Best Podcasting Microphones in 2023

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“Which podcasting mic ought to I purchase?” is among the commonest questions I see from folks beginning their first podcast. It is a very good query. And whereas there could be many solutions, particularly relying in your wants, listed here are what I believe are the greatest podcasting microphones.

Disclosure

This put up might comprise hyperlinks to services or products with which I’ve an affiliate relationship. I’ll obtain compensation out of your actions by such hyperlinks. Nevertheless, I do not let that corrupt my perspective and I do not advocate solely associates.

Hear this episode with completely different mics

I recorded this episode with all the following mics, all with the identical settings, and processed the identical aside from any amplification distinction mandatory to achieve my goal of -19 LUFS. The principle podcast launch of this episode switches between mics for every part, however you may every the whole episode from every mic under.

iPhone 12 Professional:

Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB through XLR:

Shure MV7 through XLR:

Shure SM7B:

Electro-Voice RE320:

4. Any mic when used correctly and successfully

The Blue Yeti will get a number of hate from skilled {and professional} podcasters. Why? As a result of it is essentially the most overpriced, overhyped, outsized, confused, misused, and abused microphone in podcasting—that is all!

However you can really get nice audio from Blue Yeti!

You can too get good audio from earbuds, your smartphone’s built-in mic, and even the interior mic in your laptop computer.

It is all in how you employ the microphone and what you count on from it!

I educate that the 2 most vital issues to file good audio are atmosphere and approach—really extra vital than the microphone itself!

Atmosphere: Microphones aren’t magical. Should you’re in a loud or reverb-heavy atmosphere, you will get noisy and reverb-heavy audio. A foul mic in a quiet and acoustically handled room will in all probability at all times be extra listenable than a elaborate mic in a loud echo chamber.

Method: You possibly can really mitigate among the noise and reverb with correct mic approach. That is normally about the place you place and level the mic, and the place you place and level your voice.

Think about the Blue Yeti, for instance. Level the entrance (not the highest) towards you, swap it to cardioid mode, and hold it near you (about 4–6 inches or 10–15 cm away) and at a 45º pivot away from the entrance of your mouth.

Sure, processing algorithms in Auphonic, Descript, Adobe Podcast (listen to my episode about best audio-editing apps for podcasting), and different instruments are getting a lot better and smarter, particularly in placing synthetic intelligence (AI) to good use. However you will at all times get higher high quality should you begin with higher high quality.

3. Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB ($80)

That is my most-recommended microphone for beginning out as a result of it produces nice high quality, it’s extremely reasonably priced (it has been as little as $59), and it presents each USB and XLR connections. You possibly can even join the mic to a pill or smartphone with the correct USB adapter! So your podcast gear may very well be so simple as the ATR2100x-USB, a pair of headphones, and your “computing” machine (pc or cell).

Having XLR implies that should you ever have to improve to one thing like a Focusrite Vocaster Two, Zoom Podtrak P4, or RØDECaster Pro II, you do not have to throw away your microphone as a result of you may merely swap to utilizing the XLR cable as an alternative! (USB-only microphones lack this potential to develop along with your podcast wants.)

I do know of many extremely profitable podcasters nonetheless utilizing an ATR2100x-USB or fashions prefer it (the outdated ATR2100-USB, AT2005USB, or Samson Q2U).

Whereas this microphone might sound largely the identical as my earlier favourite, the Samson Q2U, The Q2U was cheaper than the ATR2100x-USB, however now the ATR2100x-USB is cheaper and has gone on sale for even much less. No matter any minor worth distinction, I believe the ATR2100x-USB (particularly the newer “x” mannequin) is healthier than the Q2U due to a number of seemingly small however significantly appreciated enhancements:

Zero latency headphone monitoring on the ATR2100x-USB, however the Q2U has simply sufficient latency to make your self sound bizarre, trigger complications, or stuff your ears.
Constant self-monitoring through headphones on the ATR2100x-USB so you may hear your self irrespective of the way you alter the enter or output quantity in your USB-connected machine, however the Q2U headphones output is affected by the enter and output quantity in your USB-connected machine.
The ATR2100x-USB was roughly 10 dB louder than the Q2U in my checks, making it about 13 dB louder than the outdated ATR2100-USB.
The ATR2100x-USB presents a lifetime guarantee! The Q2U presents solely a 1-year guarantee.
Each mic kits embrace plastic stands that will not final lengthy. So although the Q2U features a helpful 3-inch (7.5 cm) riser, the plastic contacts will lose their grip.
The ATR2100x-USB has a USB-C port, which I believe ought to last more than the outdated ATR2100-USB (non-“x” mannequin) as a result of USB-C plugs haven’t got upsides or downsides.

The principle complication you would possibly run into when recording over USB is that the mic doesn’t loop again USB audio. So your visitor’s audio won’t be recorded along with your ATR2100x-USB until you add a little bit only-moderately-complicated input-mixing in your pc.

2. Shure MV7 ($249)

Think about all that versatility and future-proofing of the ATR2100x-USB, some built-in processing and results, and packaged in a extra skilled, even increased high quality mic. That is the Shure MV7!

