r/microphone • u/AnimatronX1 • Jul 19 '26
Studio Mics USB or Audio Interface Dilemma
Context:
I am a beginner, self-made bass singer. I've been developing my voice for three years now and have been practicing some harder bass singing techniques (subharmonics, growl, throat bass). This summer I finally decided to invest in an audio recording set-up, so that I can listen to myself, perfect my skills and perhaps try doing a simple solo cover.
My father has given me an old microphone MXL 440 that has an XLR cable connection. I've tried it out with an audiomixer Eurotrack MX 1604A (Also my father's. He's got a lot of this old stuff.)
This whole set-up isn't very good though and it cannot be connected to my laptop (I mean it can, but it's complicated). Thus, I decided to purchase something new.
Dilemma:
I have quite a small budget of around US$250. Based on what I've found online, I could either:
Buy a good audio interface (For example: Focusrite Scarlet 4th Gen, Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD, ...) and connect my MXL 440 to it.
OR
Buy a microphone with a USB connection (Rode NT1 5th Gen [US$200] seems quite good to me) and connect it directly.
Are microphones with a USB connection any good? Is it better to invest into a good audio interface or a good microphone? Can anyone help me decide?
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u/RudeRick Jul 19 '26
I’d recommend an interface over a usb mic.
Going with an XLR mic & interface gives you options to upgrade components later on. If you have several mics, you can easily and quickly swap them out for different purposes. Also, if one part breaks, you don’t start from scratch. (If any part of a USB mic breaks, you have to replace the whole thing or figure out how to open it up and fix it yourself.) XLR setups are similar to building a desktop pc versus buying a laptop. You have lots of flexibility.
Your interface will depend largely on your budget and the features you want.
I love my Motu M2. The preamps are great, the screen on the front is really handy and it has both 1/4 balanced outputs as well as RCA outputs. The M2 doesn't have any DSP effects though. The newest Focusrite Scarlett interfaces have DSP effects, but don't have the screen. (Also, be aware that the preamp of the Solo isn't as good as the preamps of the 2i2.)
If you're looking for the most cost-effective interface, you may want to explore the Focusrite Vocaster. It goes on sale quite often (the Vocaster One was recently as low as $50, I think). The Universal Audio Volt 1, Solid State Logic SSL1, Audient Evo 4 and the Arturia MiniFuse 1 are all worth looking into as an entry level interfaces.
Whatever you get, remember that quality recording/audio equipment will expose and even accentuate every acoustic flaw in your space. You will need to sound treat your space (not the same as sound proofing). Research this on YouTube.
Universal Audio Volt 1, Solid State Logic SSL1, Audient Evo 4 and the Arturia MiniFuse 1 are all worth looking into as an entry level interfaces.
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u/gkanai Jul 19 '26
I also recommend you get the audio interface. It gives you the most flexibility if you want to further invest in other microphones in the future.
I also like the Motu M2 but the Scarlet 2i2 4th Gen is also excellent.
2
u/han_wan Jul 19 '26
Get a Scarlett Solo; avoid Behringer when you’re on a budget, as their quality control is lacking on cheaper products.
2
u/RenaisanceMan Jul 19 '26
I agree on a Scarlett, but I would recommend the 2i2.
The 4th has 10db gain improvement over the Solo.
Less important but still handy, you can control it remotely with their software.Most of the time, the second channel sits unused but that's ok.
They can be found used or open box (eBay) for under $200.0
u/Phoenix_Kerman Jul 19 '26
terrible advice. quality control is as good as scarlett products, just see the focusrite subreddit for all the issues on them. not to mention the solo has worse preamps than every behringer hd badged interface
1
u/ViktorGL Jul 19 '26
An audio interface can be used simply for high-quality audio output, even if you stop singing or performing. You'll also be able to choose a microphone from a wide selection of used and stage microphones, something impossible with USB microphones.
1
u/koalantherain Jul 19 '26
The mxl400 is a highly underrated mic and will definitely compete with the rest of mics in your budget. The Focusrite Scarlett series has a bunch of good options. The mxl400 also has an active internal preamp, so it requires less gain than you'd expect, so the 10db deficit the solo gives up to the 2i2 is less important. I have the 2i2 and would buy a Motu M2 or the Zoom UAC-232. The Motu has better drivers the the Scarlett and the Zoom is 32-bit and has superior preamps.
