Microphones for Zoom & Teams Meetings for Beginners
In this episode, we cover the basics you need to know when choosing a USB microphone for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or any other online meetings. We teach you the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones and when you might want to choose each. We cover directionality, also referred to as polar patterns. And then we demo two different USB microphones — the Shure MV7 and the RODE NT-USB Mini.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses at https://school.learnlightandsound.com including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Support my work creating videos by donating at https://ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
– Shure MV7 dynamic USB microphone – B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/bTlN3S
– RODE NT-USB Mini condenser USB microphone – B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/4bjFJ9d
– Desk microphone stand – B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/cJUHuw
– Westone in-ear monitors UM Pro 50 (these are super expensive which is why I didn’t talk about this particular set in detail here…) – B&H https://bhpho.to/3AvdXfo
– Canon C70 camera – B&H https://geni.us/ABYB
– Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens – B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/qwsEs
– Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K – B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/uK8UqB
– Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 lens – B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/bhOWVlW
– Aputure C120D II LED light – Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/deg3
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: https://geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd
#Microphone #Zoom #Teams
Index:
00:00 Start
00:17 Summary
00:27 Introduction and secrets to better sound
03:24 Dynamic microphones
04:24 Condenser microphones
05:44 Directionality
06:07 Omni-directional polar patterns
07:36 Cardioid polar patterns
08:54 Condenser microphone sample RODE NT-USB Mini
09:22 NT-USB Mini male voice sample
09:29 NT-USB Mini female voice sample
09:39 Shure MV7
10:10 Shure MV7 male sample
10:18 Shure MV7 female sample
10:28 Which type of microphone should you choose?
11:04 Where to find more samples of other types of microphones?
11:24 Microphone stands – future episode
11:48 Please buy my courses
can we use rode video mic pro plus as input mic? for teams calls.. and how?
The Shure MV7 has a "far" mode where you can apparently talk up to 18" away. It would have been nice to see you test that feature.
Thank you for the nice video! I would like to ask about the synchronicity between SHURE MV7 and Teams regarding the mute function. When the mute button on the MV7 device is pressed, does the microphone icon on the teams screen also switch to mute? Or will only the mv7 device itself be muted? Best regards.
Thanks Curtis, your tips are just awesome!
good video 🙂
Great video! How can I keep the microphone out of frame but keep that high quality sound?
Thanks!
Excellent, thank you.
Can I ask a silly question why use a setup like a desktop microphone vs a headset with a mouthpiece/mic like a jabra headset with a mic that goes to your mouth?
Wait….I’m a beginner and I’m confused…! Why do you plug the earphones into the microphone during Zoom and not the laptop… Isn’t the laptop sound what you want to cut?
Good description. I use Zoom for training puppies as I walk around. any recommendation on the best remote microphone that I can wear? I stream via mac book pro or iphone/ ipad
Thanks to you, I, too, I am quite SHURE of the fact!
from all mic video i watched the DPA 4060 was the best.. i wonder about their headsets and their shotgun mic 4099
against the other bests like COS etc.. and if there is true cheaper alternatives that sound as good to these in the 200$ range
Rode NT does NOT work with Teams on my work computer; $150 waste 😢
You clearly you know your stuff and you have it all the way you speak and how you explain to someone who can’t make a difference between a microphone and a rock says it all! Congratz, thank you! Subbed! "I shall tell my friends about this channel – in a Clint Eastwood voice"
Wow. What a good explanation!!!!!!!!!!🎉
Great content thank you helps a lot! Would love to know more about placing the desk, the mic (eg small diaphragm condenser boomed overhead or close to the table to, do lavs work in rooms like 10×11х8 🙏🙏
What camera did you use to make this video?
Excellent explanation, tky
Nice guide! Appreciate the effort! Also good to see you guys reading an excerpt from A Study In Scarlet!
Question – if I enable some effects & settings on windows using the RØDE Connect software. Will it be carried over to other devices, like my PS5 or iPad. Bcz I cannot install any software on those devices to control this mic. Please can you answer??? I am looking forward to this only on my PS5 for streaming, gaming recording. I saw that this has a NOISE GATE built in which is triggered by the software. And software is only on Windows & Mac.
So what I’m thinking is, I’ll connect this mic to my windows laptop, enable noise filter & then take this to my PS5/ipad. But i need to know if the setting done on windows software will work on ps5/ipad.
Hi Curtis. Thanks for the video. This is one of the first videos that start to explain using headphones with the MV7 for the purpose of Zoom calls. What I am still trying to figure out before buying either the MV7 or Bluet Yeti – both have the monitoring headphone jack – is, if I plug my headphones into the jack on the mic, will I hear both myself and the computer’s audio (Windows 10) or would I have to either (a) change the computer’s audio out source to be the MV7 or (b) should I just be plugging in the headphones into the laptop’s headphone jack. Thanks!
What if I don’t want to put on a headphone and can’t mute every time in a call. Do I have any option?
Great video! Is the future video on microphone stands still coming? I’d be very interested in that
Great video Curtis!
I bought a rode NT USB a couple of days ago but have huge problems with MS Teams, which is auto adjusting the gain to 100%. Do you know a solution for this? Will switching to mic with physical gain control help?
Curtis, I am hosting a church meeting via zoom and people listening in on the meeting in their homes cannot hear people around the meeting room via their computer or iPad. They hear the meeting leader, just not the other participants who are within about 10 feet of my laptop.
