Best Podcast Microphones For Great Audio (All Budgets)

By Ross Winn. Originally published here and updated January 2, 2022

Photo by Terrillo Walls on Unsplash

---

You’re starting a podcast and are wondering “what’s the best microphone for podcasting?”

The good news is that for most people, that answer is easy: get the ATR2100x-USB here.

But where things can get a little tricky is when you need to record multiple people, or maybe you want something a bit more on the pro end.

Don’t worry though, we’ll try to make it easy (and not list 300 different options that just make you more confused) so you can get what you need and get back to podcasting!

The first thing you need to know is there are two ways to connect a podcast mic to your computer: USB and XLR.

USB is fast and easy to set up and great if you only need to record one microphone at your location.

Remote guests are fine, but you’ll want to avoid USB if you need to record 2 or more people locally.

XLR connections require additional equipment to connect them to your computer, but the sound quality is better. You’ll also be able to connect more than one mic at the same time.

Now that we have that cleared up, here are the best podcasting microphones – we’ll start with USB and then go into XLR:

Best USB Podcasting Mics

These USB mics are great for lower budgets or those that want the easiest way to start a podcast in 2022.

ATR2100x-USB

I’ve recommended the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB in many other articles and now there is a new version! The ATR2100x-USB updates the quality and now uses USB-C.

It performs well above its price point, has both USB and XLR connections, and is small enough to travel with if needed.

Samson Q2U

The Samson Q2U is basically the same mic as above. I’ve had reports that you can’t seem to get the ATR2100 outside the US, so this is what I would get if that’s the case.

It comes with a stand, windscreen, USB and XLR cables.

Rode NT-USB

The Rode NT-USB is a cardioid mic (ideal for voice recording) that comes with a pop filter, tripod, boom mount, a 20′ USB cable, and a travel pouch.

Best XLR Podcasting Mics

Most people will want a dynamic mic, especially if you are recording multiple people in the same studio, so that’s what you’ll find in this section. We do have a separate article on condenser microphones if you’re interested in learning more about what’s available.

Rode PodMic

The Rode PodMic is my favorite XLR podcasting mic under $100.

This dynamic cardioid mic has an internal pop filter and shockmount to help get the best audio quality in a simple and small package.

You’ll want to get a boom arm for the best results.

Rode Procaster

I actually have 3 of these and love them. The Rode Procaster does tend to need a little extra gain to not sound noisy.

When compared with other mics, the frequency range of 75Hz – 18kHz doesn’t seem like it quite compares but the results have been great.

Heil PR-40

The Heil PR-40 is used by many top podcasters.

Its price point puts it just below the higher-end mics below, but the sound quality and specs more than compare.

You’ll get a 28Hz – 18kHz frequency response, internal shockmount and pop filter, and a padded case for safe transport.

Shure SM7B

You’ll find the Shure SM7B in Joe Rogan’s podcast studio – as well as many others.

This is a classic broadcasting mic and performs really well. With a built-in shockmount and pop filter, and a frequency range of 50Hz – 20kHz, you’ll never need to upgrade or get additional accessories.

You will need a Cloudlifter or preamp to power the SM7B as it is notoriously “gain-hungry”.

Electro-Voice RE20

The Electro-Voice RE20 is another classic broadcasting mic. It has a feature called Variable-D that gives you some flexibility with your mic technique, making it great for both beginners and pros.

Mobile Podcasting Mics

Planning to podcast on the go? There are several small mobile mics that sound much better than any built-in microphone you might have.

There are also some great iPhone mics and Android mics if you want to go that route as well.

Samson Go Mic

The Samson Go Mic is a great cheap podcasting mic (under $30) and is designed for travel.

It can clip to your laptop or simply sit on your desk, folds up small, and can switch between cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns.

Comes with a travel case and USB cable.

Blue Snowflake

The Blue Snowflake is another cheap podcasting mic (also under $30) designed for use on the go.

