Buying guide
XLR Upgrade Path
Updated How we research
Move from USB to a real studio signal chain. The page is split into four sections (Choose your first XLR mic; Get audio into your computer; Add clean gain and character; Wire it up reliably), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.9 out of 10.
- Best overall:Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.9/10.
- Also great value:FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone with RGB Light and Mute Button. Value score of 10/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB Audio Interface. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Feature-rich:PreSonus Quantum ES 4 4 x 4, 24-bit / 192 kHz USB-C Audio Interface with Fender Studio Pro Software. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Choose your first XLR mic
- FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone with RGB Light and Mute ButtonOur score8.6/10
- FIFINE AmpliTank K688 Dynamic XLR/USB Podcast Recording MicrophoneOur score8.4/10
- Shure MV7X XLR Dynamic Microphone for Podcasting and Vocal RecordingOur score8.3/10
- PROAR XLR Podcast Microphone Professional Cardioid Condenser Mic Kit with Desktop StandOur score7.0/10
Get audio into your computer
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB Audio InterfaceOur score8.8/10
- PreSonus Quantum ES 4 4 x 4, 24-bit / 192 kHz USB-C Audio Interface with Fender Studio Pro SoftwareOur score8.4/10
- Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio InterfaceOur score8.0/10
- PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary USB Audio InterfaceOur score7.2/10
Add clean gain and character
- Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic ActivatorOur score8.9/10
- Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator (2-Pack) Bundle with 2 XLR CablesOur score8.6/10
- Cloud Microphones - Cloudlifter CL-Zi Mic Activator and DI - USA Made | Variable Impedance Tone Control Plus Instrument DI for Bass, Guitar and Vocals, +25dB GainOur score8.0/10
- Cloud Microphones - Cloudlifter Mini CL-25 Mic Activator - USA Made | Inline Ultra-Clean Preamp Gain, +25dB, Plugs Straight Into Your Mic for Studio or TravelOur score7.8/10
Wire it up reliably
- Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR Microphone Cable 10ft Oxygen-Free CopperOur score8.6/10
- Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR Microphone Cable 6ft Oxygen-Free CopperOur score8.6/10
- Amazon Basics XLR Microphone Cable All Copper Conductors Low Noise 10 ft BlackOur score8.1/10
- Amazon Basics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable 6 Foot BlackOur score7.8/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1The Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 is an inline mic activator that adds clean gain to low-output dynamic mics like broadcast mics.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Adds clean gain so quiet dynamic mics reach good levels without hiss
- + Runs on phantom power, so there are no batteries or power supplies
- + Tiny inline box sits between mic and interface with no settings
- - Needs phantom power from the interface, and it does nothing for USB mics
- - Unnecessary with condensers or interfaces that already have high gain
#2The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is a two-input USB interface, a popular upgrade for two-mic podcasts and home recording.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Two mic inputs record a host and guest on separate channels
- + 4th Gen preamps offer more clean gain for low-output dynamic mics
- + Compact desktop size fits next to a laptop in small studios
- - Two inputs are the ceiling, so three-person shows need a bigger unit
- - Pricier than budget two-input interfaces with similar core features
#3FIFINE's AmpliGame AM8 is a dynamic mic with both USB and XLR outputs, a flexible first podcast mic that can grow into an interface setup.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 10/10
- + USB and XLR outputs let you start plugged into a laptop and move to a mixer later
- + Dynamic capsule rejects more room noise than a condenser in an untreated bedroom
- + Built-in mute button makes it quick to cough or pause mid-recording without editing
- - RGB light is aimed at streamers and can look busy on a professional video podcast
- - Budget build and capsule will not match the depth of a premium broadcast dynamic mic
#4A 2-pack of Cloudlifter CL-1 mic activators bundled with 2 XLR cables, a matched gain boost for two separate mic positions.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + 2-Pack gives each host a separate booster that can sit near their mic
- + Bundled XLR cables connect each activator without extra purchases
- + Separate units are flexible if hosts sit at different desks
- - Two boxes add more cable clutter than a single two-channel unit
- - Only helpful with passive dynamic or ribbon mics, not condensers
#5Cable Matters' 2-Pack premium 10ft XLR to XLR mic cables use oxygen-free copper, ideal for two-host podcast setups.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2-Pack covers both host microphones in a single purchase
- + Oxygen-free copper conductors support clean, quiet signal paths
- + 10ft length allows flexible positioning of mics and interfaces
- - Extra length can create cable clutter on small desks
- - Premium labeling does not guarantee better sound than basic cables
#6The Cable Matters 2-Pack premium 6ft XLR to XLR cables use oxygen-free copper, a tidy option for compact desks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 6ft length keeps short cable runs neat on desktop setups
- + 2-Pack provides one cable per host for co-host podcasts
- + Oxygen-free copper wiring helps keep noise low
- - May not reach interfaces placed on shelves or racks
- - Not ideal for floor stands placed away from the desk
