For the best external microphone for a Macbook Pro, there are many different options.
Whether you just want to improve sound quality or need a microphone that won’t stop working after an hour of recording, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’d prefer to use your microphone in front of your computer screen or have it on top of your desk, this list has some excellent choices and reviews to help get you started.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Mic for Macbook Pro
Budget
As with anything in the world, there are a lot of microphones to choose from. However, just because you can spend a lot of money doesn’t mean that you have to. Don’t go overboard and buy a microphone that is more expensive than what your needs are just so it looks good on your desk or shelf. Consider how much you want to spend, do some research, and find one you’re happy with that isn’t too overpriced.
Sound Quality
If sound quality is important to you then it’s best to get a microphone with good sound quality in both normal and noisy environments like around machinery or busy offices – these types of microphones are called condenser microphones and generally produce the best sound quality if you’re recording for a long time.
These mics have two very large sound-dampening foam pads on the outside of the microphone which are designed to absorb any noise you can’t manage to avoid yourself, so they don’t pick up too much ambient noise that might affect your sound quality. If this is more important to you than it is to me then consider getting a condenser microphone instead of a dynamic one.
Flexibility
Should you fancy using your microphone for something it wasn’t intended for, for example playing music through the mic or recording instruments live, then you want a microphone with some flexibility. Some microphones have an excellent sound quality which is fine if you’re using that mic in only one way but if you plan to use it in more than one way then you need a good all-rounder that will sound great, no matter how you use it.
Recording Pattern
Recording Pattern is something you’ll only really need to consider if you’re planning to use your microphone for something specific, for example recording a drum kit or an orchestra. Recording the absolute best quality sound when you’re recording music is important, and this is where directional microphones come into play. The way a microphone picks up sound isn’t 360 degrees, it can pick up sound from the very front of the microphone and from the sides but not directly at the back – that’s what directional microphones are designed to do.
Physical Design
This is probably one of the most important things you should consider when picking a microphone – if you’re planning to use the microphone a lot, for example in a recording studio, then making sure it has some physical durability is a must. If it’s just going to sit on your desk and occasionally be used by friends when they come around then it doesn’t have to be built like an army tank. But regardless of how ‘rugged’ your microphone needs to be, make sure it’s comfortable enough for you to hold and use.
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Best Microphones for iPad Pro, Mini Reviewed
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6 Best External Microphones For Macbook Pro
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
- Tri-capsule array - 3 condenser capsules can record almost any situation.
- Multiple pattern selection - cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo.
- Gain control, mute button, and zero-latency headphone output.
- Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls. Signal to Noise: 100dB
- Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8 (including 8.1), Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Home and Professional), and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher),...
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone Blackout Edition is a condenser microphone that has excellent recording quality and can be used with both Mac, PC and Linux operating systems.
This mic is also compatible with the latest version of iTunes (12.2). With this option, users are able to listen to their audio in real-time while recording. The mic has three different patterns; cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional. It also comes with a 1/8″ stereo jack that attaches to USB port.
The mic is angled at an angle of 67°, which helps resolve problems during the recording of small vocals and instruments. Additionally, the Blue Yeti USB Microphone Blackout Edition is also compatible with Skype and other applications including Garage Band.
2. Blue Snowball
- Legendary Blue broadcast sound: 2-capsule design gives your voice exceptional presence and detail for professional-level recording so you can elevate...
- Multiple pickup patterns: The USB microphone features a cardioid pattern for recording and streaming, and omnidirectional which puts you “in the...
- Stylish retro design: Record or stream in style with a classic recording equipment design that looks great on your desktop and on camera; available in...
- USB microphone brand: Based on independent sales data (April '19 - March '20) of PC microphones in both units and dollars in the US and Canada
- -10 dB Pad: Maintains professional audio quality and keeps Snowball sounding clean and distortion-free on louder voices and instruments for everything...
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Blue Snowball USB Mic is compatible with both Mac and PC operating systems. It can be connected to a Macbook Pro using the mic input or the headphone jack on an iPhone or iPad.
The sound quality of this mic is great for recording podcasts, voice-overs, and instruments for videos. The microphone has four different polar patterns; cardioid, bidirectional, Omnidirectional and stereo. This mic also has a mute button which makes it easy to record the audio on a Mac without any background noise or interference from others in the room.
3. Blue Snowflake
- Portable high-quality condenser microphone that lets you capture high-quality audio at any location
- Ultra-compact design gives you the freedom of pristine sound on the go
- Proprietary digital converter and preamp
- Plug-and-play driverless set-up and performance
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Blue Snowflake USB microphone is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. The mic can be used with either microphone input or a headphone jack on an iPhone.
The sound quality of this mic is great for recording podcasts, voice-overs, and instruments for videos. The microphone has four different polar patterns; cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo. This mic also has a mute button which makes it easy to record the audio on Google Drive without any background noise or interference from others in the room.
4. Rode NT-USB
- High quality studio microphone with the convenience of USB connectivity
- Pop shield, Tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch and 6m (20’) USB cable included
- 3.5 millimeter stereo headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tired of the aforementioned mics from Blue?
Have a look at our guide on the top Blue Yeti Alternatives microphones.
