Top 5 Podcast Microphones
Starting your podcast is a great accomplishment. However, for you to create high-quality podcasts that people will enjoy listening to, you need some tools. For your recording session, you need the best podcast microphone. There are many microphones on the market, and not all of them are ideal for making podcasts.
For you to pick the best microphone for podcasting, you need to be an expert on audio equipment, which you are probably not. In this guide, we will be reviewing some of the best microphones for podcasting on the market. Here are some of the expert recommendations:
The 5 Best Microphones for Podcasting
#1: Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
The Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone is one of the best microphones for podcasting, thanks to its design and great features. This microphone was designed to make your voice sound professional. This professional microphone does not come cheap, but it offers great value for money.
It is one of the best microphones for vocals, and it delivers crystal clear, polished, and purified audio. It features a wide-range, flat frequency response that provides a super clean reproduction of your sound.
This microphone is also versatile, as you can use it for home recording, studio recording, streaming, and podcasting.
It features a pop filter and air suspension shock isolation that eliminates both breathiness and mechanical noise, ensuring your podcasts are super clear and noise-free. Shure also designed this microphone to reject off-axis audio, and this makes it easy for you to speak to a comfortable angle.
Specs
- Connector Type: XLR Connector
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Provides professional audio
- Easy to connect and use
Cons
- A bit pricey
Check out this microphone on Amazon
TONOR Computer Condenser PC Microphone for Podcasting
If you are looking for a quality podcast microphone that will not leave a hole in your pocket, you should consider the TONOR Computer Condenser PC Microphone for Podcasting. This is a budget-friendly mic that comes with many great features.
The mic also comes with a pop filter and tripod stand to make it easy for you to create your podcasts. It is very easy to use; all you have to do is to plug the USB cable into the USB port of your computer and start using it. It does not require any software, driver, or setup.
This is also a versatile microphone, as you can use it for other things such as streaming, YouTube videos, distance learning, and more. It features a cardioid pickup pattern, which captures the crisp, smooth, and clear sound and suppresses unwanted background noise.
Specs
- Connector Type: USB
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
- Weight: 12.2 Ounces
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Lightweight design
- Eliminates unwanted background noise
Cons
- Not the most durable
Check out this microphone on Amazon
Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone
Next on the line is the Samson Technologies Q2u USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone. This is another great option for those looking for a budget-friendly microphone for podcasting. One of the most amazing features of this microphone is that it supports both XLR and USB connectors.
This dynamic mic features a cardioid pickup pattern, and it does an impressive job of rejecting off-axis noise. With this feature, your podcast will not be cluttered with unwanted background noise when you are recording in a noisy environment or a room that is not sound-treated.
This mic reproduces voices accurately, thanks to its nicer tone. With the dual connection system of this mic, you can connect it to a computer or mixer, whichever one you want. It is a versatile option, as you can use it for home recording and voiceover work. The microphone is also great for live performance settings, as it reduces feedback.
This unit is very easy to use as well, thanks to its plug-and-play design. It does not require any driver or software to function. Just connect it with your computer and start using it. It features an onboard headphone jack (3.5mm), which allows for zero-latency monitoring. With this feature, your vocal will sound clearly and without any delays or echo.
Specs
- Connector Type: XLR & USB Connector
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
- Weight: 0.7 pounds
Pros
- Supports both XLR and USB connectors
- Easy to use and install
- Eliminates background noise
- Provides super clear voice
Cons
- Not a great option for professionals
Check out this microphone on Amazon
Blue Yeti USB Microphone for Podcasting
If you are looking for a top-quality microphone for podcasting with an average price tag, then you should consider this option. The Blue Yeti USB Microphone for Podcasting is one of the most popular USB microphones, thanks to its ease of use.
It features a plug-and-play design, and it works with all computers. The mic is convenient and easy for anyone to get started. Interestingly, this microphone has four different polar pattern modes, which are stereo (front, right, left), cardioid (front only), bi-directional (back and front only), and omni (all sides).
The versatility of the microphone makes it super easy to use, as you can record from any direction. The multiple polar pattern modes of the microphone also make it a great option for interview-style podcasts. You can also use it for group sessions. This unit also features a 3.5mm headphone jack that allows for latency-free monitoring.
The microphone also puts you in charge of every recording session, thanks to its awesome features such as instant mute, mic gain, pattern selection, and studio controls for headphone volume. It also features a three-capsule array that produces powerful, clear, and broadcast-quality sound for podcasting.
Specs
- Connector Type: USB Connector
- Polar Pattern: Multi-pattern
- Weight: 3.51 pounds
Pros
- Produces powerful, clear, and broadcast-quality sound
- Four pickup patterns
- Gives you full control over your recording sessions
Cons
- Not the best option for recording in untreated rooms
Check out this microphone on Amazon
Elgato Wave Premium USB Condenser Microphone for Podcasting
The last on our list is the Elgato Wave Premium USB Condenser Microphone for Podcasting. The affordability and USB connectivity of this unit makes it one of the best microphones for podcasting. It also features streaming functionalities, which means you can use it for gaming as well.
It features a subtle suspension mechanism that does a great job of suppressing vibration and external noise. With the multifunctional dial on the microphone, you can adjust the headphone volume, input gain, and crossfade between your microphone and PC mix.
This microphone also comes with its software – Wave Link. The software has an intuitive interface, and it gives you the option to separate different tracks when live streaming your podcast. It comes with proprietary clipguard technology that makes distortion almost impossible. It also has superior circuitry that ensures a seamless audio signal.
Specs
- Connector Type: USB Connector
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
- Weight: 1.29 pounds
Pros
- Produces high-quality sound
- Reasonably-priced
- Smooth sound diffusion and ultimate capsule protection
Cons
- The software is a bit annoying
Check out this microphone on Amazon
What to Look Out For When Buying a Podcast Microphone
Connectivity
One of the most important things you need to look out for when buying a podcast microphone is the connectivity of the mic. There are two major types of connectivity – USB and XLR. The option you choose will depend on how you want to use the mic.
If you want to use the microphone with a mixer and then connect it to your laptop for recording, you should opt for a microphone with an XRL connector. However, if you want a direction to your computer, then you should opt for a microphone with a USB connector. Some podcast microphones also come with both options, which means you can use them with almost any device.
Quality
The quality of the microphone is another vital thing to consider. You should only opt for a high-quality microphone if you want a high-quality sound. Dynamic microphones are the best for making podcasts. In addition to being dynamic, the mic should be balanced, flexible, quiet, and durable.
It should have some noise-cancellation features to help suppress background noise and vibration. The microphone should be able to reproduce your voice clear while keeping the overall sound crisp clear.
Durability
No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on an item that will not serve them for a long time. When buying a podcast, you should go for an option that will serve you for a long time. It should feature premium quality construction and be made with only the best materials on the market. You should be able to use the microphone for years without any issues, except you just want to upgrade it.
Conclusion
Starting a podcast is not as difficult as it used to be, thanks to the debut of many podcast equipment and tools on the market today. However, for you to stay ahead of your rivals in this industry, retain your listeners, and get new listeners regularly, you need to be producing quality podcasts. One of the best ways to do that is to use the best podcast microphone. With the products reviewed in this guide, you cannot go wrong when looking for the best microphone for podcasting. You can pick any of the options that best suit your budget and needs.
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