Podcast FAQ

types of podcast microphones

by Ervin McDermott Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Three main types explained.

  • Condenser microphones. Condenser microphones are known for their detailed and crisp quality. ...
  • Dynamic microphones. There’s a common misconception to clear out — in the audio world, the word ‘dynamic’ refers to how detailed and rich a sound is.
  • Ribbon microphones. ...
  • *Additional comment about USB microphones. ...
  • Summary. ...

Full Answer

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 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

What is the best equipment for a podcast?

The Recorder: Podcast Equipment

  • Digital Recorders. A dedicated digital recorder is a great option for someone who wants to podcast on the go but is looking for a level of sound quality above what ...
  • Computers. There’s a plethora of options available to you when it comes to recording directly into a computer. ...
  • Smartphones. ...

What is the best microphone for home studio?

Microphone Types

  • Condenser Microphones. The condenser microphone is often the go-to microphone for beginner home studio owners. ...
  • Dynamic microphones. Dynamic microphones are often the best go-to microphones for on-stage use. ...
  • Ribbon microphones. They are not as often used, but they are the best studio microphones for certain applications. ...

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What type of microphones are used for podcasts?

Shure MV7. The best USB option for those taking podcasting seriously. ... Blue Microphones Yeti USB. The best and easiest podcast mic option for any user. ... Rode Procaster. Specialist vocal mic that's built for work. ... Audio-Technica AT2035PK. ... Rode NT-USB. ... Sontronics Podcast Pro. ... Shure SM7B. ... IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2.More items...•

What are the four types of microphones?

There are 4 types of microphone: Dynamic Microphones. Large Diaphram Condensor Microphones. Small Diaphram Condensor Microphones.

What is the most popular podcast microphone?

Editor's note: this list was updated on February 15, 2022, to address the Beyerdynamic M90 PRO X as a great option.The best podcasting mic is the Blue Yeti X. ... What you should know about finding the best podcasting microphone.Undecided podcasters and streamers should get the MOVO UM700.More items...

What are the 6 types of microphones?

You will likely want to bring a good assortment of lavs and shotgun mics to accommodate different shooting scenarios on set.Omnidirectional. Perfect for: interviews, moving subjects. ... Cardioid. ... Hypercardioid (Mini-Shotguns) ... Supercardioid (Shotgun) ... Lobar (Unidirectional) ... Bidirectional (Figure 8 Pattern)

What are the 3 main microphones?

The 3 main types of microphones (with subtypes) and their best...Dynamic microphones. Dynamic microphones are the most robust and reliable microphones in the music industry. ... Condenser microphones. Condenser microphones are a little more sophisticated than dynamic microphones. ... Ribbon microphones.

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.

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.

What type of 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.

What is the most common type of microphone?

The most common type of microphone transducer is the electret condenser. Electret condensers are built as high-end studio and film mics, cheap consumer mics, and are by far the most common mic in electronic devices (cellphones, laptops, hearing aids, etc.).

What is microphone and its types?

A microphone is a device that translates sound vibrations in the air into electronic signals and scribes them to a recording medium or over a loudspeaker. Microphones enable many types of audio recording devices for purposes including communications of many kinds, as well as music vocals, speech and sound recording.

What is the difference between VHF and UHF microphones?

Finally, the available radio spectrum for UHF wireless system use is eight times greater than for high-band VHF. This means more systems can operate simultaneously. This is a significant benefit in complex setups and concert applications.

What is the best type of microphone?

Condenser microphones are considered the most versatile studio microphones and can be used to record essentially any instrument. They are somewhat more fragile and sonically sensitive than dynamic mics, and they require a small electrical current to operate, so they are less popular in the live setting.

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 podcasting?

There's one microphone on our best podcasting microphones list that stands out over the others, and for a number of clear reasons. The Shure MV7 is one of the newer names on the block, but it has certainly made an impression on us. By combining the dual benefits of USB and XLR recording – and allowing them to be used at the same time should you need it – Shure has made one of the best podcasting microphones you can lay your hands on right now.

