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What Should Your Podcast Microphone Setup Look Like?

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White, high-quality podcast microphone on a stand with a blurred half-image of a man in the background and WeVideo's Film School logo in the bottom left corner.

Podcasts. Yep. They’re everywhere. In the US alone, over 70 million tuned into a podcast within 2023. In our current era, you could think of the most niche subject possible and still find a podcast or two about it. You seemingly cannot escape them. And you know what? As the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them. In a world of audio streaming and Bluetooth connectivity, the concept of listening to a panel of figures talk about a subject that interests you is more accessible than ever. 

In this article, we will run through some of the core essentials that you will need to start your own podcast. 

Podcast Microphones 

First and foremost, you wouldn’t get very far without a microphone. And, much like finding the best camera for your content, choosing the right microphone is pivotal. While audiences can be slightly more forgiving with poor visuals, bad sound is often a no-go. You will instantly lose viewers, or, in this case, listeners.

Black man with headphones speaking into a microphone with his computer open in an open office space.

Image via Unsplash 

Like cameras and camera lenses, the list of podcast microphones grows monthly. You could even say there’s an endless variety out there. Therefore, what we have here are two time-tested, solid recommendations, along with a few additional options for various budgets.

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Shure SM7B - $399.99

The first and perhaps the most widely regarded podcast microphone is the Shure SM7B. This microphone is beloved by both amateur and professional podcasters alike, offering fantastic audio quality to make your recordings sound as clean as professional productions.

Black Shure SM7B podcast microphone.

The Shure SM7B is well-built and constructed from durable materials, meaning the occasional accidental drop won’t leave you grimacing. It has a flat, wide-range frequency response, making it excellent for capturing exceptionally clean speech. Additionally, it has a built-in pop filter that eliminates the need for external ones, helping to reduce setup time and minimize clutter in your recording space or on-screen appearance. This feature is particularly beneficial if your podcast venture begins in a small space. 

 

Its classic cardioid polar pattern helps reject off-axis sound, keeping your audio-focused and clean if there’s some unwanted background noise. And on that topic the microphone features excellent electromagnetic hum shielding to prevent unwanted noise, which is crucial for when recording near monitors, lights, or other electrical devices.

Black Shure SM7B podcast microphone.

Image via Unsplash 

The only downside to the Shure SM7B is that it performs best with preamps capable of providing 60+ dB of gain. As such, you’ll need to ensure your audio interface can deliver sufficient gain for optimal performance (more on that later).

RØDE Procaster - $229.99

If you’ve been reading our film school blog for the past year, you would know that RØDE is highly recommended for beginners and creators. RØDE has long been at the forefront of creating innovative yet budget-friendly audio solutions for aspiring filmmakers. During the DSLR revolution, they became a go-to brand for no-budget and low-budget filmmakers, allowing aspiring filmmakers to capture professional-quality audio without breaking the bank.

Black RØDE Procaster podcast microphone.

Image via Unsplash 

When the podcast boom began, RØDE once again stepped up, offering fantastic yet inexpensive audio solutions for podcasters. However, their older 2009 model, the RØDE Procaster, stood the test of time and is still a go-to choice for podcasting.  

The Procaster is a broadcast-quality dynamic microphone designed specifically to deliver uncompromising performance for voice applications like podcasting and streaming. Like the Shure SM7B, it includes an internal pop filter to manage plosives and a tight polar pattern to reject ambient noise, ensuring clean and focused audio.

True to RØDE’s standards, the Procaster boasts a robust all-metal build, ensuring durability over time. Like every other RØDE product, it ships with a 10-year warranty, so if anything goes wrong, even years later, you can rely on their responsive and reliable support.

 

Cost-friendly podcast microphone setups

With the two mics above, you would be looking to spend at least $200 to $400, even if buying used. While $300 in the grand scheme of things regarding media is not a lot, to a student or a no-budget filmmaker, $300 could be your entire budget. Therefore, let’s look at some additional budget recommendations. It’s worth noting that the exact price of these recommendations can fluctuate throughout the year.

USB Microphones

  • $50 Samson Q2U: A versatile, dynamic mic with USB and XLR options, suitable for vocals and instruments, and comes with useful accessories.
  • $80 Fifine K688Dynamic mic with a supercardioid pattern, gain control, and headphone jack, offering excellent value for gaming, streaming, and podcasting.
  • $170 Rode NT-USB+: High-quality condenser mic with a mix control, headphone jack, and included pop filter, perfect for professional-level podcasting and streaming.

XLR Microphones: 

  • $25 Behringer XM8500: Reliable dynamic mic with a cardioid pattern, ideal for vocals and instruments, offering unmatched value at this price.
  • $100 Rode PodMic: Broadcast-quality dynamic mic with a cardioid pattern and internal pop filter designed specifically for podcasting.
  • $180 Shure MV7x: A smooth-sounding dynamic mic with low/high buttons and a professional build, perfect for podcasts and vocals.

Podcast microphone audio setups

Ok, so that list of budget-friendly microphones was separated into two categories: USB and XLR. Why is that? One of the more important aspects to think about is the connection point from the microphone to the recording device. Podcast microphones are either XLR connection-based or USB-based.

