How Much Does it Cost?
When it launched, the HyperX QuadCast was quite expensive, costing around £119.99 here in the UK. That’s competitive for what it is, but still not what I would call a bargain. However, that price has now dropped to just £75.99, which I think you’ll agree is a much better deal. Readers in the US will find it for $139.99 right now, but I suspect that price will come down in the near future too.
Overview
While it may not be as high-end as a dedicated XLR microphone and amp, it’s hardly lacking in features either. You could be looking at paying twice as much for something like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which is an amp, headphones and microphone and it may be more than most people need or are willing to spend. For under £100, the QuadCast gives you a plug and play and very beginner-friendly setup. My kids could plug this in and get it working in seconds. Despite the entry-level setup and price, the quality is anything but.
Configuration
Many “cheap” microphones are plugin and they do what they say on the box. However, the QuadCast gives you loads more options to play around with. For me, the on-the-fly pickup adjustments are a real game-changer. If you vary your streaming setup, how many people are in the room or even do interview recording, then the QuadCast is very appealing. It can be configured to just about any scenario and that makes it very versatile indeed. Even more so if you really only want to buy the one microphone.
Gain is important too, and if you’re needing to quickly boost or tone down the levels, having that gain dial right on the microphone is a huge help. Doing those changes in software or even in post isn’t always an option. Nobody wants to tab out of a game and live stream to make adjustments when people can’t hear you… or they can hear you too loudly.
Silence is Golden
Little features add up in a big way too. The anti-vibration mount is obviously quite practical, if hardly uncommon for microphones. A built-in high-quality pop filter is also very welcome. It reduced wind noise when you accidentally blow on the microphone or you leave a window open. It’ll reduce fan noise pickup from your computer too; you get the idea. Then there’s the mute button, it’s a simple thing, but it’s one less thing to need to macro to your other devices. Just tap it, it’s muted, and then you can sneeze, fart, swear, or do what you need without your listeners having to tolerate it.
Should I Buy One?
It’s really well made, has great features, and a very impressive price tag. It’s hard not to recommend this one. It’s cheaper than many XLR setups, but still has all the features a gamer, streamer and content creator may need.
