The FOX microphone features a professional large diaphragm condenser capsule with a higher sensitivity compared to dynamic microphones. Quiet sounds with all their nuances are captured perfectly plus the cardioid polar pattern rejects background noise. Add an internal elastic suspension for further protection of the microphone capsule itself and you have a complete system.

The FOX uses a 24-bit analog-to-digital converter with up to 96kHz sample rates and you can directly monitor what you're recording by plugging in a set of headphones into the 1/8-inch jack on the front of the mic.

Other accessible features and controls on the mic are: a main volume control for the headphone amplifier volume; a kind of mix control that sets the amount of live mic audio feeding the headphones; on the back of the mic is a (cough) mute button and a gain/attenuator control for using the FOX on loud sources.

I liked the accessories included. You get a cool-looking wind/pop screen (shown at the right), a stout base to position the microphone on a table or lectern, and there is also a clamp to mount it to a microphone stand. An orange USB cable and thread adapter is also included.

The FOX USB sells for $179 or 179 €.