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With its built-in analogue compressor, Apogee's latest USB mic aims to give you radio-ready recordings straight out of the box. HypeMiC brings a new level of smoothness and warmth to acoustic instrument recording. Varying compression levels allow you to capture the fullest tone of your instrument without compromise. Built for high SPL levels, HypeMiC provides greater clarity and detail when recording loud acoustic instruments from drums to horns to choirs. Voice/Audio for Video: Podcasts, Voiceovers, Interviews, YouTube etc. The headphone output, which appears on both theHypeMiC andMiC Plus, allows you to listen to audio coming directly from the MiC capsule, and also from the device you’re plugged into. The direct feed allows you to monitor yourself with zero latency (no delay time), which is pretty important when recording audio that needs to be in time e.g. for music.
This test was recorded about 6 inches away from the capsule or the “hang loose” sign amount. Mostly, the pop filter performed well – only a few popping plosives at the end when I leaned in a tad. Shape it (least) The minimal amount of compression, great for shaping the vocals and instruments in your music recordings HypeMiC features studio-quality analog compression that’s easy to use and brings the magic to your vocals, voice-overs, instruments, percussion, and podcasts – anything you record! With HypeMiC and your iPhone or computer, you can make amazing recordings on the go. Singing There are, of course, digital compression plug-ins, but analog compression has its own sound. Unlike the DSP offered by competing models, the compression isn't combined with EQ, so you can confidently EQ the recording later in software and not have to worry about whether it's something that has already had EQ applied. ConclusionsThe goal with any mic is almost always clarity. But for podcasts, we need to take the vocalist into account. If you are recording an experienced speaker who has excellent mic technique, you might want to go for a USB mic that has no DSP. If, on the other hand, the podcast routinely calls for less experienced interviewees, you might wish to use a mic that has some protective DSP like in the aforementioned gaming mics, so thatoutbursts of laughter or sudden rises in level don't immediately cause distortion. So, on to the Hype setting, which is what Apogee is calling its ASP mode. We have three options. Shape offers the best sounding and subtlest form of compression. It's a smooth, low-ratio compression ideal for retaining a somewhat transparent sound while guarding against peaks. One thing to note: The output gets notably louder with the same gain level set when you go from no compression to Shape, so adjusting the gain down a bit is a good idea to avoid distorted vocals. The compressor inHypeMiCis a great feature, but for users who prefer to process their audio in post or with realtime plugins, perhapsMiC Plus would suit your needs. After all, most microphones don’t feature built-in dynamics processing at all, and there’s plenty of hardware / software compressors out there! The MV7 and NT1 5 th generations, when used as USB mics, have quality-of-life features to assist a user who may not be the best at setting recording levels, using either via auto-gain function (MV7) or 32 bit-float technology (NT1).
Smash it (High) Great for voice recording when you really want to smash it for that big broadcast sound. In use, the mic delivers a clean sound that is sufficiently neutral to suit a wide range of voice types as well as instruments, and with the compressor turned off it sounds essentially the same as the Apogee Mic+. Those compressor options are very well designed, though, as even at the strongest level, the voice sounds more solid and up-front but without exhibiting any obvious over-compression artifacts. The strongest setting suits both pop vocals and 'radio voice' style presentations. Even if you have access to plug-in compressors, the ones built into the mic might well do a smoother job, so a good strategy might be to select the level of compression below the one you think you might ultimately need, and then add a little extra plug-in compression when you come to mix if you really need it. Tests with an acoustic guitar turned in useful results that needed little EQ, though positioning the mic using the desktop stand was far less easy than using a mic on a conventional stand. Apogee also includes all cables you possibly need to record with the HypeMiC—a Lightning cable for iOS devices, a USB-C cable, and a traditional USB-A cable, all of which connect to the micro USB port on the bottom of the mic. The HypeMiC also ships with a zip-up carrying case that houses all the accessories. PerformanceUSB microphones are nothing new, and nor are Apogee new to making them — previous models include the original MiC, the MiC 96k, and their current model, the MiC+. However, the new Apogee HypeMiC takes things a step further: in addition to its USB computer/tablet connectivity, a headphone output with variable source/DAW mix monitoring and Apogee‑quality converters, it also includes a three-preset analogue compressor, designed specifically to flatter spoken or sung vocals. With all that out of the way, let's break down the discussion into the three most typical uses for a USB mic and the various options, characteristics, and needs for each application. Perhaps it’s best to start with the features and applications that MiC Plus& HypeMiC have in common. For a start, both these USB microphones are great for the following applications:
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