Want to start a podcast but have no idea what equipment to buy?
Well we got you covered. Here are 3 tips on how to get started on the right foot, whatever your budget.
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1. Record with the correct microphone
There are many microphones out there, and there is a huge difference between a condenser and a dynamic microphone. The difference is that a dynamic microphone is better suited to picking up loud, strong sounds (drums or loud vocals), especially in a live setting, while a condenser microphone is used to pick up more sensitive sounds and higher frequencies (e.g. . Studio singing).
Dynamic microphones are also only suitable for a one-person podcast. If you plan to have multiple hosts or want to interview people in person on a regular basis, a condenser microphone is essential.
The right microphone for your podcast style can really make a difference. How? Well, the way your show sounds.
When you’re just starting out, it can be as simple as plugging your headphones into your mobile phone. Then we recommend that you download our Spreaker Studio app. With our app, podcasters can professionally record their podcasts at the touch of a button. You can record and save the progress of your episodes. You can also enhance the sound with built-in features like auto ducking and microphone control.
Another option can be a condenser USB microphone. You basically plug them in and start recording. This can be an efficient solution in terms of both sound quality and computer ease of use.
There are a number of USB microphones on the market. Let’s name a few popular options depending on your budget.
In terms of the budget mic, if you’re looking for an affordable mic, with easy set up and use, that sounds fine for recording your podcast episodes too, this is it Blue snowball or the blue snowball iCE could be a great option for you. If you’re ready to invest in a mid-range USB microphone, we recommend the Blue Yeti or the Rode NT-USB.
The blue yeti and the Blue Yeti Nano are known as the most popular podcast starter microphones on the market. Blue Microphones’ proprietary Tri-Capsule technology gives podcasters four different pattern modes to choose from. What does that mean? Cardioid mode is perfect for podcasts as it records sound sources that are right in front of the microphone. However, the Yeti also has an omnidirectional and a bidirectional mode. This means that this can be an interesting option if you’re recording a podcast for multiple people. The Yeti X USB microphone also includes an advanced Blue VO! CE audio software, a range of broadcast vocal effects that make it easier than ever to achieve professional-quality on-stream sound quality.
The Rode NT-USB is a high quality studio microphone with a USB connection. The case has a 3.5mm stereo headphone monitoring jack with no latency that allows you to monitor the microphone input in real time. It has dials for setting the monitoring level and mixing between the computer / iPad audio and the microphone input. It also includes a premium pop filter, a high quality, industry-standard 3/8 ”thread stand, desktop tripod, and a pouch to store the microphone when not in use.
2. Put on your headphones
Headphones are important as they allow podcast hosts to monitor their audio while recording. They are of course also very important if you want to interview a guest using a remote recording platform such as Skype, Zencastr or Squadcast. Why? Because you cannot hear yourself without headphones. You even need headphones if you’re chatting with someone face-to-face, or when you’re co-hosting – everyone needs their own pair.
Headphones also improve your microphone technique. And according to Rachel Corbet, if you can hear that you are off the mic, too loud, or that you pop up every time you say a word that starts with a hard consonant (‘p’, ‘b’, ‘k’ ) If you wear headphones, you can customize the way you use the microphone at the moment.
What kind of headphones do you need for recording your podcast?
If you’re just starting a podcast, it all depends on your budget. If you’re trying to keep the cost as low as possible, you can use your old iPhone earbuds for now.
Our recommendation? Buy headphones that you can use for personal use and for all of your podcasting needs. For example, the Studio3 Beats by Dre headphones are wireless, over-ear, noise-canceling headphones. They can be used for personal use. The headphones also come with a 3.5mm RemoteTalk cable that you can use to plug in your microphone and use them as podcasting headphones.
However, if you are looking for budget podcast headphones, we can recommend these too Audio-Technica ATH-M20x.
3. Take a pop filter
This small and economical device can really make a difference in your sound. A pop filter is a screen that blocks or filters the pop sounds that occur when you say letters like ‘p’ and ‘b’ into a microphone. Nady MPF-6 is very popular and seems to be delivering on its promise.
Keep in mind, however, that some microphones, like the Rode NT-USB, have their own pop filter. Others, like the Yeti, have pop filters that work better than others. For example, this article lists the ten best pop filters for the Blue Yeti.
And that’s it!
If you are thinking of starting a podcast, now is the time to do it. If you need more help starting your podcast, we recommend reading all of our articles on starting your podcast.
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