Do you have an idea for a great podcast? The good news is that recording and distributing your own podcast is easier than ever. Free audio recording editing software and easy distribution networks make getting your thoughts out to people a breeze.
That said, low-quality audio is the easiest way to make sure your podcast has few listeners. You can opt for the same mics professional broadcasters use or start with something more affordable and work your way up. We’re here to help you choose the best mic for podcasting, available at every budget.
1. Heil Sound PR 40
Heil Sound PR 40 Heil Sound PR 40 Buy Now On Amazon $ 399.99
Walk into a radio station, and the chances are good that you’ll spot a Heil PR 40. This microphone is beloved by broadcasters of all types. One of the key reasons is the included shock mount. This helps keep your recording free of low-frequency rumbles.
A large one inch diaphragm helps the microphone capture the lower tones of your voice. That said, the PR 40 has a wide frequency range so you won’t miss out on the highs either. You’ll need a quality mic preamp to achieve the proper recording levels, but this is still one of the best podcast microphones available today.
2. Shure SM7B
Shure SM7B Shure SM7B Buy Now On Amazon $ 398.98
The Shure SM7B is another professional microphone popular in radio stations, but it is also frequently found in recording studios. This mic is excellent for recording vocals of any type, making it popular with broadcasters and musicians alike. The same qualities that make it at home in those situations make it a great podcast microphone as well.
The SM7B has a built-in bass roll-off, meaning annoying low frequencies won’t pick up. The mic’s midrange emphasis picks up all the important aspects of both male and female voices, so your listeners will have no trouble hearing every word.
3. Rode Podcaster
Rode Podcaster Rode Podcaster Buy Now On Amazon $ 227.99
As the name hints at, the Rode Podcaster is built from the ground up to be a great podcast mic. The sound quality is excellent, but it also packs in features you wouldn’t expect to find at this price point.
For example, the Podcaster has a built-in headphone jack on the microphone body. This lets you easily monitor your voice without needing real-time monitoring from your computer. The Podcaster also uses a USB connection instead of XLR, so you don’t need an audio interface. Just plug it into your computer and start recording.
4. Rode Procaster
Rode Procaster Rode Procaster Buy Now On Amazon $ 224.94
If you like the feature set of the Podcaster but already have a quality audio interface you want to use to record, the Rode Podcaster is meant for you.
All the features that make the Podcaster a contender for the throne of the best mic for podcasting are here, but with a standard XLR jack. These features include an internal pop filter to reduce plosive sounds; think of the hard “p” sounds in the word pop, for example.
5. Audio-Technica AT2020USB PLUS
Audio-Technica AT2020USB PLUS Audio-Technica AT2020USB PLUS Buy Now On Amazon $ 129.00
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a jack-of-all-trades mic, so it makes a great microphone for beginners. The AT2020USB PLUS takes that and adds a built-in USB interface, making it one of the best mics for podcasting if you’re on a budget.
The internal analog to digital converter supplies your PC with 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality audio. Like the Rode Podcaster, this features an internal headphone amp, letting you easily monitor your voice as you record. If you’re a solo podcaster, this is a great choice.
6. Blue Yeti
Blue Yeti Blue Yeti Buy Now On Amazon $ 116.88
Blue is perhaps best known for its spherical Snowball microphone, but the Blue Yeti offers a much better feature set. This is a multifaceted microphone, but it is aimed at vocals first and foremost, making it good microphone for podcasters.
The Yeti uses a tri-capsule array, as well as different pickup patterns. This is a USB microphone, so it also has features you’d find on an audio interface like a gain control, a mute button, and a headphone out for latency-free monitoring.
7. Shure SM58
Shure SM58 Shure SM58 Buy Now On Amazon $ 99.00
The Shure SM58 is one of the most legendary microphones around thanks to its durability. Some even joke that you can use the SM58 to hammer together a stage, then also use that same microphone to perform on it. This durability also helps make it one of the best mics for podcasting you’ll find.
The SM58 has an internal wind and pop filter, while a bass roll-off helps cut unnecessary bass frequencies. The frequency of the mic is specifically tailored for vocals, plus it is much easier to amplify than the Shure SM7B, so you don’t need as powerful of a preamp in your audio interface.
8. MXL BCD-1
MXL BCD-1 MXL BCD-1 Buy Now On Amazon $ 95.12
If you like the look of the Shure SM7B or the Heil Sound PR 40, but can’t stretch your budget that far, the MXL BCD-1 is the next best thing. It doesn’t see the same studio and broadcast use as those professional microphones, but it isn’t as far as you’d think from being just as good a microphone for podcasting.
The BCD-1 has a similar shape and form factor to the pro models from Shure and Heil, so it is perfect for mounting on a desk. Despite its look, this isn’t a side-address mic but a front-address like the SM7B. An internal shock mount helps prevent unwanted vibration sounds, while good side rejection means it captures only your voice.
9. Samson Go Mic
Samson Go Mic Samson Go Mic Buy Now On Amazon $ 26.55
The Samson Go Mic is an affordable way to get started recording. That’s true whether you don’t want to spend a lot of money or just aren’t sure how interested in podcasting you are. In addition to being quite affordable, the Go Mic is also very portable, which is great if you’re going to be podcasting on the road.
You can choose between two different pickup patterns with the Go Mic. The standard cardioid pickup pattern focuses on the front of the mic, while omnidirectional picks up sound from all around the mic. This is great if you want to record interviews with just one mic. You can even use an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter to record on your iPhone.
The Best Mic for Podcasting
Choosing a microphone is just part of getting ready for recording your own podcast. Once you know what your subject matter or focus is going to be and how many hosts you’ll have, you probably need some other equipment. You’ll ideally need one mic per host, but that’s not all.
You’ll need a microphone stand, cables, and if you’re not using a USB mic, you need an audio interface as well. We can help you figure out what you might need with our guide to podcast equipment for first-time podcasters.
Read the full article: The Best Mic for Podcasting
