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Upgrade your headphones into a headset with a USB mod mic.
Antlion Audio USB is a reliable, quality mod mic with a USB connector and 2 modes of recording.
It stands in the middle among Antlion Audio microphones, it’s slightly more expensive than the ModMic Uni but cheaper than the ModMic Wireless.
It offers everything you need to upgrade your regular headphones into a reliable headset with a quality mic. Learn the specifics below.
- Clear voice recording for gaming, Skyping, and more
- Uni-directional and omni-directional modes
- Works out of the box
- Smart, sturdy design
- The double cable is heavier and can be annoying
Specifications
- Type: Detachable boom microphone
- Design: Uni-directional & omni-directional
- Mutable: With an in-line digital mute button
- Connection: USB-A (compatible with Win, Mac, Linux, PS4)
- Bitrate: 16bit/48kHz max sampling
- Cable length: 6.5ft (2m)
What’s in the Box?
- Antlion Audio ModMic USB
- 1 foam pop filter
- Alcohol wipe
- 2 magnetic base clasps, 1 top clasp
- 2 bonus adhesives
- 10 double cable clips
- Hard, carrying case
- User manual
Setup
The ModMic USB is simple to set up. You plug in the USB-A and you’re ready to go.
If you’re using Discord or some other software, you might have to select USB as the source.
But the initial setup takes a bit longer.
You have to glue on the magnetic clasp to your headphones.
- Find the right position on the side that works for you and put the mic in front of your mouth (or to the side).
- Wipe clean the surface with the alcohol pad
- Glue on clasp by pressing it on for 60 seconds
- Wait for a day for the glue to dry
- You’re ready to use it
Putting on 10 cable clips will take some time too, but once that’s done and you don’t disassemble the headset, you never have to touch it.
You get more clips than in the cheaper Uni Modmic, so it’s easier to manage the double wires.
Also, when you’re not using it, you can angle it upwards to get it out of the way. Plus, you can put on the base clasp on 2 different headphones and just switch the mic when needed.
Durability
The boom microphone is the exact same design we’re used from Antlion Audio. It’s a memory boom arm that you can adjust to a shape you like, followed by a wire. All in all, it’s a quality product without major faults.
The rubbery cable is thicker than with the Uni. Possibly because it’s more expensive or because the wire needs thickness for digital data transmission. In any case, it’s sturdier compared to the analog Uni mic mod.
But that thicker cable makes the combined wires from the mic and headphones even heavier. You have to make sure to position the clips well to avoid frustration.
It’s one of the disadvantages of mic mods that you simply have to accept.
Moreover, the plastic in-line module comes with 1 clickable button that mutes the mic.
When the microphone is muted, the button shines red. So, you don’t accidentally shout into the USB microphone when you think it doesn’t work.
Sound
It is quality microphone performance comparable to a good gaming headset. It’s more than good enough for gaming, Skyping, and even basic recording/streaming.
Here’s a quick sound quality check:
You can change the mode from uni-directional (Cardioid) to omni-directional by a switch at the tip. So, you can always change it without taking the headphones off.
The uni-directional (cardioid) mode is better at blocking background noise. Some people call it noise cancelling even though it has nothing to do with ANC.
It’s better for noisier places, but it suffers from increased sharpness and sensitivity to pop sounds.
But if you set it up correctly and don’t position it too close to the mouth, you’ll avoid the problem.
In the second mode, the omni-directional, it picks up sounds all around the mic. It’s better when you want to record the surrounding sounds together with your voice. It’s best for optimal conditions, like a silent room without audio pollution.
Generally, audio quality is very good and if yours doesn’t sound right, it’s probably the setup and settings that are the problem.
Why Buy a ModMic USB?
ModMic USB is one of the best on the market.
This mod mic makes sense when you want a USB microphone instead of an analog 3.5mm AUX. If you have an analog mic input, then get the ModMic Uni and save some money.
It’s the best way to change your old set of headphones into a reliable headset with minimal hassle.
It makes sense if you have audiophile headphones that you don’t want to replace with a lackluster gaming headset. You can keep your Hi-Fi sound quality and talk with your friends comfortably.
How is ModMic USB Different from ModMic Uni?
ModMic USB is basically the same as the Uni model with the only difference that it’s digital and comes with a USB plug.
So, if your computer doesn’t have a separate analog mic input, you might use for a pair of headphones, then the USB is a good option.
Keep in mind it won’t work on older Xbox consoles but is supported by PC, Mac, and PS4.
Apart from that, you also get a bonus omni-directional mode which might be useful in some situations but isn’t crucial for a good working headset.
For all the “extra” features, you’ll have to pay a bit more, around $70. Compared to ModMic Uni which can be yours under $50.
It’s a personal decision and you’ll have to determine yourself if it’s worth paying more for the USB.
Nonetheless, compared to other USB boom microphones, there’s little competition that comes close. ModMic USB is the way to go for a headset. Your only other options are cheap clip-on mics or a more professional and expensive standalone mic like Blue Jeti.
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Matija Ferjan is a seasoned audio enthusiast reviewing headphones since 2015. He has personally tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds. He’s an active member of the Headphone Audio community and a true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones.
