Creative's Live! Mic M3 wants to be your one-size-fits-all USB microphone
Whether your a budding streamer, podcast host or just working from home, the Creative Live! Mic M3 has you covered.
The M3 with the included pop filter. (Image source: Creative)
Alongside their Sound Blaster Katana V2, Creative has released the Live! Mic M3, its first plug-and-play USB microphone. Though it may look less flashy when put next to the Katana V2 with its RGB lighting strip, it seems that Creative has decided to cast a wide net with this one; it pitches the M3 as a one-stop solution for all sorts of scenarios including streaming, podcasting and conferencing.
Starting off its versatility pitch, a knob behind the M3 switches the microphone between cardioid and omni-directional polar patterns, made possible by the two 14mm condenser capsules under the casing.
The polar pattern knob on the M3's back. (Image source: Creative)
As the cardioid pattern works best for sounds coming from the front of the mic, you’d probably want to stick with it for use cases like streaming, video conferencing or Discord calls. But if you want to start a podcast with others or just need to capture multiple people in a pinch, the omni-directional mode covers that.
Another feature is the ability to record up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution audio, though you have to fiddle with Windows and Mac settings to get it up and running. Additionally, the M3 supports live headphone monitoring through a 3.5mm headphone port on its underside. This should be particularly attractive for budding bedroom musicians or voice actors who need to monitor their audio without delay.
Rounding out its all-rounder pitch are some quality-of-life features. The volume knob and mute button under the microphone element complement the live headphone monitoring and alleviate the need to search for input volume settings or hunting hunt for the mute button with your cursor. Finally, the M3 comes with a pop filter and adjustable table stand in the box, and it connects via micro-USB.
Though it lacks the swanky features of some of its more popular competitors like the HyperX Quadcast's RGB and the Blue Yeti’s four polar patterns, the $S89 price tag may interest aspiring content creators, or those just looking to upgrade from their webcam or laptop's microphone, though it also puts it up against competitors like the Razer Seiren Mini and Samson Q2u.
The Live! Mic M3 is available now through Creative’s website.
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