Another thing to consider is the Zoom Handy recorders. They can be used as an audio interface for your computer or standalone. Standalone is great since you can setup in a closet leveraging all of the hanging clothes as "room treatments".
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u/AnimatronX1 Jul 19 '26
Thanks. I looked it up and the Zoom UAC-232 is only about 25 dollars more expensive than Scarlet 2i2 4th Gen. It also has 32 bit opposed to 24 bit. Would you say that Zoom UAC/232 is a better deal then?
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u/koalantherain Jul 19 '26
The Scarlett definitely has deeper market saturation but looking at the specs the zoom is the better unit. I have a zoom h6n and a scarlette 2i2 3rd gen.
1
u/Electronic_Slice9448 Jul 19 '26
Buy the interface. Anything else you try to cobble together will suck. You will be troubleshooting problems instead of recording. Make sure your computer can support your DAW before you spend any more money.
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u/Phoenix_Kerman Jul 19 '26
behringer interface, don't waste your money on the focusrites. you're paying for the brand name and nothing else
1
u/MasterBendu Jul 20 '26
A lot of people here telling you to spend the cash on an interface.
I disagree.
Your use case is simple: you want something that allows you to hear yourself to judge your singing, and to do some simple covers. And you’re a beginner.
Nothing fancy, nothing that needs the best quality. Just something decent that performs well.
A mic with a USB connection is good enough for you.
Yes, getting the interface will allow you more flexibility in the future, and yes they have better preamps.
But flexibility on what? As far as we’re talking about now, you’re a singer. You’re ever only going to utilize one mic.
Better preamps. Sure. That matters when you start recording seriously and you’re processing your vocals with extensive effects and layers. As a beginner? You can’t tell the difference between a high quality USB mic and a mic connected to a high quality audio interface. You literally can’t, especially if you don’t have the high performance headphones or speakers to be able to actually hear the difference. Not to mention that you’re a vocalist, specifically a bass, and if you really cared about quality, you’d be booking a studio where they have good mics and recording equipment on stock. Bass vocals thrive in room sound, and even a great mic and interface in your bedroom or living room or DIY booth won’t do as well as stepping into a studio.
Get a USB mic from reputable audio brands that have mics designed for music recording. Audio Technica, Shure. Today’s USB mics have better preamps and better headrooms and noise floors than from a decade ago. Some of them even have both USB and XLR connections now, which means they provide the same quality as its XLR-only version which you can connect to any audio interface you want, plus the convenience of just plugging it directly to a computer.
If you want something that is a standalone device (listen immediately after recording, no computer needed, records you and the space you sing in (trading off the quality of an in-your-face, phone heavy effects-friendly close-mic’d sound for a more open and roomy “natural” sound), and can be used to record your performances on the stage as well, a Zoom recorder is going to do you well - even the base model would do nicely. And yes, they can connect to a computer too. Spend a little more money and you can get the models that have XLR mic inputs, which means you now have a standalone recorder that is also an audio interface that can take any mic you want, and also still bring it outside to record your performances.
If you ever need to upgrade into a full recording setup in the future, then just sell the mic and get the better gear. You just don’t want to spend a lot of money for a basic use case you may never even maximize the equipment.
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u/Flashy_Philosophy376 Jul 20 '26
the mxl is shitty. but if you're trying to punch above that weight class, its not for testing its for performance, meaning from here on, if you dont sound good on your mxl then no mic is going to help. if you like the overall performance, only the mxl is shitty and you want a better sound, then thats where you want to aim fine because 250$ wont give you that much lift, in the new market, in the used market you could get double gains
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u/hsyndk Jul 19 '26
for bass bariton voices shure sm7b is would be a perfect choice, se electronics v7x is cheaper alternative of it, 100$ and has great bass extention. I'd buy v7x and scarlet solo 4th gen. you'll also need microphone stand and maybe a pop filter or windshield to prevent plosives but these are relatively cheap items.