Podcast FAQ

good podcast microphones

by Aric Lynch Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Best podcasting mics

  • Blue Yeti X. Additionally, there are four pattern modes with this mic allowing you to choose which one best suits your given situation.
  • Samson Go. The USB condenser style podcasting microphone allows for complete ease of recording: just plug it into your computer and record.
  • Shure MV7. This is one of the easiest mics to operate, because the it doesn’t require any kind of external audio interface in order for you to operate it.
  • HyperX Quadcast. On the top of the microphone is a dedicated mute touchpad, which allows you to mute at the drop of a hat.
  • Blue Ember. Despite the Ember’s slim design, it packs a substantial heft at 380 grams which adds a premium feel to the microphone.

The best podcasting microphones you can buy right now
  1. Rode PodMic. The best podcasting microphone overall. ...
  2. Blue Yeti. The best podcasting mic with multiple recording modes. ...
  3. JLab Talk. The best cheap microphone for podcasting. ...
  4. Blue Yeti X. ...
  5. Elgato Wave: 3. ...
  6. Movo UM700. ...
  7. HyperX QuadCast S. ...
  8. EPOS B20.
May 31, 2022

Full Answer

What are the best microphones for podcasting?

Best budget podcasting microphones: Product guide

  • Versatile entry-level podcasting mic. Designed specifically for podcasting, the AKG Lyra is one of the more visually interesting mics in the list.
  • Perfect for podcasters who record on location. ...
  • Solid entry-level mic with unique functionality. ...
  • Best all-rounder for podcasting and more. ...
  • Superb value podcasting mic for beginners. ...

Which microphone should I buy for podcasting?

Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid

  • State of the art electromagnetic hum reduction (computer monitors etc)
  • Yoke mounting with captive stand nut for easy mounting and position control
  • Detachable windscreen for extra warm “close talking” vocals

More items...

What is the best podcast mic?

The best podcast microphones

  • The Vocal Sure Shot. Pros and average folks alike pamper their voice with the stalwart Shure SM7B broadcast mic. ...
  • X Marks All Spots. An upgrade to a classic, the well-rounded Yeti X sports cool looks, sweet sound, and unique features.
  • Mic to Mouth Resuscitation. ...
  • Music to Listener’s Ears. ...
  • Modern Tech, Vintage Looks. ...
  • Package Deal. ...

What kind of microphone do I need for a podcast?

Top 9 Best Microphones for Podcasting

  • Shure SM7B – Our Choice
  • PR-40 by Heil – Best large-diaphragm dynamic
  • Blue Ember – Cardioid XLR condenser mic
  • Rode Procaster – Internal pop filter
  • Audio-Technica AT2035 – Wide dynamic range
  • Blue Yeti – Four recording modes
  • Samson Go – Portable & cheap
  • HyperX Quadcast – Full-featured condenser mic
  • Razer Seiren Elite – High pass filter

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What microphone 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.

What is the best budget microphone for podcast?

TOP 15 Best Budget Microphones for PodcastingSamson Go – most portable budget microphone for podcasting. ... Samson Q2U – overall best budget microphone for podcasting. ... MXL 990 – the best budget condenser mic for podcasting. ... Rode NT-USB Mini. ... Blue Yeti. ... Rode PodMic – the best value for money budget mic for podcasting.More items...

Are vocal mics good for podcasts?

Dynamic mics are excellent for recording vocals – everything from podcasting to voiceovers to singing – and work especially well when you're recording multiple people in the same room.

Do you need a special microphone for a podcast?

Microphone(s) In fact, you'll need one for every person who's going to be speaking on your show. Unfortunately, your computer's inbuilt microphone isn't going to cut it unless you want it to sound like you're broadcasting from a toilet.

How do I choose a podcast microphone?

How To Choose The Podcast Microphone That's Right For YouHow you'll connect the microphone: USB (plug 'n play) or XLR (requires additional hardware)The difference in sensitivity between condenser and dynamic microphones.The space you usually record in.The number of people you'll usually be recording.