It can be used on top of a laptop or on a desktop, folds into itself for compact carrying, and comes with a USB cable.

Final Recommendations

What about the Blue Yeti? Well, it’s not really the best choice for podcasting. We do list the Blue Yeti as a top choice for gaming and streaming mics, but when it comes to podcasting, you’ll want something that minimizes background noise.

Other great podcasting microphones not highlighted above include the Audio-Technica BP40, Telefunken M82, and MXL BCD-1 (these are all dynamic mics with XLR connections).

The best mic for podcasting is the one you have with you, so don’t let our recommendations stop you from recording if you don’t have exactly what we recommend.

Every podcaster has different needs and varying quality of recording space, so don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works for you! 

---

Article By Ross Winn

Ross Winn is the founder of Podcast Insights, the industry-leading podcast education site. He has helped thousands of people start and grow a podcast and loves to test out new gear and software.

Podcasters Are the New Influencers

Hiring an influencer can be expensive, and you only reach people on social media. Being on a podcast allows you to network and be seen across social media and search engines.

By Morissa Schwartz October 18, 2021 (Originally published here)

Photo by Kate Oseen on Unsplash

Hiring influencers can get expensive for startups. You pay them and give them free products. They post about it on their social media, and you go on your merry way and hope that their audience sees it and acts.

Most reputable podcasts, on the other hand, don’t charge you to be on their show, and if one does ask you for money, nine times out of ten, run! Podcasts typically have a substantial audience comparable to many influencers or micro-influencers. Additionally, your audience and theirs get to learn more about you and your business straight from you.

How do podcasts work? 

On podcasts, you typically give about 30 minutes of your time interviewing with the host, talking about yourself and your business. The podcaster will post about the episode with a link to you and your business on his or her social media, where it will be available forever, whereas many influencers post a story that disappears after 24 hours. Podcasters also typically publish a short blog about the interview with the interview link or video on their website and backlink to you. This provides you with valuable SEO juice that will allow more organic users to find your website. 

You can and should also share this interview on your own website and social media. There’s great creative content for your audience that you don’t have to make or have a marketing team create, which means more time and money saved. This is especially great for B2B companies that are bootstrapping. 

Perks of being a guest on a podcast 

Being on a podcast is an excellent alternative to paying an influencer because not only are you saving the money you'd pay an influencer, but you also get more marketing fodder out of it. You get the basic 360 — SEO, social media and PR — all for the price of being a guest on a podcast. In other words, being a podcast guest is a powerful thing. 

Many people think it’s intimidating, but it’s just like the networking conversations so many business owners have. Podcasts are great for networking. Most of the hosts are also business owners, and I’ve even become friends with a lot of the podcast hosts that I’ve talked to. If you have ever been to a card exchange, done a sales call, or spoken to others at a business event, you can speak on a podcast.

Besides, at a business event, there is no edit button, whereas on a podcast, you can usually take solace in the fact that if you stumble, it can always be edited out.

How often should I go on podcasts?

I’m a big proponent of going on many different podcasts. Personally, I interview on about two podcasts per week. Each show is different. I have gotten so many followers this way. My Domain Authority for my business has gone up, and there are many Google results when a potential client searches my name.

I have also gotten many great new clients who have heard me on these podcasts. They hear me on the podcast and say, “I feel like I know you. I love what they do. I am ready to hire you.” I hardly have to tell them anything about my company because they already know it from the show. It happens often — and not just to me. I also have helped dozens of clients secure regular podcast spots and have seen the same results across various niches and industries. 

Podcasts have been a game changer for so many people. It could work for business-to-consumer (B2C), but it especially works for business-to-business (B2B). So if you are a B2B looking to get out there more and inexpensively advertise your product with 360, being on a podcast is the way.

What Is The Best Time To Release A Podcast?

