Mics above $200 can’t really be considered budget options, as this category includes mics like:
| The Best Microphone Use Case | Recommended Type | Recommended Microphone | Average retail price |
| Streaming / Online gaming | USB mic | Shure MV7 | $250 |
| Podcasting | dynamic mic | Shure SM7B | $500 |
| YouTube videos (stationary) | dynamic mic | Rode Procaster | $230 |
| YouTube videos (moving subject) | lavalier mic | Tascam DR-10L | $200 |
Full Answer
Are there any budget microphones for podcasting?
That said, there are some microphones that are particularly suited to podcasting and, best of all, they don’t need to cost the earth. In this guide to the best budget podcasting microphones, we’ll show some of the top options around for getting your voice recorded and your podcasting career off on the right foot.
Is the rode NT-USB a good microphone for podcasting?
The Rode NT-USB is a sexy-looking condenser microphone laden with cool podcast-friendly features.
What are the different levels of podcast mics?
Here are all of our favourite podcast mics by level: Entry Level, High Quality, and Pro. You’ll find all the detail on each level below. But let’s start with a quick overview – look beyond to find out why. Why is a Good Podcast Microphone Important? It seems obvious, but it’s a relevant question – why bother investing in a good podcast microphone?
Is the SM7B a good mic for podcasting?
That’s no small investment, but you get what you pay for and both the audio and build quality of this podcast mic speaks for itself. If you’re serious about podcasting (or if you need a great vocal mic, for that matter), you should think seriously about buying the SM7B.
What is a good cheap podcast mic?
Budget Level Podcast Microphones for Under $100Samson Q2U (Dynamic: XLR & USB) The microphone that I often recommend people start off with is the Samson Q2U. ... ATR2100 (Dynamic: XLR & USB) An alternative, and very similar mic, is the ATR2100. ... Rode Smartlav+ (Condenser: 3.5mm)
What mics are best for podcasts?
Maybe even two or three, if you're inviting guests and co-hosts....The best podcasting microphones you can buy right nowRode PodMic. ... Blue Yeti. ... JLab Talk. ... Blue Yeti X. ... Elgato Wave: 3. ... Movo UM700. ... HyperX QuadCast S. ... EPOS B20.
Which is the best budget mic?
The 8 Best Cheap MicrophonesShure SM48-LC Best Overall.Samson Go Portable.Snowball Black iCE USB.Fifine Microphone.Jlab Audio Talk Go.Shure SM58.Audio-Technica AT2020.AKG P120.
Are Rode mics good for podcasts?
The Rode PodMic is my favorite XLR podcasting mic under $100 (see the review). This dynamic cardioid mic has an internal pop filter and shockmount to help get the best audio quality in a simple and small package. You'll want to get a boom arm for the best results.
What mic does Joe Rogan use?
Shure SM7BThe microphones used in the Joe Rogan Experience podcast are multiple models of the Shure SM7B. The Shure SM7B is a dynamic moving coil microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. The Shure SM7B (link to check the price on Amazon) is a popular mic in the broadcasting world for a good reason!
Is Blue Yeti good for podcasting?
A standard in podcasting as far as USB microphones go, the Blue Yeti is versatile, readily available in most consumer electronic stores, and easy to use. Because of its ability to record in stereo, the Yeti is used a lot in the ASMR Youtube community as well as podcasting and streaming.
How much does a decent mic cost?
The majority of microphones cost between $5 to $5,000. The average cost of a good quality mic is between $100-$500. This price range holds mics for various purposes. Mics above $500 are suitable only in specific conditions (outdoors, pro studio).
Should I get a dynamic or condenser microphone?
The difference between a dynamic and a condenser microphone is a dynamic microphone is better for capturing loud, strong sounds (drums or loud vocals), particularly in a live setting, whereas a condenser microphone is used to capture more delicate sounds and higher frequencies (studio vocals for example), particularly ...
Is SM58 good for recording vocals?
Shure SM58 – Is It Good For Recording Vocals Or As A Studio Mic? Yes, Shure SM58 is good for recording vocals and it is a great microphone to have in your studio. The shure SM58 is traditionally used as a live vocal performance microphone.
What mic does Logan Paul use for podcast?
Logan Paul uses the Shure SM7B, pictured here, for Impaulsive. The Shure SM7B is the holy grail of podcasting microphones, used by Joe Rogan, Russell Brand, Rich Roll and many more. Shure know what they're doing when it comes to creating microphones and the SM7B is designed for recording and broadcasting spoken voice.
