Looking for something decent for a podcast

djblurr

New member
Hi all!

We are looking to start a podcast and I'm hoping I can get some direction in selecting a microphone!!

I don't have too many requirements, other than it needs to be USB compatible and be the type of microphone which can support a microphone flag - we plan to also use the mics for basic journalist reporting and want to plug our brand while holding the mic ;D

I've had a bit of a look at pricing and can see the prices do blow out a bit, but I was kind of hoping something within the vicinity of $100-$200 would be plenty for a home setup? Would be good if it came with a stand for ease of use.

One mic which I randomly came across was this one: ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone || Audio-Technica US Seems to do the job but I have no real idea whether it's good enough. I came across it because I was a fan of AT in the past for headphones.

Thanks for all your help guys, let me know if there's anything else you'd need to know.

Cheers,
Sami
 
Hi Sami,
Quite often podcasts turn out to be way more complicated than you'd think.
What are you specific plans? Is it completely live or pre recorded and edited?

Will you be managing music, callers, or guest speakers like a radio show?

The reason I'm asking is that a USB microphone stamps a big limitation on what else you can do, so it's good to think about it now.
 
Hi Sami,
Quite often podcasts turn out to be way more complicated than you'd think.
What are you specific plans? Is it completely live or pre recorded and edited?

Will you be managing music, callers, or guest speakers like a radio show?

The reason I'm asking is that a USB microphone stamps a big limitation on what else you can do, so it's good to think about it now.

Hi mate,

Thanks for your response!

It'll only be used for pre-recorded stuff and there won't be any guest speakers/callers for it.

I manage a sports media blog. It's mainly going to serve the purposes of a reporter - voiceovers on footage and simply commentary/transformative discussions of events.

The reason for USB was to keep things as simple as possible and hook up to laptops quickly and record the voiceovers and then merge with video footage.

hope that helps?
 
Although I dont see anything special about it ,. for people starting out that mic gets rave reviews from the School of podcasting host Dave Jackson. I say for podcasting, go for it. The nice thing about the usb is not the easy hook up,. its that you won't need an audio interface to use it because its built in. While a nicer mic running through a dedicated interface would likely result in better quality and the ability to multitrack,. it would be a subtle difference in quality until you learned how to use the equipment properly and treated your room acoustically. Also AT does make good stuff. You'll also want to start looking into acoustical treatment of some sort and probably some good headphones like the sony 7506's or similar reference quality closed backs.
 
That ATR 2100 is only $80, about 50quid? I bought a capacitor USB mic for about that and although it worked quite well it was insensitive (for a cap' mic) and a bit noisy. I don't know for sure but I suspect that dynamic will be worse on both fronts?

But what is ALWAYS forgotten when USB mics are brought up it the playback/monitoring? Basically you HAVE none save the crappy !/8" headphone output of the computer's crappy soundcard.

My reccy would always be for a decent microphone (SM58 if you must but I favour an SDC) and an interface. The Alesis i02 is about the same money as that USB mic then you need to spend about the same on a "proper" mic.

Sorry! But there is a lower cost limit where these things can be done with any quality and ease of operation. If you JUST want to Skype Aunty in Oz, go USB, anything the least bit more complex go AI+mic.

Dave.
 
ATR 2100 package (mic,desktop stand, usb cable) $58 on amazn . Basically a podcasting package. Dynamic cause proximity effect and much less room noise. Mic also has a built it AI including its own headphone jack and volume knob for monitoring. Its the tool for the job for people who want to skip straight to making content with minimal fuss.
 
ATR 2100 package (mic,desktop stand, usb cable) $58 on amazn . Basically a podcasting package. Dynamic cause proximity effect and much less room noise. Mic also has a built it AI including its own headphone jack and volume knob for monitoring. Its the tool for the job for people who want to skip straight to making content with minimal fuss.

Right. But the ability of a microphone to "reject" (it can't in practice) room effect/noise has been discussed here recently. It is a function of sensitivity not of operational type.

Dave.
 
Do you have a link to more information on that usb mic package Mr D?

I have had a look at the AT website and putting "usb microphone" in their search engine gets me nowt!

Dave.
 
I don't disagree that mic sensitivity is the important factor. The dynamic mic is less sensitive and therefore cannot hear the room as well making room treatment somewhat less urgent. proximity effect=big voice=big dick=podcast success! I'm being silly but while audio is certainly important in podcasting they are not going to attack it at the same angle as the music recording people do.

Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone: Musical Instruments
 
"Built-in headphone jack allows you to directly monitor your microphone output without audible delay"

^ From that link. Not quite the same as a full blown AI with knobs on? And the HP monitoring could just be an amped up version of what is GOING OUT? No return USB signal at all?

