Issue 186 * Blog 16-2021 * Read Time: 4 Mins * Podcasting 101
Post Note: Like all the post in this series, we have “Podcast Tip:” scattered through out the post. By paying close attention to the sections will help you to avoid the mistakes we made. The complete tip will be in bold along with being italicized. Some of these are common sense, others are simple, but overlooked, and others make you say, Oh yes that makes sense.
In the post Podcasting 101 – Getting Started we covered steps 1 – 5 of 6 on How To Start A Podcast: The 2019 Best Guide For Beginners. We also covered how not following the steps, not reading the complete blog and our haste caused the first podcast to sound like crap.
We knew after the first 30 seconds of listening to the episode, recording it with the built in computer mic was a no-no.
We began researching microphones and it didn’t take long to get completely overwhelmed, especially for two people who had never held or spoke into one.
There are two basic microphone choices, Condenser and Dynamic. They are also two types of connections, USB and XLR.
Nina came up with a game plan. Since we needed a separate mic for each of us and since we we were just starting out and didn’t know if the podcast would fly we should let the cost determine what we purchased. I understood where she was coming from, she had became skeptical of new adventures after the issues we were and still having with The Corral.
A Condenser Microphone appeared to be the best way to go for a podcast as they seemed to be geared for voice. Plus Condenser microphones are seen in almost every podcast studio. Next we had to determine if we needed the USB or XLR connection.
Podcast Tip: “…Condenser microphones are seen in almost every podcast studio…” The key word in that sentence “studio”. Most studios have some type of sound proofing. If you plan on recording at home, in a room that has nothing on the walls but paint you may want to reconsider your Condenser microphone choice. We will cover this more in the post Podcasting 101: Equipment – Microphones Part 2, coming soon!
The USB connection is considered a plug and play, the XLR requires an interface that the mic plugs in to, the interface plugs in to the computer with none other than a USB connection. Plus an interface can run upwards of a $100 bucks.
We decided to go with a USB Condenser Microphone for its plug a play features and cost.
We settled on a Neewer 8-in1 Microphone Accessory Kit. Cost – Under $50 each.
The kit contained a NW-7000 USB Condenser Microphone with USB cable, adjustable microphone suspension scissor arm with mounting clamp and a shock mount. The kit also contained a pop filter, microphone wind filter and a set of Neewer 100 headphones.
Nina like it because her desk now looked like a professional broadcaster. She loved the color of the mic. It is a light blue with silver accents with a silver grill. The mic was tucked in a shock mount which was mounted to the scissor arm, The black pop filter added to the professional look.
After recording the next episode we determined the Neewer 8-in1 Microphone Accessory Kit was doing its job.
Below are the shows that were recorded the NW-7000 USB Condenser Microphone.
- Episode 2: Book Review – Woman With a Gun by Phillip Margolin
- Show Teaser
- Episode 3: Book Review – Promise Me Always by G. Michelle
- Episode 4: Interview – Joseph Clay Indie Author
- Episode 5: Whats Coming Up Next
- Episode 6: Author Chat with Lauren Robinson Author of The Boy Who Saw in Colours
- Episode 7: Book Review We’re all Liars…101 Ways to Live the Truth – Special Guest. Author Robert Biehn
- Episode 8: Book Review – The Boy Who Saw in Colours by Lauren Robinson
At the time of this blog we have recorded a total of 25 Episodes, so what equipment was used to record Episode 9 through 25?
We will get in to that in Podcasting 101: Equipment – Microphones Part 2 coming soon!
Podcast Tip: The Neewer 8-in1 Microphone Accessory Kit. We found this kit to be an economical way for the beginning podcaster to start with. It’s easy to set up and use. We were pleased, and so was our listeners with the improvement in the sound quality. Using this, under $50 microphone kit produced a podcast that was a thousand times better than using the computers built in mic. The draw backs, you will need to record somewhere that is quite and/or be real good at removing background noise in post production. The other issue, the Neewer 100 Headphones are cheaply made. Nina’s headband snapped in half as she was removing them at the end of Episode 4. They lasted for a total of 2 episodes as Nina was not involved with Episode 2.
For a sound comparison compare the first two minutes of Episode 1 to Episode 2.
Since Nina’s Neewer 100 Headphones snapped, mine would soon follow, so the research once again began, this time for headphones. To see what headphones we decided on, read Podcasting 101: Equipment – Headphones, coming soon!
Other blogs in the Podcasting 101 Series:
Thank you for reading and best of luck to you and your podcast.
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