For a purely analogue XLR microphone, you need an audio interface or a mixing console with an integrated USB audio interface to connect it to a PC. The device amplifies the microphone signal and converts it for digital processing. You will also normally need a suitable XLR cable.

48 V phantom power supplies many XLR condenser microphones with power through the XLR cable. It is provided by the audio interface or mixing console. Passive dynamic microphones normally do not require phantom power, while some models with active electronics may depend on it.

Dynamic XLR microphones are often positioned close to the mouth and are therefore particularly suitable for streaming, podcasts, and acoustically untreated rooms. Condenser microphones capture voices and vocals in greater detail but can also pick up more room reverb and background noise.

The required gain depends on the microphone’s sensitivity, the volume of your voice, and the distance to the microphone. Dynamic microphones with a low output level often require more amplification. If the audio interface does not provide enough gain, an additional inline preamp may be useful.

Yes, multiple XLR microphones can be used simultaneously if the audio interface or mixing console has enough microphone inputs. This allows the signals of individual speakers to be adjusted and recorded separately, which is particularly useful for podcasts and interviews.

Monitoring with an XLR microphone is normally handled through the headphone output of the audio interface or mixing console. With direct monitoring, you can hear your own voice without distracting latency and check the volume, microphone distance, and recording level.