Podcasting Microphones Under $100
Apr 17th, 2010 | By James Lewin | Category: Audio Podcasting
Patrick Norton and Veronica Belmont take a look at some of the best podcasting microphones under $100.
Veronica’s picks include the Alesis USB Mic Podcasting Kit, the Marshall Electronics MXL Studio 1 USB and the Blue Microphones Snowball USB.
These are all popular choices for podcasting mics and you’ll get good results if you record in a quiet place.
Many podcasters, though, move on to using traditional mics with XLR connectors and running them into a dedicated audio interface (and possibly a compressor and other audio effects).
Got a podcasting mic setup that you like? Leave a comment!
I’ve been using Samson C01U for the last two years, it’s given me near professional sound. I also own the Snowflake from BLUE, which is useful for mobile-recording. Just picked up the stainless-steel BLUE Snowball yesterday… about to try that one out for my next show.
I have a relatively high-end studio at home for my podcast Geek Cred, but while you’ll still need an interface, at just $29, the GLS Audio ES-58 is a steal, especially when compared to the $99 Shure SM-58. I did a full review on my blog which you can read here:
http://www.steveriekeberg.com/2010/02/02/budget-conscious-podcasting-microphone/
I still use the same audio hardware setup I started the Austin Connection with 5 years ago with excellent results. A Digidesign Digi002r firewire interface running a current version of their ProTools LE Software along with a few good mics (AT 4047, CAD E100 and a few EV 747 dynamics). Admittedly this is kinda overkill for podcasting but having pro-level equipment helps me to get the audio quality I want when I host all these fine songwriters on the program. I’m getting ready to host my 100th show soon too.
This may be off base, but how about changing the layout every now and then? Maybe not if it won’t look right, but I just get tired of seeing the same thing all the time. My own computer has about 1000 wallpapers that randomly rotate every 15 minutes, lol. Adult ADD I guess. Good post though, thanks.