Originally published here by the Podcastle Team

Aug 17, 2021, 4 min read

Have you ever noticed that the amount of likes on your IG photo differs depending on where you posted it? It works better at certain days or hours, and those “magical” days and hours are what bloggers constantly try to identify.

The same mechanism works for podcasts. It’s not only enough to have a quality podcasting episode. You should also know the best time to release a podcast so that it grasps as much attention as it really deserves.

Of course, the phenomenon of “the best time” is highly subjective. It largely depends on your chosen niche and your target audience.

So, don’t expect to see below the calendar days marked in red as the best time to release a podcast. Instead, you will receive some advice on what you should consider when choosing the podcasts’ release time.

Morning is usually a great idea

 There is a rule of thumb that posting your podcasts in the mornings (usually around 5AM) can positively impact the number of listeners it reaches. There are several reasons for that.

1. Morning posts increase the likelihood that your podcast will be put at the top of your listeners’ feeds during the day. This works for different podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc.

2. Posting in the morning ensures there will be less time lag between your posting and the actual appearance of the podcast in the feeds. Podcast directories post content from the RSS feeds by regularly refreshing them. Therefore, the sooner you upload your podcast, the sooner your chosen directory will publish it.

3. Early morning is also beneficial because it works in different time zones. If you post a podcast, let’s say, at 5 am, this will work both for West and East time zones. Therefore, you will have chances to reach more awake listeners.

Try to tie it to something more predictable

Understanding when your audience will be more ready to listen to your podcasts can be too abstract at times. That’s why we recommend you link it to more trackable things, such as the events and happenings that might trigger your audience to listen to your podcast.

Depending on your chosen niche, that might not always be possible. However, suppose you are recording podcasting-discussion on the Olympic Games, for example. In that case, the best time to release a podcast will be right after the games, when your audience is too emotional on that topic and is eager to listen to it.

In such cases, you might have to record a podcast on the spot. If you find that you don’t have time to go to a professional studio and spend hours post-processing the footage, here’s how to start a podcast at home and produce your episode faster.

Try to fit your podcast’s idea in the vibe of the specific weekday

There are different life routines, but the general flow is usually the same. At the beginning of the week, we seem to be motivated to organize everything better and plan things. In the middle of the week, we are close to tired and try to plan the fun times of the weekend. Finally, Friday is Friday, with its almost never-changing vibe of freedom, no matter which plans we have for the next two days.

Therefore, organize your podcast posting schedule depending on which vibe it carries to the audience.

On Monday, it would be a good idea to share something informative and motivational. The examples include podcasts on practical tips to start your morning or week, the effective practices of managing everything at work, and similar.

The closer it is to the mid of the week, the less informative podcasts are recommended to post. That’s because people are more tired, and they want to have more fun rather than informative content. That’s why on Wednesdays or Thursdays, you can choose to post something fun: comedy, Hollywood news, new music releases, etc.

Avoid times when your audience will hardly listen to your podcast

Which are those times?

It’s when there is certain “breaking news” happening in the community you target your podcast. When your potential listeners are too shocked or simply interested in a certain hot topic, you’d better not bother them with something that doesn’t fit at the moment.

For example, suppose there are days of national celebration, where most of your listeners celebrate and have fun. In that case, it might be a good idea to temporarily hold your podcast about sad and alarming topics like disappearing species of animals or global climate change.

We do not mean there are no chances that the podcast can attract many listeners. However, it’s more likely that people will not prefer something that makes them worry when they want to have fun or take vacations.

Don’t post at the time others do

Players in different industries mimic each other’s strategies, and in the majority of cases, that’s normal. Your competitors accumulate significant experience, so why not utilize it?

However, that should not be the case when deciding the scheduling of your podcasts.

As mentioned earlier, the right scheduling for your podcast episodes is very subjective. Your competitor’s scheduling strategy might fit their target audience’s specific behavior, but not that of yours.

Therefore, you’d better rely on either the analysis of your target audience or your logic and test different schedules until you find the one with the best performance.