Sometimes a computer setup showed off on social media demonstrates just how easy and affordable it can be to add a nice set of audio gear for podcasting, streaming, Zoom meetings and more. Today’s M4 iMac workstation sets a good example. It not only includes AirPods Max, Apple’s premium over-ear headphones. It also features one of the most popular USB microphones mounted on a boom arm, plus a capable audio interface. And it’s all pretty much plug and play, so the user can start broadcasting or recording in minutes.
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M4 iMac setup includes AirPods Max, top USB microphone and Behringer audio interface
Redditor Upstairs-Variation83 (“UV”) showed off the iMac-based workstation in a post entitled “Simple setup.” Along with Apple’s modular, all-in-one desktop computer, it includes M2 iPad Pro, M2 MacBook Air and AirPods Max. It’s a neat and tidy Apple-centric setup. But it’s not all Apple — non-Apple additions include a Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti microphone on a Blue Yeti boom arm plus a Behringer U-Phoria UM2 audio interface. I recently focused on the multitalented iMac, which narrowly won out over a Mac mini in a recent setup refresh. Today I’ll look at UV’s audio gear, ideal for podcasting and more.
Photo: [email protected]
AirPods Max
Apple's AirPods Max are among the best-sounding consumer headphones you can buy. They offer pro-level active noise cancellation and advanced features like Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio. Treat your ears!
- Superb sound
- Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation
- Long battery life (and now USB-C)
- Much-hated Smart Case
- On the heavy side
Apple’s top headphones, AirPods Max, need no introduction, really. For folks dwelling in the Apple ecosystem, you can’t do much better, unless you’re willing to pay a fortune for audiophile headphones. But those would come at the expense of seamless integration with your Apple gear, Find My network access and more, which only Apple and Beats headphones give you. In the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Max are the one true cans to rule them all.
And while the recent introduction of a new AirPods Max version didn’t wow anybody — it swapped out the Lightning connector for USB-C and added some new colors but otherwise remained the same — other functionality has come along since. Last week the cans got lossless audio and low-latency audio through a firmware update. So are the headphones worth their regular retail price ($549)? Well, that’s between you and your savings account or credit card.
Blue Yeti mic on boom arm
Logitech's Blue Yeti USB condenser microphone is for recording, streaming, gaming, podcasting and more on Mac or PC. Includes Blue VO!CE Effects and adjustable stand. Also available in bundle with boom arm.
- Great for many uses with Mac or PC
- Choose from 4 pickup patterns
- Comes with effects software
- More money buys higher audio quality
The Blue Yeti USB microphone, which you can generally get for around $100, became a best seller years ago for use with computers. And that’s why Logitech bought Blue Microphones in 2018. The mic remains a popular choice. And like UV, you can buy it in a bundle with the Compass boom arm and easily mount it on your desk. Then just plug the mic into an audio interface, like the one below, connected to your Mac. As with other good USB mics, you get higher-quality voice input than you would with your computer’s built-in mic.
Microphone features:
- A custom three-capsule array helps professional USB mic produces clear, broadcast-quality sound for YouTube videos, Twitch game streaming, podcasting, Zoom meetings, music recording and more.
- Blue Voice software enhances vocal sound with effects, advanced modulation and HD audio samples.
- Four pickup patterns — flexible cardioid, omni, bidirectional and stereo pickup — allow you to record in ways that would normally require multiple mics, for vocals, instruments and podcasts.
- Headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute and mic gain onboard audio controls give you control over the audio recording and streaming process.
- You can pivot the mic in relation to the sound source to optimize your sound quality, thanks to the adjustable desktop stand, and track your voice in real time with no-latency monitoring.
- Plug ‘n play: Set up the computer microphone in seconds with the included desktop stand or connect directly to a mic stand or boom arm and instantly start recording and streaming on Mac or PC.
Behringer U-Phoria UM2 audio interface
Behringer's affordable audio interface helps you record with quality via Mac or PC. It brings top-notch connectivity for your microphone, headphones and a musical instrument.
- 2-channel USB audio interface with 1 XENYX microphone preamp
- Instrument input
- Phantom power
- 48kHz audio resolution
- Limited inputs for mics and instruments
Behringer’s U-Phoria UM2 is a cool little audio interface for microphone and headphones. It’s gots tiny little retro tubes on top. And yet it costs under $50 — often $35 to $45. You can plug audio gear like a mic and headphones into it, then plug it straight into an available USB-C port on your Mac. Then make sure you select as the input and output audio source in Settings.
Features:
- 2-channel USB audio interface with 1 XENYX microphone preamp
- Instrument input
- Phantom power
- 48kHz audio resolution
Shop these items now:
Audio:
- AirPods Max
- Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone
- Blue Yeticaster Pro Broadcast Bundle with Compass mic boom arm
- Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface
Computers:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually work fine). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
