This guest post is contributed by Ben Jacklin of Subreel.com
Reaper’s pricing model and accessibility mean that many people take baby steps into recording demos within the software. An option we have now which wasn’t realistic 10-15 years ago was recording with a USB microphone. For some audio engineers, “USB” is something of a dirty word, but in all honesty, the technology can be a superb way to lay down rough demos and ideas within Reaper without having to multi-track or set up loads of recording equipment. USB normally means plug and play, drivers will install themselves and you don’t have to know how to work an audio interface or own a mixing desk to get started.
The Showdown:
There are some more affordable options on the market if you are on a budget, and notable mention goes to both the Blue Mic’s “Snowball” and the Behringer C1. These aren’t elite brands in the world of microphones but they offer a wonderful starting point. However, we’re looking at the best of the best here, and have narrowed it down to two fantastic microphones.
Rode NT-USB USB Condenser Microphone
There are the basics of what makes a professional microphone, and although they’re not the most fun and exciting features, the frequency response and ultra-low noise that are on offer make this a superb model. In fact, many argue that the Rode have surpassed a level of clarity many thought we would never get from USB technology. Being a condenser microphone, its sensitivity is such that it may not be recommended as a live microphone, but this makes sense for a USB mic anyway.
As well as clarity and crisp audio, the NT-USB definitely comes with bells and whistles too. A tripod stand, pop filter and ring mount make this easy to use and give a more professional, rounded sound. The ability to monitor through headphones straight out of the mic is another added bonus, and ensure that you can clearly hear yourself while recording.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone
The AT2020USB+ is another mic which has been met with superb reviews, and is the second contestant in our showdown. In truth, it is tough to split between the two microphones.
Just like the competition, this mic has excellent clarity and ease of us. 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate as well as award-winning quality make this another superb choice of USB mic. As well as being used for instruments and vocals, the AT2020 is a popular mic among podcasters and often used for field recordings, it is very easy to simply plug in and start grabbing high-quality audio.
The Winner
By a fraction, the price, features and clarity of the Rode NT-USB mean that this is the microphone I am going to recommend. However, we’re splitting hairs. For demos and standard home recordings, either of the microphones mentioned will do a good job, and combined with a talented musician and a good recording environment can even lead to recordings which can creep onto professional tracks. The age of the DIY musician truly is here.
About the Author:
Ben is a blogger, musician and studio engineer from the UK who writes music how-to guides, equipment reviews and music industry news at Subreel.com
🐦 Twitter – https://twitter.com/reaperblog
📘 Facebook Page – https://facebook.com/thereaperblog
🤷 Facebook Group – https://facebook.com/groups/reaperblogcommunity
👏 Patreon – https://patreon.com/thereaperblog
👕 Merch Store – https://reaperblog.net/merch
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
Comments
3 responses to “The Best USB Microphones for Recording Demos in Reaper”
i feel that perhaps you should qualify this article with some information about drivers when using reaper in windows. How do you monitor if you are using a USB mic? Are you pretty much forced into making an aggregate device with asio4all?
Both of these mics have headphone jacks on them so you can both monitor zero latency, and receive audio from the computer. Should appear in reaper as a 1 in, 2 out device.
cool, i just thought it ought to have been mentioned, as the article is implying that a usb mic is a good choice for a beginner, whereas it can be a bit of a minefield with regards to drivers and monitoring.