The best microphones for Podcast beginners
Podcasting is an easy, effective and low-cost way to get your content out there. But looking for the right tech for you can feel overwhelming, so we’ve rounded up the best microphones for low-budget, entry level podcasters.
The greatest thing about podcasting is that it’s a forgiving medium. Most podcasters aren’t professional broadcasters, they’re either prolific thought leaders in a specific subject looking to further their online presence (and learn along the way), or passionate fans, sharing their views on a topic, or wanting to expand their knowledge on a subject by interviewing experts and other fans.
The most important thing to remember is this: CONTENT is KING so even if you can afford to buy a microphone, that’s no excuse to start slacking on your content’s quality. People will be forgiving if the audio quality isn’t great, but they will stop listening if you aren’t providing VALUE.
So now, without further ado, here are my recommended microphones for podcast beginners!
No budget ($0): use what you already have
One of the biggest myths about podcasting is that you need to sound professional to have a successful Podcast. That’s totally not true. My Favorite Murder is one of the most popular podcasts out there, and in its inception it was totally bootstrapped.
What we like about this headset:
Affordable or free if it came with a smartphone.
Easy to use, plug and play.
Seamless integration with Anchor.FM, Audio Recording Software, Zoom and Skype.
Very little chance of tech issues.
Provides decent audio quality when used correctly.
Better than smartphone microphones or computer built-in microphones.
What we don’t like about this headset:
Can only record one person.
Limited range.
Doesn’t sound broadcast quality.
Will perform poorly on outdoor or very noisy settings.
Entry Level (from $150): Samson Q2U
The Q2U is on the top 3 of the most popular dynamic microphones for recording, podcasting and streaming. It’s durable, easy to use, and I really like that it comes with all the accessories that you’ll need: a windscreen, mic clip, desktop tripod stand, tripod stand extension, a USB cable and (if you want to upgrade) an XLR cable.
What we like about the Samson Q2U:
Great bang for your buck: great sound quality for under $200.
The USB cable makes it easy to use with any computer, and it doesn’t need additional power sources.
It comes with all the accessories you need - there are no extra costs.
You can plug your headphones directly into the microphone.
Crisp sound: it has a cardioid pattern (heart shape), which means it captures sound from the top of the microphone and less from the back and sides, minimizing ambient noises for podcasting.
Solid material.
(Extra feature, completely unrelated to podcasting: it’s the perfect Karaoke microphone!)
What we don’t like about the Samson Q2U:
Not versatile: can only be used for one person.
You really need to ‘eat the mic’ to get fabulous sound quality: the microphone only performs well if you are close enough.
My personal favorite (from $129): The Blue Yeti
I LOVE this microphone and recommend it to every podcaster that I work with. This microphone is a rock star: it’s simple to use, versatile (can record multiple people with great quality) and it’s under $150. It can be upgraded from USB to XLR as it comes with both ports and it includes easy to use buttons for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain. Unfortunately, too many people skip the instructions and give this microphone bad reviews which is unfortunate.
Because of that, here is a reminder of each mode and what it’s used for:
While we’re here, might as well just cover one of my biggest pet peeves: people using their Yeti incorrectly.
What we like about the Blue Yeti mic:
It has FOUR recording modes which are easy to use (in a nutshell: singing, podcast, two people, and ambient).
The USB cable makes it easy to use with any computer.
Integrates seamlessly with Audio recording software, Zoom and Skype.
One of the few microphones out there that is perfect for interviewing two people in the same room with limited set-up.
Includes XLR port so that you can connect it to an audio interface later if you wish to upgrade.
Doesn’t normally pick up background noise, even if your neighbor is mowing the lawn.
What we don’t like about the Blue Yeti mic:
It needs to be placed right in front of the podcaster and around 4 fingers away to get crystal clear audio so you will probably need to grab some books to raise it up, or buy a mic arm.
It doesn’t come with a microphone foam/windshield, and you will need one.
Too many people post photos of their Yeti set incorrectly and provides bad examples for new podcasters.
This is how fantastic the Yeti can sound like, with no extra soundproof equipment, just selecting the right mode and placed close enough to the podcaster:
If you’d like to learn more about using your microphone correctly, watch our quick video below:
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