Anyone have any experience with USB mics? I'm looking at a Shure PG42 USB and the review at Electronic Musician is not bad. 
 
I'm thinking that if I connect the PG42 to my laptop, sing the vocal, this will remove almost all noise from my vocals.
 
My computer is noisy (fans) and I have no room treatment (no plans to get any at present). I can put the laptop and mic anywhere in the house as well for the best result, noise wise. Plus the end result will depend on the mic and not the soundcard either (my understanding). So I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and your end results. Thanks.

I personally would prefer a separate mic/interface. You can still use your mic if you upgrade in the future or viceversa. You'll still have an interface if you want to upgrade your mic/signal chain.

Having read about 5 posts a week during the past years about problems with USB-mics I would not recommend them to anyone.  

I don't quite understand why you think the USB mic would somehow be especially good noisewise. Of course, it depends on what kind of mic you've been using this far. Maybe with your Audiophile PCI card (desk top PC?) you've used a condenser, but with the laptop I suppose you've been using a dynamic mic if you've connected it to your integrated soundcard. Condenser mics, like PG42, are much, much more sensitive to room noise than dynamic ones, so your laptop noise will be more audible than with a dynamic mic.

I doubt if the noisefloor per se would be any better with the USB mic compared to a dynamic mic/integrated soundcard. Maybe it is??

OTOH, I know there are happy USB-mic users, so I'm not saying it does not work. It might as well be a good choice for your purposes.

Thanks, IK. I have a another mic for that purpose. Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with recording with a USB mic.

Kalle, I have heard the same thing about USB mics but after reading the review from Electronic Musician was wondering if anyone had used one of the later generation USB mics. Wasn't referring to internal noise, external noise from my computer fans. I currently use a Rode NT1-A mic and I get good results. Just curious what anyone with experience with USB mics had to say. Thanks for your reply.

I do and have never really been happy with the results, at the very least a usb to XLR interface may be up your alley.

I was just going to add that you're getting a condenser mic and a converter for $250. It could sound good, but it seems pretty low cost. But, it also depends on the quality you're going after. I totally understand where you're coming from on the portability front. I live on a few acres and often daydream about recording outside to get a totally different sound. Now you may have talked me into trying it!

if you're going to get a USB mic, get one with a headphone output on it and don't use any other soundcard with it.

the usb mic is considered a "soundcard" even the ones without outputs.  when you try to use a usb mic with another soundcard you will have sync problems because they don't have the same clock and you can't use them as one soundcard.

if you get a usb mic with a heaphone output, you can use the headphone output to monitor while recording with the mic so you won't have sync problems that way.  if you use a separate soundcard for monitoring - you WILL have sync problems.

FWIW, the reviews on Sweetwater are pretty positive. We might have on at work. If so, I'll check it out for you.

Post some clips if you do end up making the jump.

I use a rode NT 1000 and I can understand about the noise floor.
mine is phantom powered and if your is as well its a good chance they resemble some of the responses.
they are great microphones and pick up sibilance and mouth noises like crystal glass.
but the reason they are so wonderful is the same double edged sword that makes them lethal for surrounding noises as well.
understand where your coming from.

id stick with the rode.
try a few different approaches toward sound removal.
I know this is not what you wanted to hear or get in to but you may find a nice gobo will yield much better results.
here, make one for 20.00, I did and it did wonders and I do stress wonders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFVqcEpg6_c
or this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWXfoSH-IJE

these not only cut down on noise but also warm the signal, how ? im still trying to figure that out.

anyway, I hope you do something soon because I do look forward to watching your videos, they're hysterical.
I believe you have a good chance of making short skits for television. and getting paid for it as well.

best

Charlie