Which Microphone?

Gimpymoo · 23 Nov 2008 at 02:26

I think headsets are pants, unless someone can recommend a VERY good quality wireless monoaural headset?

So my choices are:

USB - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/microphones/devices/221&cl=gb,en

3.5MM -
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/microphones/devices/258&cl=gb,en

Any advantages/disadvantages of either?

The newer soundcards tend for some reason to have Mic issues somehow so am swinging towards USB.

Margaret · 23 Nov 2008 at 06:34

I use an elara clip-on microphone (Google) and it works great, 3.5mm jack to my Xonar and no problem at all. Microphone sits behind my monitor and picks me up fine.

Hutch · 23 Nov 2008 at 08:34

Margaret said:
I use an elara clip-on microphone (Google) and it works great, 3.5mm jack to my Xonar and no problem at all. Microphone sits behind my monitor and picks me up fine.

Same, in fact im gutted cause i just broke it and have to buy another one

Good news is they are about 4 quid on the well known auction site

Gimpymoo · 23 Nov 2008 at 20:14

What is the sound quality of the Elara like?

-Ad- · 23 Nov 2008 at 22:19

Will be getting an elera clip on soon, my boom mic has snapped. But honestly any cheap 3.5mm mic should do the job fine.

Hutch · 23 Nov 2008 at 22:55

Gimpymoo said:
What is the sound quality of the Elara like?

Very good so im told. Guys in my clan couldnt believe it was a 4 quid mic

Gimpymoo · 23 Nov 2008 at 23:05

Im going to get an Elara anyway then, at £4, you cant go wrong. Thanks for the advice.

Regarding this:
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/pam-clip---tie-pin/ecm-cz10

Uni-directional means less likely to pickup background noise, right? As generally pickup audio from the direction its facing, correct or do I misunderstand and a Mic of this quality will even pickup the cat having a tinkle?

Hank_Marvin · 24 Nov 2008 at 10:51

i just got the elara.

it pics you up fine from distance BUT it's picking up a lot of background noise like my tv etc but did get it better when playing around with settings.

elara is good quality though so thats good just shame it doesnt cancel out other sound aswell as my sennheiser pc160 headset

Gimpymoo · 2 Dec 2008 at 02:49

Noise cancelling is preferred.

I know I said in my original post I was looking at USB but are there any disadvantages of going with USB/3.5mm over the other?

MikeHunt79 · 2 Dec 2008 at 02:57

Noise cancelling mics? They don't exist...

How does it know what's noise and what isn't?

A directional mic is what you want... Google "Shotgun mic"

Gimpymoo · 2 Dec 2008 at 10:40

Mmm.. I imagine they would give better quality over a "PC" Mic?

bledd · 2 Dec 2008 at 10:44

Margaret said:
I use an elara clip-on microphone (Google) and it works great, 3.5mm jack to my Xonar and no problem at all. Microphone sits behind my monitor and picks me up fine.

mine arrived yesterday, it works fine on the desk, i think i'll bluetack it to the wall so it picks up less of my keyboard taps

dead pleased with it though, it was about 3 feet away and could pick up whispering

Gimpymoo · 2 Dec 2008 at 12:19

Whats the noise cancelling like?

bledd · 2 Dec 2008 at 13:01

what do you mean?

i use headphones,i talk into the mic, people hear me and it's not distorted..

-BA- · 2 Dec 2008 at 13:35

Does it pick up much background noise like fans from pc or tv, etc?

bledd · 2 Dec 2008 at 14:42

dunno, my pc is pretty quiet, and i don't have a tv in the room

Gimpymoo · 2 Dec 2008 at 14:43

bledd. said:
what do you mean?

i use headphones,i talk into the mic, people hear me and it's not distorted..

I mean, is it likely to pickup background noise such as dog farting, children playing etc?

bledd · 2 Dec 2008 at 14:45

the volume was very scalable on it

everyone on here recommends it though, especially in the gaming section

-BA- · 2 Dec 2008 at 14:51

Hmm may well give it a go then.

MikeHunt79 · 2 Dec 2008 at 15:14

Just seen the price of the Elara, that's crazy cheap, the last mic I bought cost £110 and requires an external mixer with phantom power! :eek:

Ordered, if only for the ease of just being able to plug it straight into the Mic port...