The MV7 works greatest when paired with the ShurePlus MOTIV app so you may management the microphone’s built-in EQ, limiter, and compressor. You can too use the app to regulate how the headphone monitoring is blended between how a lot of the mic and the way a lot of your machine audio you hear (if in case you have the MV7 related to one thing through USB for added audio).

The one function I dislike in regards to the MV7 in comparison with the ATR2100x-USB is that the MV7’s headphone monitoring is topic to your USB-connected machine’s output quantity. So should you’re related to a PC and also you flip down the PC’s quantity, you will hear your individual voice much less by the MV7’s headphones output. However the ATR2100x-USB maintains your self-monitoring degree irrespective of the enter or output volumes of the USB-connected machine.

Additionally, whereas the MV7 has a considerably related bodily design to the Shure SM7B, it has the XLR plug on the again of the microphone as an alternative of vertically from the highest.

Just like the ATR2100x-USB, the primary complication you would possibly run into when recording over USB is that the mic doesn’t loop again USB audio. So your visitor’s audio won’t be recorded along with your MV7 until you add a little bit only-moderately-complicated input-mixing in your pc.

Honorable point out: Shure SM7B ($399)

I like the standard, sound, and bodily design of the Shure SM7B. I like the way it has built-in shock-protection and its XLR plug is vertical as an alternative of horizontal, so it helps with cable administration and concealment. The principle factor I do not like in regards to the SM7B is how a lot achieve it wants to be able to keep away from background hiss in your recordings. You want a actually good preamp for the SM7B, so meaning both extra {hardware} or upgrading your gear.

The newest generations of interfaces and recorders—just like the Focusrite Vocaster, Zoom Podtrack P4, and RØDE RØDECaster Pro II—do lastly present sufficient achieve with no need a further preamp. However should you’re on something older, you may need to take care of background hiss till you improve.

Honorable point out: the mic that fits your distinctive wants

I normally advocate what are usually known as “studio microphones” as a result of the very best place to file a microphone is normally in some type of “studio” setting—whether or not that is a closet in your basement or a elaborate recording studio. Identical to you could be the “CEO of your cubicle,” any devoted place you file your podcast could be your “studio.”

Many microphones serve the unconventional wants of being away from a studio. For instance, a handheld microphone for “man on the road” interviews, a micro headset mic for lively motion or public shows, a mic and headphones combo headset for noisy environments (like at a sports activities sport), a wi-fi mic for movies or crowded areas, a hidden or unobtrusive mic for natural-looking movies, and extra! Your distinctive wants could be higher served by one thing that’s not a studio dynamic microphone!

1. Electro-Voice RE320 ($299)

Now we come to my favourite mic of all time: the Electro-Voice RE320.

I like this microphone as a result of, in my expertise, it is essentially the most natural-sounding and complimentary for all voices. Plus, its sturdy neodymium magnets make this mic want much less achieve than most different dynamic mics in style for podcasters, so the RE320 is far friendlier for no matter recorder or interface you are utilizing.

I initially purchased into the hype of the Heil PR40 after I purchased my first good microphone. And it’s certainly a very good microphone! However I began listening to it an excessive amount of in all of the podcasts I listened to, and I began noticing all these podcasts emphasised the identical frequencies that sounded extra “radio booming” as an alternative of pure and relatable. And the extra I heard my very own voice on the PR40 (although I did not use the identical multiband compression settings many different PR40 podcasters used), I used to be commonly aggravated with some audio artifacts. So after I heard Dave Jackson, from School of Podcasting, swap to a RE320 and his voice out of the blue sounded a lot clearer and extra pure, I knew I needed that microphone!

Electro-Voice was so form to ship me the RE320 (review), RE20 (review), and RE27N/D for testing and evaluation (however I could not hold them). Although I had extra extremely praised the RE20 in my unique opinions, the extra I watched my very own movies and listened to myself on the RE320, the extra I beloved its pure sound. Then, I had the opportunity to meet and interview Rick Belt, the creator of the RE320, at NAB Show 2015. He had already beloved the opinions I had made, and after I instructed him that I used to be “coveting” the RE320 as I used to be utilizing my PR40, and I deliberate to sometime swap, he pulled one from a cupboard and gave it to me! So in full disclosure, I’ve not paid for the RE320 I take advantage of, however I might have switched anyway after I might afford it and I want I had at all times used the RE320 as an alternative of the Heil PR40!

Must you swap podcasting microphones?

Possibly, like I used to be, you are now “coveting” a distinct microphone. However I encourage you to consider whether you really need to upgrade to a better microphone.

Should you’re utilizing a Blue Yeti or the same microphone that is cumbersome, tough to work with, or requires you to stability like a TV antenna from the outdated days simply to get some good audio, you must in all probability improve. I keep in mind that it was such a beautiful improve for me after I purchased my first lav mic for recording movies as a result of I did not need to have an enormous studio mic within the shot or body my pictures near my face! After which after I upgraded to a wi-fi system, I saved a number of time and frustration from making an attempt to align my individually recorded audio and video!

Should you’re already utilizing one of many particular mics I like to recommend and it is assembly your wants, then it’s important to contemplate whether or not the perhaps 5–10% increase in high quality is price spending a further $300—or extra should you want extra connecting gear! In different phrases, your podcast may need 99 issues, however is your microphone actually one in all them? You would possibly do higher to speculate that cash elsewhere to repair your audio points or develop your podcast.

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