If you're choosing between this and the original Yeti, the Yeti X has four condenser mic capsules instead of the original's three. TL;DR – These are the Best Microphones for Streaming and Podcasting: Samson G-Track Pro; JLab Talk Microphone; Blue Snowball; Blue Yeti; HyperX QuadCast S; Razer Seiren Elite; BlueYeti … Our pick for the best multipurpose gaming earbuds. But when it comes to the studio or in-house recordings, a condenser mic is the more preferred choice. The Yeti stands nearly 12 inches high on its included stand and comes in 11 different colors, including (but not limited to): silver, black, platinum, white, cool gray, and blue. It offers the same features as the Yeti X, except it's rocking a nice black with gold trim design along with some neat fantasy glyphs all over the mic. These new mics deliver their more expensive siblings' audio performance, prioritizing the sound over extensive feature sets for a frankly fantastic price. Thankfully, most of the best gaming headsets on the market include a built-in microphone. Top 10 Best Mic for PC Gaming in Reviews. I mean, you lose the sexy RGB lighting of the QuadCast, which is missed, but they sound almost identical. The V-MODA Boom Pro microphone is suitable for gamers as well as those working from home. But we don’t need studio-ready equipment, so the price is an essential factor when looking at how good a particular mic is. Please refresh the page and try again. HIFIMAN SUNDARA – Best Headset with Microphone Editor’s Pick; 12. With many of us stuck at home, it's a perfect time to focus on hobbies or even work on turning those interests into a career. Please refresh the page and try again. The HyperX QuadCast is the best gaming microphone for most players because it stands out with great vocal warmth and clarity. Quite the same way, a condenser mic is the best microphone for gaming as well. XLR mics still offer the best sound quality (especially if you plan on playing instruments or singing). The best microphone for streaming and podcasting, Specs: Power: 5V | Polar patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo | Connectivity: USB | Frequency response: 20Hz-20,000Hz | Features: Blue Vo!ce, zero-latency monitoring, Smart knob controls. As mentioned in our Rode NT review, "NT-USB claims to offer "studio-quality sound" without studio-quality prices... and the developers might just have managed it. … The name Quadcast refers, oddly enough, to a unique three-diaphragm design that allows for four polar patterns, including an unconventional stereo arrangement. The Beyerdynamic FOX is the best gaming microphone we've tested for recording music. I’ve seen that few sites recommend the Zalman ZM-Mic1, but if you can spare another $10 or so, I would highly recommend the Sony ECM-CS3. Dynamic mics are best suited for artists on large outdoor shows and on-stage performances. For a mic that can handle a broader range of situations, the Yeti X is still preferable. Even more than a great TV, quality audio can transform your gaming experience, and nothing does it better than a gaming headset. The best microphone for streaming, gaming, and who knows what else is often one and the same, so long as you know where to look. When he's not filling the office with the smell of Pop-Tarts, you can find Jorge streaming bad games with his dog or binge-watching an irresponsible amount of superhero TV shows. The venerable Blue Yeti was there at the birth of the streaming boom, and it’s still a ubiquitous desktop feature on Twitch. 2. With great audio interface features, astounding design as well as construction, Samson G Pro makes it in the list with a great score. A: A polar pattern determines how much, and from which direction, an audio signal will be picked up by the microphone. This is a medium-diaphragm condenser with just a cardioid polar pattern available, which makes it somewhat specialized to lone vocal recording, but luckily it’s brilliant at that very thing. A: And as PC gamers, we will, of course, always try to get the best we can for less. The Blue Yeti USB is an excellent USB mic for streamers. Hearing the direct input signal while you’re recording can be really handy. Mic Yes. The Elgato Wave:3 is small but puts up a big fight against distortion. We provide expert tips and advice to help make shopping quick and easy. Sample rate: 44 KHz | Bit rate: 16-bit | Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 KHz | Condenser Type: Fixed-charge plate, permanently polarized | Polar Patterns: Cardioid | Cable length: 10.2 feet (3.1m) | Connectivity: USB Type-A. Also, features here are almost non-existent. A good headset is a staple of online gaming — after all, the only thing that can really destroy a good team battle is someone’s mic going out. Audio Technica ATR2500 - Best Sound. lavalier mic. Cardioid: Records in front of the microphone. It is a notable product considering the quality and price range. It tells you the lowest and highest pitched sounds the mic membrane is