SEMI-URGENT: Help with choosing audio interface and mic (+questions)

[woven spoke]

Disclaimer: I'm not a voice actor and I'm almost certainly not in the right server, but I figured a server like this would have a wealth of information on this. My primary use-cases are gaming/voice calls as well as to have a good headphone amp as well as good line-outs for my speakers.

I've been doing non-stop research the last few days on a new setup (which I would like to ideally buy soon to take advantage of Boxing Day sales... hence the semi-urgent nature).

Right now, it looks like the front-runners are:
Interface: SSL2 Mk II
Mic: Behringer XM8500 or Tascam TM-70
Boom: Any cheap one from Amazon

Some stuff I have questions on:

1. Would it be possible to use the same mic with the same audio interface across 2 computers?
2. My "monitors" are Logitech z625s - I'm assuming based on the manual (https://www.logitech.com/assets/65759/z625-web-qsg.pdf) that I would plug one 3.5mm into the back of the subwoofer and the other 3.5mm into the auxillary port of the right satellite?

I'm always open to any suggestions as well, outside of anything I've written.

My overall budget is about $500 CAD.

Please let me know if you require any additional information from me!

[late relic]

You would have to unplug and replug - with the SSL2 you can do two mics on one computer, but same on two computers I don't believe so

If you are only planning to use one microphone, an interface with two ports is pointless and is just costing you more money. Also, for what you are wanting to do, you really don't need to invest much in an interface. The M-Track Solo would do you more than enough justice.
https://a.co/d/jeo5u1B

The Behringer XM8500 is a very cheap dynamic microphone and would not work well with an interface - it's meant to be used for stages, not desks. The Tascam company is a joke when it comes to microphones.

I would suggest the AT2020 condenser XLR for your microphone instead. Make sure it's condenser, not dynamic.
https://a.co/d/1DzpFH8

If you don't have headphones yet, I suggest these. They're studio closed headphones, but they will help a lot with hearing what you won't typically hear with regular gaming headphones.
https://a.co/d/d1SVoIL

[woven spoke]

I'm very curious.. for my environment, why a condenser mic and not a dynamic mic?

[late relic]

The ones specifically you are debating on are not good. If you want dynamic just go with the Shure SM7B.

[woven spoke]

It's not that I want a dynamic mic, it's just that from what I read, dynamic mics would be better suited for gaming

If there's a case to be made for a condenser mic I'm open to either

[late relic]

There is no microphone better suited for "gaming", you just are talking into a microphone at a desk. Dynamic is considered better for those who want a cheap and easier product to just speak into a microphone and not consider other factors of their setup or their surroundings. Dynamic is meant for lesser treated spaces. If you're willing to invest 500 CAD into a setup, condenser will be more worth it. But the deal is up to you.

[woven spoke]

That's very fair. My only concern would be picking up background noises like the case fans or keyboard clacking or if I go and move the boom arm which I would frequently do (although I suppose with condenser it doesn't need to be right in front of my face)

[late relic]

It would do that regardless of which microphone you pick

[woven spoke]

How do you feel about the shure sm 57/58 for untreated rooms?

[zenith basin]

Oh lawdy! Umm... @woven spoke.... are you aware that you are now level 1? You're getting closer to... um.....
.................

[woven spoke]

Or wait those are both dynamic

[grave onyx]

Alright, let me put in my two (eh, more like 12 ) cents:

1. Yes, it's possible to use the same mic across 2 computers, but you would need a second interface plugged into the other computer - you would turn on input monitoring on your first interface, then plug one of the line outputs into an input of the second interface. Alternatively, if you were using a device with Dante compatibility (more expensive), you could use an Ethernet cable to connect from the interface to the second computer and run Dante Virtual Soundcard on it.
2. For the monitors you are using, the line outputs of an interface meant for professional audio would actually not work well - that speaker system is built to work with different voltage/impedance/electricity magics (I don't really understand the specifics, other than from experience if you tried to plug it in that way it would sound bad lol). You would be best served by an interface with RCA outputs, which you can plug into the back of the subwoofer unit (I checked the manual you linked). The M-Track Solo could be acceptable, but understand that its electrical components are on the low end; you get what you pay for. If you're okay with that then great! However if for no reason other than your own personal enjoyment you want higher quality ins and outs, a higher quality interface with RCA outputs is the MOTU M2. I will warn you though, that's definitely overkill for your needs.
3. XM8500 is actually surprisingly good, for a $20 microphone. But it's still a $20 mic and it gets handily outclassed by more expensive ones. I would highly suggest some other mics before looking at the SM7B since y'know, it's $400 and in my opinion super overrated. Dynamic mics, generally speaking, do pick up very slightly less off-axis noise in the high frequencies compared to condenser mics, but the real difference is they're usually designed to be used closer to the mouth (or other sound source), which naturally increases the signal-to-noise ratio by a lot. Some mics worth checking out specifically for your needs are: SM57 with the A2WS windscreen or SM58 are always solid; sE V7 is highly recommended; RODE Procaster (not Podcaster or Podmic) - I have some audio friends who like this one a lot.
4. I recently got the Shure SRH440A headphones and love them. Relatively affordable yet really good for their price in my opinion.

