Best Microphones for Recording Your Own High-Quality Podcast in 2020

Are you looking into recording your own podcast at home but don’t know what kinds of microphones to use? These are the best microphones for recording your own high quality podcasts in 2020!

These are separated into USB Microphones and XLR Microphones. USB mics are easy to set up, and usually can be attached directly to your computer, while XLR mics require a different port and additional equipment to be set up. Are you ready? Let’s get started.

USB Microphones

AT2020-USB

This is one of the first mics Jony Studios ever used! It’s a great starter microphone that does the job well. It offers a wide dynamic range and a low mass diaphragm that is engineered for an extended frequency response. It works great for recording podcasts.

ATR2100x-USB:

The prices vary depending on where you buy it from, but it averages for above $100. This mic has both USB and XLR connections, and is fairly portable. It has versatile uses from singing, to podcasting, and recording live. It also includes all the cables needed to set it up.

Rode NT-USB:

This mic is ideal for voice recording, and includes items such as a travel pouch, tripod, and boom mount. The cost averages around $100. It also features a zero-latency stereo headphone monitoring jack, which allows you to keep track of the microphone input in real time.

XLR Microphones

Rode Podmic:

This mic is optimized for podcasting, and usually sells for under $100. It has an internal filter and internal shockmounting so you can get the best sound quality possible.

Rode Procaster:

This mic is ideal for podcasting and voice overs. It has a great sound quality, and has an internal pop filter to help minimize plosive sounds.

Heil PR-40

This mic is great for podcasts, although on the more expensive side, the sound quality lives up to the price.

Shure SM7B:

This mic is known for its appearances on multiple broadcasts. It has a built in pop filter and shockmount, so the need for further upgrades is none. This is also our personal favourite!

Electro-Voice RE20

This mic is also great for broadcasting, and is great for those who are new to microphones. It features an internal pop filter for close-in voice work, and an internal element shock mount, that can help reduce vibration induced noises.

Conclusion

All of these mics have various qualities that make them great. In the end, make sure to use the one that best suits your specific needs. The most important part of podcasting is conveying value through your message to connect with your audience. Quality is just one minor aspect of this. If you need help making your podcast be the best it can be, contact us here.

So which mic are you interested in getting? Let us know!

- By Julianna Martinek

Best 3 Apps to Record Podcasts on Android

Mobile apps are making it a lot easier to record your own podcast on the go! You don’t need to go out and buy thousands of dollars worth of gear to be able to record a good podcast. In this blog I will show you how you can start recording a great podcast today, for free, with these apps available on the Google Play Store, from just your Android!

1. Anchor

Anchor lets you record high quality podcasts, without needing to be a tech expert. It is a free, simple, and user-friendly app.

Also, recording a show remotely with participants from across the world is possible. By sending invite links, your listeners and friends have the chance to take part in the show. You can record up to 10 people at once.

Anchor also has analytic features that help to track the audience & monitors how many times each episode has been played / what parts have been liked the most.

2. Podbean

Podbean is considered one of the best apps to discover & play all types of podcasts. The app boosts the viewers listening experience by offering features like volume booster, speed and options to customize playlist.

You can easily record a podcast and mix the voice with background music. Once you are happy with your product, you are able to upload directly to Twitter & Facebook.

3. Speaker Studio

Spreaker Studio will allow you to record, broadcast, and convert your phone into a “radio station”, giving you all the essential equipment needed. When recording a podcast, you have the choice to broadcast it live, or have it pre-recorded / mixed. You can share the content over Facebook and Twitter, and when live, listeners can use a live chat box which lets you & them keep in touch in real time.

Once your podcast is recorded, you are able to upload it on their hosting service and set a title.

The one negative aspect to Speaker Studio is recording can only be done to up to fifteen minutes long. If you wanted to record a longer podcast you have to look for the other options offered in the app.

With tools that are this good, available to you right now for free, the only limit to your show is your creativity! Happy podcasting :)

If you need help making your podcast sound amazing, we offer podcast editing, mixing, and mastering services that can elevate your brand and clearly share your message.

Learn more about all of our podcast production services and hear a sample of our work here. We look forward to adding massive value to your podcast development process.

How to Get Your Podcast on Spotify

Whether you are considering starting your very own podcast, or you already have your own string of content and are looking to gain more exposure, uploading your podcast to Spotify  makes it easier than ever to share and be shared. 

Without a doubt, 

• if reaching a large scale audience is something you wish

• if you want your podcast to be conveniently accessible for listeners

then hosting your podcast on Spotify is a must. Thankfully, this is a pretty simple task and I will be here to walk you through it step by step.

Hosting Your Podcast on Spotify

1. Ensure you have set up an RSS feed for your podcast. If not, follow the RSS setup guide. 

2. Head over to Spotify for Podcasters and select “Get Started” or “Log In”. From there, go ahead and either log into Spotify or create a new account.

3. After logging in, select “Get Started”, which should be at the bottom left side of the page.

4. Once you’ve proceeded, go through the Terms and Conditions, check the box, enter your legal name or LLC, and select "Continue".

5. Type your RSS feed into the provided box and select "Next". If an error appears with your RSS feed, a prompt will appear below the RSS feed box letting you know of the issue. Otherwise, your podcast title, artwork, and description will all appear on the right side of the page.

6. Located on the "Add Podcast Info" page, select your country, language, category, and hosting provider and then press "Next".

7. Review your podcast details and select "Submit".

It can take around 2-3 days for your podcast to officially go live on Spotify, they will not be notifying you so make sure you keep an eye out for it yourself. Other than that, that’s all there is to it, happy podcasting!

If you need help making your podcast sound amazing, we offer podcast editing, mixing, and mastering services that can elevate your brand and clearly share your message.

Learn more about all of our podcast production services and hear a sample of our work here. We look forward to adding massive value to your podcast development process.