The Rode NT-USB is a high-quality, affordable USB mic designed for computer recording. The NT-USB is compatible with Windows XP or newer, as well as Mac OS 10.6 or higher.
The RODE NT-USB mic has four polar pattern settings, which can be used to capture the desired amount of surrounding sound: cardioid (for one person), stereo (wide area), Omni (surround sound), and bidirectional (figure eight).
One of the best things about this microphone is that it isn’t too sensitive to background noise; making it perfect for conducting interviews in noisy environments like street corners.
It also has a built-in headphone amplifier and volume control on the front of the microphone so you can control the volume and vocals to your liking.
5. Apogee MiC 96k XLR/TRS
- Studio quality cardioid condenser microphone
- Designed for vocal and acoustic instrument recording. Also great for recording interviews, podcasts, voice overs, and audio for DSLR video.
- Up to 96 kHz/24-bit HD recording
- Works with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Lightning and Mac USB cables included.
- Powered by connection to iPad, iPhone or Mac (no batteries or external power required).iOS Device Compatibility:iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Apogee MiC 96k XLR review mic is perfect for audio professionals who want to record vocals and instruments on their MacBook Pro. It is a condenser microphone that comes with three different custom signature capsules that can be flipped to make it compatible with both large and small diaphragm condenser microphones.
This is also a great option for music production on the go as it has been designed to work well in any situation, from an outdoor gig in snowy conditions, or recording vocals indoors without any issues. The Apogee MiC 96k XLR comes with a beautifully built accessory pack which includes an MXL R144 ribbon mic, cables, pop filter and shockmount.
6. Samson Meteor Mic
- Professional USB microphone with 1" Studio-quality Capsule.
- Fold-back legs provide optimal mic positioning and folds up for easy transport.
- Cardioid pickup pattern captures the Audio in front of the microphone, minimizing ambient sound from entering the recording.
- Smooth, flat frequency response of 20hz–20khz captures the detail of your voice or instrument.
- 1/8" Stereo headphone output with level control for zero-latency monitoring.
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Samson Meteor Mic USB is a great option for those who use their MacBook Pro for recording vocals and instruments. It is a small condenser mic that can be used in any situation including outdoor gigs and recording vocals indoors without any issues.
The microphone has been designed to work well with any of the three different sized custom signature capsules, which can be flipped depending on the user’s preference. The Meteor Mic USB comes with a beautifully built accessory pack which includes an MXL R144 ribbon mic, cables, pop filter and shockmount.
FAQs
Can I use an external microphone with my MacBook Pro?
Yes, you can. You just need to make sure it’s compatible & high-quality for the job.
If you don’t already have a microphone on your computer, you’ll need to buy one specifically for use with your MacBook Pro. You won’t be able to use old microphones that you used with your desktop or previous laptops.
MacBooks and MacBook Pros do not have an audio port such as the 3.5mm headphone jack on most laptops.
How do I connect an external microphone to my MacBook?
Most modern MacBooks don’t have a 3.5mm audio port for plugging in microphones. They do, however, have a new USB-C port which is different than the old USB and Mini DisplayPort ports.
It’s common to see an Xlr Female input on microphones which provide this type of connection. These types of microphones may be more expensive than your average microphone, but they work at a higher quality level for speech recognition or high-volume recording sessions with high-quality sound fidelity.
How do I get my MacBook Pro to recognize an external microphone?
To make sure your microphone is set up properly, plug it into your computer with the USB cable that came with it or purchase a new one. It’s best to use a self-powered USB-C connector, and not a battery powered one. Plug the other side of the cable to your computer when prompted.
Make sure you’re in an app where you can actually make sound — GarageBand, Audacity or Logic Pro X all work well for this! Press Command+Tab (for Apple computers) or Control+Tab (for Windows) to open Spotlight Search and start typing “Sound”. Double click on Sound Recorder if it shows up in the list.”
How Good Is the microphone on a MacBook Pro?
The microphone on a MacBook Pro is actually very good for the most part. The only downsides to it are that it doesn’t work when you’re using more than one app at a time and that it’s not as good at picking up the sound of lower voices.
FAQ:
Q: How to connect external speakers to a MacBook Pro?
A: Connect the speakers to the computer. … Plug the speakers into a wall outlet or power strip (if necessary),and turn them on. Click the System Preferences icon on the Dock. … Click the Sound icon in the System Preferences window and then click the Output tab.
Q: Can I hook up a microphone to my MacBook Pro?
A: Blue Snowball. 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 … Audio-Technica AT2020. This mic comes in both USB and XLR versions,it is a step up from the Blue Snowball in sound quality and is a great deal for the … Røde Podcaster. … Røde NT1A. …
Q: How do I Turn on microphone on MacBook Pro?
A: Go to System Preferences Click on Keyboard Within this is Dictation Select On: Now this should download the relevant files to make the microphone work.
Q: How to use an external microphone with a MacBook?
A: – Open the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen and head to System Preferences . – Click Security & Privacy and then choose the Privacy tab. – From the list on the left-hand side, click Microphone . – Enable the checkbox near an app to allow it to use your Mac’s microphone. …