XLR vs USB? Audio geeks needed!

Some say there might be a slight difference between analog jacks and USB, because USB is pure a pure digital port, the quality might be a a bit better. But since you are not an audio geek, I'm pretty sure you won't notice any difference even if you put your soul into it.

I'd say get the cheaper way of hooking up the Mic into your PC Also, the XLR-to-USB adapter might prove hard to come by (I personally never seen it in any retail store).

Normally I would suggest getting an Audio Interface if you're trying to do something professional with that Mic, like a PreSonus Firebox or M-Audio Fasttrack (you can find them in Guitar Center) and then you won't need any adapters.

Hope this helps :)

most xlr mics require additional power, you may need an adapter like this which can provide the proper voltage and power output.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302593501&sr=8-1

or this

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-X2U-XLR-to-USB-Signal-Adapter/dp/B001PPXFAG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302593501&sr=8-2

if you use a USB adapter, you probably wont notice any difference in audio quality, you generally need a much higher end mic to start noticing the limitations of a USB adapter.

I have used a few mics and USB adapters and things sounded great.

The biggest thing that will probably effect your audio quality is making sure that you have a pop filter (DIY ones work extremely well). Then another major effect in quality is having a room with some foam pads on the walls and ceiling, or a decent sized closet they you can get padded so when recording, the mic picks up just your voice and not much else.

I'm not an audio geek, but I had experienced the direct USB sound quality, it's bad unless there is an external audio card with the microphone. I always preferred the jacks. BTW USB is worse and tested by me and my mate, you still can try it but I gave my opinion.

Plain and simple, USB Mics I wouldn't trust for anything that might be "archival" audio. I place these in the same category as I do USB turntables.

What most people think is:

"Oh look a mic/turntable I can plug in USB and not deal with my soundcard..."

...EXCEPT...most people forget that USB is also a POWER source as well. Power signals (60Hz buzz) and audio signals have crossed paths many times before and is not a pleasant sound. (for those that have perfect pitch, will know this buzz as Bb, octave below tenor) USB can cause this. Not in "all" cases, but in a lot of them.

What I used for a while when I was a huge web chatter with a mic, was an AT-2020 (Audio Technica) cardioid condenser mic, that was plugged into a little 48v phantom power supply (from ART) and the "output" from that utilized a cable that was XLR on one end, and 1/4" jack on the other. (which I fit an 1/8" adapter on to plug directly into my "Mic" input on my sound card)

This was great, no "noise", easy setup, and no software/drivers to have to deal with, no software conflicts (stand-alone mic driver cancelling out existing sound card driver, etc.)

Just my two cents, but as an audiophile, and an avid follower of microphones, I can tell you, in the end this is really one of the best ways to do it. All in all, I would suggest XLR all the way.

Good luck.

you need an interface to not only power the microphone but to send the signal to your computer. They also allow you to eq the sound aswell but that can also be done in pro tools or cubase. You can also just buy an adapter form radio shack and split the signal out from your PA to the input jack but I wouldn't recommend it. an Audio Interface is the way to go. You can pick up a single channel interface for cheap these days.

I have some questions from "Rizzy's" post. Maybe Rizzi can answer or anyone? I am working on setting up a home studio for voice over work. Still very much in the learning phases. Here are my questions posted in bold letters after Rizzi's statements:

Plain and simple, USB Mics I wouldn't trust for anything that might be "archival" audio. I place these in the same category as I do USB turntables. I gather these are bad?

What most people think is:

"Oh look a mic/turntable I can plug in USB and not deal with my soundcard..." Should I be concerned about using only the soundcard that exists in my laptop? Is this one of the arguments for getting an audio interface?

...EXCEPT...most people forget that USB is also a POWER source as well. Power signals (60Hz buzz) and audio signals have crossed paths many times before and is not a pleasant sound. (for those that have perfect pitch, will know this buzz as Bb, octave below tenor) USB can cause this. Not in "all" cases, but in a lot of them. Never thought of the USB as a power source--just thought it was connecting to the power source--the laptop's battery or plugged in.

What I used for a while when I was a huge web chatter with a mic, was an AT-2020 (Audio Technica) cardioid condenser mic, that was plugged into a little 48v phantom power supply (from ART) and the "output" from that utilized a cable that was XLR on one end, and 1/4" jack on the other. (which I fit an 1/8" adapter on to plug directly into my "Mic" input on my sound card) So this means that the mic did not have a USB plug? You had to connect to the power supply (is that the same thing as the audio interface?) then use a cable from audio interface to USB jack on computer?

This was great, no "noise", easy setup, and no software/drivers to have to deal with, no software conflicts (stand-alone mic driver cancelling out existing sound card driver, etc.) So the software I am using is Garageband, right? How does it compare to Audacity or the very expensive DigiDesign M-Box with ProTools LE bundle that my teacher recommends?

Just my two cents, but as an audiophile, and an avid follower of microphones, I can tell you, in the end this is really one of the best ways to do it. All in all, I would suggest XLR all the way. To clarify, you say go XLR to an audio interface rather than get a USB condenser mic that attaches directly to the laptop?