3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones [2023 Review]

Recording with the best omnidirectional microphone is simple and can provide significant tonal benefits without the use of excessive amplification. Many people believe that omnidirectionalmicrophones aren’t suitable for recording or live sound, but this is simply not the case.

If you’re looking for a USB microphone, you most likely have a specific application in mind. What works for live streaming games may not work for music, and the pure signal you get from a top-tier microphonegeared at musicians may deliver far more quality (and far less convenience) than you require for a podcast.

No, not all USB microphones are created equal, which might make finding the correct one for your needs a challenge. That is why we included the 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones for youin this review. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming

Features: The cardioid mode will be used by the majority of people. It’s ideal for podcasts, gaming, streaming, webinars, and phone conversations because it concentrates the pickup patternto the front.

In omnidirectional mode, the sound is picked up equally from all directions. It will sound distant, but it’s ideal for conference calls or other circumstances when sound quality isn’t crucial yet numerousindividuals need to be recorded.

If you need a distinct separation of the left and right channels,the stereo mode is a suitable option. It also works well for recording instruments, though cardioid is usually a better option.

If you are looking for the 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones, you should give this one a chance. The Yeti has a mini-USB port as well as a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones. The headphone output volume iscontrolled by the front-facing Volume knob, while the microphone input is silenced by the red-LED Mute button.

The Yeti’s sensitivity is controlled by a rear-facing Gain knob, and the Pattern switch chooses one of four pickup patterns—internal settings that focus the mic’s audio capture to specified locations infront, behind, or all around it.

This Pattern control is a little difficult to switch, however, Blue fixed this in later Yeti upgrades. It was about as painless as it gets to set up the Yeti. With Windows 10 or higher, and MacOS 10.13 orhigher, it’s plug-and-play (no drivers required).

It can also be charged via USB. In some software programs, such as Audacity or GarageBand, you may need to select the Yeti as an audio input and/or output.

Runner Up: Rode Reporter Omnidirectional Dynamic Interview Microphone

Features: The Rode Reporter Omnidirectional Handheld Interview Microphone is designed for use in the field for interviews and presentations. Internally, the dynamic transducer capsule isshock-mounted for handling and low-frequency ambientnoise rejection.

The mic also has a speech-specific frequency response, with a boost between 4 and 10 kHz for improved intelligibility. The Reporter may be placed between you and your interview subject, with a forgivingomnidirectional pickup pattern that is well-suited for interviews, without the need to modify its placement to pick up both speakers.

Internally, the microphone has a multi-layer mesh basket that works as a windscreen, decreasing plosives and eliminating the need for an external windshield. If you are looking for the 3 Best OmnidirectionalMicrophones, you should give this one a chance.

It also features a tremendously lengthy handle, allowing you to imitate Bob Barker by shoving the microphone in the face of an interviewee. Most notably, the capsule of the microphone ispositioned on an internal shock mount to reduce handling noise.

This mic’s frequency response is 70Hz to 15kHz, which is within a conventional dynamic mic’s range. Given the use case, the fact that this rolls off around 70Hz is actually a positive thing. If you’re ina noisy environment or outside, this frequency response will assist you to remove low rumbles or wind sounds.

The Reporter is a handheld interview and presentation microphone with an omnidirectional dynamic capsule that gives the user flexibility of movement without the technique concerns that come withdirectional end-address microphones.

Best for Budget: Samson Technologies Samson G-Track Pro SAGM1UPRO

Features: The Samson G-Track Pro USB mic is a comprehensive recording solution for podcasters and home recordists, including a multipattern USB condenser microphone, audio interface, andmixer.

The G-Track Pro is a full-size studio mic with cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-of-eight pickup patterns with adual-diaphragm, 1-inch capsule. It comes with a built-in headphone amp and a desk stand, and it’s the first USB mic we have seen with a 1 megohm instrument input.

It records at up to 24-bit/96 kHz, unlike other USB microphones, which only record at 48 kHz and typically at a depth of only 16 bits. If you are looking for the 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones, you shouldgive this one a chance.

Check out the Samson G-Track Pro if you’re looking for something a little more versatile than a standard USB microphone. It’s ahigh-quality condenser microphone with a built-in USB audio interface that can effortlessly record guitars, basses, and other instruments.

You can record yourself singing and playing guitar without any other equipment if you plug this snazzy black G-Track Pro onto your computer. The built-in audio interface captures audio at96 kHz/24-bit, which is towards the top of the range for professional studios.

A 1/4″ mono instrument input on the interface allows singer/songwriters to swiftly capture vocal and instrument performances at the same time. For streaming content, the mic and instrument can be recordedon the same track, or on separate tracks for postproduction editing.

Buyer’s Guide for 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones

If you are still not sure which one to get, keep reading our Buyer’s Guide below.

What is an Omnidirectional Microphone, and how does it work?

Omnidirectional microphones are those that gather up sound from all sides or directions of the microphone with equalgain. This means that regardless of whether a user speaks into the microphone from the front, back, left, or right, the signals will be recorded with equal gain.

Unidirectional microphones, on the other hand, pick up sound with high sensitivity just from one side. Because it records sound from all directions, 0o to 360o, with equal strength, omnidirectional microphonesshow a circular polar plot.

What Should You Pay for a Mic?

USB microphones come in a wide range of prices, and we’ve done our best to test products across the board. Spending more money does not always imply a better product, although there does appear to be areasonable quality-price relationship.

Check out the extras that come with your microphone. You may need your own mic stand, pop filter, or even a shock mount, depending on what and where you plan to record.

Those three pieces alone are easily worth more than $100. For some users, a microphone that comes with its own stand and windscreen or pop filter is the better option.

Effect of Proximity

The proximity effect is an audio phenomenon in which thelow-frequency sensitivity of the microphone increases as it gets closer to the sound source. If you’ve ever spoken into a microphone, you’ve probably noticed how your voice gets louderand deeper as the mike gets closer to your mouth.

Conclusion: 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones [2023 Review]

We’ve completed our review of the best omnidirectional mics, and it’s been a fascinating experience. We noticed a variety of products from various brands, each with its own set of features. It’s now up tous to choose one of the many to be designated our day’s pick.

After thoroughly examining all of the products, we prioritized two factors above all others. These are adaptability andsimplicity. We chose the Blue Yeti USB Mic as our Top Omni Directional Mic based on these two parameters.

We believe it provides the best value for those two factors while also providing good overall quality. We hope you liked our 3 Best Omnidirectional Microphones review and it was helpful.