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.

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.

Is a condenser mic good for podcasting?

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.

Why do podcasters wear headphones?

Wearing headphones improves your mic technique If you can hear you're off-mic, too loud or that you're popping every time you say a word starting with a hard consonant ('p', 'b', 'k'), wearing headphones will help you adjust the way you're using the microphone in the moment.

Do podcasts make money?

Sponsorships are the most common way podcasters make money. This is when the podcast promotes the sponsor during the show. You probably hear your favorite shows plug their advertisers a few times in every episode. How much you earn from a sponsor depends on the number of downloads your episodes earn.

What do I need to start a podcast at home?

Steps to Start a PodcastDecide why you want to start a podcast.Choose a podcast topic, theme, and name.Select a podcast format and structure.Create podcast branding.Set up your podcast equipment.Find the best podcast recording software.Prepare for your first few podcast episodes.More items...•

Why do podcasters use big microphones?

Condenser microphones tend to have more spacious and can give a deep, high quality vocals. They tend to be more costly and need a quieter place to record compared to dynamic mics due to their higher sensitivity. If you wish to record podcast in group or in interview format they can really help a lot.

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 are the best podcasting microphones?

As long as you can accommodate an XLR connection, the Rode PodMic is our top pick of the best podcasting microphones. You’ll also need to provide your own stand, but otherwise the downsides the minimal. This is an excellent-sounding podcaster’s mic with an easily affordable price tag.

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.

How do we test microphones?

We test microphones using similar methods to how you’d record and produce a podcast: speaking into the mic, using different recording patterns if there are any, and listening back to hear how it sounds and whether any post-production editing would be required.

Does the Blue Yeti mic work in cardioid mode?

In addition to working well in cardioid mode — that’ s when the mic only records the area directly in front of it — the Blue Yeti also offers bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo recording patterns. These can give you some extra flexibility with your podcast formats, as you could record interviews or panel discussions with a single microphone.

What is the difference between stereo and bidirectional mic?

An omnidirectional pattern should be used when there are multiple speakers encircled around a single mic, while a stereo pattern is ideal for when several speakers are lined up in front of the mic. This won’t record everyone at equal volume, hence requiring some editing later, but you’ll get a sense of where individual speakers are positioned.

Is Blue Yeti a good microphone?

While it’s versatile enough for gaming and streaming use, the flagship Blue Yeti also makes a very good microphone for podcasting. Its recording quality is excellent, especially considering its relatively affordable cost, and with bidirectional and omnidirectional recording modes you can use a single mic for multiple speakers — handy if you’re podcasting on a budget.

Does Elgato Stream Deck work for podcasts?

More importantly, its streaming focus could actually translate into podcast effectiveness. It’s designed to work in conjunction with the Elgato Stream Deck, a multi-button console used by streamers to make sound adjustments while they’re live; you could easily adapt this setup to work for podcasting, with the Stream Deck simplifying your mic controls so that you can focus on discussions and banter.

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.

What is a rode microphone?

The Rode Podcaster is an absolutely excellent dynamic podcast microphone. This is what we use in our podcasting studio right now.

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.

What is SM58 mic?

The SM58 is a handheld mic that’s more commonly spotted at music events, held in the hand of a screaming lead singer. They can be dropped, pounded, drowned and still survive, and they’re perfect for anyone that’s looking to do more out-and-about recording than in-studio.

How much does a blue yeti microphone cost?

It is, of course, the Blue Yeti, and it comes in at around $100 ( note: currently discounted to less last time I looked…).

Which is better, AKG or Yeti?

The AKG, to Matthew's ear (read the AKG Lyra Review here for examples), sounds better than the Yeti, but it is a little more expensive, so you'd expect so. If you're willing to put up a little more cash than the Yeti, but not as much as the Podcaster, then the AKG might be a good choice.

