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(upbeat music)
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I'm Danny Brown,
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and you're listening to One Minute Podcast Tips,
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the show that helps you be a better podcaster
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in just a minute a week.
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If you want more specific tips just for you in your podcast,
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check out the Magic Mic membership
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at oneminutepodcasttips.com/support.
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And now, this week's episode.
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I saw an interesting comment
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on whether you need to use an audio interface
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when you can just use a USB mic
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and go straight to your computer.
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And it's a fair comment.
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After all, the beauty of a USB mic is the fact
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that you can just plug your mic straight into your computer,
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hit record, and you're good to go.
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However, while that process is simple,
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the question of whether you need to use an interface
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isn't quite as simple.
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Podcast mics are either USB or XLR.
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There are ribbon mics too,
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but I feel for the most part USB or XLR is the choice.
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Now as I mentioned, USB mics are great
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that they can plug straight into your computer
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and start recording using whatever software
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you have installed, so Audacity, GarageBand, et cetera.
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However, that setup is usually great for a solo podcaster and one mic.
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Start to add more podcasters, or guests, or hosts, and multiple USB mics into one computer and it all becomes a nightmare.
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On the other hand, XLR mics, the ones with three pins on the back and dedicated cables, require an interface.
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But these can support multiple mics and many come with processing effects you can use while recording,
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as opposed to afterward in editing or post-production.
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The Rodecaster Pro or Pro 2 for example, as well as other less expensive interfaces, have
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features like EQ, de-esser, noise reduction, compressors and more, and these give you amazing
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sound before you even start recording. Audio quality is also usually better because of
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the connection and the control you have etc.
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That being said, some of the newer USB mics, the Shure MV7 or the Rode PodMic USB as examples,
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offer you software that lets you add the kind of stuff normally reserved for XLR mics, so
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quality sound settings before recording. Though technically I guess you could then call these
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apps or software the equivalent of an XLR interface. So it comes full circle.
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So whether you need an interface or not really depends on are you a solo podcaster, does
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your USB mic have software that allows you to add processing before the recording or
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do you need more control over the mics, the setup and the sound. Until the next time,
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happy podcasting.
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Thanks for listening. If you enjoy one minute podcast tips be sure to share with your friends
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and other podcasters so they can enjoy it too.
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Until the next time, happy podcasting.
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