Released 25 Aug 2022, Last Updated 16 Nov 2022
I microfoni sono disponibili in tutte le forme e dimensioni, con diversi design, capacità e usi previsti, ma una delle prime decisioni che dovrai prendere quando acquisti un microfono è come intendi collegarlo al tuo dispositivo di registrazione. Ci sono alcune opzioni diverse in questo ambito, ma le due più comuni quando si cattura il suono a casa o in movimento sono XLR e USB.
Anche se puoi farti un'idea generale di quale dovrebbe essere l'uso di un microfono in base al tipo di connessione, i design moderni possono renderli molto più versatili di quanto possa sembrare a prima vista. In questo articolo ti forniremo una panoramica di cosa sono i microfoni XLR e USB, i vantaggi e i casi d'uso di ciascuno, e quale tipo è giusto per te.
Il microfono a condensatore NT1-A cattura audio di qualità da studio e utilizza una connessione XLR.
Before we take a dive into which of the two types of microphones is best suited to your needs, it’s important to get an understanding of what sets them apart.
XLR microphones such as the RØDE NT1-A are by far the most common type of microphone in professional audio applications, such as studio recording or live performance. As their name suggests, XLR mics utilise an XLR connection to transfer the audio signal produced by the microphone to its destination via an XLR cable.
This is a fully analog process, and in most modern recording applications, this means you will need to plug an XLR microphone into a device such as an audio interface or mixing console that can convert the analog signal produced by the microphone capsule into a digital signal, which can be recorded by a computer or other digital device. This is the key difference between an XLR and USB microphone.
USB microphones like the NT-USB+ are designed to plug directly into a computer, tablet or similar device using a USB cable, without the need for additional equipment. These mics have an on-board A/D (Analog-to-Digital) processor that converts the analog signal produced by the microphone into a digital signal, which is then transferred to the recording device via a USB cable.
USB microphones also typically offer features that you would find on an audio interface for an XLR mic, such as a headphone output or level control, as well as accessories such as a stand and pop filter integrated into the microphone. They are very much an “all-in-one" recording solution.
Il NT-USB Mini offre una soluzione compatta, economica e professionale per registrare audio direttamente sul tuo computer.
As we touched on earlier, XLR microphones are more common in professional recording applications. The fundamental way in which they capture audio is very similar to a USB microphone, however they offer some key advantages that may make them more suitable for you depending on what type of recording you are doing.
First and foremost is versatility. Because USB microphones have the equivalent of an audio interface built into the microphone itself, you are essentially locked to this setup, with no option to change or upgrade the microphone or audio interface to suit your needs. With an XLR microphone setup, you are free to mix and match the mic and interface or other recording equipment as you like. There’s a wide world of XLR microphones to explore (the same goes for audio interfaces, mixers and other recording gear), and by choosing this type of setup, you are free to try different styles and features to find what suits you best.
L'interfaccia audio RØDE AI-1 viene utilizzata per convertire il segnale audio analogico di un microfono XLR in un segnale digitale che può essere inviato a un computer.
The key advantage of USB microphones is their simplicity. They are designed to be incredibly easy to use, while still delivering excellent audio quality. All you need to record with a USB microphone is the mic itself, a computer, and a pair of headphones.
Their compact “all-in-one" design also means they are highly portable and offer a high-quality recording solution that you can set up just about anywhere. You can also plug some USB microphones directly into a tablet or smartphone, which you cannot do with an XLR microphone, making for an even more compact setup for the road.
The NT-USB+ features on-board controls for adjusting both headphone volume and the mix between your device audio and monitoring level, like you would typically find on an audio interface for an XLR microphone.
Whether an XLR or USB microphone is right for you largely depends on what type of recording you are doing.
If you are starting out podcasting, streaming, doing basic music recordings, or need a microphone for video calls or other business applications, a USB microphone will give you great audio while being easy to use and affordable, with no extra equipment required. In many cases, this is all you need to record high-quality sound, and an XLR microphone might be overkill.
If you are starting a home studio and think you will be exploring recording beyond simple guitar or vocal recordings, choose an XLR microphone setup. This will allow you to explore different microphone types and expand your recording setup as you grow as a musician. For example, you may want to try some different condenser mics to find one that best suits your voice, or upgrade to a more professional option if you are getting more serious about your craft.
Similarly, if you are exploring recording different instruments, an XLR setup will allow you to try different microphone types, such as ribbon mics, small diaphragm condensers, or tube mics. Also, if you need to record more than one microphone simultaneously – for example, recording an acoustic guitar in stereo – you will need an XLR setup with an interface or mixer that has more than one input.
Il RØDECaster Pro II è un ottimo modo per mixare e registrare fino a quattro microfoni XLR contemporaneamente.
Allo stesso modo, se stai diventando più serio riguardo al podcasting o allo streaming e vuoi esplorare diversi microfoni per adattarli alla tua voce o passare a un setup più professionale, un microfono XLR è l'opzione migliore. Inoltre, se stai facendo podcasting o streaming con più di una persona, un setup XLR con un mixer come il RØDECaster Pro II è un'ottima opzione (anche se puoi registrare più microfoni USB con un computer utilizzando il nostro software RØDE Connect).
In breve, i microfoni USB sono eccellenti microfoni plug-and-play che suonano benissimo, sono convenienti, portatili e facili da usare. I microfoni XLR richiederanno più attrezzature per iniziare, ma offrono più versatilità con la possibilità di aggiornare il microfono e ampliare il tuo setup secondo le tue esigenze.
Se stai cercando una soluzione di registrazione di alta qualità, la gamma RØDE offre una moltitudine di eccellenti microfoni USB e microfoni XLR sia per uso broadcast che studio.