capable of picking up. For gaming you'll mostly want a pattern that picks up sounds directly in front of the microphone (you) and not much else from anywhere else (the environment). USB microphones have become more prevalent in recent years, so there are many choices out there. If you're willing to spend a little extra, there's also the Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition. Not everyone needs multiple cardioid patterns and a pile of features. We also could use more bass from the Wave:3. The microphone is flexible and can be positioned according to the convenience of the user. The Blue Yeti USB Gaming Mic is designed to allow you to adjust its recording and sampling rate due to real-time sound monitoring applications. If you can splurge, the Blue Yeti X has everything you need. Best chair for gaming: the top gaming chairs around Best Budget Gaming Microphone: Razer Seiren Mini The best headsets in 2021: headphones with a mic for Zoom, gaming & home working By Ben Andrews 26 January 2021 Great for work and play, the best headsets can improve your your voice clarity for video chat and boost your audio quality The joy here is this dial is just plain easy to turn and much more so than the Yeti. The Samson Go Mic is the best cheap microphone for gaming because not only is it ridiculously affordable, it even clips directly to your gaming laptop. Dynamic mics are best suited for artists on large outdoor shows and on-stage performances. Samson G Pro ought to be considered as one of the best microphones for gaming out there in the market. What helps the Yeti X … Whether you want to venture into the worlds of podcasting, music recording or streaming or are just a gamer who wants to ensure their teammates hear every command barked at them, you'll find the best gaming microphone to tick all of your particular boxes below. This is actually the most popular attachable mic on the market, and its solid specs help demonstrate why. Best Microphone For Gaming: HyperX Quadcast. We'll be testing it soon to see how it competes with the rest of the microphones on this list. The controls couldn’t be easier to use while you’re streaming. Fifine Metal Recording Microphone for Laptop PC (669B) 8. No doubt USB is the simpler of the two, and if you're looking for plug and play ease then it's your best bet. Quick note: we tend to use the Cardioid polar pattern since that's how these mics are used most of the time. It may only have one polar pattern—cardioid—and a few odd design choices like smooth dials, but it remains a brilliant option for those who want to specialize in voiceover and streaming. Having said that, Fifine is a brand that never compromises on the quality and durability of its audio products. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. The built-in shock mount works well to absorb unwanted spikes from desk kicks and the like, while a single volume control and mute button make up the only physical controls, helping the Seiren X retain its slick aesthetic. With great audio interface features, astounding design as well as construction, Samson G Pro … Best Value Microphone for Gaming: HyperX … Here’s our list of the 11 best microphones for gaming. The Blue Yeti’s four polar patterns also give it great versatility, so if you venture out into music recording or podcasting, you’re not limited by a single cardioid pickup pattern. With the added complexity of XLR comes a great deal of flexibility that you otherwise wouldn't be able to access without even more complex digital mixing software on a USB mic. Better yet, you can now get some of the best gaming microphones -- or at least a fairly serious one -- for well below $100/£100. We've tested multiple microphones with different mic settings right the way up to the latest new arrivals in 2021 so that you can compare the audio quality with ease. Finding the best microphone for streaming and gaming can be a daunting prospect. The Sieren Emote display emoticons on the microphone via an 8-bit LED display. Fifine Studio Condenser microphone tops our list for being the best choice for low-budget gamers. Best Gaming Microphone for High-End Streaming, Sample rate: 96 KHz | Bit rate: 24-bit | Frequency response: 70 Hz-20 KHz | Condenser Type: Electret | Polar Patterns: Cardioid | Cable length: 8.2 feet (2.5m) | Connectivity: USB Type-A. The built-in shock mount alone is reason enough to pick up this HyperX mic. Sony Pulse 3D Black/White Over the Ear Gaming … Samson Go Mic Compact USB Microphone. The Best Microphone for Gaming. Note that HyperX also has the QuadCast S mic that was announced this fall with RGB. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. A boom arm certainly helps achieve both of those things. Whether you just want a good microphone for gaming or the absolute best computer microphone, don’t worry: we have you covered. The best cheap gaming headsets can provide all the high-impact audio of a premium mic-and-headphones combo — but at a much more affordable price. © There are inevitably a couple of minor downsides. As great as USB-based gaming mics are, they are but one of two options for the streamer, competitive gamer or home recording enthusiast who happens to play a bit of PUBG on the side. Fit for Twitch streaming, YouTube compression and high-res audio recording, the Wave:3’s small build also makes it easily portable. lavalier mic… Thank you for signing up to PC Gamer. A useful feature since the Yeti X is very sensitive and picks up every nearby clack-click and distant radiator sound. Best computer speakers | Best SSD for gaming | Best CPU for gaming, Specs: Power: 5V | Polar patterns: Super-Cardioid | Connectivity: USB | Frequency response: 20Hz-20,000Hz | Features: built-in shock mount, mute button, zero-latency 3.5 mm headphone monitoring port. You’re never going to accidentally hit the wrong thing mid-stream. Lastly, there's been a rise in budget microphones under $100 whose sound quality can rival some more expensive mics on the market. While the Blue Yeti above is the best gaming microphone for streamers, the Yeti X kicks things up a notch in terms of performance, features and price. The biggest difference between the Quadcast S  and last year's Quadcast is that it offers dynamic RGB lighting, so it looks like you're speaking into a lava lamp. But when it comes to the studio or in-house recordings, a condenser mic is the more preferred choice. At Best Buy Park Lane, we specialize in helping you find the best technology to fit the way you live. V-MODA BoomPro Gaming Microphone. In short, then: the wider, the better. Top comment "Works well on pc...It is well built...It also has a microphone that is very sensitive to picking up other sounds/noises in your room so if I had to have one con with the headset it would be that but I don't do a lot of talking when gaming so this isn't a problem for me but I could see it being an annoyance for those who do want to chat when gaming… You will receive a verification email shortly. Some $50 or less microphones are more than adequate and great for gaming. This mic is similarly priced to the Blue Yeti X also on this list; however, Elgato’s streaming mic only has one polar pattern type, making it less diverse than the Blue Yeti X. AmazonBasics Mini Condenser Microphone – Silver. Included in the box is the microphone, a run of cable wrap (for wrapping your headphone and microphone … So, a question that often comes up is whether it is worth using a gaming headset or upgraded to a dedicated best quality gaming microphone to get the good Audio Quality Possible.. Best Microphone for Gaming 2019. Ideal for one-on-one interviews. Quite the same way, a condenser mic is the best microphone for gaming as well. The Yeti X is one of the best non-XLR microphone you can pick up for under $200. The Razer Seiren X is 50 percent smaller than the original Seiren mic design and packs just as much audio quality. With the JLab Audio Talk GO and Razer Seiren Mini all offering great sound, the HyperX SoloCast about stands above the others because it's essentially giving us the audio chops of its pricier QuadCast S compatriot. This miniature version of the classic Blue Yeti is the perfect microphone for those just starting with streaming. It uses AI powered by your GPU to remove background noise from both your microphone and incoming audio. The Fnatic React Headset is a relatively new offering on the market—it’s the first gaming headset released by esports organization Fnatic. And with good reason. As much as the mics on the best gaming headset have improved over the years, they still can’t hold a candle to the wind when it comes to a plug-in, full-sized microphone. Best webcams: be seen while you get your stream on YouTube 'ASMR' if you want the best example because I couldn't do it just justice. Q: Do I need a microphone boom arm, shock mount, or pop filter? A greater number of condenser capsules brings smoother sound with better sensitivity compared to the standard Yeti. The Beyerdynamic FOX is loaded with features, but ultimately it’s the sheer recording quality and usability that wins out and makes the FOX our pick for home studios. We researched every microphone for gaming. A microphone’s polar pattern describes the area around it in which it picks up noise. The Master & Dynamic MW07 are the best multipurpose gaming earbuds on the market thanks to their rich tone, ergonomic design, and … It's mostly a Seiren X with an exception for LED display and the interchangeable gooseneck stand. Some gaming mics offer a selection of polar patterns, whereas others might only offer one. Here are the best gaming headsets money can buy in 2020. These prevent vibrations from travelling through your microphone stand or boom arm and into the microphone, which can come through as rustle, thuds, or otherwise unwanted noise. In terms of headset microphones, we've been consistently impressed by the mics Razer puts in its higher-end Kraken and Nari headsets, along with the