Best Microphones For Podcasting Professional Audio Gear

At that point, you can start looking at options like the Rode Procaster ( 228 ).

Making one that actually sounds good is another story entirely.

With a few smart purchases, you too can sound like a podcast pro.

It doesnt matter if youre starting your own show or planning to guest on someone elses podcast.

A great microphone will elevate your voice to help you get the sort of depth and richness you hear on the radio and popular shows like Radiolab.

While you could record with your phone or your PCs webcam mic in a pinch, nobody wants to hear that every week.

Your first step should be nabbing a solid USB condenser microphone.

They can connect easily to any computer (or even phones and tablets with a dongle), and theyll offer a huge leap in sound quality.

Ive run through many microphones in my 12 years of podcasting, and few have impressed me as much as the Blue Yeti ( 116 ).

You can switch between modes for recording on your own, interviewing someone across from you, stereo capture and omnidirectional pickup.

Youll only need those first two modes for podcasting, but its nice to have the option for different scenarios.

There are cheaper USB microphones out there, like Blues Snowball ( 68 ) and AmazonBasics Mini Condenser ( 45 ), but generally youll get far better sound from the Yeti.

Theres also the slightly stripped down Yeti Nano ( 84 ), but it lags behind its larger sibling when it comes to audio quality.

If youre serious about podcasting, its worth spending a bit more up front: Theres a good chance youll end up chucking a cheaper mic once you hear the difference.

Pro tip: RTFM You should actually read the instructions and make sure you know what every dial and button does.

Most important, make sure youre speaking in the right direction With most microphones, including the Blue Yeti, you want to aim at the side with the brand label.

Some models, especially dynamic mics, need to be addressed from the top.

Yes, I know this all sounds basic, but Ive run across dozens of people who end up aiming for the wrong part of their mics when theyre getting started.

Its also worth picking up a few accessories to make your recordings sound great.

Get a pop filter or foam cover to avoid plosives (that annoying titutal pop when you make p sounds).

If youre going to be recording regularly, its worth investing in a tabletop arm to hold your mic in an optimal position (and also avoid the extra noise you get from desktop stands).

You could, of course, start exploring more-expensive microphone options, but Id suggest holding off on those until youre more committed to the podcasting life.

Best Microphones For Podcasting Professional Audio Gear

The next big level up from USB condensers is the world of XLR microphones, the same interface used for professional audio gear.

Youll also need a USB audio interface, like the Tascam US-2x2 ( 137 ) or FocusRite Scarlett 2i2 ( 160 ), to connect those mics to your computer.

Best Microphones For Podcasting Mac