Earthworks Icon Pro

I’m looking mainly at live-streaming, video conf calls, etc. and wondered how this (expensive) mic compares to the other goto mics for voice ?

Personally, I don’t think a mic of that price range is needed for a video chat. Regarding livestreaming, a cheaper USB mic like a Blue Snowball should work fine. Equipboard’s Podcast Mic Guide might also be helpful.

The at2020usb is still my go to usb mic. Its served me well in the pandemic.

The Yeti pro is an even better option as it offers multiple patterns and an xlr connection for studio use.

I really like earthworks mics for like classical recordings, omni room mic arrangements or minimal drum mic setups like you might use when doing a jazz ensemble. They tend to be flat as a ruler and very clean sounding in a way that makes me think of measurement mics... although they have a real variety of designs and I've not tried them all. I would never choose an earthworks design for a vocal. I mean I guess I'll try anything but when I think earthworks for a podcast I'm thinking about putting a single mic up to record a couple people in 1 room rather than getting a big and dry broadcast spoken word sound with lots of presence and perfect intelligibility.

Equipboard’s Podcast Mic Guide might also be helpful.

That’s useful, thanks.

Personally, I don’t think a mic of that price range is needed for a video chat. Regarding livestreaming, a cheaper USB mic like a Blue Snowball should work fine. Equipboard’s Podcast Mic Guide might also be helpful.

Just to fill in some blanks: I’m currently using the Rode Procaster with an M-Audio Air interface for work. But I hope to eventually get a mixer, record some stuff (music and/or vocals), maybe livestream too, so I’m looking at things that could potentially serve double duty (ie. maybe overkill for work but great to use for music too).

Just to fill in some blanks: I’m currently using the Rode Procaster with an M-Audio Air interface for work. But I hope to eventually get a mixer, record some stuff (music and/or vocals), maybe livestream too, so I’m looking at things that could potentially serve double duty (ie. maybe overkill for work but great to use for music too).

Sounds like you're set to me! A Procaster is high quality.