While just about every new laptop and netbook come with a webcam and microphone built-in, these generally fail to offer acceptable quality. For webcams, some of you folks may choose to upgrade to a Logitech or Microsoft solution, a few of which we reviewed recently. But when it comes to audio, selecting a decent option is a bit more difficult. Using a professional condenser microphone with a laptop or desktop requires a powered stereo mixer plus with equipment to digitize audio or a XLR to USB converter. Fortunately, those looking to take their first step into professional audio no longer have to deal with multiple pieces of expensive equipment. AKG, a Harmon company, now offers an all-in-one solution that’s easy as plug-and-play.

Setup and Configuration
Getting started with AKG’s Perception 120 USB couldn’t be easier since it requires barely any experience with audio equipment and minimal computer skills for that matter. The packaging includes a few items in addition to the microphone: a mini desk tripod stand, a swivel mount, a lengthy USB cable, and an instruction manual. Competing solutions such as Shure’s PG-27USB, which we wrote about recently, fails to include a stand or mounting bracket. Assembling the microphon takes just less than a minute or two. While the tripod isn’t exactly the most robust of stands, it’s still a welcome inclusion. Fortunately, since the Perception 120 USB is compatible with any standard mount, finding alternate solutions isn’t an issue.

As for software configuration, setup also took a mere minute or two. After plugging the included USB cable from the microphone into my Windows 7 laptop, my machine automatically detected and installed the necessary drivers. I didn’t need to install programs from a CD or download anything from the web. It was nearly instantaneous. Unfortunately, after launching applications like Audacity for a test recording or Skype for a video call, I found that my internal laptop microphones were still set as the default device. The issue was easily fixed once I set the AKG Perception device as the “default recording device” in the Sound section of the Windows Control Panel. Programs including Audacity and Skype also include the option to manually select a recording device as well, but tweaking the setting in the Control Panel makes the changes go into effect system-wide.

I should note that the Perception 120 USB is entirely compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X as well. I didn’t try it on all the mentioned operating systems, but it did work with my XP netbook and I probably wouldn’t be surprised to find it working with Ubuntu either.

How Does It Work?
For those wondering, the technology inside the Perception 120 USB is actually fairly impressive. AKG has long offered a standard condenser Perception 120 microphone, but it differs from the USB model in a few ways. The original model, just like any condenser microphone on the market, is analog technology. It sports a 3-pin XLR connector and requires a powered mixer for use. Getting audio onto a computer requires an RCA to 3.5mm cable or a XLR-to-USB solution such as the one Shure offers.

On the other hand, the Perception 120 USB model features an analog-to-digital converter inside. While the extra components do make the body somewhat heavier, it offers a few advantages for those trying to cut costs and simplify their setup. Without the need of any extra equipment, the Perception 120 USB connects directly to a computer’s USB port for power and transmits audio back simultaneously. And for those wondering, it’s quite similar to the concept behind the Blue Microphones Snowball, we reviewed last year. This is AKG’s first digital USB-enabled micophone, but it is already pretty impressive.