Anyone who creates content, streams, works, or learns from home, or otherwise has a need to record themselves talking a lot needs a good dedicated microphone in their setup.
The best microphones can quickly rise in cost, but it's quite possible to obtain an excellent overall mic at an approachable price. That's the goal of AVerMedia's latest microphone, the VERSATI go (AM310G2). While oddly named, the AM310G2 is, at its core, focused on simplicity — a simple design, simple ease of use, and simply good recording quality.
At just $70, the VERSATI go is honestly a fantastic value microphone that punches above its weight class. It looks good, the build quality is great, the recording quality is that of a more expensive microphone, USB connectivity means support for a ton of devices, and AVerMedia still gives you plenty of software options for customization. The AM310G2 can be awkward, and it's limited in one key way, but any weaknesses are easy to forgive when it costs so little.
VERSATI go review: Pricing and specifications
Pricing highlights
- The AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) microphone retails for $69.99, a very reasonable price for a well-balanced, quality mic.
- AVerMedia also offers the FLEXI go (BA311L) microphone boom arm for $99.99 if you need a more flexible setup (for an oddly high price compared to the mic).
• Price: $69.99 at Amazon
• Mic type: Cardioid condenser
• Mic specs: 20Hz-20,000Hz frequency response, up to 96kHz sampling rate, up to 24-bit resolution, 5V power consumption
• Dimensions: 117 x 57mm (4.6 x 2.24in) w/o tripod
• Weight: 291.9g (10.3oz) w/o tripod, 500.4g (17.65oz) w/ tripod & swivel mount
• Other features: 3/8-inch, 5/8-inch, & 1/4-inch thread support, Windows, macOS, Android, & iOS support via USB Type-C, AVerMedia Streaming Center support, physical mute button, 3.5mm headset audio jack w/ volume dial
I previously reviewed the AVerMedia Live Streamer MIC 350 (AM350), which is one of the more premium USB microphones in AVerMedia's catalog. By comparison, the VERSATI go targets a more accessible price range and a more modest, compact design. The AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) microphone retails for $69.99 at Amazon, making it a great choice for amateurs or those on a budget.
This is a USB microphone, meaning it doesn't require an XLR audio interface to work. Furthermore, it's compatible with a wide range of devices via its USB Type-C port, including Windows PCs, macOS computers, Android devices, and iOS/iPadOS devices. There's also a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting a wired headset.
In the box, you'll find the AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) microphone with a 3/8-inch mounting thread, a 3/8-inch swivel joint mount with a 5/8-inch mounting thread, a 5/8-inch tripod mount, a 5/8-inch-to-1/4-inch thread adapter for the swivel joint mount, and a standard USB Type-C to USB Type-A data and power cable. The AM310G2 should be covered by AVerMedia's 36-month limited warranty.
VERSATI go review: The good
The pros highlights
- The AM310G2 microphone's design is a pretty standard affair, but it still looks clean and, more importantly, feels like a quality product.
- It also does an excellent job as a microphone, with clear, deep, isolated vocals and respectable background noise cancelation.
- If you go through the trouble of installing the supported software suite, you can also dig up a solid number of options and features for customization.
A microphone holds a prominent position on your desk by necessity, given the need for proximity to your mouth, so its first job is to look the part. Fortunately, while the AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) won't stand out in a crowd, it at least doesn't fail. This is an all-black, all-metal cylinder with tasteful cutouts and embedded red LEDs. It's clean, and the AM310G2's build quality is reassuring in the best way.
It's practical, too, for the most part. You have a standard 3/8-inch mounting thread on the side, which you can use to attach to the swivel joint mount (which, in turn, attaches to the included tripod or a mic boom arm of your choice). That swivel mount provides a good deal of flexibility, even if making adjustments is extremely... manual. What matters, though, is that the AM310G2 mic can make a home almost anywhere, and that's good.
Connectivity and power are handled by a single 5V USB Type-C port, which provides easy plug-and-play support on a variety of platforms. No drivers, no necessary software — just power on and begin recording. It's another highlight of the VERSATI go and its design ethos. There's also a 3.5mm audio jack to hook up a headset, which could be great for those using the AM310G2 with mobile devices.
Hook it up, hit that record button, and harp away with the AM310G2, and you'll come away pleasantly surprised. USB microphones are getting better all the time, and the VERSATI go does a remarkable job competing with far more premium audio recording setups. Audio is smooth, clear, and detailed through the AM310G2, with a suitable amount of depth and low end to provide a strong foundation.