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.

What is the best microphone for podcasting?

Rode Procaster is a dynamic model designed to record vocals professionally, which makes it the best microphone for podcasting and postscoring. The microphone captures small details of the recorded audio and perfectly rejects unwanted noise around it. To set up this podcast mic, you need a bar or microphone stand.

What mics are good for podcasts?

Bi-directional ones capture sounds from two different sides. That is why they are suitable for recording podcasts. Podcasters also choose cardioid mics that capture sounds only from the front.

What mic do podcasters use?

Podcasters also choose cardioid mics that capture sounds only from the front. Impedance. To record podcasts, choose a microphone with a nominal impedance of 600 Ohm and lower. Such models are better in capturing sound, so you'll have to make fewer adjustments in podcast recording software. Durability.

What is directional microphone?

Directional Capability. This microphone feature explains how it captures sounds in any direction. Omni-directional podcast microphones capture sounds from all directions and easily perceive unwanted noise. Such mics are best suitable for reportages and broadcastings.

How to turn on and off a quadcast microphone?

QuadCast lights up with red LED lights when it is active. In order to switch on/off the microphone, you have to press a sensor button on the top. What I like about the sensor button is that while recording, there won’t be any loud switcher clicks.

How to speak into a Shure microphone?

Speaking into the microphone, hold a capsule parallel to the face, with a logo towards you, since it catches the sound directly in front of a grid but not above it, like with Shure SM58. Proper positioning will maximize noise suppression outside the axis, improving clarity.

Is the Seiren a good headset?

The sound quality is quite good. The model perfectly captures a clear sound, and a zero-latency headphone monitoring is very pleasing. Seiren works great while recording podcasts, catching sound with higher quality than that offered by a simple microphone embedded in a headset.

What is the best mic for podcasting?

Comes with a travel case and USB cable. Blue Snowflake. The Blue Snowflake is another cheap podcasting mic (also under $30) designed for use on-the-go. It can be used on top of a laptop or on a desktop, folds into itself for compact carrying, and comes with a USB cable.

What is the frequency range of a broadcast mic?

This is a classic broadcasting mic and performs really well. With a built-in shockmount and pop filter, and a frequency range of 50Hz – 20kHz, you’ll never need to upgrade or get additional accessories.

What is a rode NT USB?

The Rode NT-USB is a cardioid mic (ideal for voice recording) that comes with a pop filter, tripod, boom mount, a 20′ USB cable, and a travel pouch. Most people will want a dynamic mic, especially if you are recording multiple people in the same studio, so that’s what you’ll find in this section.

How much does a Samson mic cost?

The Samson Go Mic is a great cheap podcasting mic (under $30) and is designed for travel.

What USB does Audio Technica use?

I’ve recommended the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB in many other articles and now there is a new version! The ATR2100 x -USB updates the quality and now uses USB-C.

What is the RE20 mic?

The Electro-Voice RE20 is another classic broadcasting mic. It has a feature called Variable-D that gives you some flexibility with your mic technique, making it great for both beginners and pros.

What shock mounts work with the ATR2100-USB?

Pair with Knox Shock Mount for Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB.

What is the best mic for podcasting?

The best podcasting mic is the Blue Yeti X. Blue’s mission is to make your recording experience as efficient and streamlined as possible with their USB microphones. Specifically, the Yeti X offers four-capsule technology which allows for quality a cut above your average USB mic.

What podcasting microphone for iPhone should I get?

The Shure MV88 iOS is a great podcasting microphone for iPhone. It plugs in directly to the iPhone via Lightning adapter and includes five DSP presets (speech, singing, flat, acoustic instrument, and loud) for users to choose from depending on the project. It can be rotated 90° for more precise recording and includes a foam windscreen, which is great for field recording. You can up your game with the Shure MV88+ which includes a Manfrotto Pixi tripod and smartphone bracket. The Shure MV88 Plus is great for podcasters who may want to dip their toes into vlogging.

