Podcast: List of things to purchase!!??

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throttle11

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Hey everyone.
Well I can't explain how new to the recording scene I am, so new that I'm virtually still outside of the door. Getting to the point...

I developed a real interest in podcasts from listening to them on a regular basis. Being a complete non-techno geek, I did my best superficial research on what is required to create a decent home setup for up to 4 mic's at a time to record simultaneously on a single track. The research that I have found lead me much information but without much description. Interfaces, preamps, mixers, sound cards, this, that, etc etc etc... (very confusing.) I keep seeing all of this things mentioned but I have no clue what the hell I need from a MINIMALIST standpoint just to get a podcast setup started on a beginner's level. I am on a budget so optimal quality is not as much of a concern as moderate quality. I can always go balls out later on.

Since I'm becoming long-winded here, let me summarize my question:
For podcast recording (disregarding uploading costs) what list of devices and software should I be required to purchase to successfully record up to 4 individuals on one track. I have an HP pavilion dv4 laptop with windows vista (NOT a mac unfortunately).

Things I am assuming (from browsing the web) that I will need:
1) 4 total xlr mic's
2) 4 xlr to xlr cords that connect mics to the mixer
3) a multi (4 channel) mixer (I'm assuming this also acts as "the preamp" for each mic... please correct me if I'm wrong)
4) an xlr to usb cord (goes from mixer to laptop)
4) some kind of recording interface software compatible with Vista.

Am I done? or forgetting anything?? Soundcard upgrade, etc...?

I hear that non-mac computers often have trouble getting all input recordings to get recognized due to PC driver issues. Is this a problem I should expect to occur? If so, how to fix that?

Thanks ahead of time for all that took the time to read this.
 
Why do you need 4 microphones? I'm presuming you have 4 people speaking. Confirm?
 
Armistice said:
Why do you need 4 microphones? I'm presuming you have 4 people speaking. Confirm?
Click to expand...

Yep, that would be correct. I'd like the setup to be compatible with up to 4 mic's, although 2 individuals will be speaking the majority of the time.
 
Get your hands on a DAW like PT LE, Cubase, an Mbox, or Behringer, whatever interface you come across (4 in w/ pre), mics maybe sm57 or whatever you can afford (maybe usb mics), depends on how much you care about quality, you should have a decent little setup.
 
A single decent omni-directional condenser would pick up everyone. Your list is basically right - most interfaces come with software, and Macs are no better than PC's for recording.
 
OK...

If you have 4 people speaking then you'd probably track to 4 tracks and mix it to one - espcially if your podcasters aren't experienced with microphones and podcasting. You'd want the ability to bump speaker #4's volume a bit here and there when he says something really interesting but not quite as loud as he (she) normally does.

What you'd typically do these days is:


4 microphones - the choice of these depends upon the seating of your speakers, the room they're in etc. Let's get to that later.

4 XLR mic leads

Something to plug them into. Here's where you'd most likey go into an audio interface, rather than a mixer - one with 4 or more inputs obviously. The interface will provide phantom power for any condenser mics used, be the preamp, and convert the signals into digital, and you feed this into your PC. You are correct about your mixer/preamp thing, incidentally, except I wouldn't be getting a mixer. The interface "replaces" your PC's sound card.

DAW software - something relatively simple to mix the tracks together, tinker with EQ and compression, and panning, if you wanted a stereo file.

You can probably monitor your mixing via headphones for a podcast. Not so successful for music.

Your interface would come with drivers to make it work with your PC. There's no intrinsic issue here. More people here probably record on PC than Mac (not trying to start a war here guys...). It would also have cabling to connect it via USB to your PC - sending the individual tracks. Problem with mixers is that the low end ones you're probably looking at probably only send a stereo track, and then you have your $0.50 PC sound card's AD converters convert it into digital. Even some USB mixers, a better option, don't give you individual tracks.

That enough for now?
 
Thanks for the great info guys...

Armistice,
I've been searching audio interfaces and ignoring the mixers due to the reasons you explained. I'm not seeing many that have 4 xlr jacks aside from this one: alesis io 14 (won't let me post url, but this is the first one that shows up on google shopping for 4 channel audio interface)

Is this something like what you are describing? I see alot of them list as "4 channel" but then I see only 2 xlr jacks which obviously wouldn't work.

Anyways, I could purchase the one Alesis above if it's fit for the task unless anyone doesn't think it will be a good choice. I see it's certainly a reasonable price, has 4 jacks, and provides phantom power when necessary. I already own one dynamic blue encore 100 mic which will be used as one of the mics used.

There is some info out saying any more than 2 mics is not sustainable for a usb connected interface and should be upgraded to a usb2 or firewire. Should I look into a better interface?
 
Everything depends upon budget...

THere's an M-Audio one that has 4 XLR inputs I think. I'm really not an interface guru as I use a standalone system - that being another, perhaps simpler, option you may care to consider.

I think most interfaces would be USB2 by now anyway...
 
M-audio Fast Track Ultra has 8 in/8 out ^_^ with 4 xlr inputs
 
arcadeko said:
A single decent omni-directional condenser would pick up everyone. Your list is basically right - most interfaces come with software, and Macs are no better than PC's for recording.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend this approach in anything but the best acoustically treated studio environment. A podcast is just a radio programme via the internet--and I don't think I've ever been in a speech-based radio studio that didn't close mic each person with an individual microphone.

The OP really needs to have a think about whether they want to record 4 individual tracks and edit/mix later or do the show "as live" with a bit of tidying up after the fact. If the former, then an interface might be the way to go, if the latter, then, in this case, a mixer might work out better (since this isn't a conventional music recording question.

Another thing to consider is whether they ever want to do things like phone in programmes or, perhaps, play in musical stings or jingles. If so it might be another argument in favour of a mixer--and one with more inputs than just four mics. I've heard a lot of podcasts that want to play in stings, sound effects and so on.

So, some things for the OP to think about...
 
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