Monoprice Dark Matter Sentry Streaming Mic

The Monoprice Dark Matter Sentry Streaming Mic ($99.99) falls into the budget-friendly category of USB microphones, but its multidirectional condenser still delivers quality audio with a natural tone. We also like the mic’s onboard gain and monitoring controls, as well as its premium looks. That said, we wish it came with a pop filter and that the included desktop stand mitigated vibrations better. We slightly prefer the Joby Wavo Pod ($99.95) because of its bundled pop filter and higher-quality stand, so it remains our Editors’ Choice. But you can often get the Monoprice mic for much less than its list price, and the Joby model doesn’t have a comparable stereo recording mode.

Subtle LEDs and Multiple Recording Patterns

Taking the desktop stand into account, the black metal Sentry Streaming Mic measures roughly 9.0 by 6.2 by 5.5 inches (HWD). It's a side-address mic with a wraparound metallic grille and built-in control knobs for gain and headphone volume. The gain knob doubles as the mute button if you press it—this turns the mic’s various LEDs red. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack below the knobs and a mode button up top. The latter lets you choose between cardioid, figure-8, omnidirectional, and stereo recording patterns. Four LED dots glow at different places on the mic to indicate which areas are actively picking up audio. 

A cup-like enclosure houses the mic body and has a cutaway for the knobs and headphone jack. This sleeve also has interior LED accent lighting that matches that of the top panel—you can choose between blue, green, pink, white, or yellow hues by pressing a button on the bottom of the mic (a long press turns the LEDs off). The lighting is subtle and looks quite nice.

Behind the grille, this condenser delivers a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz and a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 130dB. Those specs and the top audio quality setting, 24-bit/96kHz, are impressive for the price.

The mic fits into the spider-like desktop stand using an included screw. The stand feels sturdy and I like that it gives you the choice to angle the mic upward or keep it flat. That said, I wish I could tilt the mic even further upward. The stand is also a bit large, though it's easy to detach the mic and use its standard 5/8-inch thread mount to connect it to whatever other mic stand or boom arm you prefer.

The included USB-C-to-USB-A cable connects to the USB-C port at the mic’s base—a cutout in the stand allows you to thread it through.

The Sentry Streaming Mic is compatible with computers running Windows XP or later, macOS 10 or later, and Linux. It doesn't come with any software, but I don't consider that a downside in light of the onboard controls.

Crisp Multi-Pattern Recordings

Monoprice says that the mic doesn't use any digital signal processing (DSP)—it passes along a pure analog signal without any EQ or compression until you convert it to digital. This approach is more typical of a studio workflow, but it means less experienced users might have to work a bit harder to achieve the signal they want. The mic placement, pattern, angle, and gain level all play a role.

In cardioid mode, the mic sounds natural, with a rich low-mid delivery and excellent crisp high-mid presence. The figure-8 (or bidirectional) mode is useful for recording two people who are facing each other as they speak, as well as capturing a room's sound. The omnidirectional mode picks up even more of your environment, especially if it provides lots of potential for sound reflections. If you are recording in an acoustically treated, deadened room though, this pattern picks up a signal from all directions equally, making it appropriate for roundtable discussions. Finally, the stereo mode lets you record everything from a conversation to environmental audio with a spatial feel. 

Because of its clean signal, the Sentry Streaming Mic works well for vocals. I was able to get some rich, crisp captures from a relatively close distance, but a pop filter is in order for recordings anywhere closer than 4 inches away from the grille. You can otherwise do without a filter if you have good mic technique.

The stand is slightly problematic because it picks up vibrations and computer sounds—when I held it up off the table, the low-level hum I was hearing disappeared. That's the opposite effect a mic stand should have. That hum is not present on most other recordings in the same room with other mics, nor is it audible when I listen to the signal through the mic's headphone jack. You can try placing the stand on a surface that's less prone to vibrations, but otherwise, a shock mount or floor stand is the way to go. If all else fails, add a high-pass filter to your recording; that should eliminate most low vibrational rumble and hum without impacting vocals.

A Mostly Excellent Mic for the Price

The Monoprice Dark Matter Sentry Streaming Mic captures a transparent audio signal and we like the versatility of its many recording patterns. It also looks fairly high-end with its various LEDs, though we wish the included desktop stand didn't pick up vibrations so easily. In the sub-$100 price bracket, the Joby Wavo Pod remains our top choice for its sturdier, more adjustable stand and built-in pop filter. But if you can find the Monoprice mic at a discount (we've seen it on Monoprice's site for as low as $39.99), it's a worthwhile alternative especially thanks to its stereo recording mode.