MyStreamSetup Compare the eight current USB/XLR microphones by what each keeps on each connection. Start on USB with nothing else to buy, then move the same microphone to an interface or mixer when you need one.
Updated October 17, 2026 · 8 models
Razer Seiren V3 Pro comes with a desk stand; Shure MV7+ needs a stand or boom arm. Over USB, Shure MV7+ records up to 24-bit, 48 kHz and Razer Seiren V3 Pro up to 32-bit, 96 kHz. Both are more than a stream carries (Twitch takes AAC audio at up to 160 kbps), so the difference matters for recordings you edit.
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| Specs | Shure MV7+ | RØDE PodMic USB (Black) | Razer Seiren V3 Pro | Samson Q2U | FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 | Samson Q9U | RØDE NT1 5th Generation | FIFINE AmpliTank K688 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | ||||||||
| Capsule | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic (humbucking coil) | Condenser (1-inch capsule) | Dynamic |
| Pickup pattern | Cardioid | Cardioid end-address | Cardioid | Cardioid | Cardioid | Cardioid | Cardioid; side-address | Cardioid |
| Needs 48 V phantom power on XLR | No | No | No | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Headphone monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Connectors | USB-C; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone | USB-C; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone | USB-C; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone | USB-C; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone | USB; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone | USB-C; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone | 3-pin XLR; USB-C | USB; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphone |
| Sample rate | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 48 kHz; 96 kHz | 44.1 kHz; 48 kHz | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Bit depth | 16-bit; 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit; 32-bit float through Synapse on Windows | Up to 16-bit | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Software | ||||||||
| Works with | Windows 10 and higher; macOS 12 and higher; iOS 16 and higher; Android 12 and higher | Windows 10+; macOS 10.15+; iOS; Android | Windows for 32-bit float through Razer Synapse | Mac; PC; Chromebook | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | macOS 11 or later (for RØDE Central); Windows 10 version 1803 or later (for RØDE Central) | Not confirmed |
| Size and mounting | ||||||||
| Mount | 5/8-27 thread | Integrated swing mount | 5/8-27 thread; Adjustable arm mount; Removable desktop stand | Mic clip; Desktop tripod stand with extension | Metal desk stand; 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threads | Integrated yoke mount for a boom arm or mic stand | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| In the box | ||||||||
| Included parts | Shure MV7+ microphone; 3 m USB-C-to-USB-C cable; Black foam windscreen; 5/8-inch-to-3/8-inch thread adapter | PodMic USB; External pop filter | Razer Seiren V3 Pro microphone with adjustable arm mount; Removable desktop stand; Removable pop filter; USB cable | Q2U microphone; Mic clip; Tripod stand; Tripod stand extension; Foam windscreen; USB cable (2.25 m); XLR cable (3 m) | AM8 microphone; Metal desk stand; USB cable | Q9U microphone with integrated yoke; 2 m USB-C to USB-C cable; USB-C to USB-A cable; Foam windscreen | NT1 5th Generation microphone; SM6 shock mount with pop filter; SC29 USB-C cable; XLR-6 XLR cable | Not confirmed |
| Before you choose it | ||||||||
| Main check | Use USB for the microphone’s DSP and headphone features. On XLR, plan processing and monitoring at the interface; those USB features do not follow the analog cable. | Choose a mount that supports the microphone’s documented weight. Use USB for its onboard processing, or plan processing and monitoring separately on the XLR route. | Use USB when you want the microphone’s software processing. On XLR, add an interface and do the processing there; the USB features don’t carry over to the XLR output. | Its USB audio is 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz. On the XLR route it needs an interface with a microphone preamp. | The mute, gain, headphone and lighting controls work over USB only; on XLR it is a plain microphone and the interface does that job. No XLR cable comes in the box. | It has no desk stand: plan a boom arm or mic stand. On the XLR route add a cable and an interface; its mute button works on both outputs. | Very sensitive and side-address: speak into its side, in a quiet, treated room. On the XLR route the interface must supply 48 V phantom power. | All its controls work over USB only; on XLR the interface sets gain and monitoring. No XLR cable comes with it, and FIFINE asks for a 2 to 6 inch speaking distance. |
On the makers’ own sites:
Each one plugs straight into a computer over USB and has an XLR output for an interface or mixer later. Q2U and NT1 5th Generation come with an XLR cable; for MV7+, PodMic USB, Seiren V3 Pro, FIFINE AmpliGame AM8, Q9U and FIFINE AmpliTank K688 it is a separate purchase.
On MV7+, PodMic USB, Seiren V3 Pro, FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 and FIFINE AmpliTank K688, the onboard processing or the controls on the microphone work over USB only. On the XLR route, set gain, monitoring and processing at the interface or in OBS. Samson says the Q9U’s mute button works on both.
NT1 5th Generation needs 48 V phantom power from the interface on the XLR route. MV7+, PodMic USB and Seiren V3 Pro need none, their makers say. For Q2U, FIFINE AmpliGame AM8, Q9U and FIFINE AmpliTank K688, the makers don’t say either way.
NT1 5th Generation is the one condenser here: very sensitive, so it suits a quiet, treated room. The other seven are dynamic microphones; Samson describes its dynamic Q2U as less sensitive to background noise and suited to untreated rooms.
MV7+, PodMic USB, Seiren V3 Pro, Q2U, FIFINE AmpliGame AM8, Q9U and FIFINE AmpliTank K688 have a headphone socket on the microphone, so you hear yourself with no delay while it runs over USB. NT1 5th Generation lists no headphone socket: monitor through your interface.
Seiren V3 Pro, Q2U and FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 come with a desk stand. MV7+, PodMic USB, Q9U and NT1 5th Generation come without one, so plan a boom arm or a mic stand.
Shure MV7+
Use USB for the microphone’s DSP and headphone features. On XLR, plan processing and monitoring at the interface; those USB features do not follow the analog cable.
Connections & full profile →RØDE PodMic USB (Black)
Choose a mount that supports the microphone’s documented weight. Use USB for its onboard processing, or plan processing and monitoring separately on the XLR route.
Connections & full profile →Razer Seiren V3 Pro
Use USB when you want the microphone’s software processing. On XLR, add an interface and do the processing there; the USB features don’t carry over to the XLR output.
Connections & full profile →Samson Q2U
Its USB audio is 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz. On the XLR route it needs an interface with a microphone preamp.
Connections & full profile →View at Samson ↗FIFINE AmpliGame AM8
The mute, gain, headphone and lighting controls work over USB only; on XLR it is a plain microphone and the interface does that job. No XLR cable comes in the box.
Connections & full profile →View at FIFINE ↗Samson Q9U
It has no desk stand: plan a boom arm or mic stand. On the XLR route add a cable and an interface; its mute button works on both outputs.
Connections & full profile →View at Samson ↗RØDE NT1 5th Generation
Very sensitive and side-address: speak into its side, in a quiet, treated room. On the XLR route the interface must supply 48 V phantom power.
Connections & full profile →View at RØDE ↗FIFINE AmpliTank K688
All its controls work over USB only; on XLR the interface sets gain and monitoring. No XLR cable comes with it, and FIFINE asks for a 2 to 6 inch speaking distance.
Connections & full profile →View at FIFINE ↗This table lists models you can buy now. An older model you already own can still do the job: add it in the setup builder and test it. Different colors of one model are not listed separately, and a newer version can need different ports or software from the one before it.
Once a microphone is plugged in, check its level and hear yourself back in the microphone test.