Microphone is a basic audio equipment that most of us are going to use or used at a certain point. They are everywhere from the earbuds you currently wear to the smartwatch on your wrist but, for a recording purpose a dedicated microphone such as Apogee MiC Vs Shure MV88 will be more reliable, especially for the more common media content. If you wonder which of the two will be the better option, let’s see below about what these USB microphones can offer.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
- Are You Currently Looking for a USB Microphone
- What are Apogee MiC and Shure MV88
- How are the Built of Apogee MiC and Shure MV88
- How are the Setup of Apogee MiC and Shure MV88
- How are the Sound Quality of Apogee MiC and Shure MV88
- How are the Convenience of Apogee MiC and Shure MV88
- Apogee MiC Vs Shure MV88
USB Microphones
Our technology has advanced a lot from when our parents are still using their cable telephone to communicate with each other and sending letters to their friends and family who lived far away. It seems that everything is getting more convenient now from communication, recreation, and even creating something that can be shared with other team members. Even with very traditional equipment like microphone, our technology now makes them more versatile to be incorporated in various applications; not only by professionals but almost anyone who needs them.
In the past we are all familiar with microphones that are connected with TRS or XLR which usually we will be connecting to an interface to send the audio signal to either speaker or to a board for further processing and recording. Today, we have another type of connector and it is a USB so instead of connecting the microphone to an interface, we can directly plug it to the computer or other smart device for various purposes including streaming or recording.
Essentially there is no difference between the regular, more traditional microphone to those labeled as USB mic because the elements are still the same. In a USB model you will find a capsule, diaphragm and many others so what sets them apart is only the connector type because while traditionally microphones need a separate preamp and analog to digital converter, a USB type will come with everything in one unit. The preamp itself makes it convenient and there is no need for audio interface.
The analog to digital converter also makes it useful for smart devices because this part is going to convert the analog voltage into digital data which makes it easy to directly connect the microphone into the computer or smart device, combined with their recording or audio software. The main purpose of USB microphone is to make the recording activity more accessible for more people whether they are professional or beginners and makes it affordable for a wider application while keeping the versatility and value of a regular microphone.
In terms of application USB microphones are just as versatile as the traditional options or can be used as any typical recording both voice and for musical purposes. The most popular type of microphones is condenser such as BlueBird Mic Vs Baby Bottle and this is also what you will find from USB models. They are usually used for recording or streaming voice such as in making podcasts of streaming content but can be used for voice over or even making quick reference of your song without having to whip out a traditional microphone and using the setup.
| Apogee Mic | Shure MV88 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 4.6 x 1.4 x 1.5 inches | 1.38 x 0.98 x 2.64 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 6.4 ounces | 1.43 ounces |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
About Apogee MiC and Shure MV88
Depending on what type of application you will be doing with this microphone, some people may be better with a regular mic that connects to an interface while some can be taking the most advantage from a USB type, it all boils down to what you will be using them for. When it comes to convenience, USB mics are at the top since you can carry them anywhere and easily connect them to smart devices without the need of using an interface in between.
Nowadays USB mics are also getting more common and more affordable coming from almost all brands who are famous for their audio equipment. You can stick with popular names however since they are more convenient and more reliable or in case you are already familiar with their products. Among those audio equipment with USB microphones in their catalog, Apogee and Shure are two good options to consider. They are well-known names and have good reputation with their products, making the two a safe bet when you are unsure about the options.
They carry several options to match with the budget and what you wish to have in the unit but for a more casual application such as recording demo on the go or for making content and other similar applications, the Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 are going to be two ideal options to consider. Both of them are compact yet pretty powerful and as you can guess, these are condenser types that are quite sensitive to capture details yet still versatile enough for compact recording purposes.
In terms of usability, we do think Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 are very much the same to each other and quality wise they are also reliable but above all our favorite part is probably the ease of use since you can set up these microphones almost anywhere. Of course the environment will play a lot of factors in deciding the overall audio quality but for something we can install in minutes almost anywhere, convenience is certainly what these mics are best at.
Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 Design
Before checking what the two can offer, let’s see the unit first and starting with Apogee, this microphone is significantly larger than the MV88. The built quality itself is really good and as you can see it is made of all-metal housing featured with some LED light indicator located at the front of the mic along with the gain rocker at the side of the tube. It comes in a set making it a convenient package, not only with the cable but also with a small tripod or table stand.
Moving further, let’s see the Shure MV88 and this microphone is very small in comparison. If the MiC is about as tall as our smartphone, this one is probably as big as your thumb and as you can see, this model comes with a lightning connector which means this is an iOS compatible model and for those using computers or other operating systems, the MV88+ will be the better option. From the design it is made of metal and seems to be very durable as well as coming with a round windscreen.
Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 Setup
Now for the setup, both Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 are usually plug and play with their compatible device and the issue here is that MV88 is only working with Apple smart devices and this is either the phone or tablet. The Macbook may also not that easily incorporate this microphone since there is no compatible port or lightning jack here. As for the software, this microphone is paired with theMotiv app that is free to download and to adjust settings on the audio recorded.
On the other hand the MiC is probably more versatile but for the larger application as well. The mic can be connected to a phone and working with an audio app you may already have but depending on what type of connector you are using, the cable it comes with may not be suitable for all smartphones. For the software it can work with typical apps such as GarageBand when using iPad or iPhone including Audacity, Quicktime, and Ableton live.
Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 Sound Quality
On the performance, we do think Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 are equally good options so you can go amazing with any of the two. These microphones are recording with sample rate at either 44.1 or 48kHz and at maximum 24-bit which further adjustment can be tweaked on their respective software or any software that you are using in the smart device. As for the performance, they actually sound really good and very rich especially for string instruments and vocals.
The key to record the best result is still how you decide with the placement and setting on the app or for the microphone but side by side they are sounding really good with pretty nice details and pleasant to the ears. If you need a more prominent lower-end, we recommend putting the microphone closer to the sound source but then again, you can always tweak the sound later on the app or audio software when needed.
Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 Convenience
Lastly on the ease of use, we do think the capabilities and convenience of Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 is related to the app they are using because chances are we’ll be adjusting some metrics for the desired audio quality. If they are only meant for streaming applications like podcasting, the basic setting is usually enough. They are mostly plug-and-play so almost all users can work with them in no time but the MiC do have a physical gain knob for convenience.
Apogee Mic vs Shure MV88
Both of these USB mics are good options for recording on the go and for a simpler setup. The overall sound quality of Apogee MiC and Shure MV88 are amazing considering how compact these mics are but side by side the MV88 is just slightly warmer and on the higher frequency they are equally bright and detailed, very well matched with voice and string instruments. The MiC however, has a more versatile port/cable that can directly connect to the computer.
Conclusion
You can go amazing with any of them but we do recommend thinking about the application and what main device to pair them with because if you will be working with a computer or tablet then the MiC setup is easier to work with.