I know what you’re thinking*. “I’ve got this fantastic idea for a podcast! I mean, there’s nothing else out there like this, and I’ve got a face – I mean voice made for radio! What do I need to get started though?”
*No I’m not telepathic, but I do palm readings at the back of the studio if you’re interested
First off, I’m sure your face is fine, in fact, you’re a natural beauty, I can hear it in your voice.
Secondly, gear.
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Podcast Gear Options
It’s safe to say that you already have everything you NEED to start recording a podcast. You probably have a mic attached to your headphones, failing that, I’m assuming you are recording on either a digital recorder or computer, or tablet, or phone, all of which have microphones built right in.
Failing that, you’re either going to need to invest in some gear, or maybe you’re more of a live performance type. You know, storytelling around the fire type deal, LIVE PODCASTING!!!
Anyways, more than anything else, I believe with all my heart that it is your story more than anything else that will set your podcast apart.
People will come back, again and again, to listen to an engaging podcast with poor production, whereas the same could not be said the other way around. Can you imagine if Serial had been recorded on an iPhone? You better believe we would’ve all been just as riveted as we were already.
Improving A Bare Bones Setup
So basically, you’ve already got everything you need to record a chart-topping podcast.
BUT
For only a small investment, you could improve your audio quality by about 1000X*.
*I don’t know how you objectively measure audio quality so this is just my estimate
There are a few different areas where you could choose to allocate your money to improve your podcast gear setup, and thus audio quality. But today we’re going to focus on the first step, and the single purchase that will make the biggest difference in your audio quality.
That purchase, is of a quality microphone.
The difference an actual microphone will make compared to your computer mic, headset, or phone is probably the biggest jump in audio quality you will ever see in your podcast career, no matter what other gear purchases you make down the road (unless maybe you buy this guy*).
*Actually, the mic is probably a bigger difference still. Seriously.
If you’re looking to get the greatest audio quality improvement to cost ratio, you’re going to want to go with a USB mic. This is going to allow you to plug your fancy new mic straight into your computer without an additional audio interface like you would need with an XLR mic.
Now, there are a ton of budget level USB mics on the market today, but I’m going to limit this article to two of my favorites.
The ATR 2100 by Audio Technica is a favorite of beginner podcasters, but don’t let that fool you. I know personally two podcasters whose weekly downloads number in the tens of thousands each, both of whom use the ATR 2100.
As of this wri, ing it costs about $60 on Amazon, which is going to give you an insane jump in quality over whatever you’re currently using.
Seriously, buy this mic, and you will never need to buy another mic again.
The Yeti, by Blue Microphones is another favourite for both new and seasoned podcasters alike. Unlike the 2100, the Yeti is a condenser microphone, which basically means that it’s going to be more sensitive, and have better high frequency response. Note that both of those traits by no means make it better than the ATR 2100 which is a dynamic microphone.
The Yeti is about double the price of the ATR 2100, at $120 as of this writing.
Some Other Noteworthy Differences
One of the features I like best about the ATR 2100 is the fact that it can be used as either a USB microphone or an XLR microphone, thanks to dual output jacks. That means that if you one day decide to upgrade to a mixer or digital audio interface, you don’t immediately need to also upgrade your microphone to interface with it.
When it comes to the Yeti, the mic features a switchable polar pattern, which although you probably won’t use regularly, can come in handy at times.
The polar pattern of a microphone is basically the direction from which it is predominantly recording sound from. Mics regularly record the majority of the sound in front of them, and only pick up a little bit from other directions.
The Yeti has a few options to pick up from:
Directionally: In front of the mic. For recording a single source such as your own voice.
Stereo: Uses the left and right channels to record a realistic sound image.
Bidirectional: Records equally from in front of and behind the mic. Great for 1-on-1 interviews where the two speakers are sitting across from one another.
Omnidirectional: Records equally from all directions. Great for roundtable discussions.
Making the decision
Don’t stress out too much about making the decision here. Either mic is going to do amazing things for the quality of your audio, so you can’t really go wrong with either. There are podcasts with thousands upon thousands of listeners who rely on both of these mics. Decide what is most important for your style of podcasting, your budget, and your future gear aspirations, and take the leap into professional-quality podcast audio.
So you’re feeling pretty good about the mic situation, but if you’d like to know more about the software side of podcasting I recommend downloading the free Absolute Beginners Podcast Gear Guide.
In addition to microphones we cover all the software you need to get started recording and editing your podcast, as well as recording calls remotely. It’s absolutely free and you can pick up your own copy by clicking the link below.
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Affiliate Disclaimer:
Some of the links included in this article are affiliate links. Basically this means that if you choose to buy one of the items I recommend, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that I take my recommendations very seriously and would never recommend anything that I don’t trust completely.
Jeremy travels full-time, loves long-distance cycle touring, and will always look back on the day he finally saved up enough money to buy the Millennium Falcon Lego set as one of his proudest achievements. He believes that the way to grow sustainable businesses is by leading with heart, vulnerability, and helping your people be and become their best selves.
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