If you need an efficient gaming headset but cannot find the perfect match for your needs, don’t worry. Today in our Antlion ModMic USB review, we’ll share details about this new USB microphone from Antlion Audio.
The ModMic USB is an excellent microphone for people who mostly play on their PCs. It’s a detachable boom microphone that’s extremely convenient since you can link it to any pair of headphones.
Additionally, Antlion Audio dropped their 3.5mm plug and utilised a USB connection for the mic. This resulted in a more enhanced-sounding product ideal for those who want quality sounds.
Is this product something you’d need to upgrade your headphones? If that’s the case, continue reading our Antlion ModMic USB review for more details.
Antlion ModMic USB Packaging
Let’s begin our review by taking a look at the microphone’s packaging. It came in a typical-looking container featuring an image of the microphone in front.
The product’s name is written above the image, while the brand’s logo is on the upper-left corner of the package. Below the image, you’ll find a note that informs you of where the mic can be attached to.
Inside, the microphone, along with other items, is packed securely and in an organised manner. This is to ensure that it arrives on your doorstep in one piece.
Other than the ModMic, you’ll also find a top clasp, a hardshell travel case, plus two base clasps. You’ll find an extra adhesive, alcohol prep pad, a foam pop filter, and ten cable clips.
Next in our Antlion ModMic USB review, we’ll discuss the product’s design and functions.
Antlion ModMic USB Review – Design and Functionality
The ModMic USB from Antlion is made up of two primary sections: the mic and the mic arm. The mic fitting is a magnetised section featuring a zigzag-toothed style. It allows you to set the mic’s arm in different angles depending on your preferences.
You can choose to attach it via a sticky pad that won’t damage the surface of your headset.
The mic’s arm completes the package. Although it doesn’t sport a fancy design, its simple style integrates a flexible arm that can be bent until 90-degrees. What’s good about it is that it can properly hold its form when you position it accordingly.
We greatly appreciate Antlion Audio for supplying the microphone with a foam cover.
Moving further, you’ll find a switch along the mic which is utilised for shifting between unidirectional and omnidirectional polar patterns. Plus, there’s a rubberised, backlit microphone mute button (in-line) as well.
More attention was given to the aesthetics of the ModMic USB’s case. On it, you’ll find the brand’s logo at the top while its interior is neat and organised which is great. We can say that its design and layout is somewhat akin to the presentation you’d receive from high-end headphones.
Now, our Antlion ModMic USB review will focus on the key features of the ModMic USB.
Key Features of the Antlion ModMic USB
Flexible Audio
Antlion’s ModMic USB offers two built-in mics in one device. These are the noise-cancelling unidirectional cardioid capsule and a full omnidirectional capsule.
The noise-cancelling unidirectional cardioid capsule is designed for noisy environments. On the other hand, the full omnidirectional capsule is made for high-quality voice recordings.
Quick Muting
The Antlion ModMic USB features a new digital mute switch, which is an elegant addition to the product. With this, you can instantly mute your microphone by touching a button. In addition, its red LED indicates when the product is muted.
Attach the ModMic USB to Anything
You can attach the ModMic USB to your headphones, VR visor, or any flat surface. All ModMics have the patented magnetic clasp system that makes removing the mic easy. Plus, its premium adhesive is safe to use on different materials including wood, plastic, metal, and more.
USB Enhanced
This USB-powered ModMic lets you experience superior digital quality. Its sound signature is made for capturing vocals, making the mic ideal for streams, broadcasts, and chats with friends. The Type-A USB is compatible with most devices, including Playstation 4 and PC.
Hassle-free Returns
If you’re not satisfied with the ModMic USB, Antlion Audio accepts returns within 30 days after buying the product. Our Antlion ModMic USB review will now discuss this mic’s specifications.
