Yesterday, we explored how overwhelming microphone selection can be, especially for beginners.
Today, let’s zoom in on one key distinction that affects both your recording setup and sound quality: USB vs. XLR microphones.
What’s the Difference Between USB and XLR Mics?
At the most basic level, it’s all about how the microphone connects to your computer.
A USB microphone plugs directly into your computer via a USB cable. It’s simple, convenient, and portable.
An XLR microphone doesn’t connect directly to your computer. Instead, it connects to an audio interface (like the Scarlett 2i2), which then connects to your computer via USB.
So the XLR setup adds an extra device between your mic and computer. But does that extra step matter?
The Role of an Audio Interface
To understand the difference, we need to look inside the audio interface.
An interface like the Scarlett 2i2 USB contains two important components:
A Preamp (short for pre-amplifier)
A Sound card
When you speak into a microphone, the signal it generates is tiny—too tiny for a computer to handle directly. So the preamp boosts that signal to a usable level, and the sound card converts it into digital audio for storage and editing.
In the case of a USB mic, this whole process still happens, but the preamp is built inside the microphone itself, and your computer’s internal sound card does the digital conversion.
At first glance, that might seem simpler. Why buy an audio interface when USB mics already have everything built-in?
Why XLR Still Matters (and Why USB Isn’t Inferior)
Here’s where the technical trade-offs come in.
Noise: When you put the preamp inside the microphone, the circuit tends to generate a little more noise. That’s because everything is packed closely together, and signals can interfere with each other. In contrast, keeping the preamp outside the mic (as in an XLR + interface setup) usually results in cleaner audio, especially in quiet environments.
Sound quality: Built-in computer sound cards are decent, but not designed for professional audio conversion. An external audio interface typically does a better job of preserving audio fidelity.
Flexibility and upgrade paths: The XLR ecosystem is vast. You’ll find more microphone models, better long-term upgrade options, and more control over your signal chain.
That said, modern USB microphones are much better than they used to be.
Thanks to advances in technology, it’s often hard to tell the difference in quality between a good USB mic and an XLR mic.
What About Portability?
That’s one big area where USB wins.
If you travel or record on the go, you’ll appreciate the plug-and-play simplicity of a USB mic. An XLR mic, on the other hand, requires you to pack:
The microphone
The XLR cable
The audio interface
Your laptop
Definitely not ideal for travel.
So Which One Should You Get?
Honestly, it depends.
If you're just starting out, a USB mic can be a solid, affordable, and practical choice. If you’re planning to build a home studio and want the best flexibility and long-term quality, consider investing in an XLR mic + interface.
But we’re just scratching the surface.
In the next few days, I’ll walk you through other important considerations, like:
Condenser vs Dynamic mics
Microphone polar patterns (cardioid, omni, etc.)
How your room affects mic performance
To make sure you don’t miss those tips, just reply to this email with “More microphone tips”.
That helps both my mailing system and your email provider know that these emails are important to you.
Bonus: Visual Examples
Here are some Amazon affiliate links to help you visually identify USB vs XLR microphones and audio interfaces. I’m not recommending anything yet—just giving you a sense of what’s what:
(All the above microphone and audio interface links are Amazon Affiliate links)
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Thanks for reading. More helpful tips are on the way.
