Higher quality audio makes people sound smarter

Re:Higher quality audio makes people sound smarter by andrewzah on Thursday April 15, 2021 @10:48AM (#26821165)

This is not true. USB microphones do not have as high quality as XLR microphones connected to a usb interface. In general, USB mics have a lower signal to noise ratio (SNR) and a higher noise floor.

Does this matter for gaming or calls? Not really, as it will definitely sound better than crappy laptop or headphone mics. But there is a marked difference. The AT2020 usb mic doesn't even go up to 20khz. Not to mention the A-D conversion from a dedicated unit and the mic preamp are going to be better than the onboard electronics of a usb mic.

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Re:Higher quality audio makes people sound smarter by walshemj on Thursday April 15, 2021 @05:20PM (#26826248)

Err no an xlr mic into a sound card is going to be better.

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Re:Higher quality audio makes people sound smarter by andrewzah on Friday April 16, 2021 @11:12AM (#26834866)

What sound cards support direct XLR input?

In nearly every case, a dedicated usb interface is going to have better quality ADC and mic preamps. High-quality sound cards are not prioritized by consumers, so they remain rather poor quality in most laptops and pcs. Even something like a focusrite scarlett is going to improve the signal chain immensely (plus you get the added bonus of a decent DAC as well).

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Re:Higher quality audio makes people sound smarter by walshemj on Friday April 16, 2021 @05:48PM (#26839417)

Focusrite for one :-) and external sound card worth its name with have them

I did of course mean a real external sound card.

And a usb mic is not going to have as good a mic capsule at the same price point which was my point.

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