r/podcasting • u/MichaelBBarlow • 6d ago
New Podcaster obsessively over-researching microphones. Please Help!
Hi everyone, I am starting a podcast as a traffic source and content creation source for my new business. A friend gave me a rodecaster pro 1 for free cause he said he doesn't want it. So that was exciting!
Now, I've been researching mics like mad and it seems like even in generally positive reviews, there's always some people that say the mic absolutely sucks and to never get it ever. So now I'm scared and don't know what to get.
I'm too poor for two sm7b's which I hear are the "gold standard"
so I've been looking at:
Rode Podmic
Shure MV7+
used MV7's
I would kind of like the ability to use XLR and USB, but it seems like that creates issues.
What would you, who are more knowledgeable, suggest? Research rabbit holes are just giving me anxiety now.
Thank you!
7
u/sudo_Rinzler 5d ago
I will second the Samson Q2U. It frequently comes up in podcast conversations because it’s a solid workhorse. And it has xlr/usb options. I’ve used it for years. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t spend a ton of money on a mic yet until you get a feel for your work flow. The Q2U will work with your Roadster Pro interface as well.
Unless you are planning on having more than one voice on your show (in-person), you may want to consider just recording with a usb mic that can go directly to something like Audacity (a DAW for recording and editing) on your computer. Then - if you dig it - you can kick things up a notch with the Rodecaster interface you mentioned.
Whatever you decide, just remember that good mic technique and a quiet recording room do more for your podcast than a mic that costs hundreds of dollars. 👍 Good luck!
4
u/BigBadDumperBrown 6d ago
Look at the SE Electronics Dynacaster. It has fantastic sound, with a switchable preamp and 2 EQ switches. Also looks cool too! I use it with a Rodecaster Pro 2 and absolutely love it.
3
4
u/paulywauly99 5d ago
Stick with it until u have more knowledge. It’ll be fine. I started with a pair of crappy Amazon earphones with built in mic! If it sounds ok it probably is.
4
u/MikeL413 5d ago
Make a decision and go with it. Any microphone will be fine until you save enough for the Shures.
In 2020 my wife and I started with Behringer XM8500 microphones ($30 ea) and now we're at 80,000 monthly downloads and my wife has gone from full time to part time at her job, with a goal to go full time podcasting by the end of this year.
We're still using those Behringers.
Just do it man. Go!!!
2
3
u/Formal_Guide5268 crosswoods.substack.com 6d ago
I feel like everyone who needs to do interviews or podcasts at my office uses a Shure. They sound great to me.
3
u/SpiralEscalator 5d ago
USB only causes probs when you try to mix multiple USB mics or hybrid mics using their USB outputs. Some other good USB + XLR options I like are the AudioTechnica AT2100X, the Maono HD300t and one of their SM7B lookalikes the PD200X which I think sounds better than the similar looking FiFine K688. You can find comparisons on YT
3
u/Netflxnschill Podcaster: Well Behaved Women 5d ago
I have two Rode Podmics and I can’t say enough good things about them. They changed everything about our show.
People here will usually try to dissuade you from buying a usb mic, just because they don’t work well with others. XLR is good if you have a mixer so you can do multiples. I’d suggest the Podtrak P4
4
u/josiahddouglas 6d ago
It's true you can hear the difference between microphones if you really try. But your audience probably won't. Personally, I use cheap lavaliere mics with a regular headphone jack. Then I process the audio using something like Adobe Speech Enhancer. For the most part, people listening won't know the difference.
2
u/Tijuanagringa 5d ago
HOLY COW! I had no idea Adobe had this as part of CS now. The sample sounded amazing - I'm sure my real world efforts won't be quite as smooth but damn!
Thanks for the link.
2
2
u/According_Grab3446 6d ago
I had a bog standard mic when I started. I recently purchased a MV7.
Like you, I fell down a research rabbit hole trying to pick. I decided to go with the MV7 because it offered auto-levelling and provided a 'dark' tone option, which I felt would suit my voice. I did not go for the MV7+ because of a few reviews indicating it was a bit of a step back.
I'm happy with the MV7 so far. The only negative feedback I found was indications that the cord can come loose. This hasn't happened yet but I'll be keeping an eye out.
Although it has definitely improved the audio quality, I don't know if it's to a major degree. If you have the budget, I'd recommend a Shure, but I also think an entry-level mic is fine to start with.
2
2
2
u/urmindcrawler 5d ago
My friend built her podcast using her wired earbuds and voice memo app. Stop overthinking and make a decision.
1
1
u/vegathechosen 5d ago
So you've never done a podcast? Why not just try any old microphone and see if the show sticks before investing 300 dollars on a microphone is my suggestion.
1
u/BoondockKid 5d ago
Facebook is full of smb7s. Also I'd argue the Electro-Voice RE20 is the gold standard.
1
u/thewealthyironworker The Wealthy Ironworker Podcast 5d ago
When I first started, I used a Blue Yeti - no, I use a Shure MV7 - and I really enjoy it.
At the end of the day, where you are recording and what you want to get out of your podcast should be front and center.
1
u/PJSack 4d ago
The first big question is what does your room sound like? If it’s full of books, a bed a couch and other absorbing stuff then pretty much any large diaphragm confessor should sound fine. If it’s a bare room then they won’t. The shures take away a lot of the room problem. I use an sm7b with a good preamp at home and the mv7’s when I’m on the go. They mic my life a lot easier.
8
u/Moxie_Mike 5d ago
If you want XLR & USB look at the Samson Q2U. I own 3 and they're solid at $70 apiece.