Simple Mic Setup?

[NRutman]

Hey everybody. I'm looking to get into simple single track voice recording for podcasting and I'm wondering what kind of setup I need. I saw one post that recommended a condenser mic and the Behringer 802 mixer. Is that really necessary for me? Would I be able to get a clean sound from a nicer quality computer or usb mic?

What do you suggest?

Thanks,
-Nate

[WildeGeek]

There have been successful podcasts made with the most minimal of audio gear. USB headsets and other low-end audio gear are not necessarily an impediment to attracting an audience. Iif you speak clearly and record in a quiet environment, such a mic will not prevent your audience from understanding you.

That said, a USB headset will sound like what it is. It'll pick up breathing sounds, the movement of your head, handling of the cable, and will have a certain thin audio quality. It will emphasize plosive sounds (P's, T's, etc.), or even distort or overload on them if you don't position it carefully.

It all depends on what you want the show to sound like.

[NRutman]

This would be under a company, so I'd like to produce nice-sounding vocals that would reflect well for corporate listeners. I don't want to hear my breathing or cable noise or pops or a tinty vocal recording. But I'm not going to do interviews with other people or mixing of multiple tracks. So I want something that sounds professional but without having my own recording studio, if possible.

Does that help? Any suggestions?

[danhughes]

Here's a USB condenser mike I'd consider:

http://tinyurl.com/6s8wzu

With this, you won't need the Behringer board. You just plug it into your computer and go.

If you already have the mixer, you should get a regular condenser mike. This one is quite popular, and the price is unbelievable (I should buy one myself even though I don't need it):

http://tinyurl.com/l5fok

Best,

---Dan

[cooljazz]

Dan - I appreciated your recommendations about USB and non-USB condenser mics. I usually record my podcast in a professional soundbooth and get that NPR sound that my listeners love. However, I am going to a conference in a few months and would like to record some interviews. I have a laptop that I was planning on using as the high-tech reel-to-reel. Since I'm going to have the limitations of laptop noise and any other ambient sound that might show up, is there any benefit to using a "real" condenser mic with a board, or will the USB mic you recommended work just as well.

Best,

Jonathan

[danhughes]

Jonathan, I hope others with more experience in podcasting than me join in here. Realize that I'm a novice too as you read the following:

First, I wouldn't use a condenser mike outside the studio - they are just too fragile. Look at cdynamic mikes for on-location work.

I bought a Shure SM58 mike -
(http://tinyurl.com/28kjrs
for about $70 on eBay, and I love its sound. I think it sounds very much like an NPR mike!

I also bought an Olympus voice recorder abaout the size of a cigarette lighter, the WS311M - http://tinyurl.com/562t4x
for about $80, and a 3-foot cord with an 1/8" stereo plug and a female XLR jack to connect the mike to the recorder. I plug the mike into the recorder, and the quality I get on location rivals anything I can get in the studio.

Here's a sample, with a couple of other mikes too:
http://danhughes.net/pod/4mics.mp3

This setup is much less fragile than a condenser mike and a laptop, and there is no fan noise when you do it this way. And it is more portable, too, and very easy to use - just drop the recorder in your pocket and hold the mike in your hand, passing it to others if you have guests.

The recorder gives you WMA files, which download directly into Adobe Audition. If you're using Audacity you have to transform them into .wav files or .mp3 files before you edit them.

Hope this helps,

---Dan

[danhughes]

Jonathan, one thing I forgot to mention - many fake SM58 mikes are being sold on eBay. I'd be sure to get one from a reputable source.

Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/5t93t7

---Dan