The AM310G2 does a respectable job isolating your voice, too, filtering out unwelcome background noises while preventing clipping. The default audio EQ can feel a little harsh, and the VERSATI go is certainly a little more hollow than the best microphones, but performance is miles above what I'd expect from a $70 microphone — indeed, I'd put the AM310G2 above the far more expensive Razer Seiren V3 Chroma I reviewed in terms of pure recording quality, but obviously below the far more premium AVerMedia Live Streamer MIC 350 I reviewed.
You don't need any software to use the AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) microphone, but you can install the company's Streaming Center software for more features.
AVerMedia includes a lot, too, with relatively in-depth options for noise suppression and echo cancelation (including support for NVIDIA RTX Broadcast), noise gates, a de-esser (for reducing lip and mouth sounds while recording), a variety of preset equalizers (and custom 10-band EQ customization), and even various effects like half-stepping, amplification, reverb, and compression. It's a full suite, giving you a decent amount of control over the AM310G2's sound profile.
VERSATI go review: The bad
The cons highlights
- The VERSATI go (AM310G2) nails the fundamentals as a mic, but there are a few oddities.
- The physical mute switch is in an awkward position on the reverse side of the microphone, for example.
- In order to access any microphone settings, you also have to download the entire Streaming Center software suite and dive through hidden menus.
One of the most important functions any mic can have is a mute button or switch, and the AM310G2 does deliver. The only problem? That tiny circular button is stashed away on the reverse side of the microphone, so you have to awkwardly reach around and blindly feel with your finger to access it. It's the same deal with the volume dial for connected headsets, with little indication of which way is "up" or "down."
Something that's less of a flaw and more of a limitation is that the VERSATI go (AM310G2) is only designed for one person. By that, I mean this microphone doesn't support multiple pickup patterns, so it's nearly useless for broadcast or conference scenarios involving multiple people — it's designed for one person to use it while at a closer distance.
One of the VERSATI go's greatest strengths is also one of its biggest weaknesses. On one hand, AVerMedia has built support for a number of software features normally reserved for more expensive microphones into the AM310G2. On the other hand, you have to install AVerMedia's Streaming Center app. This isn't a dedicated device management app — this is an all-in-one platform for configuring and using all of your streaming and content creation devices.
It's frankly overkill if the AM310G2 is your only AVerMedia content creation device. On top of that, the menus to configure your microphone the way you want are hidden and buried. The obvious place ("Device Setting") doesn't recognize the mic, but you'll see a hidden ellipsis menu pop up if you hover over the AM310G2's name in the mixer section. Hit that, go to "Audio Settings," and configure it to your heart's content. The features are there; the way to them is just plagued with inconveniences.
VERSATI go review: Final thoughts
You should buy this if ...
✅You want an affordable, accessible microphone that doesn't compromise on quality
If you're on a budget or you simply need a competent and reliable microphone that's easy to set up and easier to use, the AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) is an excellent option.
✅You want a microphone that gives you a good number of customization options
One of the more surprising elements of the VERSATI go (AM310G2) is just how much AVerMedia lets you tweak or alter digitally. Using the Streaming Center software, you have a fair number of settings you can customize.
You should not buy this if ...
❌You need a microphone for recording multiple people at once
The VERSATI go isn't designed with multiple simultaneous audio sources, so it's not effective at recording more than one person at a time. This mic is affordable enough and easy enough to use, so picking up more than that isn't that big of a deal, though.
Even the widely agreed upon standard for USB microphones, the Blue Yeti X we reviewed, is rarely found for less than $100. Accessible microphones separate from the nameless dregs that compromise on quality to achieve dirt-cheap prices aren't as common as you'd think.
That's where the AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) comes in. I didn't think much of this mic when I first set it up, but its unassuming appearance disguises a thorough approach to designing a reliable, well-rounded microphone. The build quality is airtight, the sound quality is crisp and clear, and you even get a bevy of software customizations that are only made possible through AVerMedia's long-standing audio expertise.
The AVerMedia VERSATI go (AM310G2) only costs $69.99 at Amazon, and I've even seen it go on sale for a little less than that. It's frankly a dead simple recommendation at that price, and you're almost guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised. I have a separate review for the AVerMedia FLEXI go (BA311L) mic boom arm, but you can pick up the FLEXI go arm for $99.99 at Amazon to obtain the complete, low-cost (ish, but only because of the mic arm) and low-effort audio recording setup.