Is a dynamic or condenser mic better for podcasting?
Condenser mics have better response to high frequencies than dynamic mics. This gives condensers a crisp, detailed sound; however, it can be a problem for podcasters who record at home. When you use a condenser mic, you risk picking up too much of the shhh sound from air vents or extra noises from the lips and tongue.
Can I use condenser mic for podcast?
Condenser mics are good for podcasts. These microphones are particularly good at picking up small sounds with subtle changes in tone. Many voice recording studios use condenser mics as their standard because of their ability to capture clear vocal work.
The Best Podcast Microphones Summary
1. Entry Level: Samson Q2U 2. High Level: Rode Procaster / Podcaster 3. High Level: MXL990 4. High Level: Shure SM58 5. High Level: Blue Yeti 6. PR...
Entry Level Podcasting Microphones
The microphone that I often recommend people start off with is the Samson Q2U. This is a really versatile little beast, being both XLR and USB, and...
High Quality Podcasting Microphones
When I say high quality, I’m talking as good as anyone would need for podcasting up to six or seven figure audiences. The microphones in this secti...
Professional Level Podcast Microphones
At this level, we’re starting to look at some serious cash. These are microphones that wouldn’t look out of place in a pro recording studio after a...
Do I Need A Condenser Microphone For Podcasting?
Ok, I’ve talked a lot about dynamic microphones and condenser microphones above – so what’s the difference? If you want that extra level of depth t...
Conclusion – How to Choose Your Mic
The two factors that determine what microphone you should go for are: 1. Your recording environment 2. Your BudgetBuy as expensive a podcasting mic...
A Question For You on Podcast Microphones
What podcast microphones do you use and like? I’d love to hear your feedback – Tweet me and let me know what mic you use. Look forward to hearing f...
What is the best microphone for podcasts?
The EVs are certainly amongst the best microphones in podcasting, or the world of audio in general! Those who love the EV speak fondly of the rich tones, the depth, the resonance. If it suits your voice, then there's a body to the recordings that's as memorable as it is undefinable. You'll pay for it, of course.
Why are condenser microphones so noisy?
The problem is, because of their sensitivity, condenser microphones tend to pick up a lot of background noise. This means you need a nice quiet recording environment to take advantage of the quality they offer. They also tend to be a lot more fragile, so they're no good for carrying around in your bag.
Do condenser microphones need external power?
They also tend to be a lot more fragile, so they're no good for carrying around in your bag. The other disadvantage is that condenser microphones need external power. This normally comes through a phantom power supply, provided by either a mixer, audio interface, or digital recorder.
Do Blue Yeti mics come with stand?
Lastly, the Blue Yeti comes with its own stand, so it’s a good first step if you want to jump in at the high-end and not have to worry about additional kit.
Do you need a condenser microphone for podcasts?
If you want that extra level of depth to your podcast, it could be worth going for a condenser microphone, but with some caveats. Condenser microphones work in an entirely different, unfathomable way, but suffice to say, they introduce a higher level of quality to your recordings.
Is Heil PR40 a good microphone?
The Heil PR40 is touted by many high-level showrunners as the go-to podcast mic for anyone who wants the best sound they can get. I won't deny it's a good microphone, but I will say it's a bit overhyped.
Is a podcast recorded on a headset microphone good?
However you record, there’s no denying, though, that a podcast recorded on a decent quality microphone is massively more professional than someone blabbering away on a tinny headset mic. After all, it’s the mic that captures your voice and translates it from physical sound waves into digital bits and bytes.
What is a quadcast microphone?
The QuadCast started off with being known as a gaming microphone for the likes of Twitch and Discord users. However, it’s also received praise amongst the podcasting community for clarity of sound and overall recording features.
What frequency does the AT2020 microphone pick up?
So if you’re really looking for a microphone that looks and feels like a million bucks, the AT2020 does the trick! The AT2020 is also able to pick up on a broad frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz. Check Price on Amazon. 3.
What is an XLR microphone?
It’s a podcast microphone that keeps your options wide —so you won’t have to spend any more money for a new microphone should you decide to switch from USB to XLR or vice versa.
When did the AKG Lyra microphone come out?
Okay, so full disclosure, the AKG Lyra is a pretty new product on the podcasting microphone market. It just launched in November 2019! But beat this. The AKG Lyra is an ultra-HD recording microphone, which includes 4 capture modes perfect for recording diverse environments.
What does the Audio Technica 2035 sound like?