#7FIFINE's AmpliTank K688 is a dynamic mic with XLR and USB outputs, a value pick for podcasters who want XLR flexibility on a budget.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Dual XLR and USB connection works with a computer today and an interface tomorrow
- + Dynamic design keeps background noise down when recording in a normal room
- + Broadcast-style body looks the part on camera for video podcasts
- - Needs close placement near your mouth, so a boom arm is almost essential
- - Capsule detail trails premium Shure and Rode dynamics when heard side by side
#8The PreSonus Quantum ES 4 is a 4x4, 24-bit/192 kHz USB-C interface with four MAX-HD mic preamps offering 75 dB of gain. Auto Gain and control from the Universal Control app help when you run a multi-mic show.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Four MAX-HD mic preamps with +75 dB of gain, a useful margin for low-output dynamic mics
- + Auto Gain button sets input levels for microphones and instruments automatically
- + Includes a Studio One Pro perpetual license and preamp control from a phone, tablet or desktop
- - Costs well above budget interfaces, so it only pays off if you use all four preamps
- - Four mic inputs are more than a solo or two-host show needs, where a two-preamp unit costs far less
#9Shure's MV7X is the XLR-only version of the MV7, a broadcast-style dynamic mic for podcasters who already own an interface or mixer.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Shure dynamic capsule is tuned for close spoken word, giving a warm radio-style voice
- + XLR-only design keeps it simple and slots into any interface, mixer or recorder
- + Tight pickup helps reject keyboard clicks and room echo in home studios
- - No USB output, so you must buy an audio interface or mixer to use it at all
- - Fairly low output means a clean preamp with plenty of gain is recommended
#10Amazon Basics' 10 ft black XLR microphone cable uses all copper conductors for low noise connections between mic and interface.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + All copper conductors help keep signal noise low
- + 10 ft length reaches from desk mic to interface or mixer comfortably
- + Affordable, dependable cable for building out a studio
- - Basic jacket is less flexible than premium stage cables
- - Single cable, so multi-mic setups need several purchases
#11Focusrite's Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a compact USB interface with one mic input, the classic starter box for a single XLR mic.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Single mic preamp is all a solo podcaster needs for one XLR microphone
- + Small, simple layout makes it easy for complete beginners to set up
- + Proven Focusrite drivers are stable on both Mac and Windows computers
- - Only one mic input, so adding a co-host means buying a new interface
- - Modest preamp gain struggles with very quiet dynamic broadcast mics
#12Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-Zi is a mic activator and DI with variable impedance tone control that gives passive mics up to +25dB of clean gain.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Up to +25dB of gain for dynamic and passive ribbon mics, using phantom power without passing it to the mic.
- + Variable impedance tone control and an instrument input add flexibility.
- + Listing positions it for podcasts, streaming and studio recording.
- - It is a single-channel unit, while the CL-2 it replaces had two channels.
- - One of the pricier mic activators, so overkill if you only need a boost for one mic.
#13Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Mini CL-25 is an inline mic activator that adds up to +25dB of clean gain and plugs straight into the microphone.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Up to +25dB of clean gain for passive mics using phantom power, with no phantom power sent to the mic.
- + Inline mini format plugs directly into the mic and is easy to carry.
- + Safe for passive ribbon mics and listed for podcasting.
- - Single channel and smaller than the CL-1 bundle it replaces, with no cable included.
- - Costs more per dB of gain than budget activators.
#14Amazon Basics' 6 foot black XLR male to female mic cable is a short, affordable cable for desk-based podcast setups.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 6 Foot length suits desks where the interface sits close by
- + Standard XLR male to female ends work with most mics
- + Budget price makes stocking spare cables easy
- - Too short for floor stands or larger studio layouts
- - Connectors are basic compared with premium branded cables
#15PreSonus's AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary edition is a two-input USB interface, an entry-level box with bundled recording software.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Two combo inputs cover a mic plus an instrument or a second host
- + Bundled PreSonus software gives beginners a way to record and edit
- + Anniversary styling adds a distinctive look at a starter price
- - Plastic-feeling controls are less refined than pricier interfaces
- - Basic preamps need a booster for low-output broadcast dynamics
#16PROAR's cardioid condenser XLR kit bundles a mic with a desktop stand, a low-cost way into XLR recording for new podcasters.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Kit includes a desktop stand, so you can start recording without extra purchases
- + Cardioid condenser capsule captures clear, detailed speech in a quiet room
- + Inexpensive entry into XLR gear if you already have an interface on your desk
- - Condenser needs phantom power from your interface, so check that your interface offers it first
- - Picks up more room echo and fan noise than a dynamic mic in untreated spaces
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Podcast Gear Hub curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.