Podcast FAQ

podcast mic placement

by Dr. Letha Bogan Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Part of a video titled How to Podcast - Mic Techniques - YouTube
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The result will be a nice rich booney sound giving you that classic radio voice about one inch orMoreThe result will be a nice rich booney sound giving you that classic radio voice about one inch or less away from the grill is the sweet spot you should be able to hear the difference in your voice.

Full Answer

What is a good microphone position for podcasting?

Good microphone position is roughly 6-8 inches from the mouth. I teach my podcasting students to hang loose when in front of the mic. That is, extend the thumb and forefinger into the sign for “hand loose” or “call me.” Then place the thumb to your chin and the tip of your pinky to the microphone.

How far should the microphone be from the mouth?

Good microphone position is roughly 6-8 inches from the mouth. I teach my podcasting students to hang loose when in front of the mic. That is, extend the thumb and forefinger into the sign for “hand loose” or “call me.”. Then place the thumb to your chin and the tip of your pinky to the microphone. That is roughly the distance you need to be ...

How should I talk to my mic?

The way you speak to your mic depends if the mic will record you or the surrounding sound. If you record in a noisy location, your recording will sound poor, so make sure the location choice is part of your mic setup process. Does the microphone setup differ for podcasts, YouTube, streaming, etc.? Generally, no.

How do you hang loose when speaking on the mic?

I teach my podcasting students to hang loose when in front of the mic. That is, extend the thumb and forefinger into the sign for “hand loose” or “call me.” Then place the thumb to your chin and the tip of your pinky to the microphone. That is roughly the distance you need to be from the microphone when speaking. 5. Gain Staging

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Where should I position my podcast microphone?

Your proximity to the mic will affect the audio quality. You can disrupt your audio if your microphone is too close to your mouth or too far away. Generally speaking, it's best to position your face about two inches away from the mic. You don't need a ruler, however.

What is the 3 1 rule of microphone placement?

This rule deals with minimizing the audible phasing problems when summing several microphones to mono. The rule states that the source-to-microphone distance of numerous microphones should be three times the distance between the sound source and the nearest microphone.

Where should I position my streaming microphone?

Simply put your thumb on your lips and place the microphone at the end of your pinky to ensure proper placement every time. You may notice, even with your microphone at a proper distance, your recordings still suffer from “plosives” or popping sounds caused by “p” and “t” sounds.

Should my mic be on my left or right?

The cord on headphones is usually on the left, so it makes sense for the mic to be on the left too so that the mic's cable doesn't have to cross all the way over to the right side, thus reducing the wiring/complexity.

What are the rules of microphone handling?

Hold the microphone close to your mouth To ensure the microphone adequately picks up your voice and nothing else, hold the microphone within six inches of your mouth. There's a window of a couple inches that will usually lead to the best vocal sound in a live setting.

How far should a headset mic be from your mouth?

about 1 to 3 inches awayDo not hold the microphone directly in front of your mouth. Hold it below or to the side of your mouth to avoid noise from breathing. Keep the microphone element about 1 to 3 inches away from your mouth. Point the front of the microphone toward your mouth.

How far should my mic be from my face?

Your best position will be somewhere between 2 and 12 inches from the face of your microphone. You should also place a pop screen filter about 1 to 2 inches from the mic and apply additional measures in your recording space and mix, as needed, based on your choice of distance.

Should I hang my mic upside down?

4:427:27Should You Hang Your Microphone Upside Down?! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEven the best omni mics pick up sound better from the top than they do from the bottom.MoreEven the best omni mics pick up sound better from the top than they do from the bottom.

Does it matter if your mic is upside down?

0:343:44Microphones...upside down or right-side up? Does it matter?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so you want the heat to rise away from the microphone. So you do upside down and people areMoreAnd so you want the heat to rise away from the microphone. So you do upside down and people are saying no no you want the heat you want the microphone right side up because the heat rises.

How do you place a choir mic?

“As a starting point, we recommend placing the microphones 2 feet in front of the first row and 2 feet higher than the tallest person in the back row,” said Foster. “This provides equidistance from the front row to the back row, giving even coverage of the choir.”

When using more than microphone on a choir type sound source How far away should the second mic be from the first microphone?

approximately three timesFor multiple choir microphones, the distance between microphones should be approximately three times the distance between individual mics and the sound source.

Which microphone pickup patterns are typically used for live sound reinforcement?

The most common type is a cardioid (heart-shaped) response. This has the most sensitivity at 0 degrees (on-axis) and is least sensitive at 180 degrees (off-axis). The effective coverage or pickup angle of a cardioid is about 130 degrees, that is up to about 65 degrees off axis at the front of the microphone.

What is an XY mic?

XY stereo recording uses a coincident pair of directional- or bidirectional, angled microphones. Hence, the directional information is obtained solely from the level difference between signals. In practice, “coincident” means that the microphone capsules must be placed close and normally slightly above each other (fig.

How far away should a podcast microphone be?

The popular technique is simply talk into the mic 3-5” (80-120mm) away, directly into the diaphragm.

What are the two types of microphones?

