You’re looking to improve your video call quality. What are the best Creator Economy microphones?

2 Polar patterns

Another factor to consider when choosing a microphone is the polar pattern, which refers to the directionality of the microphone. The most common polar patterns are cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional. Cardioid microphones pick up sound from the front and reject sound from the back and sides. They are ideal for solo speakers who want to isolate their voice from background noise. Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from all directions equally. They are suitable for group discussions or interviews where multiple people are speaking. Bidirectional microphones pick up sound from the front and back, but not from the sides. They are useful for recording conversations between two people who are facing each other.

3 Sound quality

Of course, the most important factor to consider when choosing a microphone is the sound quality. You want a microphone that can capture your voice clearly and accurately, without distortion, hissing, or popping. The sound quality of a microphone depends on several factors, such as the frequency response, the sensitivity, the signal-to-noise ratio, and the dynamic range. Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies that a microphone can reproduce. You want a microphone that can cover the human voice range, which is typically between 80 Hz and 15 kHz. Sensitivity refers to how well a microphone can pick up quiet sounds. You want a microphone that can adjust to your speaking volume without clipping or losing detail. Signal-to-noise ratio refers to the difference between the desired signal and the unwanted noise. You want a microphone that can minimize the noise and maximize the signal. Dynamic range refers to the difference between the loudest and the quietest sounds that a microphone can handle. You want a microphone that can handle both loud and soft sounds without distortion or compression.

4 Best microphones for video calls

When selecting the best microphones for video calls, we took into account various factors. Our top picks for different scenarios are the Blue Snowball for solo speakers who want a simple and affordable USB microphone, the Rode NT-USB for solo speakers who want a more advanced and versatile USB microphone, the Samson Go Mic for group speakers who want a portable and compact USB microphone, and the Shure SM58 for group speakers who want a professional and powerful XLR microphone. The Blue Snowball has a cardioid polar pattern, a frequency response of 40 Hz to 18 kHz, a sensitivity of -10 dB, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 89 dB. It also has switchable omnidirectional mode for group calls and comes in different colors. The Rode NT-USB has a cardioid polar pattern, a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, a sensitivity of -16 dB, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 96 dB. It also has a headphone jack, volume control, pop filter, and tripod stand. It can also work with smartphones and tablets via an adapter. The Samson Go Mic has a switchable cardioid and omnidirectional polar pattern, a frequency response of 20 Hz to 18 kHz, a sensitivity of -47 dB, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 89 dB. It also features a headphone jack, clip-on design, foldable stand, and fits in your pocket. Lastly, the Shure SM58 has a cardioid polar pattern, frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz, sensitivity of -54.5 dB, signal-to-noise ratio of 94 dB as well as built-in shock mount, pop filter and rugged metal construction. It can handle high sound pressure levels and deliver crisp and clear vocals.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?