The Best Podcasting Microphones
Jan 27th, 2010 | By James Lewin | Category: Audio Podcasting, How to Podcast, Podcasting, Podcasting Hardware
Chris from Jupiter Broadcasting offers his take on the best podcasting microphones, including the Rode Mic, the Blue Snowball, the MXL 990 & the Heil PR-40 along the way.
Unfortunately, there’s really no “best podcasting microphone”. The best podcasting mic will depend on your budget, your requirements and your preferences.
If you can, try out the mics of podcasters that you know and see which one you like the best with your voice. Keep in mind, too, that the environment that you record in can have a huge influence on the results you get.
I note these reviews are old enough to not include the Blue Yeti, which I’m finding to be a great mic in the $50-$150 category, possibly the best. Any thoughts on that?
Randal – The Blue Yeti mic impressed us. I’m glad it’s working well for you.
It’s sort of at the top of the $50-150 category. : )
I lean towards combining a mic with a good audio interface, though, just because it gives you more flexibility and because USB connections will get dropped for something else before long.
Thanks for the podcast, I was looking for some advice just like this. Recently I have been asked by a client to help recommend setup for doing Video Podcasting, and unfortunately its a bit outside my normal expertise.
Do you have any recommendations for simple but effective cameras for Video Podcasting? Naturally I know the quality of a simple web cam is likely in adequate.
I noted you are using the HV20 from Canon. Any other recommendations at varying price ranges on the video hardware?
If it is of any importance, it is being done with Windows, and I need to try make it as simple for the end users creating the podcasts on a regular basis.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Sean – that’s a big question and the answer is going to depend on your budget and what you want to do.
There are a lot of variables: budget, location vs studio, standard definition vs HD, audio requirements, etc.
The two suggestions I’d have would be to: a) find some video podcasts that are similar to what your client wants to do and contact the podcasters and see what they are using; and b) get a camera with an external mic input.
Thanks. I realize without a budget guideline its difficult, and a very open ended question. I will follow your suggestions.
Regards,
Sean
There are a lot of variables: budget, location vs studio, standard definition vs HD, audio requirements, etc.
The two suggestions I’d have would be to: a) find some video podcasts that are similar to what your client wants to do and contact the podcasters and see what they are using; and b) get a camera with an external mic input.
Great roundup – I find that if you want something better than the 990 – but cheaper than an RE 20 or PR 40 or SMB7 – the Rode NT1A is a fantastic microphone… it’s what I use in my studio.
Keep up the good work!
how does the blue yeti measure up compared to the rode podcaster?
the yeti is much newer, so i am curious if they managed to improve the shortcomings of their earlier podcasting mic’s? which one is warmer sounding? and which one of the two should i get? thanks in advance 🙂