Choosing the right microphone can make or break a podcast, especially for brands looking to establish a strong audio identity. Neal Veglio provides an extensive overview of microphone options tailored for different budgets and needs in podcasting.

He starts by stressing the importance of audio quality, noting that even the best content can be undermined by poor sound. For beginners on a budget, Veglio recommends the Audio Technica ATR2100X and the Samson Q2U, both of which offer USB and XLR connectivity, making them versatile for both novice and experienced podcasters.

His insights into the mid-range microphones, like the Shure MV7 and Rode Podmic, reveal how these models not only enhance audio quality but also provide user-friendly features for those venturing into more professional territories. The episode also delves into premium options, including the legendary Shure SM7B, known for its remarkable sound capture and background noise rejection. Veglio's candid critique of the Blue Yeti highlights common pitfalls that many new podcasters face, making this episode a vital resource for anyone serious about improving their podcasting game.

Takeaways:

• Choosing the right microphone is crucial for building trust with your podcast audience.
• Budget microphones like the Audio Technica ATR2100X are excellent for beginners starting out.
• Investing in a quality microphone can significantly enhance your podcast's audio quality and appeal.
• Dynamic microphones are better suited for noisy environments, reducing background noise effectively.
• Avoid the Blue Yeti for podcasting; its features can confuse beginners and lead to poor sound.
• Consider your future growth when selecting a microphone to ensure long-term usability.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Audio Technica
• Samson
• Maono
• Shure
• Rode
• Electro Voice
• Aston

Mentioned in this episode:

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This is your business needs a branded podcast.

A podnos podcasting educational show teaching brands and entrepreneurs how to leverage podcasting.

Okay, so welcome to this new episode of your Business Needs a branded Podcast.

And yes, I know I've been quiet.

I'm Neil Velio.

I'm here to help you create the perfect podcast that will connect your brand with your audience.

And more recently, I've been focusing on my other podcast, the Podmaster, which is a general podcast, helping all podcasters everywhere to get the best out of their efforts.

So for some, it's time to take the plunge into podcasting for the first time.

If you're serious about starting, one of the first things that you'll need is a good microphone.

Plus we'll have a little special segment on why you might want to steer clear of the worst podcast microphone of all time.

Let's get started.

Now, before we get into the recommendations, let's talk about why your microphone choice is so important.

Your audio quality is one of the first things listeners will notice.

A good mic won't just make you sound more professional, it'll help you build trust and keep your audience engaged.

And trust me, even if your content is amazing, poor audio will send listeners running for the hills.

Or at least towards a terrible podcast.

Or at least towards a better sounding podcast.

So let's talk about microphones under £100 as we lovingly refer to them in the industry.

Budget mics, starter mics, amateur mics, it doesn't matter.

They all do a perfectly good job of getting the most fundamental task done, which is namely getting all the stuff that comes out of this mouth thing here into this microphone thing here.

If you're starting out and have a tight budget, there are some solid options still for you to pick from.

Here are my suggestions.

This is a versatile mic that offers both USB and XLR connections, which means it's great for just plug and play into your laptop.

But also as you grow your team and maybe incorporate other presenters that you want to mic up, you can connect them up into a mixer using a XLR cable.

It's future proof, and the same with the Samson Q2U, which might be slightly more expensive around the pound 85 mark, but it's another fantastic USB XLR combo Micro that's durable, reliable and delivers excellent sound quality for the price.

Now, between that and the Audio Technica, honestly, I've had both.

In fact, I've got both.

I've got spares of each model, but I tend to Favor the Samsung Q2U for others just because in my experience, unless you've got really good mic technique, the Samsung Q2U is a little bit easier to get a better quality sound from.

There's another option that's come on the market.

It's the Maono DM30.

That's £60 roughly, and it's a newer option with surprising quality for its price.

Great for solo podcasters that are working in quieter environments.

And when I say that, what I mean is, compared to the other two microphones, it doesn't do quite such a good job of eliminating background noise.

But still, for all three of these, they're perfect for getting started without breaking the bank.

They're simple to use and plug and play and offer a solid audio foundation to get your show kicked off.

Now let's talk about microphones between 100 and 300 pounds.

If you got a bit more to spend, you're entering what I think is the sweet spot for podcasting microphones.

Here's what I tend to recommend.

First of all, the Shure MV7.

It's around about 200 to 230 pounds.

Designed specifically for podcasters.

It is a USB XLR hybrid mic, much like the other two that I mentioned before in the bargain section, but it delivers a much richer sound and includes onboard touch controls for easy adjustments.

Then we've got the rode podmic, which is £100.

It's a robust dynamic microphone, perfect for podcasting.

But do keep in mind, unlike the Shure MV7 and the next one we're going to talk about, it does require an audio interface, so something like the focusrite Scarlett will do you or any of the mixers from Rode, you've got the Rodecaster Duo and you can probably pick up an old Rodecaster Pro now for probably around about £250,300.

Thirdly I'd mention the Rode Podcaster again.

A USB plug in microphone around about £150, which has a great built in pop filter as well.

I happen to use the XLR version of this microphone, so if you like the way that my podcast voice sounds right now, you can bet your bottom dollar yours will sound very similar if not identical.