mics … Check it now! This microphone has been around since 2009, and has been the leading choice for streamers since, partially due to how easy it is to use (especially when compared to other USB mics … Specs: Power: 5V | Polar patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo | Connectivity: USB | Frequency response: 20Hz-20,000Hz | Features: Built-in Shockmount. The HyperX Quadcast is the best gaming microphone for most players. You might not make use of that extra quality on platforms that compress audio and video, like YouTube or Twitch, but if you’re into podcasting or music production you’ll be glad for the option to go beyond CD-quality 44 KHz/16-bit. Sample rate: 48 kHz | Bit rate: 16-bit | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 KHz | Condenser Type: Electret | Polar patterns: Supercardioid | Cable length: 3.3 feet (1m) | Connectivity: USB Type-A. But Razer’s best budget gaming mic sounds more dry and flat, pleasing with those who prefer less artificial sounding output. Our testing found that the Yeti X could articulate a wider dynamic range that sounded a bit fuller. Best PC controller: sit back, relax, and get your game on. Perfect for voice-over, vocals, and streaming. And if you've already outfitted yourself with one of the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mice, opting for an excellent standalone mic is a logical next step to tricking out your battlestation. In a straight shootout with the Beyerdynamic FOX,  the AT2020UBS+ comes incredibly close to matching the FOX's warmth and detail but falls slightly short. A: USB microphones are among the most prevalent for gaming and streaming fare, but you'll sometimes see the more widely used professional connection standard, XLR, make its way into high-end units. Beyerdynamic throws in a sturdy metallic pop shield that clips on without the need to unscrew anything, and you can angle the mic on its stand. Bidirectional: Captures audio in front of and behind the mic. NY 10036. It’s not like it is the best though, but to an extent, the Zalman Zm-Mic1 headphone microphone was a better alternative to your gaming headset microphone and at such an affordable price, it comes in on our list as the best budget microphone for live streaming and gaming enthusiasts. Still, if you need a mic for a specific purpose then it’s better to get the best … The HyperX QuadCast is the best gaming microphone for most players because it stands out with great vocal warmth and clarity. The microphone is flexible and can be positioned according to the convenience of the user. Some mics go beyond that gamut though, and though that might seem unnecessary since you can’t hear the extra detail they pick up per se, you can ‘feel’ subharmonics within the low-end frequencies. Or if you're an AMD fan, there's the Asus Noise-cancelling Microphone Adapter instead. Yet, the particular characteristics of the Audio-Technica -- a breathiness and really pleasant high end -- make it perfect for spoken vocals. Although in the real world of hearing damage, it’s usually more like 15 Hz-15 kHz. When used correctly, these can offer higher quality and more versatile recordings. Together, we can transform your living space with the latest HDTVs, computers, smart home technology, and gaming … That's a fantastic microphone in its own right, and we can bear losing the full list of features and range of polar patterns when we want an easy plug-and-play mic. 4 Razer Seiren Emote Streaming Microphone – Most Stylish Microphone for Gaming. Through the use of snappy sensors and ergonomic grips, a quality gaming mouse will give you that extra accuracy and response … I love all this 'Hi-Res' 96/24 kit that then limits input or output to 20Hz-20KHz. Visit our corporate site. Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. The sturdy microphone now has an LED-lit front panel that usefully monitors your volume levels at a glance. You need a mic that sounds great under any circumstance, however, you need to use it so you can play your games comfortably and still look great. For that reason, you need to make sure that there is a user’s guide. The ROG Strix GO 2.4 features an AI-powered noise-canceling microphone, allowing gamers to use the mic in rooms that are crowded with background noise. However, that simplicity comes at a cost. These are the most common polar patterns: language Americas/USA América Latina Americas/USA Argentina … There was a problem. The capacitive mute button is a nice touch with Clipguard tech that automatically adjusts your levels from ever hitting red. If you want to buy quality gaming headsets with noise-canceling mics, here's our curated list featuring a few of the best ones out there. If you want to buy quality gaming headsets with noise-canceling mics, here's our curated list featuring a few of the best ones out there. Best Budget Gaming Microphone Sony ECM-CS3. Those who already own a Yeti don’t have a pressing need to upgrade; however, if you’re in the market for