The JLab Talk is marketed as a replacement for the Blue Yeti, but it is more sized like one of my favorite USB microphones, the Blue Yeti Nano, which is also a deserving member of our list of the streaming microphones. The JLab Talk will also be on our list, right? The JLab Talk and its sister, the JLab Talk Pro, are comparable. But The Talk is smaller and fatter. It has a satin black finish, a mixture of plastic and metal materials, RGB lighting, and four polar patterns two more than the Nano and on par with the Blue Yeti. It is similar to the Pro model in several respects.
It resembles the Talk Pro’s younger, bulkier brother. JLab Audio, a relative newcomer to the market, is probably best recognized for its inexpensive audio equipment, such as its inexpensive headphones and speakers. However, its most recent launches signify a brand-new line of USB microphones for gaming, streaming, and podcasting.
The Talk line of microphones aims to accommodate both large and small streamers. The Talk PRO ($150), Talk ($99), and Talk GO ($50), a more affordable alternative, are all geared for professional streamers. Sincerely, the Talk GO microphone, which has two condensers and a resolution of 96 kHz/24 bits, has my greatest curiosity. While there are many possibilities for microphones costing $100 or more, there are hardly any good solutions for this price range.
Design
The JLab Talk is made to be accessible to everyone. The USB cable must be plugged into the mic’s USB-C port on the bottom before being connected to your computer or laptop at the other end. Unlike the similarly cost Rode PodMic, which requires a long driver installation and proprietary software, this device doesn’t require an XLR input or signal adaptor. This ease of use carries across to how you operate the JLab Talk.
The large primary dial on the front can be quickly muted by pressing it inward while switching between the four directional pattern modes of cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, and stereo. Underneath is a secondary dial that is smaller. If you have headphones attached to the onboard 3.5mm connector, this controls both the output volume and the microphone gain. A light-up ring around the main dial, which is used to select between the two, indicates the levels.
Everything is refreshingly simple, and both dials have a solid, well-made quality that the Blue Yeti Nano’s own dial does not. Nevertheless, the Talk is primarily made of plastic, and the Nano has a more upscale metal appearance. Fortunately, the stand is built of more durable materials, so the Talk doesn’t wobble or exhibit other indicators of poor build quality. Speaking of stands, we also like the screw-on tripod on the Talk better than the fixed base on the Nano.
By only partially unfolding the legs instead of fully, it gives the capability of height modification. Once collapsed and removed, it also makes the entire set more portable and storage-friendly. The Nano’s stand is beautifully weighted, but until we switch to a really height desk, we’ve never felt that it holds the microphone too low down for me to use comfortably.
Feature
There are many features packed inside the JLab Talk Pro. This can be used for a variety of purposes, first and foremost. For a single vocalist, cardioid mode, for instance, does wonders in delivering a highly crisp and clear audio result. Strong treble and a pleasing amount of clarity may be heard. Stereo, Omni, and Figure-Eight or Bi-Directional patterns are additional non-cardioid modes.
All helps when recording many vocalists, such as during an interview or on a place where wider audio is desired. The only drawback to this is that when you switch modes, the mic itself makes an audible noise that you wouldn’t anticipate from more expensive models. However, with a high sampling rate and zero-latency monitoring, you can obtain an audio file with depth that is easy to clean up and perfect the finish, especially with the best audio editing software.
Sound Quality
You run the danger of getting a USB microphone for less money, which would defeat the purpose of having a specialized mic in the first place. Contrarily, the JLab Talk has the potential to sound excellent regardless of its price with the appropriate pattern and gain settings. Let’s examine each of the four recording settings. The first type is cardioid, which is best for recording a single speaker since it mostly captures sound coming from in front of the microphone.
This pattern allowed us to communicate well, and the Talk did a little better job of capturing the bass in my voice than the Blue Yeti Nano. In my wood-floored flat, there was absolutely no distracting reverb or echoing, which is quite the accomplishment. The omnidirectional pattern, a 360-degree recording mode designed for group podcasts, is the following option. Although this is to be expected when recording speech from a greater distance, there is an immediate decrease in warmth and an increase in reverb.
The three-condenser array really performs admirably under more difficult circumstances, maintaining tone consistency when recording from any angle. we could get as close as 60 inches before it seemed “too” far away to my ears. The Talk isn’t a terrible first choice if you want to create and start podcast but can’t afford mics for everyone. A bidirectional mode is also available, however it only records what is directly in front of and behind the Talk.
Although we’d prefer to recommend the omnidirectional pattern for this, this mode is obviously intended for capturing face-to-face interactions between two individuals. Strangely, the person speaking into the back of the microphone sounds hollower and flatter than the person speaking into the front. It’s difficult to explain because the Talk can record consistently in multiple directions when in omnidirectional mode, but at least you now have a good backup choice for podcasts.
Microphone Quality
Although the JLab Talk is attractive and simple to use, how well does it record audio? we used the Jlab Talk throughout multiple recordings, calls, and a radio interview to respond to this. Three condenser microphones are concealed behind the grill of the short, elegant microphone. You can record in cardioid, omnidirectional, stereo, and bidirectional polar patterns using that trio. we are able to record some amazing audio because to the support for 24 bits of depth, a sampling rate of 96kHz, and 120 decibels of MAX SPL.
The bass and timbre of my voice were replicated beautifully in every recording venue and circumstance, and the radio show host remarked on how clear the voice sounded. We then joined my daughter in a Google Meet so she could request an increase in her allowance. They said that we sounded great and thought the chubby JLab Talk was attractive so she got the extra money.
Performance
There are many features packed inside the JLab Talk Pro. This can be used for a variety of purposes, first and foremost. For a single vocalist, cardioid mode, for instance, does wonders in delivering a highly crisp and clear audio result. Strong treble and a pleasing amount of clarity may be heard.
Stereo, Omni, and Figure-Eight or Bi-Directional patterns are additional non-cardioid modes. All of these are useful for capturing many vocalists, such as during an interview or on a site where wider audio is desired. The only drawback to this is that when you switch modes, the mic itself makes an audible noise that you wouldn’t anticipate from more expensive models.
However, using the best audio editing software and a high sampling rate gives you an audio file with depth that makes tidying up and polishing the finish a simple alternative.
Price and Availability
One of the most attractive qualities of the JLab Talk is its price. With an MSRP of $99, it is cheaper than its flagship Blue Yeti microphone, which costs $130, and is on par with the shrunken Blue Yeti Nano. It’s even cheaper than the $199 EPOS B20, another desktop USB microphone.
You can even get the Talk for even less if you buy it from Walmart, which currently has it for $80. However, this is a launch sale, so that price won’t stay that way forever. You can also buy it directly from JLab.
Final Words
Any home office or podcasting setup will benefit greatly from the inclusion of the JLab Audio Talk USB Microphone. Given the high quality of the microphone, the supplied tripod, and the braided cable, the cost is really reasonable. we was a little let down by the mic’s low gain because we need to have it set really high to use it properly. Despite its flaws, the $99 Talk flawlessly fulfils its function of replacing computer microphone for video chats and podcasts. However, the poorer audio quality will prevent me from using the Talk for any music apps.
