A relative newcomer, JLab Audio is probably best known for its affordable headphones, speakers, and other audio products. But its latest release is a new line of USB microphones for streaming, podcasting, and gaming, and the Talk series of mics seeks to cover all types of streamers, big and small. They are Talk PRO ($150), designed for professional streamers, Talk ($99) for entry-level podcasters, and this budget option, Talk GO ($50).

Frankly, the microphone I'm most interested in is the Talk GO, with its two condensers and 96kHz/24Bit resolution; while the microphone options above $100 are vast, there are few viable options in this $50-ish price range.

The Talk GO employs two directivity patterns (unidirectional and omnidirectional). While unidirectional is not surprising, omnidirectional is a pleasant surprise for a microphone of this level. This means that the GO can be placed in the middle of the table during group interviews or panel discussions.

Weighing just under a pound for a plug-and-play microphone and the tripod that comes with it, the GO is certainly a lightweight microphone. The hard plastic housing raises some concerns about durability for long-term use and travel. A smart idea would be to include a travel case or pouch, but doing so would increase the price.

The Talk GO's modest size makes it ideal for small spaces, especially useful when a boom arm cannot be placed on a desk.

The powder blue accents and bright light wheels give it a fresh design. The light wheel not only looks great, but also lets you know which directional pattern mode you are using.

Blue is unidirectional, green is omnidirectional, and red is muted. You can switch between patterns by pressing and holding the mute button, and so far it has proven to be quite beginner-friendly; all of the microphones in the Talk series are simple and sleek, which I don't dislike, but I'm not sure I'm a fan of the mute button.

The Talk GO will surprise a lot of people, because despite having only two condensers, it doesn't sound bad. When I recorded some lines my voice was quieter than I would have liked and my Ps popped very much. For everyday use like conference calls and podcasting, it's fine, but if you want crisp vocals for music performers, you'll need to expand your budget and upgrade to Talk PRO.

The JLab Audio Talk GO is probably the only $50 USB mic you can buy, aside from the aging Blue Snowball ICE (if you can find one). If you are starting out in content creation on a limited budget, there are better things to do than the Talk GO's size, sound, and price.