Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack (Black)

Great all in one solution if you don't want to go down the path of an audio interface or if you are starting out. Also works great on XLR so is ideal if you want to upgrade your set up in the future!!

After tons of research this was the best mic in sound quality, mic quality, adjustability, stability, clarity, and performance.

The microphone itself is amazing. Add a pop filter, and it's a warm, clean sound, even in an only-partially treated room with environmental noise outside of my control (birds outside, other people in the house, some electrical or ventilation buzzing). I have got this paired with an audio interface with the gain whacked up pretty high (it is a dynamic mic, after all), which may play a part in the quality, but I will say that I 100% recommend the Q2U (of course, listen to test videos on Youtube to see if the mic is for you). Do note that the USB on light doesn't work when using the XLR cable, only the USB cable. Loses a star because I think what I got sent was missing parts? So the box said something about a cloth carry case and a mount extension, which weren't present, and I'm not sure if it was meant to come with them. Also, the inside packaging was somehow dirty (the product was clean, but the plastic was covered in what looked like soil or just very dark dust).

doesn't pick up highs well

Bought only in March and it randomly stopped working in July. How can I get my money back?

The box was clearly opened before, and the mic had the rubber gasket half fallen off. But it works properly and all items were in the box.

This microphone was suggested to me by my podcast co-host. I was using my USB headset for many years and I was feeling the need to upgrade without going into the expensive items for podcasting. This is a great entery level microphone that can grow with you as you decide if you want to be a more serious podcast person. This fits the people who know that your audio is very important for zoom meetings and want to sound better.

This microphone is an excellent choice for just about any use case. It can connect directly to your PC via USB, or to other professional caliber audio equipment vial the included XLR cable. The video shows the excellent audio response, and gives a quick look at the mic in-hand. It feels substantial, and picks up audio cleanly, with minimal popping.

After reading many reviews and watching lots of review videos, and finally experiencing it for myself, I can now say without any doubt that the Samson Q2U is the best budget Mic out there today. If you are starting off, and you want something affordable to kick start your journey in podcasting and streaming, this is your gadget. Certainly the best value for money. I am so glad I got this. And oh, I got it like 4 or 5 days ahead of scheduled date, so thank you Amazon team :-)

Product received as described. Microphone seems sturdy and durable. Need to experiment with different environments to see how recording quality affects.

Best budget mic for podcast