a new desktop microphone and have the budget, the Yeti X is a versatile option with fantastic audio performance. When choosing the best microphone, you'll want to give some thought to how and where you plan to use it. How to Choose the Best Mic for Gaming. The Blue Yeti X is a hybrid model of the Nano and the original Yeti. Saying that, however, there are some useful bits you might want to pick up if you're looking to clear away clutter or build a more professional setup. The downside to XLR is that they will require additional equipment to connect to your PC. These almost always clip onto the side of your desk and are super handy to keep your mic close to hand while off your desk, saving precious real estate. Sure, a perfect microphone is suitable for any kind of activities. Best Mic for PC Gaming Buying Guide Ease of set up. 5. Plus, the in-line mic is perfect for game chat. 3. Sample rate: 48 KHz | Bit rate: 16-bit | Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 KHz | Condenser Type: Electret | Polar Patterns: Cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, stereo | Cable length: 9.8 feet (3m) | Connectivity: USB Type-A. Blue Snowball iCE - Great Value. The V-MODA Boom Pro microphone is suitable for gamers as well as those working from home. The Blue Yeti microphone series has a massive reputation in the USB space, and when you hear the quality, it's easy to see why it's one of the best gaming microphones. The other is XLR-based studio mics, which require an audio interface. It is a notable product considering the quality and price range. Best Gaming Microphone for High-End Streaming: Elgato Wave:3 The biggest and perhaps most useful change comes in the form of Yeti X's Blue Voice software via G Hub. You’ve got to get the best peripherals as well, starting with one of the best PC gaming … Phonezoo.com reviews and compares all best gaming headset with mic for pc for 2021. The single cardioid polar pattern limits the Wave 3's versatility, but if you're looking for the best microphone for their next stream, Elgato has got the mic for you. Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum, Best Wireless RGB Headsets; 11. This best gaming microphone uses a magnet to stick to the base that attaches to your headphones via a strong adhesive. The preamp that outputs this monitoring signal runs a little hot in our experience, distorting well before the mic itself does; however, it’s still a useful feature when the gain’s rolled off. Often, mute buttons and switches make a loud click when recording a thoughtful solution for a common issue. The gamer-centric HyperX Quadcast S is an excellent value microphone for the streamer looking for an easy-to-use, clear sounding mic. Priced right in the mix with our other picks at $130 as of this writing, Logitech’s Blue Yeti is built to a very high standard and will stay where you angle it on its weighty stand. If you're not an RGB fan, you can save yourself $20 and pick up Quadcast since they are the same microphone sans the light show. An excellent little addition to add some character to your stream. Don’t just stop at having one of the best gaming PCs and getting the gaming monitor. For the best mic audio on a gaming headset, look to the Fnatic React Headset The Fnatic React Headset is a relatively new offering on the market—it’s the first gaming headset released by esports organization Fnatic. The Elgato's debut microphone is for streamers who need to idiot-proof the audio on their streams. Lastly, the Blue Yeti USB Gaming Mic … A: I say that audio quality isn’t everything, but it’s still one the most important factors in buying a decent microphone. Microphone Stands. If you’re looking for a cheap gaming microphone, there are a lot of options under $50 or so. Of all the USB microphones we’ve tested, HyperX’s Quadcast impressed us the most in a gaming environment. The QuadCast is one of the best microphones for gaming because most of its features are analog. The best full-tower case in 2021. We’re surprised not to see the former included, but they’re inexpensive to pick up on their own. This is the first thing you need to pay attention to when going for a gaming microphone. How to Choose the Best Microphone for Gaming As a gamer, I know that the right gear makes a lot of difference. When it comes to ensuring you’re voice is heard on the battlefield, nothing quite beats a dedicated standalone USB microphone. This is an important point on the spec sheet of any mic. Still, the fundamental recording quality is there, as is the quality of finish. The Yeti X also offers a broader array of customization options, and on the fly adjustments, you can make with the new smart knob. The difference its 24bit / 48khz recording sample rates make is noticeable, too; putting audio from the Nano and original Yeti side by side reveals that the former is superior by quite a margin. Perfect for round-table interviews, but not so much for gaming or streaming. You can select products based on customer data for best gaming headset with mic for pc. Gigabyte Aorus 15G XC gaming … Visit our corporate site. I’ve seen that few sites recommend the Zalman ZM-Mic1, but if you can spare another $10 or so, I would highly recommend the Sony ECM-CS3. The QuadCast's also supplied with a very sturdy shock mount, so you can relax and get your game face on without having to worry too much about knocking the stand over and deafening your Discord pals. There are hundreds of options when it comes to microphones … There was a problem. CAD U37. 