As of July 2020, there are over 1 MILLION podcasts with 29 MILLION episodes around the world! 55% of Americans have listened to a podcast in 2020. (Statista)
That means the world of podcasts is attractive and gaining momentum. So, what microphone are they all using and which is best?
This is my mic, the
If you’re in the world of sound, you might be looking for a microphone. And if you’re starting, you likely don’t have a whole system set up in a recording studio. Nor are you looking to invest an arm and a leg into your equipment.
I’ve got two GREAT microphones that will get you your bang for your buck.
The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Microphone and the
For a beginner mic, the 2100x is relatively cheap, produces professional sound quality with other attractive features. Honestly, it’s a fantastic mic even for pros and audio connoisseurs.
I’ll quickly go through their specs and then dive right into their differences, similarities.
Then we’ll list their pros and cons, the
Table of Contents
ATR 2100x-USB Microphone Specs
The Audio-Tech ATR 2100x – USB Microphone looks like your traditional hand-held mic, sitting on a tripod desk stand.
This great entry-level microphone records and produces professional-quality sound with USB and XLR outputs and is only cardioid dynamic (explained later).
It comes with a desk stand so you can immobilize the mic and station it wherever you want.
It’s also got a headphone output jack with level control and a built-in analog-digital converter. So you can monitor the audio coming out of the mic.
The ATR2100x is 1.61 lbs in weight with dimensions of 10′ x 7′ x 3′ and runs on USB cord power.
The 2100x gets sold with accessories:
- stand clamp
- tripod desk stand
- mini USB cable
- XLRF-Type to XLRM-type cable.
For a beginner mic, the 2100x is relatively cheap, produces professional sound quality with other attractive features. Honestly, it’s a fantastic mic even for pros and audio connoisseurs.
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone Specs
As the name suggests, the
The
- a tri-capsule array for multiple polar pattern selections (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo) with gain control
- a mute button
- headphone output
If you need to interview multiple people with one mic, then the Yeti has versatile settings to do it.
If you don’t know what this means, don’t worry, it is explained in the later sections.
The
The
Differences
Alright, that was a lot of technical wording in describing the two microphones. Let’s explain further and break down their differences.
Design
Unlike the 2100x, you can’t hold the
The
The
Aesthetically, the
The 2100x, on the other hand, is like your traditional microphone.
The body (handle) becomes skinnier, the closer to the bottom you get.
Functionality
The
The added XLR output of the 2100x allows for mobile podcasting for those who are on-the-go to plug in directly into a digital recorder, like the Zoom H4n Pro or H6. Or any other interface that accepts an XLR, like a mixer.
The
Perhaps the most significant difference between the
A dynamic mic, on the other hand, is specific to one focused sound being fed directly into the mic. It is less sensitive to details and sounds around.
The polar patterns of the 2100x and
The three capsule condenser of the
- The stereo pattern optimizes recording one voice and a few instruments.
- The cardioid function can is used for a single voice facing the mic.
- Bi-directional pattern records two people, sitting face-to-face, on opposite sides of the mic.
- The omnidirectional pattern picks up noise and audio being picked up by the mic from every direction.
The dynamic cardioid pattern of the 2100x, on the other hand, optimizes audio being fed into the mic directly from the front. The 2100x is limited to the single design of the cardioid, maximizing one speaker.
While the condenser feature of the
Both the
Finally, the 2100x mic is powered through a plug-in, while the
Similarities between the ATR2100 and Yeti
There aren’t too many similarities between the ATR 2100x and the
The two microphones both come with their own stands, so you don’t have to make additional purchases to begin your podcast.
Their relatively small size allows for ease of portability for podcasters needing to move around from space to space between interviews.
The two microphones both have the headphone jack features so you can plug in your headphones to hear how you sound and the quality of what’s recorded. This allows the speaker to adjust their audio input (distance from the mic, the volume of voice, etc.) as needed.
