I posted a similar query in our Discord, but I am looking for any feedback or suggestions from anyone in the audience with some experience, related to our microphone configuration. This is specific to our actual-play RPG games, since we use dedicated lavalier mics for the battle reports. On the RPG side, our microphone setup is “acceptable”, but not what I would consider “strong”. I have a set of 4 XLR traditional microphones (normally hand-held), hanging from a rig above the table. Basically, its an omni-directional array of multiple microphones, which picks up all of the sounds. Thanks to Davinci Resolve’s tools, I can filter out any background noise pretty easily, and the sessions work.

However, I am interested in improving the capabilities, and giving each player a dedicated microphone. That would allow me to adjust for quiet players and loud players, rather than a universal base line.

My current theory is either a shotgun mic or a podcasting mic for each player. To save table space and avoid vibrations, they would almost certainly be mounted above, probably about 2 feet from each player. Given the typical group size, I am looking at 6 or 7 microphones, so this also has to be fairly inexpensive. I have a very solid audio mixer, which can handle plenty of inputs without issue, so scale isn’t a concern.

As a shotgun mic option, I am considering the Boya BY-BM6060 XLR, currently listed at about $90 each online. For a podcast mic, my alternative is Fifine K688 XLR/USB microphone, at about $70 each.

The real question I have is understanding all the considerations. Information online is at least vague, and downright contradictory at times.

• Microphones should be close to the mouth for the best quality – these tends me towards the Fifine, but on the table or a boom arm
• Shotgun mics are used when the microphone is to be further away or hidden – these leans me back towards the Boya and overhead mount
• Shotgun mics dont work well in enclosed spaces, they are designed for open areas, Podcast mics are better for small rooms – given our gaming space, this makes me pause on the shotgun angle

No doubt there are other factors I am not considering, and almost certainly other models or options of microphones I am not looking at, thus my questions.

Right now, I am stuck with too many options and no direction. Eventually, I suspect I will just gamble and pick one but then have to deal with returns and exchanges if I pick incorrectly.