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Now, if a microphone is USB-based, there’s not much to worry about because you can plug it directly into your laptop or computer. However, the issue with USB microphones is that you’re locked into wherever your computer is positioned. Or, if you’re using a laptop, it might not have enough available USB ports for multiple microphones, especially on newer models. 

Demonstration of black podcast microphone being plugged into computer via USB.Image via Unsplash 

Likewise, depending on the length of the USB cable, you may need to have your laptop or device in frame. This is no trouble if your podcast is audio-only, but if you plan to publish accompanying videos, it may create a visually distracting element. 

More professional-grade microphones tend to be XLR-based. XLR connections are considered higher quality and more reliable for professional audio. However, with an XLR microphone, you will need one of two devices.

The first is an audio field recorder. These are handheld devices used by sound recordists and audio enthusiasts to capture audio on the go without requiring a large setup. Many of these recorders, like the Zoom and Tascam series, feature XLR inputs, allowing for external recording. These devices are incredibly useful for podcasts because they enable you to set up anywhere and record conversations outside a typical studio environment.

 

The second option is an audio interface. Audio interfaces are professional-grade devices that allow users to connect instruments and microphones to their computer via the device's inputs. It’s worth noting that depending on the scale of your podcast, you may need an audio interface that houses multiple inputs, and they increase in price quickly. 

With audio interfaces, you can set the individual gain for each input, which is particularly useful if one host speaks louder or quieter than others.

Many higher-end models also include built-in preamps. These preamps help increase the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in improved overall sound quality.

 

Additional podcast equipment 

Much like buying a camera, podcasting requires additional accessories to achieve optimal results. Fortunately, the extra budget needed is significantly lower. While filmmaking accessories can cost several thousand dollars, you’ll only need to spend about $100 for podcasting essentials. 

The first item you'll need is a boom arm or a tabletop mic tripod. A boom arm clamps onto a table or overhead support and allows you to position the microphone at different heights, angles, and distances. Many boom arms include shock support, which is essential for absorbing vibrations if the table or support is accidentally nudged. This prevents vibrations from transferring to the microphone, preserving your audio quality.

Two men talking on a podcast in an office with proper lighting and a man recording with a computer on the desk.

Image via Unsplash 

If you’re not using a microphone like the RØDE Procaster or the Shure podcasting mic and opt for a budget-friendly option, you’ll likely need a pop filter. Pop filters are fabric meshes placed in front of the microphone to reduce plosives. If you’re unsure as to what a plosive is, they are harsh popping sounds that occur when pronouncing certain letters, like P and T. 

These sounds can cause audio peaks and unpleasant distortion, especially when the speaker is close to the microphone. Pop filters are inexpensive, typically costing less than $10, but they will need to be attached to a support arm.

Man with black headphones using black Shure podcast mic with pop filter on top.

Image via Unsplash 

Finally, you’ll need headphones. Unless you have an external audio producer monitoring the sound, it’s crucial to wear headphones while recording. This allows you to spot potential issues in real time, such as crackles, background noise, or rustling from clothing, which can distract listeners. Even if it’s just you or one guest, wearing headphones can help catch significant audio problems. 

It’s worth noting that both the recommended Shure and RØDE microphones have bundles that ship with all of these items included, but they of course will come at a higher price.  

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Podcasting tips

Podcast microphones are usually large condenser microphones, and to get optimal sound quality with this type, the microphone should not be too far away from you but not too close; thumb to pinky or four finger-widths is a good starting point.

However, the ideal placement is also dependent on your audio gain levels. When recording a podcast, it’s a good idea to audition the audio before going live. Aim for the average levels to be around -12 dB (decibels) with peaks no more than -6 dB. With the correct distance between the mic and yourself, as well as correctly set gains, you should capture a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, which will reduce background noise. We have a comprehensive audio levels guide covering everything you need to know about setting and adjusting your audio. 

However, background noise can still pose issues even with the best equipment, depending on your environment. If you have the budget, investing in acoustic treatment can lead to significant improvement. This could include foam panels or something as simple as hanging blankets on the walls to dampen sound.

 

Using a room like a carpeted bedroom will naturally absorb some noise, making it a better choice than an echoey space like a bathroom, which causes excessive reverb. Excess reverb is not ideal for podcasts, as it generates unwanted background noise and lowers the overall audio quality.

Black man set up in office space with podcast, microphone stand, and multiple computers in an apartment.

Image via Unsplash 

Reducing background noise enhances the clarity of your recordings. After implementing all this, you can improve audio quality by using audio effects, such as an EQ.

An EQ can help address any low-end rumble that might impact the clarity of your recording. A simple solution is to apply a low-cut filter, which removes low-frequency noise such as background sounds or electronic hum. Set the low-cut filter to around 100-200 Hz for optimal results.

Conclusion 

The barrier to podcasting is far lower than it is for filmmaking. Once you’ve acquired the bare basics of equipment and found your topic to talk about, all you really need to do is start talking.

The hard part lies in attracting an audience and ensuring that the conversation you’re having is engaging, entertaining, and adds value. If you can achieve all of this, you’ll likely be able to progress to higher-budget equipment as you grow.