Microphone recommendations for streaming/recording

[ashen lodge]

I currently have and use an "Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone".

I don't know too much about microphones, but from what I understand I at least need a cardioid dynamic microphone. I can do usb but am also interested in XLR, though I know those need some extra hardware.

I need something that won't pick up my keyboard or any other background sounds. But also I don't need to keep too close to my mouth. Since I need a camera to have a clear view of my mouth for Vtubing

Also something that won't clip if I scream and something that can also pick out minute sounds coming from my mouth.

I also have a mic arm if that matters.

I am looking for something under 200$.

[dapper minnow]

shure mv6 or mv7

[ashen lodge]

If I get an xlr and pre amp or whatever I need, is it even worth gettign equipment that can do more than 48000 HZ like to 92000 Hz specifiaclly?

[chrome lodge]

not likely. do you currently feel restricted by 48k? And will you use the extra data in editing? (because on youtube, it's not gonna stay 92k afaik) I think getting a recorder with 32bit float recording is significantly more benefitial

[ashen lodge]

Honestly I'm not sure. I feel like my current mic isn't up to the quality of most streamers or YTers. Given my mic isn't dynamic and is USB. And I don't know how much they don't their audio in post and such.

If I am gonna go the XLR route then I figured I might as well get something capable of higher than 48k but if YT is gonna lower it then I suppose it wouldn't make sense to go higher than 48k.

[chrome lodge]

I get that you feel that your current mic isn't good enough quality, that's understandable. But do you feel that the issue with it is the sampling rate? Because I'm pretty sure, it's not. You can get an xlr dynamic mic but how it'll sound will mostly depend on what exact mic you get, how you position it, how sound treated your recording environment is, how clean of a signal can you get out of it and what you do to it in post. sample rate above 48k is super low on the priority list imo. Like sure, if the recorder I'm using can do higher, I'll probably do it because why not? compared to video, audio doesn't take up much space so I don't really care. But I would still use a recorder if every other feature of it fit my needs but it didn't have higher than 48k recording. I worked with an audio engineer who actually argued it's better to record in 48k

[ashen lodge]

I have no knowlage when it coems to audio stuff. The only reason I mentioned the Hz is cause I was looking at stuff on amazon and noticed one of the XLR mics or things needed for XLR mentioned that it went to 48K and figured it was worth asking about going higher.
If YT lowers it to 48K anyways then I suppose I can just stick with 48K.

[chrome lodge]

In general I would probably just stay away from amazon but also for popular mics like the shure sm58, you'll easily run into fakes as well on there. it's better to buy from dedicated audio/video stores (plus they are more likely to carry smaller/lesser known specialized brands) Look at things like sensitivity, self noise, dynamic range, gain range, etc. And again, for a recorder, I would advise you to get one with 32 bit float recording as that WILL make a difference mainly in your user experience as you can't clip that or set your recording volume too low with that. And usually recorder that can do 32 bit float will do 192 kHz anyway. Also, keep in mind that you might (probably) will need a cloudlifter to get decent volume out of most dynamic mics

[brittle marsh]

Are you sure the mic you currently own is not good enough for what you want to do?
I own the same mic and I use it for streaming and audio recording and it sounds totally fine (besides the fact that my own natural voice is not great).
Have you tried applying filters on obs and then doing a test record?
I used this video to get good results.
https://youtu.be/14VTTp7HVvc?si=HyGi6lrL2tAId4f7