Many people don't realize that a good microphone is often as important as a good camera. In cases where you can't be seen, you can still communicate effectively as long as you have a quality microphone.

That's why we strongly recommend you don't compromise on getting a decent microphone when building your setup. You might be tempted to think you don't need a good microphone just because you're not making videos or content. However, there are certain key scenarios you should absolutely use a good mic for.

1. Job Interviews

Two corporate women on a video call

When appearing for an online job interview, it's important you put your best foot forward, meaning you should look and sound professional.

When looking for good angles and lighting for your video call, also make sure to test your mic and see if the sound playback is crisp enough for the interviewers, interviewees, or clients (as applicable). That's one of the best ways to create the perfect setting for an online job interview.

That's why we strongly recommend you don't compromise on getting a decent microphone when building your setup. You might be tempted to think you don't need a good microphone just because you're not making videos or content. However, there are certain key scenarios you should absolutely use a good mic for.

Bad microphones can give the impression of complacency or carelessness since they can make conversations difficult to follow or make the other parties think that you have unstable internet (which is bad for remote workers). This, in turn, could cost you an opportunity.

2. Team Online Gaming Sessions

A man playing a game on a computer wearing glowing headphones

Gaming on your own is very different from playing games with other people. Games that require online interaction need good microphones for effective communication. Therefore, a bad microphone can cost the game for yourself and the people you're playing with.

FPS (first-person shooter) games like Call of Duty or Counter-Strike require teammates to communicate quickly and effectively, so using a shoddy microphone could cause your teammates to miss vital information. What's more, using a Bluetooth microphone with more latency is not a good idea in these scenarios, where slight delays can make all the difference.

Check out our guide on wired vs. wireless gaming headphones to determine which works best for you.

3. Recording Music

Grayscale image of a condenser microphone

As a musician or vocalist, you have a duty to provide your listeners with audio from the best quality microphones.

We understand that you might be restricted by budget, especially if you're trying to make all your music independently. However, getting a decent microphone is one of the best tips for recording high-quality vocals at home.

4. Taking Notes and Creating Voice Memos

It can be a little embarrassing when you create voice notes that you, or the recipients, can't make complete sense of. Most people use their phones to create voice notes they wish to reference or share, sometimes leading to muffled audio and other quality issues.

If you need to record voice memos professionally, invest in a microphone, or headphones with a good mic, that you can use to record audio clearly.

5. Making Podcasts

Podcasts are a fun, entertaining, and educative way to create content and get your ideas out to the public. If you wish to stand out among other podcast creators, you will need to invest in a microphone.

There's no doubt that good podcast microphones can be expensive (especially when you need to buy more than one); that's why you should look at our list of the best microphones for podcasting and pick one with good value. It's tempting to opt for the much cheaper choice and compromise on quality, but your listeners will likely notice the poorer audio, which can result in them moving to alternative podcasts with clearer sound.

6. Livestreaming

If you're giving commentary in a livestream, you have to ensure the sound is good enough to keep a viewer hooked. Most people skip through live streams, but using a good microphone can increase the probability of keeping viewers because they feel you have more value to offer.

At the same time, a poorer mic might make it harder for you to communicate with your viewers. So, even after reeling in fans, they may leave because they can't understand what you're saying.

This doesn't mean you need to invest in a pricey mic to try livestreaming as a hobby. But you can still get yourself a sturdy and reliable microphone while avoiding steep upfront costs.

7. ASMR Recording

A woman in gray sweater eating a biscuit near a microphone

ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) recording is a video or podcasting niche that entails using certain sounds to induce a tingling sensation in the scalp, neck, or spine of listeners. Though ASMR is, indeed, a niche, it has become very popular, with many creators capitalizing on it.

Just like other forms of podcasting and video-making, you will need a good microphone to stay competitive in the ASMR realm. In fact, you'll likely need a mic that's better than average since you're going to be capturing sounds in great detail (such as crunching or tapping).

8. Online Classes and Lectures

pair of individuals having video call on laptop

If you teach online, your students can definitely benefit from you getting a better microphone than your computer's default. Not only does a good mic let you appear more professional, but it will aid you in retaining your students' attention and ensuring they can hear all the information you provide.

Conversely, as a student, if your online classes require interaction, you should try to ensure that your microphone is good enough so that everyone can clearly make out what you say.

9. Audiobook Recording

Have you volunteered to record an audiobook for someone, or do you record audiobook narration professionally? If so, then you should get a good USB mic that you can use to record your voice clearly.

In audio narration, subtle details like tone and emotion are essential to bringing the story to life. A good microphone captures the nuances of your voice as a narrator, allowing for a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience. This can be a big plus for listeners and may help you secure further recording jobs.

Additionally, a high-quality microphone often comes with superior noise-canceling capabilities, which reduce or eliminate background interference. This ensures that the recording is crisp and free from distractions.

Your Microphone Is More Important Than You Think

Your microphone array should always be a combination that works for you, but it's important to ensure you're using good-quality equipment that won't leave you with patchy or muffled audio. The scenarios above can all be affected by a poor microphone, which is why having a reliable mic to hand may help you massively.