11 Best Microphones For Gaming 1. While a starting range of 100 Hz is well above anything professional-grade, the overall range is perfectly fine for voice communication in and out of game. If there's a main road outside your window or a super loud air conditioner in your bedroom, you'll want to prioritize noise-canceling features to prevent picking up any background noise. But the Quadcast still sounds nice and warm -- with a welcome touch of roominess -- when used in this way. You will, however, be stuck with a supercardioid polar pattern only, while others on this list offer multiple options. 7. The HyperX SoloCast is the best of a slew of new budget-oriented microphones. Best USB mic for streaming: Elgato Wave 3; Best USB mic for recording and podcasting: Blue Yeti X; Best XLR mic: … You ought to determine whether you will be able to set up without requiring help from a third party. There’s also a mute button at the top, and a high-low gain toggle (essentially a pad) at the rear of the mic. However, they come with a reasonably hefty price tag and are generally more difficult to set-up than those that use USB (most likely requiring some external interface). Transducer Dynamic. Same case goes here with this gaming microphone. However, we wished the Yeti X’s dials felt more premium for this price. InnoGear Adjustable Mic … That way we were able to relax and not spend our session worrying about knocking into the desk and picking up bumps and scratches on the waveform. Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR – Best Gaming Headphones without Microphone; 8. KLIM Rhapsody + Gaming RGB Desktop USB Microphone + Best Sound Quality + Voice Recording, Speech Recognition, Streaming + YouTube Podcast Microphone + Compatible Windows Mac PS4 Mic … It's not so much as to prevent it from being an available streaming mic, but we'd hoped for better noise-canceling from Razer given their trumpeted super-cardioid polar pattern. 4. A: Everyone’s desk and setup requirements are different, so a mic must perform well under a handful of different scenarios. Best High-End Gaming Microphone: Blue Yeti X. Gaming and sounding your best are important to you as a streamer, so why not pick up a microphone that showcases you in the best light (or rather, sound) when you're live. The baseline range is 20 Hz-20 KHz because those extremes are also the limits of human hearing. V-MODA BoomPro Gaming Microphone. The Seiren Mini is currently just $50 with sound quality that rivals its close competitor, the Blue Snowball iCE. Another nice feature is the touch-sensitive mute button at the top of the microphone. Another excellent pair of earbuds, the HyperX Cloud features everything you need for immersive gaming. Don't rely on the wimpy mic built into your phone or laptop. Stereo: Perfect for ASMR recordings. 6. Once you're all set with a solid microphone, you might want to check out our guide to the best gaming headsets. So, without further ado, let's have a look. The best microphone for streaming, gaming, and podcasting. 5 MXL 770 Condenser Microphone – Best Value for the Money XLR Microphone for Gaming. PC Gamer is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. You can’t get better sound quality at this price. Certainly a must-have for music studios, unless you are one to slam your way through a match of Apex Legends, you might be okay without. As for that boom arm, the tripod design felt a little wobbly during our testing, so we preferred mounting it up above us on a nice sturdy boom before hitting the record button. In this article, we’re going to go over 6 of our top picks for best gaming mic… It’s just about the easiest mic to use on the market and really excels when picking up a single vocal signal at a time. Our pick for the best gaming earbuds with mic. Behind the cradle, a strikingly dramatic red light illuminates when the mic’s operational. And it does this … While a pop filter will help reduce plosives, the sound of air escaping violently from your mouth and towards the mic, from making their way over to airwaves to your listeners' unfortunate ear holes. The Best USB Microphones for 2021. Omnidirectional: Picks up sound from every direction. But the Seiren Mini is cute, portable and offers you simple, quality audio. Unlike the vast majority of its USB interface peers, the FOX offers hi-res 96 KHz/24-bit recording quality, which is an impressive feat for a mic you can simply plug in via USB and hit record.