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.

How to remove unwanted frequencies from mic?

Many modern mics also allow you to remove unwanted frequencies directly on the microphone, via a high-pass filter. This is useful to remove low-level rumbling or humming from the recorded sound, giving you cleaner audio to process in post-production.

What does polar pattern mean in recording?

The way it copes with ambient noise stands out; its tight polar pattern means that no matter how noisy the environment, what you record will sound extremely focused and clear.

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.

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.

The wild west of podcast microphones. Three main types explained

Your mic could be very, VERY fancy. But your setup might still need something else.

Condenser microphones

Condenser microphones are known for their detailed and crisp quality. They differ from the others in that they’re the only type that requires power to work. This type of power is called phantom power and is sent from the recorder (e.g. Zoom hand-held recorder) or sound card via the microphone cable.

Dynamic microphones

There’s a common misconception to clear out — in the audio world, the word ‘dynamic’ refers to how detailed and rich a sound is. However, dynamic microphones are NOT the most dynamic of the three. Dynamic microphones are the ones you see artists use on stage.

Ribbon microphones

Ribbon microphones are similar to dynamic microphones in that they also don’t require any external power (are passive). However, ribbon microphones need even more amplification (added gain) than dynamic microphones.

Summary

Let’s say you have a sound-proofed room and guests who might lean back in their chairs from time to time. You don’t have the energy to remind them to lean forward and “eat” the microphone continuously. In addition, you’re in love with those mega crispy high frequencies. These are good signs that a condenser mic is the one for you.

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.

Why does my microphone flash red?

The microphone features a LED indicator that informs the users whether it is on or off. It flashes red when the noise is too loud. Although this cheap podcast microphone will not give you a professional recording quality, it is quite enough for beginners. It is also convenient to record podcasts on the go.

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.

Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording – Best Microphone for Podcasting Overall

Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording features an innovative triple capsule array and can record in stereo or your choice of three other unique patterns, including cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional.

HyperX USB Condenser Gaming Microphone – Runner-Up

HyperX QuadCast USB Condenser Gaming Microphone includes its anti-vibration shock mount to help reduce the sound of any movements. It has a built-in pop filter that reduces any muffles or popping noises for clearer voice quality.

TONOR Computer Condenser PC Gaming Mic – Honorable Mention

TONOR Computer Condenser PC Gaming Mic comes with a driver-free, and plug-and-play design, that makes it very easy to set up and use. This microphone features a high-quality cardioid mic capsule inside that provides reliable and accurate pickup. The microphone stand also features a 3-legged base that retracts and folds up easily.

Rode Podcasting Microphone – Also Consider

Rode PodMic Cardioid Dynamic Podcasting Microphone is a dynamic microphone that has been optimized for speech applications. This microphone comes with an XLR output connection and is optimized for use with the RODECaster Pro Podcast Production Studio, but will also offer exceptional results with any high-quality microphone interface.

Audio-Technica Vocal Microphone Pack

Audio-Technica AT2035PK Vocal Microphone pack includes an AT2035 cardioid condenser microphone, a pair of ATH-M20x professional monitor headphones, and a studio boom arm threaded with an XLR cable. The microphone offers a full 360 degrees rotation and adjustable, spring-stabilized joints, the boom arm repositions quickly for optimal mic placement.

Shure Microphone for Podcasting

Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone features a touch panel that provides control over microphone gain, headphone level, monitor mix, and muting. The microphone has an attractive and durable all-metal design that features an adjustable yoke that can be mounted onto a variety of microphone stands for flexible placement options.

Corsair Elgato USB Condenser Microphone

Elgato Wave 3 USB Condenser Microphone features a condenser capsule with a tight cardioid polar pattern that captures speech with precision. This microphone interfaces with the Wave Link app for more control and the creation of variants of mixes for you and your listeners.

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