These options provide noticeably improved audio quality for you and more features for podcasters who'd like to invest in their sound.

Hopefully that's you considering you are doing a branded podcast and you want to build an audience.

All right, now, if you've got a slightly more generous CEO or CMO who's willing to let you dip a little bit deeper into the budget, let's talk about microphones over 300 pounds.

These are the going all in on audio quality options.

Premium mics for podcasters who want studio level sound.

You want to be competitive, but more than that, you want to win the competition.

So first of all, you got the Big Daddy Shure SM7B.

This now retails around about £300 to £350.

The gold standard for podcasting.

Who doesn't know about this microphone?

Now it is a dynamic mic that's unmatched in its ability to capture warm, professional quality audio while still rejecting background sound.

That is the beauty of a dynamic mic.

Then we've got the Electro Voice RE20, around about 350 pounds.

One of my biggest sadnesses of leaving the radio broadcast industry was leaving behind this Microsoft.

They've got these installed in most of the radio studios in the uk.

It's known for its clarity and versatility and it's excellent for all voice types.

It comes to you rather than you having to go to it.

And a third option, which is a relatively newer addition to my recommendations, however, I have used it and it sounds incredibly rich.

The Aston Stealth retails around about 3 to 350 pounds.

A unique dynamic mic.

It's got built in preamps and voicing modes.

It offers incredible sound for podcasters and voiceover artists.

The gimmick about it is you can turn the lights off on it, which is what gives it the Stealth name.

A bit of a gimmick though, and it won't make a difference to the sound of your podcast.

All right, so let's get onto the Voldemort of the podcasting world, then the microphone that you need to avoid like the plague.

Let's address that elephant in the room full on.

Grab its horns.

First of all, there's a huge scope for user error.

The Blue Yeti's multiple pattern options, omnidirectional and stereo are confusing for some beginners.

Many people don't set it to the correct cardioid mode for solo podcasting.

Also, most people that get hold of one of these things tend to talk into the top of its head rather than its face, where they should be talking.

When I say that, I mean where the knobs are.

That's where you want to be talking, the center of the capsule.

The reason for this is it's a side address microphone, so essentially you're talking past it if you're talking into the end of it.

Poor room acoustics as as well.

Another factor of this it's highly sensitive and picks up a lot of background noise, making it unsuitable for home setups without extensive soundproofing.

And unless you've got a built in studio in your offices, that means your space and it's overpriced for the performance at its price point of more than £120.

There are much better options.

We've mentioned them the Shure MV7 or the Samsung Q2 Ultra.

Far more user friendly and they deliver a much better sound in my opinion.

And I've been doing this a while.

So while the Blue Yeti might seem like an easy choice, you just type in microphone, it pops up on your screen, you click add to checkout and buy it.

The truth is, it's more trouble than it's worth for any podcaster, let alone those starting out all of the podcast content I create, I want to give you some actionable advice that you can feel empowered to make the right decision for you.

So here's how you can decide which mic is best for your podcast.

Some key factors to consider first of all, your budget.

Start with what you're comfortable spending.

You can get great audio at any price point, so don't overextend yourself if you think this is something you're gonna maybe stick out for a few episodes.

Just see how it goes.

Then definitely stay within the budget range.

Once you have ultimately given up your podcast, if you decide it's not for you, you'll still have a great microphone which you can use for things like teams, zoom calls and other things that require audio input.

Maybe even YouTube if that's the direction you go in.

Secondly, you want to consider the recording environment.

If you're in a noisy space, consider dynamic mics like the Samsung Q2U or the Shure SM7B, which handle that background noise much better.

Consider your future growth if you plan to upgrade your setup down the line, choose a mic with both USB and XLR options like the ATR and again the Samsung QT U.

There's nothing worse than deciding you want to get a group of people in the boardroom together around a Rodecaster Pro mixer only to find it's not going to accept USB plug in microphones.

You gotta consider the ease of use.

If you're not tech savvy, go for a plug and play USB mic and the aesthetic and build quality is also a factor.

Some podcasters prefer mics that look professional on camera for video podcasting or live streams as well.

Honestly, the Blue Yeti is an ugly microphone.

I don't know why people buy it for that purpose.

But that said, some people might think that the Samson SM7B is the only microphone that they want to consider for that look just because it's already passed the video podcasting test.

Most video podcasters use that microphone.

That might mean then if you are considering factoring in video podcasting in your strategy via YouTube, then the SM7B is a no brainer.

At the end of the day, the best microphone for you is the one that fits your specific needs and helps you create content you're proud of.

Take your time, read reviews, and don't hesitate to reach out for more advice from me if you're unsure.

Whether you're on a tight budget or ready to invest in studio quality sound, there is a microphone out there that's perfect for you and your team.

And remember, your podcast is an extension of your brand.

Make it so sound as great as you possibly can.

If you have any questions or need more recommendations, feel free to reach out to me.

Don't forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you found this episode helpful.

I'll be back with another episode of your Business Needs a Branded Podcast soon, so keep an eye on your library.

This is your Business Needs a Branded Podcast A podnosis Podcasting educational show teaching brands and entrepreneurs how to leverage podcasting.