Best USB Microphones for Vocals & Musical Instruments - 2023.2 | Gearank

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Cons

Not the best value if you’re looking for a standalone USB mic without the software

Pros

Great for vocals sung and spoken
Software mixer a plus for more routing options
Polished sound fits great in any mix

It’s easy to categorize the Elgato Wave:3 as just another USB microphone but it offers a lot more in terms of software aside from just the hardware. The Wave:3 was designed primarily for streaming and includes a software mixer to adjust the levels of specific applications and chat. It was developed in partnership with Austrian mic brand Lewitt so those familiar with the sound signature will know that Lewitt designs their mics with a polished sound straight from the mic.

The mic itself has a single dial that enables control over input gain, headphone volume and crossfade between computer output and direct monitoring. The latter of the 3 is very useful beyond just voice over and streaming as many singers prefer to monitor themselves on their headphones while recording. Offering it as a control was a wise decision by Elgato.

What surprised me the most in listening to the mic is how natural it sounds. It’s not a Neumann by a longshot since it has a slightly boosted upper frequency. Despite this, it never sounds brittle or brings out nasty resonances in voices. I could describe the sound as nearly “broadcast ready” or “mix ready” because with just a little compression, voices sound great in most mixes I’ve worked on that were recorded with it.

The only downside would be that to be able to maximize it, you would have to use the included software. It can function as plug and play but you will be missing out on a lot of its features. If you need a standalone mic for recording and don’t need extra routing options, the Wave:3 shouldn’t be a top priority unless you like how it sounds.

In the end, it all depends on your use case. Many singers and voice over artists are also now beginning to embrace streaming as another venue for performance and entertainment. Elgato has a head start in that market segment and know their way around its needs and demands. Get it if you’re a singer, instrumentalist or voice over artist that also streams or wants to stream, but also want to do recordings.

Specifications

Type: Electret Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 70 – 20000 Hz
Sampling Rate: up to 96 kHz
Bit Depth: up to 24 bits
Maximum SPL: 120dB (140dB Clipguard engaged)
Power Requirements: 5V USB
Applications: Primarily streaming but surprisingly good for sung vocals and voice overs.