Advice for microphone and interfaces

[GregI]

I'm looking to get away from my headset microphone to a setup for some voiceovers for YouTube and occasional streaming. Budget around £250 but I guess I could go to £300 if it's really great.

So right now I'm debating if I even want to go down this audio interface hole cause it's quite a lot and I don't think I need one. The only reason would be because most recommended microphones are xlr. I know it's likely just Elgato paying YouTubers and stuff to say it's good but I'm having a hard time not just going super basic with a Wave 3 USB microphone. The main reason? Cost.

I can get the Wave 3 mic, pop filter, shock mount and the low profile boom arm all for £199.

Should I cut my journey short and just get that or is all this interface xlr stuff really worth it? It just seems much harder to setup and do properly.

 

[GregI]

Thanks. I do see the AT2020 recommended a lot aswell as the Focusrite 2i2. I think the AT2020 is definitely the mic to go for.

One thing I just thought that I may aswell plug headphones into the interface since I'm guessing that should provide better audio quality than onboard motherboard audio. I did do a little more reading. I have a pair of Sennheiser 560S waiting to be unleashed and people are saying the 2i2 might not be able to power them well. The Audient ID4 was mentioned (I'm guessing the MK II).