Podmic
- Budget Friendly
The Rode Podmic is a budget-friendly gem made with podcasters, gamers, and streamers in mind, so this choice is versatile and sure to please. You will find that this option is a perfect choice for both beginners and professionals alike, it combines exceptional sound quality at an affordable price point. The visual appearance of the Podmic is modern and sharp, with an all-metal design that promises durability.
This mic is available in both XLR and USB options, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users. An internal pop filter is built into the product to minimize external disturbances and mouth sounds that can be distracting for your listeners. For those seeking even more noise cancellation, external pop filters are also available for purchase. The vocals of this mic come through with warmth and clarity, reflecting your natural sound properly. For these reasons, the Rode Podmic has earned its reputation as the best XLR microphone for gaming if you are looking for affordability.
RodeCaster Pro 2 Audio Interface
To enhance your experience with the Rode Podmic, you can choose to pair it with the RodeCaster Pro 2 interface. This is particularly beneficial if you intend to use the mic for podcasting or streaming. Its user-friendly setup makes it easy to learn and utilize even for beginners. The interface will allow you to plug four XLR microphones into it, which is excellent if you have multiple people who will be talking. Additionally, the RodeCaster Pro 2 boasts a touchscreen and a built-in sound pad that is capable of loading up to 64 sounds. The customization and ability to fine-tune your audio that this device allows is exactly what you need to up your sound quality to an even more professional level.
Check out the Rode Podmic on Amazon!
Check out the RodeCaster Pro 2 on Amazon!
Elgato Wave DX
- Budget Friendly
The final pick for the best XLR microphone for gaming is the Elgato Wave DX. This product is perfect for those looking for an affordable XLR mic that produces a well-balanced and crisp sound. This pick excels at eliminating background noises, as well as its truly impressive ability to reduce plosive mouth sounds. Its dual-layered internal foam works as a pop filter that aids in the amazing reduction of noise. This is perfect for gamers who are playing in environments that might be a bit noisy, where condenser mics would usually fail.
The Elgato Wave DX has a unique design that sets it apart from other microphones on this list. It has a stylish rectangular housing that is made of metal, giving it an extremely sturdy feel and adding to its reliability. On top of that, this dynamic microphone boasts a wide?cardioid polar pattern that allows you to speak at different angles and still have your voice picked up clearly. This is great if you are a gamer who tends to move around a bit while playing. Like most other mics, you will need to purchase a stand separately. This well-rounded and budget-friendly mic gives the popular Podmic a run for its money.
Check out the Elgato Wave XLR on Amazon!