There are two primary types of microphones. Dynamic and Condenser. They both have specific purposes. Dynamic microphones are for live performances, on stage vocals, public address systems and very popular in radio studios. They’re good for Podcasters doing single voice programs and interview panels.

Why does my voice sound deeper?

Your voice will sound deeper due the physics involved in how sound travels through the air. Lower frequencies dissipate the further away the mic is from the source.

Is a condenser mic sensitive?

As I mentioned, condenser mics are far more sensitive and far more prone to plosives. Contrary to what many people may think, based from the photographs they see “pop” screens are far more for preventing singing vocalists from spitting on $10,000 microphones! The proper way to address a condenser mic is also “off axis.”.

Is a condenser microphone good for podcasting?

They’re good for Podcasters doing single voice programs and interview panels. You address them very close. Condenser microphones work on a different principle and are much more sensitive. They hear the environment much more like the human ear.

Can you use a condenser mic on a podcast?

In a radio type format, thats probably ok. But if you want a more natural sound to your podcast, you might want to consider a “condenser” mic. The sound you will get from a condenser mic will sound more natural, like you are having a conversation with your audience from the same room, not talking in their ear.

Can you hang a condenser mic upside down?

Proper mounting requires a “boom” type mic stand so you can hang them upside down, or the popular, flexible, reticulated mic arm that you see in radio studios. Just don’t address a condenser mic straight on, close up.

1. Get close

As a general rule, the way to get the best recording of something is to have a microphone as close as possible to it.

2. Talk into the mic

Another obvious rule that makes you say, "No shit." Way too many podcasters screw this up though.

Final Thoughts

Your recording doesn't have to be perfect, but it shouldn't have so many problems it's distracting. Focusing on keeping close to your mic, keeping on your mic, and not breathing directly into the mic will give you the solid foundation to deliver your message in a way that is well-received.

How to set up a mic?

To set up your mic, screw it to a stand or a swivel. Most stands use 5/8 thread screws. Use the shock mount to isolate vibrations. Attach the foam or pop-filter (some mics have filters in a box). Connect your mic using an XLR cable to your audio device, i.e., audio interface, recorder, or mixer.

What is a good audio interface for podcasting?

A good audio interface for your podcasting needs will have a mic preamp, support recording in 24-bit depth, have a headphones output, and very low latency.

How to test mic volume?

Test the volume of your entire mic setup. Adjust the volume of your microphone on your computer via the Sound control panel by testing the hardware. A microphone should never peak into the red during your test. The proper volume would be where it occasionally peaks to the yellow but never distorts.

How to set up a microphone?

1. Your microphone setup start with choosing the best microphone for your needs. 2. Record in a location with best acoustic capabilities – compare your locations and choose the most friendly one. 3. Microphone placement – incorrect distance from the mouth and off angle can cause quality issues. 4.

Why do you need a microphone for recording?

You need to set up a microphone for recording with the right recording level to prevent disturbances and to keep it loud enough at the same time. Your microphone setup doesn’t end on connecting the gear. Now you need to set all the parameters correctly to make sure the capture audio is of the highest quality.

What is an audio interface?

Audio interfaces allow you to plug a professional microphone into a computer and it acts as the computer’s sound card. They are essential for capturing sound as professional microphones connect with three-pin XLR jacks and require a phantom power source to operate. By having preamp capabilities audio interface improves the sound quality of your computer. Also, a good quality audio interface operates independent audio channels avoiding experiencing distracting latency on your headphones.

What is a pop filter?

Pop filter – saves the same purpose as foam filter but it’s mostly applicable to condenser mics. It also helps to keep the distance between your mic and your mouth. 5. Upgrade to good quality cables – pro setup has cables that eliminate disturbances and have improved conductivity.

1. Know Your Sound Sources

The microphone choice, placement, and setting contribute to around 10%, 20%, and 20% of the recording session’s overall sound, respectively.

4. Know The Proximity Effect

When it comes to mic placement, the microphone proximity effect is another factor you should consider.

6. Limit Ambient Sounds

In any given acoustic or recording environment, ambient sounds are external “other sounds” the microphone is likely to capture.

7. Use Pop filters

When recording in the studio environment, you’ve probably seen sound engineers place a pop filter between the microphone and the speaker at a reasonable distance.

8. Understand The Effect Of Vocal Plosives

In any kind of vocal performance, whether you’re recording in a home studio set up or at a professional studio, always be strategic about your microphone placement.

10. Experiment

Now you know your microphone patterns, the sound sources, and the sweet spot–what next?

What is a Yeti mic?

Anything by Blue is high build and audio quality. The Yeti USB mic is this same Blue quality in a mic that plugs directly into your computer. If you don’t have an interface, or want something that’s easy to travel with, a USB mic can be very useful. It has a headphone out for self monitoring and an on board gain control. The mic has a desktop stand and can be mounted to any standard mic stand.

Can you use a boom mic stand on a stage?

You could use a boom mic stand like you’d use on a stage if you’re a performer. But they’re a little clunky for at home use and there’s a better option anyway. This! It safely mounts onto your desk or table using an adjustable clamp. The boom arm itself is highly adjustable to get your mic in a comfortable and ergonomic spot.

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