Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Your microphone may not sound bad—you may simply be using it incorrectly. Proper microphone placement, distance, and pickup direction can make a bigger difference than buying an expensive mic, XLR interface, or extra audio gear.
In this video, I explain proper mic etiquette for streaming, gaming, podcasting, and YouTube. We’ll compare a microphone placed too far away against proper close placement, explain where different microphones actually capture sound, and cover common mistakes with dynamic microphones like the FIFINE AM8 and Shure SM7B, along with side-address microphones like the HyperX QuadCast.
I’ll also explain why USB versus XLR usually matters less than good microphone technique—and what to use when you want your microphone completely outside the camera frame.
Mic in this video (affiliate)
Fifine AM8 → amazon.com/dp/B0C74G9RLH?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=darkenedcyr06-20&linkId=B0C74G9RLH_1772240453256
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We are an Elgato Ambassador! Get a discount when you order your favorite Elgato products with my link! elgato.sjv.io/aOdJZR
Are you a Console Streamer? Then you need Lightstream!
golightstream.com/darkenedcyrus
Discount Code: DarkenedCyrus (25% off 3 months!)
We are an AVerMedia Partner! Go check out their AWESOME Inventory and get an exclusive discount with my coupon code!
Code: Cyrus
Link: sdqk.me/bPFV6hdj/9f8lj0GW
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Check out my website to book 1 on 1 Coaching, editing services, and more! https://www.darkenedcyrus.live
Join The Darkness Discord! discord.gg/ftRsYvq
------------------------------------
Check out my website! - darkenedcyrus.com
BRANDS! Here's my Media Kit - https://darkenedcyrus.live/mediakit
------------------------------------
Come Watch My Stream!
Twitch - twitch.tv/darkenedcyrus
------------------------------------
Socials
Twitter - twitter.com/DarkenedCyrus
Instagram - instagram.com/DarkenedCyrus
------------------------------------
Channel Started - 7/12/2019
YouTube Partner Program - 11/7/2020
10k Subs - 7/18/2022
20k Subs - 3/13/2024
Timestamps:
00:00 Why Your Microphone Still Sounds Bad
00:27 Correct Distance for Dynamic Microphones
01:55 Too Far Away vs Proper Mic Placement
02:50 Does Microphone Orientation Matter?
03:25 Where Your Microphone Actually Picks Up Sound
05:09 Expensive Microphones Won’t Fix Bad Technique
06:31 USB vs XLR: Does It Really Matter?
08:01 The Biggest Audio Upgrade You Can Make
08:15 Microphones You Can Keep Out of Frame
08:43 Final Thoughts
Your microphone may not sound bad—you may simply be using it incorrectly. Proper microphone placement, distance, and pickup direction can make a bigger difference than buying an expensive mic, XLR interface, or extra audio gear.
In this video, I explain proper mic etiquette for streaming, gaming, podcasting, and YouTube. We’ll compare a microphone placed too far away against proper close placement, explain where different microphones actually capture sound, and cover common mistakes with dynamic microphones like the FIFINE AM8 and Shure SM7B, along with side-address microphones like the HyperX QuadCast.
I’ll also explain why USB versus XLR usually matters less than good microphone technique—and what to use when you want your microphone completely outside the camera frame.
Mic in this video (affiliate)
Fifine AM8 → amazon.com/dp/B0C74G9RLH?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=darkenedcyr06-20&linkId=B0C74G9RLH_1772240453256
------------------------------------
We are an Elgato Ambassador! Get a discount when you order your favorite Elgato products with my link! elgato.sjv.io/aOdJZR
Are you a Console Streamer? Then you need Lightstream!
golightstream.com/darkenedcyrus
Discount Code: DarkenedCyrus (25% off 3 months!)
We are an AVerMedia Partner! Go check out their AWESOME Inventory and get an exclusive discount with my coupon code!
Code: Cyrus
Link: sdqk.me/bPFV6hdj/9f8lj0GW
------------------------------------
Check out my website to book 1 on 1 Coaching, editing services, and more! https://www.darkenedcyrus.live
Join The Darkness Discord! discord.gg/ftRsYvq
------------------------------------
Check out my website! - darkenedcyrus.com
BRANDS! Here's my Media Kit - https://darkenedcyrus.live/mediakit
------------------------------------
Come Watch My Stream!
Twitch - twitch.tv/darkenedcyrus
------------------------------------
Socials
Twitter - twitter.com/DarkenedCyrus
Instagram - instagram.com/DarkenedCyrus
------------------------------------
Channel Started - 7/12/2019
YouTube Partner Program - 11/7/2020
10k Subs - 7/18/2022
20k Subs - 3/13/2024
Timestamps:
00:00 Why Your Microphone Still Sounds Bad
00:27 Correct Distance for Dynamic Microphones
01:55 Too Far Away vs Proper Mic Placement
02:50 Does Microphone Orientation Matter?
03:25 Where Your Microphone Actually Picks Up Sound
05:09 Expensive Microphones Won’t Fix Bad Technique
06:31 USB vs XLR: Does It Really Matter?
08:01 The Biggest Audio Upgrade You Can Make
08:15 Microphones You Can Keep Out of Frame
08:43 Final Thoughts