I agree, podders might not be all that fussy but I think it behoves us all to point out the pitfalls?

Glad you mentioned "Proximity effect" once again. It is of course the increase in bass response you get from any directional microphone as you get closer. Not of course just the preserve of the dynamic.

The effect was exploited of course to its greatest extent in the Relso "pit mic" where a wire frame kept the mouth at a very close but specific distance from a specially modifies ribbon and the mic fed an EQ box which cut the LF along with much of the ambient noise....I shall now go and find one!

Dave.
 
Can't find one!
This old brain may have it wrongly and it was not Reslo but Coles (then STC) that produced the "commentators" mic? I am however pretty sure there is a Reslo version, comes in a fitted hardwood box which contains the EQ circuitry.

Dave.
 
That ATR 2100 is only $80, about 50quid? I bought a capacitor USB mic for about that and although it worked quite well it was insensitive (for a cap' mic) and a bit noisy. I don't know for sure but I suspect that dynamic will be worse on both fronts?

But what is ALWAYS forgotten when USB mics are brought up it the playback/monitoring? Basically you HAVE none save the crappy !/8" headphone output of the computer's crappy soundcard.

My reccy would always be for a decent microphone (SM58 if you must but I favour an SDC) and an interface. The Alesis i02 is about the same money as that USB mic then you need to spend about the same on a "proper" mic.

Sorry! But there is a lower cost limit where these things can be done with any quality and ease of operation. If you JUST want to Skype Aunty in Oz, go USB, anything the least bit more complex go AI+mic.

Dave.

You all kinda lost me a bit with the microphone technical talk! Question - what do you mean by "interface" and how would you go about connecting to a PC if not USB?

Keep in mind, in regards to noise sensitivity etc, our work will mostly be conducted in quiet rooms. Not sure if that will help? Really don't want to get something overkill for what it is, just looking to make journalist/voiceover videos that sound normal.

Cheers!
 
Dave - I agree with your pitfalls statement, I just don't think this setup has them in this scanario.

I'm also not going to defend this mic too hard,. as I don't actually have one, but it seems like it could be a good and inexpensive starter kit for podcasters or singer/songwriter types. I might snag one to play with though. It has a volume knob. You can monitor direct or from the pc. Its been vetted by the podcast community. Dynamic mics are generally cardioid and have more prox than the typical Omni Condenser. I'm emphasizing that because the effect is a point of interest for people looking for a Radio/broadcast/voice over color. Yes,. compression and other tweaks will complete the sound,. yes,. pros use condensers, in treated rooms.



DJblurr ,. an AI(audio interface) is a device that takes an anlog signal from an instrument or mic and converts it to a digital signal for your pc. A typical example works alot like a usb soundcard that has better microphone preamp(s) that also allows for direct monitoring(you hear whats coming out of the mic) or PC monitoring (processed sound coming from your Podcast software, system sounds,. ect).
My suggestion,. Get the atr2100 ,. its what your looking for.


That Relso sounds fun,.
 
Yeah! Sorry about the verbiage.

Attached is an interface, one of the best for the money IMHO.

An audio interface, unlike any USB mic I know of, will allow the connection of virtually any microphone, guitar/bass, or music source such as a pod or CD player. On a minimum of two channels (the illustrated has 4). It will also allow the connection of headphones which can monitor the original mic signal, that signal after PC processing* or a mixture of both. Also you can listen to a previous recording as you make a new one, called "dubbing". There will also be a two channel "line" feed to drive an external amplifier/speaker system for more critical "monitoring." These days the amplifiers are usually built into the speakers.

Yes, you are correct, an AI will be connected via USB in all but a very few cases these days.

(Mods: Still cannot grab a complete "quote" and that is on my big Asus 6core not the poorly HP laptop. Is this an IE11 issue? )

*There IS something called "latency" that afflicts computer recording but the KA6 shown has very little of that!

Dave.
 

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"Dave - I agree with your pitfalls statement, I just don't think this setup has them in this scanario.

I'm also not going to defend this mic too hard,. as I don't actually have one, but it seems like it could be a good and inexpensive starter kit for podcasters or singer/songwriter types. I might snag one to play with though. It has a volume knob. You can monitor direct or from the pc. Its been vetted by the podcast community. Dynamic mics are generally cardioid and have more prox than the typical Omni Condenser. I'm emphasizing that because the effect is a point of interest for people looking for a Radio/broadcast/voice over color. Yes,. compression and other tweaks will complete the sound,. yes,. pros use condensers, in treated rooms."

