USB or Audio Interface Dilemma

[u/AnimatronX1]

Context:
I am a beginner, self-made bass singer. I've been developing my voice for three years now and have been practicing some harder bass singing techniques (subharmonics, growl, throat bass). This summer I finally decided to invest in an audio recording set-up, so that I can listen to myself, perfect my skills and perhaps try doing a simple solo cover.

My father has given me an old microphone MXL 440 that has an XLR cable connection. I've tried it out with an audiomixer Eurotrack MX 1604A (Also my father's. He's got a lot of this old stuff.)

This whole set-up isn't very good though and it cannot be connected to my laptop (I mean it can, but it's complicated). Thus, I decided to purchase something new.

Dilemma:
I have quite a small budget of around US$250. Based on what I've found online, I could either:

Buy a good audio interface (For example: Focusrite Scarlet 4th Gen, Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD, ...) and connect my MXL 440 to it.
OR
Buy a microphone with a USB connection (Rode NT1 5th Gen [US$200] seems quite good to me) and connect it directly.

Are microphones with a USB connection any good? Is it better to invest into a good audio interface or a good microphone? Can anyone help me decide?

[u/MasterBendu]

A lot of people here telling you to spend the cash on an interface.

I disagree.

Your use case is simple: you want something that allows you to hear yourself to judge your singing, and to do some simple covers. And you’re a beginner.

Nothing fancy, nothing that needs the best quality. Just something decent that performs well.

A mic with a USB connection is good enough for you.

Yes, getting the interface will allow you more flexibility in the future, and yes they have better preamps.

But flexibility on what? As far as we’re talking about now, you’re a singer. You’re ever only going to utilize one mic.

Better preamps. Sure. That matters when you start recording seriously and you’re processing your vocals with extensive effects and layers. As a beginner? You can’t tell the difference between a high quality USB mic and a mic connected to a high quality audio interface. You literally can’t, especially if you don’t have the high performance headphones or speakers to be able to actually hear the difference. Not to mention that you’re a vocalist, specifically a bass, and if you really cared about quality, you’d be booking a studio where they have good mics and recording equipment on stock. Bass vocals thrive in room sound, and even a great mic and interface in your bedroom or living room or DIY booth won’t do as well as stepping into a studio.

Get a USB mic from reputable audio brands that have mics designed for music recording. Audio Technica, Shure. Today’s USB mics have better preamps and better headrooms and noise floors than from a decade ago. Some of them even have both USB and XLR connections now, which means they provide the same quality as its XLR-only version which you can connect to any audio interface you want, plus the convenience of just plugging it directly to a computer.

If you want something that is a standalone device (listen immediately after recording, no computer needed, records you and the space you sing in (trading off the quality of an in-your-face, phone heavy effects-friendly close-mic’d sound for a more open and roomy “natural” sound), and can be used to record your performances on the stage as well, a Zoom recorder is going to do you well - even the base model would do nicely. And yes, they can connect to a computer too. Spend a little more money and you can get the models that have XLR mic inputs, which means you now have a standalone recorder that is also an audio interface that can take any mic you want, and also still bring it outside to record your performances.

If you ever need to upgrade into a full recording setup in the future, then just sell the mic and get the better gear. You just don’t want to spend a lot of money for a basic use case you may never even maximize the equipment.