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Here are 5 excellent microphones for your mixed use case of gaming, video calls, and podcasting: Shure SM7B - The industry standard for podcasting and streaming. It has exceptional voice clarity, built-in pop filter, and great background noise rejection. Does require a robust audio interface or preamp (like a Cloudlifter) since it needs significant gain. Around $400. Audio-Technica AT2020 - A versatile condenser mic that's perfect for starting out. Great sound quality for the price, works well for voice calls and recording, and doesn't need tons of gain. Very popular with streamers and podcasters. Around $100. Shure MV7 - A modern hybrid XLR/USB mic that combines SM7B-inspired sound with plug-and-play convenience. Perfect for your use case since you can use USB for quick calls/gaming and XLR for higher-quality podcast recording. Around $250. Elgato Wave:3 - Designed specifically for streamers but excellent for all voice work. USB convenience, great software with noise suppression, and professional sound quality. The capacitive mute button is handy for gaming. Around $160. Blue Yeti - The most popular USB mic for good reason. Multiple pickup patterns make it versatile for different recording situations, solid build quality, and zero-latency monitoring. Great all-rounder for your needs. Around $130. My recommendation: For your specific mix of uses, I'd lean toward the Shure MV7 or Elgato Wave:3. Both offer excellent sound quality with the USB convenience that's ideal for gaming and calls, while still delivering podcast-quality recordings. The MV7 gives you more upgrade flexibility with XLR, while the Wave:3 has better streaming-focused software features.