What microphone to buy to podcast for less than 100 euros

What microphone to buy to podcast for less than 100 euros.

As already happened with blogs and the written press, with podcasts the creation of radio programs has reached the whole world that you have desire, creativity, a microphone and a computer to spread your content through the internet. It is as simple as having an idea, recording it and uploading it to the network with platforms such as ivoox. However, beyond our expertise to entertain the potential audience, the minimum essential to do so will be a recording of a certain quality and this happens by getting a good microphone.

In general, microphones are used for two things: studio and live recordings, which includes concerts, theater, masses, debates … in short, in places where a voice or an instrument has to be amplified to clearly go through the room. audience. In our case we will focus on microphones oriented for studio recording and in a fairly affordable price range: less than 100 euros. What should we look at when buying a podcast microphone?

Microphone types and uses

Microphone type	Features and uses
Dynamic or moving coil microphone How to migrate a Mastodon server My favorite movies (6): 70s Games broken in part by Pay2Win How much money do young YouTubers make Summoner Icons You Can Be Proud of Pt. 1 EIZO, here is the business plan for the next three years What is and how to use Mastodon How to hide followers on Tik Tok Guinness World Records in computer games PolyStation: meet the video game that disappointed many children	It is the most used for live concerts as a handheld microphone. It is very robust, has low impedance, high outputs, tolerates high volumes without distorting the sound, and requires no preamp or phantom power. The frequency is in the middle zone, around 5 kHz. The output impedance is between 150 and 600 ohms.
Glass or ceramic microphone	They are cheap and offer high output voltage, high sensitivity and high impedance (a lot of noise), especially with long cables. They are omni-directional. They are fragile and are affected by changes in humidity and temperature. Acceptable sound quality for speech but not for music due to its irregularity.
Condenser microphone	It is used for high quality audio, both in vocal and instrumental recording. They are very sensitive and have low impedance. They require feeding. They are the most used by professionals due to their clear response to the voice thanks to their wide frequency, which ranges from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Electret microphone	They are basic and do not require external power. They have a fairly good frequency response (50 to 15,000 Hz) and a sensitivity between -50 dB and -70 dB.
Ribbon microphone	A classic in the recording studios of the 50s, you don’t see so much anymore. Its output is low and requires an amplifier. The frequency is limited from 40 to 14,000 Hz. It has a very low impedance. They are expensive.
USB microphone	They are of the condenser type, but with a preamplifier and an analog-digital converter to record directly from the computer. There are all prices and they are mainly used to record words and give voice to the videos
Wireless microphone	More than a different kind of technology, this is a wireless microphone. Its interior is more complex, expensive and fragile.

What characteristics should a good microphone have?

Polar pattern

Directionality or polar pattern is a critical factor when choosing a podcast microphone. This feature explains how the microphone is able to pick up sound from the direction from which the sound is coming. Thus, we distinguish:

• Omnidirectional: they are capable of picking up sounds from any direction, a good feature that also picks up noise as a counterpart. They are not highly recommended for personal podcasts.

• Bidirectional: These are microphones that pick up audio from opposite sides. They are usually quite expensive and they are not very popular for podcasting.

• Cardioids: their acoustic pickup zone is heart-shaped and they only pick up sound from the front – the area where the microphone is pointing -, although it picks up some sound from the sides. They are the most popular in music recording.

• Shotgun: these microphones are highly directional, especially picking up the sound in front of them and achieving great precision in the audio taking.

Impedance

Impedance is another factor to consider when purchasing a podcast microphone. But, What is impedance? It is the opposition to the alternating current that the microphone provides at its output. Generally, microphones are divided into low impedance (50-1000 ohms), medium (5000-15000 ohms), and high (more than 20,000 ohms).

The length of the cable also influences, that is, the longer it is, the more impedance there will be. A high impedance acts as a bottleneck in the sound from a microphone. If we want a good podcast microphone, we should consider an impedance of 600 ohms or less.

Frequency

The frequency response of a microphone is the range in which a microphone can pick up audio. So before buying a microphone we must be clear about what we are going to record. If we record guitars and vocals, better look for a microphone of medium or high frequency range. If it is to record a bass, better that it picks up low frequencies.

Durability

Another aspect to consider is the durability of a microphone. USB condenser microphones have a complex design inside, so any drop or impact can spoil their proper operation. The internal structure of condenser microphones also makes them especially fragile in the face of carelessness. To avoid disappointment, it is recommended invest in a robust and resistant microphone like those of dynamic type.

The price

Although it is logical to stick to a budget, if you have idea of ​​buying a microphone for a moderately serious task, this would be the last factor to consider. In general, dynamic microphones are great value for money, supporting falls, but in case of failure they will be difficult to repair. It will all be a matter of finding a compromise between good quality, resistance and an attractive price.

And for podcasts?

Today, the sound level in podcasts is quite highHowever, you do not need a premium range microphone to achieve it, it will be based on one that is simple, manageable and provides an acceptable sound.

The ideal is that the polar pattern is cardioid, so that the sound of the sides is barely captured and that the announcer can move freely without altering the voice. As the spectrum of the voice is not very wide, a frequency range between 40 and 18000 Hz is sufficient, it is best to stay in the middle to enhance its sound.

By type of microphone, two types are recommended. The first is from dynamic type due to its robustness, simplicity, low impedance, medium frequency range, good tolerance to volume variations and the absence of power supply. Another option are the USB ones, which we can connect directly to the computer, have low impedance, are very sensitive and respond with great quality to the voice. However, they are more fragile so we must be careful when handling them.

There are two models quite popular with podcasters that exceed 100 euros, the Blue Yeti that costs 149 euros and the Rode NT USB, whose price is 133 euros. However, below this price barrier, there are still more than interesting alternatives.

What microphone to buy

Samson Meteor Mic

We start with the Samson Meteor Mic, an input microphone so you can make your first podcasts. For its price of 45 euros, it is a very interesting option from a quality-price point of view, although if you plan to record podcasts more seriously, it may not be the best option.

It has noise cancellation effect, volume control for headphones, mute button for the microphone and its connection is Plug & Play. It works with Windows, macOS X and also with the iPad. Includes USB cable and a storage bag.

Shure PGA58

Inspired by the legendary sound of the Shure SM58, the PGA58 is a microphone that enhances the clarity of voices by reducing unwanted noise. It’s professional quality and includes an on / off switch, a mic stand adapter, a carrying bag, and an XLR or QTR cable. Its price is 79 euros at Thomann, shipping costs included.

Blue snowball

The little brother of the popular Blue Yeti is also a good option to get started in the world of podcasting. Its design is a double capsule capable of processing sounds ranging from soft voices to garage bands, as specified by the manufacturer. It is compatible with mac OS X and Windows. Includes USB cable and microphone stand. Its price is 84.99 euros.

AKG D5S

Following in the wake of the mythical Shure SM58 that we have seen on stage for decades, the AKG D5S is an extremely robust dynamic microphone made of resistant steel, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. It has a silent power switch and great sound quality. Its price is 88 euros.

Marantz Professional MPM-2000U

The Marantz Professional MPM-2000U microphone is probably the most recommended model for podcasting that we can find within this price range. This is a studio quality USB condenser microphone well suited for vocals. It is very sensitive and has a low signal-to-noise ratio. Includes USB cable, windshield and tripod. Its price is 94.99 euros.

Audio Technica AT2020

The Audio Technica AT2020 is a versatile microphone It reduces the sound from the sides and wide range of frequencies. Of robust construction. Comes with stand and cover. Its price is 99 euros.