When it comes to audio recording, external microphones have a separate fan base. Practically, whether you want to record a podcast or want to use Skype, the inbuilt microphone of your MacBook Pro is not sufficient for that. It can’t provide the desired performance for your specific application. So, an external microphone is a necessary item for you to perform your tasks effectively using your MacBook Pro.
To experience the high-quality performance, you need to buy the best microphone for your MacBook Pro. While choosing the right product, you may get confused due to the presence of several kinds of microphones in the market. Here, we have prepared a guide to help you in finding the right microphone for you. You can read this guide thoroughly to select the right product for you and experience exceptional performance.
Best External Microphone for MacBook Pro 2020
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 - 2019) MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015 - 2017). A great USB mic for starters who want to get good sound quality without paying an arm and a leg for it, you can plug it directly into your Mac and not have to buy any adapters for it to work. One downside though is that many users on Amazon reported that you needed to keep it very close to your mouth to get the best sound quality.
#1. FIFINE USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
This is a best USB microphone for MacBook Pro from FIFINE. It can be used with Macs as well as PCs. With a user-friendly design, this external microphone is ready to be used anytime. This product can be used for recording high-quality audio for YouTube videos. If you are looking for an efficient microphone for recording purposes, then this is the perfect product for you. This microphone can exclude the background noise from the recorded audio effortlessly. With a volume control knob, you can adjust its input voice easily. It has an excellent frequency response so that it can be used for field recording, voiceover use, home studio recording, or podcasting.
This external microphone is made of metal, so it offers high durability. This product includes a tripod stand for portability. With this stand, you can use this microphone on the tabletop easily.
Pros:
- FIFINE USB microphone can be used for multipurpose usages.
- It has a user-friendly design for easy recording.
- This microphone eliminates the background noise during the recordings.
Cons:
- NA
#2. Alvoxcon USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
This USB microphone from Alvoxcon is a great product for excellent audio recordings. It comes with a desk stand for ease of use. This microphone can be used for singing, podcasting, YouTube, and many other purposes. To use this microphone, you just need to plug in the USB cable into the USB port of your Mac or PC and select USBMIC1 as default audio input. This USB microphone can be installed without any drivers and record crystal clear sound. Is has a cardioid cartridge for noise cancellation during your recordings. For an extensive recording experience, you can go for this microphone.
This best external USB microphone for MacBook pro supports varieties of operating systems to offer a great user experience. You can use this microphone for meetings, presentations, tutorials, Facebook, commentating, etc. It has a frequency range of 30Hz to 20 kHz, so great for several purposes.
Pros:
- This microphone has a metal body and mesh grill for high durability.
- It includes a tripod stand.
- It contains a ball-type windscreen to prevent popping sound.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have provision for volume adjustment.
#3. JOUNIVO USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
With a flexible design, this USB microphone from JOUNIVO can be used for several purposes. It comes with a desktop base for efficient support on the tabletop. This microphone can record a smooth sound without background noise. Because of its intelligent noise cancellation system, this product is great for professionals. You can use it for gaming, YouTube, dictation, podcast, Skype, etc. It includes a mute switch with an LED indicator, which helps you to know about the status of PC microphone.
This USB microphone has an omnidirectional polar pattern to sense sound from 360 degrees. This feature offers you great flexibility. It comes with JOUNIVO upgrade chip to record clear sound during gaming. This microphone is compatible with Windows as well as Mac. It has a robust construction to provide quality performance.
Pros:
- For volume adjustment, this microphone includes a volume knob.
- It has a unique ABS stand for proper support.
- It can sense sound from 360 degrees.
Cons:
- NA
#4. ZaxSound professional microphone for MacBook Pro:
It is a high-quality microphone from ZaxSound for excellent audio recording. This microphone has a unique design to provide great performance. It uses a cardioid pickup pattern for recording high-quality audio. You can use this product for YouTube recording and live to webcast effectively. This product offers great compatibility with a wide range of devices. So, by using this microphone, you are going to have an exceptional experience. This professional microphone offers a sensitivity of -34db for ease of use. This product can sense the sound from a distance of 12 inches, allowing you high flexibility.