If you ever wondered what recording via the Audio Technica 2035 sounds like—customers on Amazon have rated it as having a ‘warm’ and ‘full-bodied’ clarity. Besides its custom shock mount and pop filter, the Audio Technica 2035 also comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth as well. Check Price on Amazon. 15.
How much does a Samson C01U cost?
On Amazon, the C01U retails for almost $80 and comes with a mini tripod stand and swivel mount to fix on your desktop. Check Price on Amazon. 11.
Can you listen to recordings directly from a condenser microphone?
This condenser microphone is also fully loaded with a headphone amplifier. This allows you to even listen to your recordings directly from the microphone, or connect them to speakers via the output. We should probably mention, however, that this is isn’t an ideal one-stop solution.
What type of mic do podcasts use?
There are an increasing number of microphones marketed as being dedicated podcast mics; underneath the buzzwords you’ll find they’re almost exclusively condensers or dynamics, and either XLR or USB connected. Condenser mics are perhaps better suited to studio locations as they bring out a richness in voices, however the trade-off is that they can be more sensitive to ambient noise. You’ll also need to factor in 48V phantom power if you’re using an XLR condenser – USB versions take care of this via the computer connection.
When will the Sontronics Podcast Pro be released?
Launched in early 2020, the Sontronics Podcast Pro is a dynamic microphone which has, as you may have worked out from the name, the world of speech recording in mind. This unique-looking broadcast mic is designed and built in the UK, and is geared entirely towards the spoken word.
How does a microphone affect recording?
Each microphone has a pickup pattern , which dictates where it receives audio from. A cardioid pickup pattern, for example, will receive audio from a specific location, i.e. at the front of the mic, and reject noise which does not come from that axis. This is really useful for speech as it means the mic works with you to reject unwanted ambient noise like computer fans or doors closing.
What is a blue yeti mic?
The Blue Yeti has become synonymous with a number of different applications. From Twitch gaming to YouTube tutorials, this mic is perhaps the best known out there, and for good reason. It's easy to use, sounds superb thanks to its three condenser capsules, and doesn't cost the earth to buy.
What is the most important medium of communication in the 21st century?
The simple act of voices telling stories, conducting interviews or teaching weird and wonderful things has made it one of the most important communications mediums of the 21st century. There are podcasts about pretty much anything you can think of, including some pretty amazing music podcasts.
Is the King Bee XLR a good condenser?
Behind the lively exterior there is some nice technology at work too. The King Bee is an XLR-fed large diaphragm condenser, meaning it 's great for voice applications. The sound quality is superb, and the package comes with both a shockmount and a pop filter so your recordings will benefit too.
Is Blue Snowball a good podcast?
The Blue Snowball is marketed as a solution for improving the quality of voice calls, yet as a podcast solution it's also pretty solid. It's truly plug and play, so you can be recording within minutes, but the audio quality isn't going to be high enough to impress the professionals.
How many cardioid mics are needed for podcasts?
If you’ve got a podcast with multiple hosts, this budget option provides you with three dynamic cardioid mics (as well as cables and clips) for recording crisp and clear audio.
What is dynamic mic?
Dynamic mics are designed to handle high-pressure sound levels, like performances that are live and loud. This makes them a top choice for podcasting, especially if you’ll have multiple people conversing and recording together, and cut down significantly on distracting noise in the background, or even outside.
Do dynamic mics need power?
Another advantage of dynamic mics is that they don’t need an external power supply, unlike condenser mics, which often require a charged battery or phantom power. In rare cases, an “active” dynamic mic would require a power supply, but these aren’t necessary for the needs of a podcast, and will be more expensive anyway.
What is the best quality for a podcast mic?
Audio quality. Recording quality is a vital quality for any type of microphone, but it’s easily the most important attribute of any podcasting mic. You could probably get away with a bit of fuzziness or gain imbalance for the odd gaming session, but in a voice-only medium like podcasting, you should only demand the best.
Why should I avoid Podmic?
While serious podcasters should always fine-tune their recordings before publishing, one of the best things about the PodMic is that it doesn’t take much setup to get it sounding crisp and clear in the first place.
Types of microphones
We’ll skip the buzzwords and get right to the gist of it. When choosing a podcast microphone the re are two things you’ll need to consider: dynamics or condensers, and either XLR or USB connected.
Dynamic vs condenser
Dynamic microphones are great for the outdoors and any environment really. They don’t require any external power and can be plugged straight into any audio interface.
XLR vs USB
When it comes to plugging your podcast microphone into something before you start recording, there are two ways to go about it.