The 2100x and the
Pros and Cons of ATR2100x
Pros
- Portability – Small size and weight
- Hand-held – some speakers prefer holding their mic to be closer. Others like to pace while they speak
- Lightweight – Easier for travel purposes
- Simple usability – Single function with high quality
- Optimized for one-directional sound input
- Plugs directly into a computer
- Plugs straight into mobiles and tablets
- Plug-in power
- Headphone Jack – You can hear yourself being recorded
- Cardioid pattern reduces background noise
Cons
- Limited to dynamic cardioid polar pattern
- The stand is very cheap in quality
- Sound input isn’t as sensitive. If you are too far, you might lose some content.
- The on/off switch is heavy and can cause loud sounds in audio recording.
- You can’t share this mic between multiple people.
Pros and Cons of the Yeti
Pros
- Portability
- Versatility: Multiple polar patterns perfect for almost any setting
- Adjustable sound-input sensitivity (gain control)
- Adjustable headphone volume
- Mute Button
- USB connection
- Share mic between you and at least one other speaker
Cons
- Heavier to carry
- No hand-held option
- Design flaw: when mic tilted toward a direction, the cord gets caught and is bent (possible damage)
- Requires batteries
- No XLR – can’t use it with XLR devices.
- Can be too sensitive in picking up other noises
- Users have reported that the mini USB cable isn’t great.
Who should use the ATR2100x?
The ATR2100x is perfect for podcasters recording a single voice with no background audio requirements. Its simple cardioid polar pattern allows for the new podcaster with little editing experience to begin a professional-quality sounding podcast. The cardioid polar pattern by nature reduces background and auxiliary noises not directly fed into the mic.
Inspiration can hit you at any time. You might be on the go and would like to record a small clip. The 2100x accommodates this by way of its lightweight and portability and compatibility with mobile and tablet devices.
A new podcaster without a specified recording room/studio can benefit from the portability and easy set-up of the 2100x. The natural reduction of background noise helps you ensure some consistency if you are recording in new spaces.
For podcasters whose interviews occur online and you need only one microphone, this is the perfect mic for you. The simplicity of the 2100x is all you need. Because of its cardioid pattern and natural background noise reduction functions, the 2100x will reduce or not pick up computer noises as you likely need to be close to your computer for online interviews.
This mic is also perfect for solo vocalists and gamers who can fix the microphone close to their faces for pure vocal input while reducing background noise.
Finally, some people like to pace and stand when they talk to help optimize their thinking. The hand-held feature allows these podcasters to move about freely as they record and interview. The cardioid pattern benefits this greatly to eliminate and minimize movement noises.
It’s a great microphone, not to mention that it’s a cheaper alternative.
Who should use the Blue Yeti ?
The condenser mic and multipolar patterns of the
Its bi-directional and omnidirectional patterns allow you to share one mic between you one other interviewee or multiple interviewees speaking from various directions. The condenser sensitivity allows for the various speakers to sit quite a ways away from the
The
Due to its more substantial and sensitive nature, the
The
What Mic is Better than Blue Yeti ?
Similarly, the ATR 2100x is better than the
But overall the
So while some mics might be better in some categories, overall the
Are Blue Yeti worth it?
Due to the high price point that comes with a
In short, we would say yes, the
It has an excellent sound quality that is in no way overpowering and instead perfectly compliments the host without hurting the ears of those listening.
However, it is worth noting that the
Is Blue Yeti good for vocals?
Yes, as we have established,
It is due to this microphone’s excellent ability at recording vocals that it has become one of the most popular USB microphones that money can buy, especially for professional recordings.
So if you host a podcast and want a good microphone to help you record your vocals for the show, then a
Final Thoughts
If you’re just beginning, these are both great microphones to get started.
Choose the mic that will support your long-term trajectory and consider your supporting devices and recording systems.
Depending on your purposes and situations, either of these mics will produce quality recordings that podcasters, both novice and masters, are using.
Further Reading from the manufacturers: Blue Yeti and AT2100x