Podcasting Equipment  The Microphone

While in radio I was lucky enough to work with both great equipment,
and the worst equipment. From working with top notch equipment,
I learned how important  the equipment was in creating a station
that sounded better & brighter than anything
else on the dial in our market, and because of that, and
our on-air talent, we were always a Top rated station.

When planing on producing a podcast you need to consider what
equipment your going to use. If you use a $10.00 microphone,
most likely that is what your podcast will sound like.

The Microphone

The most important piece of equipment for you podcast.
Lets first talk about the quality of your podcast.

Lets drop by Musicians Friend and take a look at some top name
microphones. Why Musicians Friend ? Because I have ordered items from them and received them on time and have never had any issues with any products that I have purchased from them. The prices are very competitive if not the best.

Microphones range in price from $59.00 to several
thousand dollars. For this article lets stay under the $350.00 range.

Do we want a dynamic or condenser microphone. Most all condenser microphone require what is called "Phantom power", a pre-amp between your microphone and either the mixer or the sound recording device you use. Most mixers of any quality have Phantom Power on board. If your going to bypass using a mixer and go directly to your sound card, ART makes a pre-amp for around $49.00 to power your condenser microphone. If your just starting out with Podcasting and using a microphone, I would stay away from condenser microphones, and go with a dynamic microphone.

The Sure SM7B
is an excellent vocal microphone and you can't go wrong
with The Sure Brand of Microphones.

The Sure 55SH Series II

is an excellent vocal microphone and Frank Edward Nora (Love that name)
at The Overnightscape uses this microphone with great results.

I have listened to many poor quality podcast in the last few months, and the reason the podcast sounds bad.
They are trying to use a $20.00 microphone. If you think people don't notice poor quality audio, think again !

Microphones vary in audio texture and each microphone has its on distinct characteristics. I know that I mention Jimmy Jett in many tools & tips segments, but if you want to see & hear what can be done with low end type equipment stop by JimmyJett.com and
first listen to his podcast, then look and see what he is using for his podcast.
So yes it can be done, but you have to know what your doing.

HEIL PR 40

I have to update this page with information about one of
the very best microphones I have ever heard for the price. The HEIL PR 40.
This dynamic microphone sounds better than
mics costing Thousands more. If you decide to purchase this microphone
you will be very glad you did for years to come.
http://www.heilsound.com/proline/pr-40.htm

When purchasing a microphone, please  please purchase a POP Filter or Wind Screen. One of my biggest pet peeves is listening to podcast with someone exploding the microphone with every "P" word they say.
Proper Microphone technique is covered in another tools & tips section.

So for now I will leave you with this in mind, if your planning on producing a podcast,
remember to put most of your budget in your Microphone.
In the coming Tools & Tips we will take a look at Mixers,
Sound Cards, Editing Software and more.

If you have any questions, most any Podcaster will be glad to help you and let you know
what type of equipment they are using. I'll be glad to help you out, just stop by
our submit a podcast section and send me any question you have.

In the end I have to refer you to one of the best sites I've seen with microphone reviews.
Transom.org has done a magnificnet job of reviewing the most popular microphones, and they
give you an audio example of each one. They have reviewed both remote location (Hand held) recording
microphones and studio microphones.

Here is the lnk to the studio microphone reviews
Transom.org Studio Microphone Shootout

Here is the direct link to the Hand Held microphone reviews
 Transom.org Hand Held Microphone Shootout

As always best of luck with your Podcast.

© 2007 The Podcast Bunker - http://www.podcastbunker.com