I bought a small Samson Go Mic to try to enable them to hear better. First, will this help them to hear better once set up properly? Second, how do I set it up on an HP laptop using Windows 10? Thanks! Jim Nothoff
This was really helpful. Thanks.
So my wife and I Zoom with family using an IPad. Can I use one microphone to pick up both our voices or would I need two microphones? What about two lavaliers? If I used two microphones how would I connect two mics to an IPad for Zoom either Lavalier or the other and also dynamic or condenser?
Just got the RODE NT-USB Mini For my iPad for language lessons for zoom but it doesn’t seem to allow sound on my iPad or allow me to connect my blue tooth headphones, i dont own a laptop just my iPad… this seems to suck.
Having a bit of a time with my situation: A Board meeting of about 8 people sitting at tables in a U shape and an audience who sit across from the board and they ask questions/make comments. I picture Lav mics hanging from the ceiling wirelessly. A couple of mics over the Board members and a couple above the audience. All the mics go into a computer along with a broad view camera. Audio doesn’t need to be excellent just to be able to hear talking. This is in a clubhouse setting. How do I combine all the mics? DJI makes a pair of wireless mics but how do I combine 2 pairs of mics and then a camera? Thank you. I’ve watched a lot of similar videos but none that address what I think we want. Would appreciate your feedback!
Thanks a lot, really useful. The rode one seems to be a fit for me. A short note on where to position it on the desk would have been useful. I dont know whether it should be behind or in front of the keyboard etc
The constant touching of the microphones without explanation caused me to stop watching this video.
Hey mate, what’s your view on the Shure MOTIV MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone? I would like to record audio for presentations and podcasts besides the usual Zoom meetings. Is this a good mic?
Well done! I’m glad you touched on reduction of mic quality when noise suppression of any kind is added in the mix. there’s a common misconception we need to get better at explaining on our videos. We regularly get comments wondering why headset microphones with noise cancellation don’t sound as good as your microphone in this video. And as you mentioned with noise cancellation of any kind, comes reduction of mic quality, but it sure beats callers hearing you in a coffee shop, kids screaming, dogs barking, co-workers talking etc..
I wonder why I’ve never thought of move my earphone wires at back to hide the clutter from camera!
I feel headache when I use my mv7 microphone, and I feel heavy energy (electricy or waves) comming out of it. had any of you felt this before?
This is a nice video, I wish I saw this before my purchase which I am having problems with. The volume is way too low despite being at max gain knob on scarlett 2i2 and a fist away distance from sm57. On your video you could move a good distance away and still be heard but for me it barely picks me up
Hey,
thank you for the video!
Our small company works a lot with Teams meetings and in the past, we were using the Jabra Evolve 65. Now, we want something better. First, I tried a lot of mics from Shure, Rode, etc. that cost between 60 and 100 €, but all of them sounded terrible, especially without post-production. Now, I don’t really know what we should get. The mic has to be very portable, not block the face, have decent sound quality, and not cost more than 120€. Do you have any suggestions?
We mostly present via MS Teams in medium or small rooms.
What about meetings in noisy environments?
I’ve been learning Mandarin during the pandemic online and I’m getting so frustrated with my earbuds mic. It doesn’t pick up my voice well enough and I feel like my online teachers can’t hear the nuance of my tones and pronunciation. I’ll look into these two mics, if ever you have specific advice for online language classes, I’d love to hear your thoughts too if that would change anything in your current recs 🙏
Bought a Rode NT-USB as a marriage gift for a close friend. Thanks for the recommendation, but my pockets feel lighter.
You are Dr Berg of tech! Nice Info
Is it possible to use an H2n for virtual meetings? I play the trombone and I need to improve my audio.
Thanks!
Great job clearly describing the different uses of microphones. You covered the main types such as dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones and their specific applications, such as live performances, podcasting and studio recordings. You also highlighted the importance of microphone placement and the role it plays in capturing sound. Your explanation was easy to follow and informative, making it clear that you have a deep understanding of the subject. Keep up the good work!
Hi, question. If I am using a USB microphone during meeting and I wanna play some music on the background, can I use my USB microphone and my phone as the sound source alone? Or do I still need an an external soundcard for it?
2+2 = 5
Curtis, we love these professional informative videos — thank you! Both of these
mics get the best sound at around 6 inches… however, what would you recommend for someone (like me) who spends hours every day on Zoom calls but wants to move around more, swing back in the chair, dive forward to make a point and wave my arms around? What’s a step up from my built-in MacBook mic, but without the physical proximity requirements? This is probably what 90% of individual workers need, I would guess. Many thanks!
Just a question for anyone willing to answer: I teach K – 5 reading online via Zoom. As a part of my instruction, I regularly articulate letter-sounds in isolation (e.g. the /f/ "Fred," etc.). So far, I’ve used the built-in mic on my MacBook, the mic on my Logitech camera and a Logitech H390 headset and none of these have allowed me to articulate letter-sounds clearly for my students. And I’m not having issues with all letter-sounds, but the ones that tend to be a problem are the aforementioned /f/, the /k/ as in "cat," the /h/ as in "Henry" and the /t/ as in "Tom." Does anyone have any suggestions re: microphone? Any feedback anyone could provide would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Wonderful, Curtis. This is an excellent instructional video, and you answered all of my questions none of the other videos did. I’ve decided I’m going for the Rode. One question though: can it be mounted to a desk-top mic stand such as the On-Stage DS7200QRB quick-release adjustable desktop microphone stand? Thanks.
Thanks for the great video, good detail in an easy to understand manner.