How to Select the Best Podcasting Microphone
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As a podcaster trying to compete with the abundance of listening options available, you need engaging topics to attract an audience. Those who want to produce high-quality audio recordings might ask questions like, “What is the best microphone for podcasting,” and “How do you set up a professional podcasting studio?” Regardless of the content quality, poor audio will interfere with the immersive experience you’re aiming to achieve in each episode. If listeners struggle to hear what you’re saying, they’ll likely hop onto another podcast that delivers a better audio experience. If you’ll have guests and co-hosts, you also need to learn how to set up multiple microphones.
With the wide variety of excellent podcast microphones available, there are good options for every budget. First, you need to know the key features and factors to consider when shopping for microphones for podcasting.
Choose the right microphone type for your podcasting setup
For podcasting-specific microphones, the choice is usually between dynamic and condenser mics. Both microphones record sound differently. A dynamic microphone turns sound waves into electrical signals through electromagnetism. It uses a diaphragm attached to a coil of wire and records mellow audio tracks with an even tone. Compared to a condenser mic, a dynamic microphone doesn’t require an external power source. Plus, it’s more durable. Choose a dynamic mic if you’re looking for an affordable starter podcasting microphone.
Condenser mics are more sensitive and delicate than dynamic ones. They can capture high-frequency sounds and produce crisp audio recordings. A condenser microphone uses a pair of charged metal plates to turn sound waves into electrical signals. One of these is a fixed plate, while the other is movable and serves as the diaphragm. These plates require an external power source to operate.
Choose a dynamic mic if you’re wondering what the best microphone is for podcasting in a shared space. Dynamic mics reject background sounds very well and are better for locations with significant ambient noise. Condenser mics have high audio sensitivity and are a good fit for dedicated podcast studios with acoustic treatments because they can capture the nuances of vocals, live music and voiceover dialogs.
While choosing between these two types of podcasting mics, you may ask: “How much does a podcast microphone cost?” Dynamic mics are generally more affordable, while condenser microphones can cost up to a few thousand dollars. If money is no object, you may consider a tube mic. Tube mics are live audio microphones with large diaphragms. This feature makes them the best option for podcasts that include pre-recorded vocals.
Consider connection type when selecting a podcasting microphone
When classified by connector type, the two types of microphones for podcasting are USB or XLR microphones. USB microphones are best for beginners because they’re easier to set up and use. XLR microphones require additional hardware to use and need external power sources.
A USB microphone is a plug-and-play device. It connects directly to a computer’s USB port and requires no other equipment to operate. An XLR microphone connects to an audio interface or a mixer that connects to a computer. While USB ports are more commonly found on computers, the three-prong XLR connector is only available on certain professional sound recording equipment.
You need an XLR mic if you’re asking, “What is the best microphone for podcasting to capture the best sound?” XLR microphones are more versatile and give users more control over sound levels and channels. By using sound mixers and audio interfaces, they capture and process audio much better than USB mics. A USB microphone relies on the sound card in your computer, while a mixer or audio interface works as a more powerful external sound card to produce a professional-quality recording.
Pick the right microphone pickup pattern for your podcast studio
Factors like the number of hosts and guests on your podcast and the seating arrangements in the recording space all determine the ideal microphone pickup pattern. Also known as polar pattern, the pickup pattern of a microphone is its directionality or how it responds to sounds coming from different directions.
There are three broad types of mic pickup patterns: omnidirectional, bidirectional and unidirectional. A unidirectional polar pickup can have a cardioid, subcardioid, supercardioid or hypercardioid pattern. As the name suggests, an omnidirectional mic is equally sensitive to sounds coming from all directions. Choose the latter option if you’re using a mic for multiple guests. Optimize your setup by positioning everyone in a circle around the mic when recording. A bidirectional mic picks up sounds coming from the front and back of the microphone and rejects input coming from the sides. Use a microphone with this pickup pattern for a one-on-one interview.
Do you need two microphones for a podcast? While you can make do with one, you’ll need more mics if you’ll regularly have multiple hosts and guests. Choose a unidirectional microphone if you’ll only be recording yourself or if you want each host and guest to have their own dedicated mic. The most common unidirectional pickup pattern is cardioid. Its heart-shaped pickup spread makes it most sensitive to sound coming from the front and least sensitive to sound coming from the rear. With a pickup angle of 131 degrees, the speaker doesn’t have to sit perfectly in front of the mic to capture excellent sound.
A subcardioid mic has a wider pickup pattern and more rear sensitivity than a cardioid one. However, they’re more prone to unwanted feedback. Compared to a cardioid mic, supercardioid and hypercardioid mics have smaller pickup angles and offer better rejection of sounds coming from the sides. It’s important to note that they have higher rear sensitivity and require speakers to sit more precisely in front. As a positive, they’re much better at rejecting feedback and ambient noise.
If you’re still uncertain which of these different microphones fit your setup, consider a podcasting mic with a multi-pattern pickup pattern to cover all your bases. This tends to be a USB mic, which allows you to change from one pickup pattern to another depending on the number of people on your podcasts and their seating arrangements. Before shopping for a podcasting microphone, first consider your podcast space and any recording furniture you might need. To get the most out of your audio equipment, spend time browsing compatible microphone accessories.