Allow me to also mention some other setup options available to you:

• If all you're doing is gaming/voice chat, then you could just get a Fifine AM8. It's head and shoulders above the other Fifine mics and works well as a chatting mic. For the audio going to your speaker system, you could use a sound card such as this, which was recommended by literally the most persnickety audio freak I know who said (verbatim), "It is a very good product".
• You could also use that same sound card for the speakers but instead of the AM8, you could get the ATH-M50xSTS-USB, which is a pair of M50X headphones (quite decent), with one of the best headset microphones I've heard attached to it. As far as rejecting unwanted noise, this could work particularly well for your needs. Though obviously, since the mic is attached to the headphones, it cannot be used without wearing it, so it would not be feasible to voice chat while listening on your speakers with this unit. One plus on this one, assuming the CA site has the same thing, is you can get refurbished models for a pretty steep discount.

[woven spoke]

I 100% appreciate your 12 cents

1. Sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth tbh.. I might just leave this alone

2. This is kind of a Christmas gift to myself and to serve as something that is more flexible down the road should (and likely when) I decide to ditch the Logitech in favour of something better

3. I've also seen the sm57 and sm58 being recommended as well as the sE v7 - I'll need to look into these more

Pretty much all I'm doing is gaming and voice chat and listening to music on the speakers

Out of curiosity, all those XLR/TRS combo slots... Do they accept a 3.5/6.35mm mic input?

[grave onyx]

Technically speaking a three conductor wire is a three conductor wire and it doesn't matter what kind of connection you put on its end. However, despite them all technically being compatible with each other, usually these different connector types are used for different types of signals that are not compatible with each other.

Usually:

• A 3.5 mm headphone jack sends an unbalanced stereo signal that is suitable for headphones and earbuds
• The 6.5 mm TRS connections on an interface are made to accept or send a balanced line level input (with the exception of the big headphone plug)
• The XLR connectors on the interface are made to accept a balanced microphone level input.

All of these types of signals are different and not compatible with each other.

--
That said, what microphone would you be connecting using a 3.5/6.5mm plug? A lot of the time they are designed to work with a phantom power voltage closer to 12v (often lower) rather than the standard 48v on interfaces. The vast majority of interfaces cannot change their phantom power voltage so if you wanted to connect one of these mics you might need to use a voltage adapter.

[woven spoke]

Theoretically, if I wanted to use my existing pc38x headset with a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter

(happy new year btw)

[grave onyx]

Just did a little looking things up and figured out in order to plug it into your interface you would need one of these (or a similar item from another brand)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VXLRP--rode-vxlr-3.5mm-to-xlr-adapter-with-power-convertor?mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700080454169515&lid=92700080454169515&ds_s_kwgid=58700008743176688&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=2316652167106&product_id=VXLRP&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=m&network=g&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=1026971&creative=705256640089&targetid=aud-297527862170:pla-2316652167106&campaignid=21453452330&awsearchcpc=1&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds

[woven spoke]

Would this pro version be even better?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VXLRPro--rode-vxlr-pro-3.5mm-to-xlr-adapter-with-power-convertor

[grave onyx]

As far as I can tell, the difference with that one is it has a transformer built in to balance the signal (which reduces noise over longer cable runs). Really though, if you're using it for a gaming headset mic with the original cable...
That's kind of like modifying your car for racing and then never going above the speed limit lol

[woven spoke]

I'm always about going overkill lmao

I feel like I'm super super close to making a decision, but the Logitech speakers are throwing things for a loop

I could get the MOTU m2/m4 which has the RCA out, but doesn't have a great headphone amp

Or I could get the ss2 MK2 which doesn't have RCA out, but has a great headphone amp. You had mentioned that using the line out to the 3.5mm input is not a great idea, so I'm a little wee bit stumped

[grave onyx]

The headphone amp on the M2/4 is great. It may be outclassed by the SSL2 MK2 in most measurements, but I promise you, any actual difference you could notice beyond maybe a single percent when listening would be placebo.

Oh, forgot to send the screenshot

[woven spoke]

I meant moreso in power output. I thought I had read some reviews where people said it had difficulties in driving any headphones that required more power and that strangely enough, the power output for lower impedance headphones is relatively weak

[grave onyx]

Unless you like having hearing damage, there will be no discernable issue.

For reference, I've used an M4 for about 5 years with a wide variety of headphones attached to it.

[woven spoke]

Well alrighty then, I think I'm convinced.

I've also read the m4 measures slightly better than the m2 and it provides more flexibility down the road

[grave onyx]

👌

[woven spoke]

I appreciate all your help!

[grave onyx]

No prob! Glad to help 🤘