TONOR TC-777 Microphone – A Well Priced Budget Desktop Microphone with Serious Performance
If you would’ve told me 10 years ago, that I would be looking at random people talking on the internet, I would’ve scoffed at it. Now it seems, that the joke is on me, because online talk shows, game streaming and even news have quickly become decently paying full time professions for a lot of people.
This new trend does require a lot of equipment to begin with, but none more important than the microphone that is literally used to convey the verbal messages. As a matter of fact, audio quality could be significantly more important than the video quality, because good audio goes underappreciated until you head its bad counterpart.
Now, imagine that you are building your own streaming setup. The fact of the matter is that good audio Mics can cost a decent fortune and could also require specialized rooms to get the most out of it. Streamers don’t have that kind of money when they are beginning – period.
So getting all the audio equipment together can be a bit of a costly affair. The almost cheaper and more effective option here would be to just insulate the room for a couple of dollars with some foam padding and then getting a mid-range mic, that sounds good. However there are a lot of options to choose from and it can get inundating really fast, as most of the established streamers use high end equipment. This is where the TONOR TC-777 comes in.
An Overview
The TONOR TC-777 is an elegant and compact microphone that won’t take a lot of space on your desk. It is a plug and play condenser mic that doesn’t require any additional software and can be used universally with any application. It connects via USB to your device of choice – PC, Console, Laptop, etc.. and doesn’t require any external power to function.
At $39, you get a complete set of mic with a solid shock mount and a tripod. The Mic also comes with a dedicated Pop filter that is mounted on a flexible metal arm. A Pop filter or pop shield is basically a circular Nylon mesh that attaches itself to the front of the microphone for filtering harsh noises. What this does is that it greatly reduces any high pitched wind noises that can come out of your mouth and hit the mic, thereby causing the audio to sound unpleasant.
Other than that the unit itself has a very sturdy construction and is accompanied by a nice subtle blue color scheme that will fit in with most desk setups using a dark color scheme. Aesthetics are important, you know!
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, it is a decent performer, especially considering its price. The mic has a sampling rate of 16-bit at 44-48 KHz (Kilohertz). This is good enough for most intents and purposes and can easily pick up clean vocals and greatly improve the audio quality of your recordings. It also has a very wide range of frequency response, 100-44.1KHz (CD Quality), which is more than acceptable for vocals, although a higher frequency response would’ve made it ideal to use with instruments too.
While definitely not studio grade (we aren’t even expecting it for the price), the Tonor holds its own when it comes to vocals and overall richness of sound. But we don’t recommend using this as a mic to record music or instruments.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Decent build quality. Looks good on the desk.
- A full set of included accessories. You don’t need anything extra to get started.
- Plug and Play. Setup consists of a single USB cable. No external power required.
- Works with most devices like PC’s Consoles and Apple Computers. No extra software required.
- Only $39. Performs well above its price point. You’d be hard pressed to find anything better for the price.
Cons
- Availability is an issue. Not available in all regions of the world.
- Not the widest frequency response.
- Noise cancellation is not the best. Can pick up faint background noises at high volumes.
- Relatively a new player into this segment. Can get overlooked if browsing for more established brands.
Conclusion
The Tonor TC-777 is a decent performer that doesn’t break the bank. It will suit anyone that is starting into the streaming profession and they can upgrade later. Its biggest and most direct rival is definitely the Blue Snowball, which has gained some popularity recently and is a tad better performing. However, the TC-777 is cheaper than the snowball and has more included accessories right out of the box, which can be arguably better for someone on a limited budget. While the final choice is up to you, this is a mic that we definitely feel confident in recommending to beginner streamers and also office conferences.
Images Provided by Tonor.
About the Author
Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.
Related Posts
Improve your Audio: How to Reduce Echo in Your Video →
Different Things to Consider for Choosing the Best Gaming Headsets →
