What else would I need?

[Dominar]

I'm looking to get into podcasting as well as practicing voice over type stuff.

I'm looking at the Audio Technica AT2020 mic and the Behringer UB802 mixer.

I'm totally new to this so, I assume I'll needs cables to connect the various parts to one another and to the PC. Any suggestions on those?

Is there a device for voice effects or should that be done in software?

I'm at $150 now and I'd like to keep it under $300. I'd like to get everything at one place if possible. Current pricing is from Musicians Friend.

Thanks.

[bigee]

Not sure on the voice effects part. Most software programs can do a pretty decent job of messing up just about any sound you want!
As far as gear, there is no real need to spend the extra $50 (or whatever it is) on Monster cables, and the like. Just make sure they are low-noise. If you head to a Guitar Center or similar store, they will be more than happy to show you which ones are quality, but won't bust your wallet.

Depending on how geeked out you want to be, I would also recommend a gate. This eliminates the hiss when you are not talking into the mic. dbx is a good brand, as is Behringer (if you're on a budget, which you said you were)

[PaulCasting]

If you're on a budget, I would stick with Behringer equipment all the way around. Also, check out BSW. That's were we used to get a lot of our stuff at the radio station. It's where I always go for anything for my studio.

www.bswusa.com

I like the UB1204 ($120 or $150 with built in effects) because it has slider pots which are much more convenient then trying to turn a little tiny knob as you're fading out your music or whatever. Also slider pots are easier to glance at and see what they're set at.

Behringer makes a B-2 mic that's supposed to be really good. It's $150 at BSW or Musicians Friend. They also have a B-1 model, but I don't know how much better it is. It does come with a shock mount and a case (which you'll probably never use.. the case, that is).

As soon as you can afford it, I would consider a firewire or USB interface so you don't have to use your soundcard going into your PC.

Other than that... when time permits and the wallet is bulging, think about a seperate mic pre-amp and a compressor/gate.

But, if you're just interested in podcasting, to be honest with you, you really only need a decent mic and some good software. I've used Cool Edit Pro for years, but I've been playing with Audacity for a while and it seems really good. Best part is, it's free!!! Learn the software and learn how to mix some nice post-production work and you'll be way ahead of half the other podcasters. I'm not sure why some people who are just doing a talk show are wasting their money on a mixer. Unless you're running several inputs, you don't need to do it. Mix it all digitally on your computer.

Most of all, do what you love and have a passion for.

Paul

[yaz]

my advice would be to get someone to do the show with you that already has all that stuff and is on the verge of doing a show solo, duo's help a show flow a bit and if you can get a member of the opposite sex and you guys talk about porn you're in, it works for dawn and drew, everyone thinks they're funny and they get alot of votes, even though their show stinks...

[PaulCasting]

Yeah, it seems like Dawn and Drew started doing the Howard and Robin thing and it's taken off for them. Of course, the competition is VERY limited at this point. It's easy to be the big fish in this little pond (scratch that.... not easy, but easier then it will be someday).

Seems like too many people are simply copying what D&D are doing. What happened to creativity? You can only talk about that stuff for so long and then it's just ... oh nevermind, I guess Howard has made an empire out of it. Again, I'm wrong.

Well, for the sake of creativity, I pray we've reached the peak of Husband/Wife podcasts. But, I know we haven't. Yawn

Hey, that's a good nickname for D&D: Yawn and Poo or Yawn and Spew. Maybe Yawn and Dippity Drew.

Oh well, it's always fun to push people off the mountain. :)

Paul

[jeffoest]

In our latest show, I also argue that the couple thing is a bit 'overdone' citing that if you restrict a podcast two or less people you have five possibilities: one man, one woman, two men, two women, man/woman. My 'hunch' is that about 75% of podcasts fall into the man/woman category.

My co-host Pat argued that that couple shows are NOT overdone. The reason the other four categories are not as utilized is because there is a great dynamic between a woman and a man because most of the time they do bring different sensibilities into the show.

My take? It's probably a bit easier to do a couple podcast and the dynamics make it more compelling. I think a monologue podcast can generally only successfully be done by pretty talented people (like Adam Curry and Dan Klass) otherwise it gets boring pretty fast. Two women or two men? I'd like to see more but it's hard to argue the old women/man format. I think that's why most on-air radio shows include both sexes - it's a result of years of experience of what works best...

[Dominar]

I'm thinking of switching mics to the MXL 990 Cardioid Condenser Mic with Shockmount. It seems to get good reviews.

Now the Behringer UB802 mixer only has phantom power on the Mono inputs. Is that a problem with podcasting?

I'll be recording into my self built PC which has an Asus a7v8xn with audio onboard. The fans on the PC make alot of noise so I see that as a potential problem.

Any headphone recommendations?

[PaulCasting]

I would say, any of the Sony MDR headphones. I would look for something with 40mm drivers.

I have the MDR-7506 and I like them. They're not too expensive ($100 at BSW) and they've lasted me a VERY long time.

Don't forget to get something that's very COMFORTABLE. Even an hour with a bad pair on can drive you nuts.

Michael Savage doesn't even use headphones for his show. He's kind of a particular guy and has insisted that the engineers set up the studios so that he can use monitors and still not give feedback into his mic.

I worked with a couple of talk show hosts who used headphones that looked like stethescopes and they really liked them. Some of the higher end "ear bud" types probably work really well too.

Again... if you're just getting started in podcasting, PLEASE don't think you need all the latest greatest stuff. Just do a quality show without the dog barking in the background (unless it's part of the show) and put in some quality editing (remember Audacity is good and FREE) so your show is tight and flows well.

MOST OF ALL... have fun and LOVE what you do!

Paul