Over the past few years, the popularity of podcasts has skyrocketed. Various journalists, bloggers, and people in other professions have started to create their own audio shows related to any topic from working out to hitting the jackpot at the 20bet casino. Every podcaster realizes that clean, high-quality sound is especially important in this business. And you can't get it without a good microphone. Today we have a review of the top 4 popular devices in different price categories. Each of the models deserves attention.
Selection Criteria
To choose a good microphone for podcasting and not get lost in the almost limitless range of options, you need to compare the devices under consideration by several criteria:
- Sound quality. After determining the budget for the purchase, this is the main parameter of choice. People won't listen to podcasts with poor sound quality — it just won't attract an audience. You need to look for microphones that can record clear and natural speech. This will make even the simplest podcast sound new.
- The type of microphone. There are two big categories: dynamic and condenser. The former are better at handling noise, while the latter are more sensitive and suitable for studio recording.
- Connectivity. You need to make sure that there will be no problems with the compatibility of the microphone and the recording system. The device should connect to the computer mixer or audio interface that the podcaster is using.
- Protection from background noise. It's recommended to match the microphone with additional features like pop filters or canceling out unwanted sounds.
- Frequency. A good frequency response is critical for recording podcasts. The microphone should capture the full range of speech and sounds. Ideally, you should select a model with a frequency between 80 and 15,000 Hz.
- Output impedance. This varies and should be matched to the preamplifier. The input impedance of the audio mixer should be at least 10 times higher than the impedance.
Boya BY-PM500
This is a high-quality condenser microphone in the mid-budget segment that is compatible with many devices with USB or Type-C connectors: computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. The author confirmed that the Boya BY-PM500 is suitable for studio recording, podcasting, calls and video conferencing, vocal recording, or streaming.
The microphone has a weighty metal stand, so you don't have to buy a mount or stand separately. On the front panel of the device, there is a headphone volume control. It doesn't affect the microphone's sensitivity. If you press this slider, the Mute mode is activated.
At the bottom of the microphone is a 3.5mm jack for headphones and a Type-C port for connecting the device to a laptop or smartphone.
The Boya BY-PM500 is the best podcast microphone for its price. It produces crystal-clear sound that requires no additional processing. Just take this microphone out of the box, plug it into a suitable device, and start recording.
Rode PodMic
The Rode PodMic is a cardioid microphone with a rugged all-metal construction. It only picks up sound in front of you, so it can't be used for all-round recording. Anything from the sides or rear is ignored. This feature allows you to maximize sound clarity.
The device has an excellent operating frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. For a dynamic microphone in the mid-budget segment, this is an impressive result. It allows you to cover the entire frequency spectrum and record your voice in full.
The Rode PodMic cannot be connected via USB. Instead, an analog XLR connector is used. To connect to a computer, use an audio mixer or audio interface. The device converts the analog signal to digital.
The Rode PodMic has a pop filter to reduce interference from human breathing and other extraneous sounds.
Rode Podcaster
It's one of the favorite microphones of many podcasters. It combines superb sound quality with the ease of USB connectivity. The Rode Podcaster is a dynamic microphone that requires no additional audio interface. It features a built-in analog-to-digital converter that operates at a sampling rate of 48 kHz.
The Rode Podcaster has a built-in pop filter that minimizes all explosive sounds and eliminates sound distortion. The device is compatible with all computers and laptops running Windows or macOS.
The microphone is perfect for recording podcasts, voice recognition, video blogging, creating corporate videos, and other tasks. It can even be used by musicians who prefer the convenience of USB microphones over XLRs.
Rode NT1 KIT
This is often the choice of many podcasters looking for superior sound quality. The condenser microphone has a large-inch capsule and gold-plated diaphragm, making it suitable for recording vocals or acoustic instruments. It produces excellent results even with powerful sound sources like guitar amplifiers. The Rode NT1 KIT has cardioid directivity, so extraneous noise is minimized.
Self-noise is minimized, and the frequency range is 20 to 20,000 Hz. The Rode NT1 KIT features superbly detailed midrange, soft upper frequencies, and rounded, pleasant bass. It accurately captures the timbre and subtle nuances of speech, maximizing the effect of presence.
The Rode NT1 KIT uses an XLR connector, so you must use an audio mixer or audio interface to convert its analog signal to digital.