Specifications
Let’s start with the mic’s ADC chipset. Its maximum sampling rate is 48kH with a 16-bit resolution. For its dynamic range, it’s measured at 96dB, THD+N -89 to 96dB. The ModMic USB’s cable is 2 metres long with a USB Type-A for its termination.
The Microphone Capsule
The ModMic USB sports a unidirectional microphone pattern while its frequency response is 100Hz to 10kHz. It has a sensitivity of -36±3 dB and an impedance of 2.2kΩ (max).
It has 67(Min) dB for its S/N ratio and requires 3.0 Vdc for its standard operating voltage. For its total input sound pressure level, the microphone is at 110dB.
Compatibility
When we talk about the product’s compatibility, it can work with Windows, Linux, and both the PS5 and PS4. It’s also compatible with every other Mac product around except for the 2018 and 2019 Macbook Pro.
The succeeding section of our Antlion ModMic USB review consists of the performance and hands-on details of the product.
Hands-on with the Antlion ModMic USB
Before focusing on how the ModMic USB performed, let’s see how easy or challenging it was to set up.
What’s great about setting up the ModMic USB is that Antlion Audio made it easier for everyone. Since the box comes with a couple of magnetic anchors, you can use these to start using the product.
But before that, grab the included alcohol wipes from the package then use them to clean your headphones thoroughly. Once you’re done, that’s when you stick on these anchors, then you’re all set.
The magnets let you conveniently and quickly set or remove the ModMic whenever necessary. Heading out with your headphones but don’t necessarily need the mic? Just detach it, keep it in its carrying case, then you’re good to go.
Do note that the ModMic USB has its own cable that is separate from your headphones. So, we highly suggest that you utilise the product with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
You won’t have to worry about using additional software to use the ModMic USB. It’s a plug-and-play product which makes it even better.
If your headphones already have a mic but want to utilise the Antlion ModMic USB with them, that’s fine. However, you’ll need to do some software tinkering to use it.
In Windows, setting the product as your default input device will guarantee that your requests/playcalls in-game will be heard.
Let’s now shift to the product’s performance here in our Antlion ModMic USB review.
After trying it for almost a week, we can definitely say that the Antlion ModMic USB is incredible. It produced quality sounds compared to other microphones we’ve tested.
Its diaphragm and condenser head are huge, which will allow the mic to reproduce outstanding sounds from 50Hz to 20kHz. This is all thanks to the ModMic USB’s omnidirectional polar pattern.
A frequency range of 100Hz to 10kHz isn’t new for headset microphones. It only means that the ModMic USB’s omnidirectional pattern extends high-ends while it greatly expands low-end responses.
As mentioned earlier, the ModMic USB has two modes. These can be easily changed using the switch located at the mic’s tip.
When we tested the mic, we noticed that both capsule types offered impressive quality. Of course, each type was suitable for specific situations.
The unidirectional or cardioid mic completely blocked background noise even if it didn’t have noise-cancelling features. This mode is excellent for noisy places but doesn’t deliver increased sensitivity and sharpness to enhance audio.
For the omnidirectional mic, it captured all sounds around the mic. It’s best to use when recording voices with surrounding sounds. In our tests, it worked best when we recorded audio in a silent room.
Antlion ModMic USB Review Summary
The ModMic USB is a unique microphone that’s available for a friendly price. It comes with all the features you’d look for in a microphone which make it convenient and easy to use. Also, it offers a quick setup process, and you won’t need to install any software with its plug-and-play feature.
This version of the ModMic enhances headphones without mics and those with substandard mics. In fact, its audio quality is closer to a dedicated USB mic and is mostly better than those integrated ones.
Most importantly, the ModMIc USB delivered excellent performance during our tests. We didn’t experience any issues with it, and we were impressed with its recording quality. We even appreciate its two available capsule types that allow for flexible recording.
Overall, we were satisfied with the Antlion ModMic USB’s design, performance, and ease of use. With that, we highly recommend this product to you.
If you want to get your hands on this microphone, it’s available for online purchase from the company’s official website.
