What Microphone do I need?
This is one of the highest searched questions related to podcasting: What microphone do I need?
I get it. I do.
A full-blown disclaimer here: I’m not a gear head… gear is not an obsession of mine.
I simply love knowing what’s the best in the industry for the purpose it needs to serve.
I then rely on that information until technology or updates shift the playing field.
But that’s good news for you… because you know what I’m not going to do… give you a massive list of options on what to buy.
I like to keep it simple. I also don’t currently have any affiliations with any brands… so more good news for you: this is just the gear I love.
I once had a mentor (that didn’t know she was a mentor to me) that always said, “the best microphone is the one you have.”
She’s not wrong.
But…
she was also in what I refer to as the radio/podcasting industry or the professional story-telling side of podcasting. (She worked for Nat Geo. I mean… come on.) She’s one of those people in an SUV in Botswana under a duvet cover recording her voice overs. COME ON. Too cool.
I also had a client for over 5 years that was on a $9 Amazon Basics microphone. This client used her podcast as a part of her marketing strategy to grow her business to 7 figures in 3 years.
Would I recc her mic? No. But it worked.
And spoiler alert… by year 4 I got her to upgrade to my absolute favorite microphone. It’s the stuff of dreams, y’all.
Does your microphone matter?
It’s a tricky freaking question.
The honest-to-pod truth is that in the audio game, capture is everything. There’s only so much we can do in post with a bad capture.
So, does your microphone matter? Absolutely.
Do you need to go out and spend $400 on a microphone today? Maybe not.
But I might love your show more if you do… you know, as your editor. ;)
Here are the factors I’m considering when I suggest microphones for folx:
Environment: What room are you recording in? How much of that room is hard surfaces including table tops and windows? How much sound dampening or sound treatment is in the room? Recording in a sound booth is going to sound different than your dining room table, just generally.
Technical knowledge/comfortability: How tech-y are you? Are you super comfortable with audio gear or eager to learn it? Does your biz and energy require a simple plug-and-go? What program are you recording into? Does your microphone require any additional gear to get the best sound?
Budget: What is your budget for the project? How much are you willing to spend on hardware for the project versus advertising and marketing and other costs like your podcast host server, etc.?
Quality Goals: What do you want your show to sound like? Do you know how many people tell me, when I introduce myself as an editor, about podcasts they had to stop listening to because the sound quality wasn’t there? They love that I do what I do. How much are you willing to spend in relation to your quality goals for the show?
Here’s the long and short of it: you want to get the absolute best capture you can manage in your environment while keeping your quality desires, tech comfortability, access and budget in mind. It’s a special equation for every person.
How do you work? What is your priority in your workflow?
Do you need to have a workspace that’s designated for something else entirely and you just pop out a microphone? Get a table top mic.
Need a space that makes you feel like a radio rockstar from the 90’s, get that hanging condenser and boom arm and make your dreams happen, my friend.
Okay, okay. I know you just want to know the details now. “Dammit, Carin! What microphone do I need?!”
Here’s my list of microphone recommendations:
*a note* these are all going to be XLR Male connectors needing XLR cables… if you’re hoping to plug straight into your comp, you’re going to need an XLR Female to USB. Also note, that adding adaptors will and can impact your capture.
Also, I would put the Rode and the Shure on boom arms and definitely put a pop filter/windscreen on the Rode and the Audio-Technica.
IF you need some support gear for your microphone (because just like humans, some mics are made to be soft and quiet and need a boost. (like the Shure SM7B)):
Here’s a dream kit if you just want to make it SUPER simple for yourself.
IF you can, buy from a seller that you’re values-aligned with. Adorama, BH Photo/Video, Sweetwater are all brands I’ve bought gear from.
And here’s a little insight from the insiders in the industry… we don’t LOVE Blue. There. I said it.
I have had a client with a MASSIVE show on a Blue Yeti for years… she sounded wonderful AND she also had a very tech-savvy team and support crew that helped her out with a beautiful template to record into that was set for her room and her microphone. Boom. Work with what you’ve got, you baddie. Another spoiler: she’s on my favorite microphone now.
But overall, don’t get a Blue microphone and expect a wonderful sound just because it’s a Blue and it’s cute and it’s what everyone takes pictures with.
Because I love you, I’m going to tell you about these headphones that I personally use for recording and editing.
Want to have me suggest an entire set up for you and your show based on all your needs and preferences?
I do AMA Consult Calls for $200, where you get all access to my brain that’s been in the industry since 2016
OR an entire Podcast Strategy package for $500, which includes a 1-hour question session and a 1-hour delivery session with deliverable pdfs of your podcast strategy plan. Set those up by replying to this email.
Be well, y’all and get on that dang microphone this week!
Carin
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