Why don’t we recommend the Shure SM7b?

The Shure SM7B is more expensive than the Rode NT1, but the latter requires external power, closing the price gap.

What is a good microphone for singing and live-casting?

The Shure MV7 is quite versatile and easy to adjust according to if you’re singing or speaking at any given moment. Its clear audio reproduction makes it very effective for both use cases.

How many recording modes are there on Shure MV7?

There are seven different recording modes for you to choose from between Auto Level mode and manual mode within the app. To hear all of the recording samples, be sure to check out our full Shure MV7 review. Otherwise, the demo above should give you a good idea of the mic’s audio quality.

How much does the Ember microphone weigh?

Despite the Ember’s slim design, it packs a substantial heft at 380 grams which adds a premium feel to the microphone. The XLR input at the base requires a dedicated XLR cable, rather than an adapted instrument cable. What’s more, you’ll need a recording interface with +48V phantom power to operate the microphone. Fortunately, there are plenty of USB interfaces out there to get you started. The cardioid recording pattern bodes well for voice recording and effectively rejects off-axis noises.

Which is more expensive, Rode NT1 or Shure SM7B?

The Shure SM7B is more expensive than the Rode NT1, but the latter requires external power, closing the price gap.

What is the best microphone for podcasting?

It works like a dream for podcast recordings. It is also perfect for gaming and video calls. The TKGOU USB Microphone is indeed one of the best podcasting microphones on the market right now.

What type of microphone do podcasters use?

While many podcasters feel like it is overhyped, we believe otherwise. We really like the dynamic microphone type. It is perfect for recording loud and strong vocals.

What is a presonus microphone?

The PreSonus Revelator USB condenser microphone is a go-to purchase for podcasting, voice-overs, streaming, and interviews. You can use it for your home office too. It’s reliable and worth every dollar you invest in it.

What is a rode mic?

The Rode NT-USB-Mini Microphone is like a tiny powerhouse of value and versatility. This podcasting mic can be used for both professional and casual podcasting. It is compact yet robust. You can use it with both PC and tablet for recording.

Which microphone is the best for vocals?

The Rode Procaster Broadcast Dynamic Vocal Microphone is one of the best vocal microphone and an extremely reliable broadcast microphone. It perfectly eliminates background voices and produces clear broadcast audio. Firstly, the construction of the Rode Procaster Broadcast Dynamic Vocal Microphone is excellent.

What is a pop filter?

A pop filter, also known as a pop shield or pop panel, is a noise-cancelling microphone filter that is commonly used in recording studios. During recorded speech and singing, it reduces or eliminates popping sounds caused by the mechanical effect of fast-moving air on the microphone from plosives.

Is Rode Procaster a good microphone?

Firstly, the construction of the Rode Procaster Broadcast Dynamic Vocal Microphone is excellent. The podcasting mic is made to last.

Choosing a budget podcasting microphone for you

When you’re looking for a budget podcasting microphone, there are some things you’ll want to consider. Microphones come in all shapes and sizes, and for a variety of purposes, but not all of them are ideally suited for podcasting.

Microphone pickup patterns

Typically, you’ll find certain functions are ideally suited to podcasting. Look specifically for the mic’s pickup pattern - sometimes called its polar pattern - as this dictates the area around the front (or side) of the mic where it actually captures the sound.

Microphone connectivity

Connectivity is important with microphones. Higher-end studios and recording facilities will usually employ mics that connect via XLR, allowing the mic to feed into a mixing desk or audio interface, however USB connections are increasingly common, particularly at the entry-level end.

Microphone placement

Finally, give some thought to how the mic will be placed. Most, but not all, will come with some kind of desk tripod, however, the smart money is on using a more robust mic stand or - better still - a boom arm so make sure the mic you choose is compatible with your chosen method of holder.

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