Yes, well the thread IS titled "Something DECENT" for podcasting! To me that means the next step up from a USB mic and not just because of the shortcomings of the the mic (some are said to be very good) but mainly because of the operational issues sans an AI. Or maybe I am too used to having them about?

Tiny point? An OMNI capacitor will have no proximity effect at all (all to do with plane and spherical wavefronts and velocity sensitive devices..Sorry OP!) .

The OP has also said he has a quiet space to "pod" in? Shame to spoil things with a noisy mic!

Dave.
 
Yes, well the thread IS titled "Something DECENT" for podcasting! To me that means the next step up from a USB mic and not just because of the shortcomings of the the mic (some are said to be very good) but mainly because of the operational issues sans an AI. Or maybe I am too used to having them about?

The OP has also said he has a quiet space to "pod" in? Shame to spoil things with a noisy mic!

Dave.

If i bought a $50 mic from AT that was noisy i'd be suprised,. then I'd send it back. I've not seen anyone suggest that its noisy.

I don't think your concerns are unjustified Dave. It doesn't take much to imagine that inside the mic is a small usb soundcard and a mic pre on a chip. Nothing new about the tech,. plenty of variations on the theme about. It could be shit. But I would still like to think that AT has decent enough quality control to make this a safe purchase for a lot of people. With an XLR out it still has use in live settings and with a seperate AI if one upgrades in the future. For the cost of a used sm57. Its an attractive niche product,. all it needs is bluetooth and sd recording built in. :)
 
If i bought a $50 mic from AT that was noisy i'd be suprised,. then I'd send it back. I've not seen anyone suggest that its noisy.

I don't think your concerns are unjustified Dave. It doesn't take much to imagine that inside the mic is a small usb soundcard and a mic pre on a chip. Nothing new about the tech,. plenty of variations on the theme about. It could be shit. But I would still like to think that AT has decent enough quality control to make this a safe purchase for a lot of people. With an XLR out it still has use in live settings and with a seperate AI if one upgrades in the future. For the cost of a used sm57. Its an attractive niche product,. all it needs is bluetooth and sd recording built in. :)

Eff me! Quote is working today! (just had a Java update. Moot??) I am almost certainly being too harsh ref the AT mic and perhaps the one I had. It showed noise when recoding gentle acoustic guitar at about a foot. One inch waffling would certainly be ok!

I am more concerned with all the other functions the OP will lack without an AI but so long as he understands all that, go USB!

Dave.
 
"
Is there any "go to" free software people use for recording that they would recommend? "

Audacity, Mixcraft, Presonus Studio One. My personal favourite, Magix Samplitude ProX Silver. Reaper is well loved but is not ultimately free.

Be well aware! They will ALL drive you nuts at first! Stick at it and ask here posting screen grabs of any connkobbulations.

Dave.
 
Cool thanks guys, I think I might get a couple of the AT mics and see how they perform.

Generally speaking*, you will only be able to use one (USB audio interface/atr2100/usb mic) at a time on a pc.

A couple of you mentioned it has knobs to control things - Is this some sort of add-on that you're talking about, as the mic ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone || Audio-Technica US doesn't seem to have anything other than mic and stand in this picture?

Is there any "go to" free software people use for recording that they would recommend?


Here's the amazn link , the third picture shows the jacks and vol knob on the bottom of the mic. Its all there besides headphones and a computer.

For a Daw, I'm stuck on Reaper. It has an unlimited free trial that that only has a nag screen at startup. NON/limited use commercial license is about $60 a year, which is good to purchase if your making any money with it cause then you'll be supported. It is very flexable and can do just about anything you could want in audio. The learning curve is signifigant.

Also,. Audacity is still a thing in the podcasting world. It is a free and full featured audio editor. It will certainly get the job done, but it is a case of you get what your pay for. Starting out though,. you can learn plenty with it.

and then there's Adobe Audition ,. $20 per month sacrificed to the Gods of the Cloud will get you a full feature professional Audio editing software that also has many production related features(many that involve the use of other adobe products) useful in podcasting and broadcast work. This might be a good option if your interested in possibly dipping into video work as well.

*Hindenburg radio editing softwares "Hindenburg Journalist Pro" and above packages include an internal software multitrack feature that lets you use more than one USB mic on a pc, as well as mix skype and other computer audio. It is highly geared for radio journalism and podcasting. The $100 version of this software (Hindenburg Journalist) does not have the multitrack feature. There is a 30 day free trial of the Pro and Broadcaster level softwares, but the pro level is $375 to buy. The multi-track feature alone would definitly not be worth the 275 extra when you could easily purchase a multi-input audio interface that does the same thing for less and upgrades your audio (vs the usb mics) in the process.
 
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