This microphone can be used with a 3.5mm audio jack. You can directly connect it to your PC and start recording without needing any driver or software. It comes with a flexible tripod stand for tabletop usages.
Pros:
- With a 6 feet cable, this microphone can provide you with high flexibility while recording.
- It includes noise cancellation feature for accurate recording.
- This microphone has both USB and TRRS 3.5mm audio adapter for the interface with PC/laptop.
Cons:
- Not ideal for gaming.
#5. CMTECK USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
This USB microphone is great for recording crystal clear sound effortlessly. It includes advanced noise-canceling technology to ensure that you are experiencing clear sound without any noise. If you are looking for an effective microphone for superior performance, then you should go for this microphone. This USB microphone is a superb option to use instead of traditional microphones. For recording with this microphone, you just need to plug it into your PC and start recording. It doesn’t require any extra driver or software for operation. CMTECK microphone is compatible with Mac and Windows system.
This USB microphone comes with a mute button, so you can quickly mute or unmute it whenever needed. It has LED indicators to let you know about the working status; green light indicates a proper connection, flashing green light indicates working mode, and the red light indicates the mute mode.
Pros:
- It has 360 degrees sensing capacity.
- CMTECK microphone can be used for a variety of purposes.
- This microphone has a compact design.
Cons:
- NA
#6. MAONO USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
This is a premium quality microphone to use for several purposes. You can use it for recording or calling from indoor or outdoor easily. It has a unique design to perform well in any situation. MAONO USB microphone is ideal for meeting, gaming, recording, broadcasting, etc. Because of its cardioid polar pattern, it can record clear sound. This microphone has a frequency response of 30Hz to 16 kHz, which makes it a multipurpose product in the market. It is great for singing, voiceover, and speech. For a professional quality experience, you should go for this microphone.
It comes with USB 2.0 for easy connectivity with your PC or laptop. You can simply connect the microphone and your PC/laptop via a USB cable for use, as it doesn’t require any additional driver or software for operation. This microphone has a 16mm electric condenser transducer to provide efficient sound with bass.
Pros:
- This microphone is compatible with all Operating Systems.
- It has a pop filter and foam windscreen to eliminate noise.
- The microphone has high sensitivity.
Cons:
- NA
#7. IUKUS professional microphone for MacBook pro:
With a wonderful design, IUKUS professional microphone is a superb product for recording. You can use this microphone for recording, gaming, YouTube, Skype, chatting, etc. This microphone comes with a 3.5mm plug for easy interface with your laptop/PC. It includes a tripod stand to allow you to keep it on the table. Also, this microphone has an audio speaker adapter for simple connectivity. The tripod stand has an adjustable feature that allows you to adjust up to an angle of 180 degrees. So, you can easily fit its angle according to your comfort.
This microphone provides a wide range of functions with a frequency response of 50Hz to 16 kHz. This microphone has a noise canceling feature to provide crystal clear sound. It includes a warranty for 1-year. To get exceptional audio experience, this microphone is a great product.
Pros:
- It includes 180 degrees adjustable stand.
- IUKUS microphone provides high-quality performance.
- It includes a 2 meter 3.5mm audio adapter.
Cons:
- NA
#8. TKGOU USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
This is an outstanding microphone for recording, singing, or podcasting. This microphone has a simple design and easy to use. You can install this product easily using a USB cable, as it doesn’t require any driver for operation. TKGOU microphone is compatible with both Mac and PC. For excellent support, this microphone comes with a foldable metal tripod stand. The neck of the metal stand is 360-degree adjustable to provide you with the utmost flexibility and comfort. You can use this product for several applications effectively. It includes a windscreen made of double-layer mesh to provide you with noise-free recordings.
The microphone has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20 kHz to be suitable for multiple applications. You can use this product for singing, speech or voiceover effectively. It uses a cardioid polar pattern to produce noise-free sound. If you are looking for a microphone for gaming or streaming purpose, then you should go for this product.
Usb Adapter For Microphone On Mac
Pros:
- It is easy to install this microphone.
- It is great for gaming.
- This microphone includes an adjustable stand.
Cons:
- NA
#9. FIFINE Technology USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
This microphone comes with a driver-free design to allow you to install it easily. With the USB port installation facility, using this product is easier than traditional microphones. This microphone can produce premium quality sound without any noise. You can use this product for podcasting, streaming, gaming, etc. The microphone is made of metal for high durability and flexibility. It includes a desktop stand with a detachable facility.
With a wonderful design, this USB microphone can be used for a variety of purposes. For live audio recording or streaming, this microphone is a great option. With a frequency response of 50Hz to 15 kHz, this microphone is ideal for a wide range of applications. Another great feature of this microphone is it includes a 3.5mm audio jack to allow you to listen to your recorded audio.
Pros:
- The microphone comes with a 6.56 feet USB cable.
- FIFINE Technology USB microphone includes a 2-year warranty.
- Metal is used in the construction of this device.
Cons:
- It is expensive.
#10. KLIM Talk USB microphone for MacBook Pro:
It is a user-friendly microphone from KLIM to provide quality audio experience. It has an elegant design to allow you to use it efficiently. Many professionals have appreciated this microphone for superb performance. It includes a patented audio filter to filter out the noise and produces a clear sound. It uses USB for installation, so you no need to spend more money on drivers. It has a durable design and can offer high stability.
KLIM Talk USB microphone is made of metal and plastic. This robust microphone is a highly reliable product to opt for. If you need a simple and sturdy microphone for office use, then this microphone is the perfect option for you.
Pros:
- This microphone is excellent for gaming applications.
- KLIM Talk microphone is ideal for office usages.
- This microphone comes with a 5-year warranty.
Cons:
- NA
Conclusion:
External microphones are very important for recording, singing, video calling, etc., as the microphone of your MacBook Pro can’t do that. They make your audio recording experience exceptional and provide you with high flexibility. Also, external microphones include several features for a better user experience. But, choosing the right microphone for you can be a difficult task. This article includes reviews of some top-performing microphones to help you in getting the right product. I hope you will find the best microphone for you from this article.
USB port types and names
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of ports, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac computers, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
USB-A
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2, or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when oriented correctly.
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available as either standard USB-C ports or Thunderbolt 3 ports that also support USB-C connections. They both look the same, and the connector plugs into the port in either orientation.
Learn more about identifying the ports on your Mac, as well as the adapters and cables you can use to connect older devices to type USB-C ports.
USB specifications
Mic To Usb Adapter
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPowerUSB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications.
- Check the System Information app for more details, including about USB devices connected to USB ports on your Mac. Select USB in the sidebar, then select a USB bus on the right.
Get the best performance from your USB devices
USB specifications all work with each other, but speed and power are limited by the cable or device that uses the earliest specification. For example, if you connect a USB 3 device to USB 2 port, your device is limited to USB 2 speeds, and it can't draw more power from the port than can be delivered over USB 2. In other words, to get the best performance, make sure that the USB port on your Mac and the USB cable to your device meet or exceed the USB specification of the device itself.
If your Mac doesn't recognize a USB device after you plug it into your Mac:
- Check all connections: Unplug the device from your Mac, then plug it back in, and make sure that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends. Test with another cable or adapter, if available.
- Plug the device directly into your Mac instead of a USB hub or other device, and if necessary test with a different USB port on your Mac or device.
- Some devices need their own software, such as drivers or firmware. Others work without additional software. Check with the maker of your device, and install all available Apple software updates as well.
- If your device came with an AC power adapter, use it. Some devices can be powered by the USB port on your Mac. Others need more power than your Mac can provide.
- Restart your Mac.
Learn more
- USB 3 devices can create wireless interference that affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.
- Mac notebook computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 can charge over that port using a compatible USB-C power adapter and cable.