A professional recording relies on a number of factors relating to the quality of your equipment and how you use it. This post looks at the first stage of the equipment chain – the microphone.
Largely speaking, microphone technology has not changed much in decades whereas the number of manufacturers and choice is now vast. You can pay as little as a few pounds or up to thousands for your microphone and choosing can be a minefield for the uninitiated.
As this post is aimed at podcast recording, I will not give a comprehensive guide to microphone types but will cover the most relevant aspects you need to consider, what you should avoid and my personal recommendations. This should help you when shopping around for a decent podcasting microphone.
Headset / PC microphones
Relatively speaking, these microphones are inexpensive and there is an abundance of options.
The headset I use on skype is a Packard bell and cost me 19.95 GBP. It is great for skype; however, as my focus is on professional recording I would never use this to make a podcast recording.
I understand that there are probably higher quality microphones available on headsets, but I would not encourage anyone to use a headset for professional recording for two main reasons. I am yet to hear one that competes with a dedicated microphone and the flexibility is limited as it is designed to be worn on your head. You can’t exactly interview somebody on the street or in a coffee bar wearing a headset.
Dynamic Vocal microphones
Many times I have heard people say that dynamic vocal microphones are good for recording voice-overs. This is a misconception as dynamic microphones are suited for use on stage. I would not recommend this for podcast recording for two reasons. Firstly, they are most effective at capturing high-pressure sound levels such as a singer or instrumentalist and are not the best for capturing speech on to your PC. Secondly, for this type of microphone to work well you need to use a mixing desk or microphone preamp.
A dynamic microphone may suffice if you are only capturing your own closely mic’d voice recordings, move the microphone only 6 inches and your recording will hiss like a snake! (You can hear this in the microphones I tested below)
Condenser microphones are supremely better at capturing clear sound at greater distances, which means recording you and your guest is possible without your listeners thinking you have a gas leak.
Condenser / Electret microphones
This is my recommended type of microphone for recording speech and voice-over. It captures a level of clarity that far surpasses the types I have already mentioned.
There is one point to note about these microphones, they require 48v phantom power to operate. This is not so much a problem, just make sure you purchase one that is able to operate from a battery as many of us will just want to plug it straight in to the recorder. If it is not battery operated you will need a mixing desk or microphone preamp, which will make it more difficult for recording on the move.
Testing and Reviewing
If you can, it is always good to research & test a microphone before committing to it financially. As part of this blog series, I am going to start podcasting about podcast production. I will be using / testing a number of microphones during one of the podcasts. I will then give you a critique of each microphone and you will be able to hear the result for yourself.
This will take me out of my comfort zone, as I am more accustomed to recording rather than being recorded 🙂
Reading about microphones is one thing but hearing them takes it to the next level.
In the near future, I will record and review the following microphones: –
· Packard bell headset – Cost £19.95GBP
· Dynamic Microphone e815S – Cost £39.95GBP
· Multimedia Desk Top Microphone – Cost £3.99GBP
· Dual Impedance Condenser Microphone – Cost £19.99GBP
· AKG C 1000 S – Cost £94.99GBP
· Rode NT1-A Condenser – Cost £119.00 GBP
Update: I have done some comparison test recordings – Click here >
Please feel free to comment, suggest an area for me to cover and ask any questions.
Lee
Great blog! Easily the most helpful I have found on this subject. 🙂
I want to be able to record my voice directly into my PC (into Audacity). I am still trying to work exactly what I need to get a good quality sound. Using an outside recorder is not really an option – really want to go straight into the PC.
I have been using a very cheap microphone that I had lying around to test and the level is very low with a lot of hush on it. I was able to get the volume up to a decent level using normalization and the other techniques you described (thanks!), but where is that hush coming from? Is it the quality of the microphone or my soundcard??
If I had an AKG C1000S (using a battery to generate the power) for example would I still get the hush due to my soundcard? I just have the basic soundcard supplied with my PC, a Realtek AC97 Audio. Do I need to upgrade my soundcard to ensure crisp sound quality?
Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Greg
Hi Greg
Thanks for your positive comments about the blog. It is quite new so it is good to know that I am producing some helpful content 🙂
Regarding your comment, I am not familiar with your sound card, however, having just Googled it I see that is has a reasonable spec for a basic card. Based on this, I feel it could be your microphone letting you down.
To help me confirm that the mic is the noisy part of the audio chain, do you know the make / model of the microphone or is there any information printed on the body of mic?
Regards
Lee
P.S. I am planning to do a microphone comparison shortly where I will be recording various microphones straight into my PC using Audacity. Also, I am thinking of looking into various soundcard options.
Thanks for your response Lee…
I have since given up with that microphone. When I say it was cheap, I mean very cheap… and also VERY old – there is no make on it at all 😆 I have had far better results using a basic Labtec Headset I was able to get hold of. This has very little hush, so I can see the soundcard was not the problem. The quality is not bad at all, and the fact that you feel the spec of the sound card is quite good re-assures me further.
However, what I am putting together will be aired on internet radio, so getting the microphone right is key. I have been advised that it should be a condensor microphone with phantom power for the best results rather than a dynamic one (although a Shure SM58 has also been recommended, as has the cheaper C606W) What do you suggest? The AKG C1000S interests me in that it is battery powered and no need for a phantom power supply. Would highly recommend this mic? Would you still recommend a pre-amp or does the battery do the job? I am learning the other aspects quickly (mastering audacity pretty well anyway!) but this is a tough one, so any advice would be great. Budget wise I would like to keep the cost down, but I don’t want to sacrifice too much in terms of quality.
I wouldn’t say my need is urgent, but I have promised demos by the end of the week 😯 …. I would preferably like to wait for your mic comparison but not sure I can time wise 😥
Thanks again for all your help (sorry for all the questions 🙂 )
Cheers,
Greg
Hi Greg,
Glad of the questions, it is giving me ideas for blog content 🙂
Some of what you are asking is in a piece I am writing at the moment but I still have some work to do on it before I publish it. When it is published you will see that some of my answers here are in the article too 🙂
It is good that you have been able to try a different mic and achieved a better result, it is always best to try things first if you can 🙂
The sure SM58 is great, however, you would definitely need a separate preamp or mixing desk with any dynamic mic and I personally would not recommend them for radio / podcast audio. Using a pre-amp / mixing desk you could get enough gain but it would not be anywhere as clean or bright as a condenser microphone.
I do recommend the AKG C1000, however, it is a question of balance. Here is what I mean… a basic soundcard usually has 3.5mm mini jack inputs, this means that the AKG microphone needs a special lead or adapter. This is fine, however, during tests I have carried out with my basic card, this lets some noise into the signal – not excessive, but it is there. I would think your card would do the same. As you are getting involved in internet radio this might become a problem at some stage and it would probably be best to get it right at the start.
I recommend using the AKGC1000S with a separate USB audio interface or a separate digital recorder which bypasses the soundcard. (this is what I do) Alternatively this mic needs a sound card with a XLR input. (the higher spec, more expensive ones)
With this option you would either need to put up with the slight soundcard noise or spend a about £30-100GBP extra for a USB input device.
Another option…
As you are looking to keep cost down I think you should give this option some consideration. Although I can’t personally recommend it as I have not used it, I hear the Samson C01U is pretty good and it is a digital mic meaning that the preamp is built in. It basically plugs into your USB port and does not use your soundcard for recording!
It also seems to tick all your boxes and you may be able to find a music store that can demonstrate this for you. Let your ears decide on the quality.
For what you are describing it seems to tick the boxes.
It is a condenser microphone by a known studio brand
It does not rely on your sound card, it has a USB cable straight into your PC/Mac.
It is very inexpensive –
£47 at Amazon
The draw back is that this microphone will not be as flexible as the AKG or Sure mic, you could not use it with out your computer. Having said that, if you only intend using it for radio shows this might be your solution.
Read a Samson C01U review in sound on sound
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun06/articles/samsonc01u.htm
I hope this helps. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Lee
Thanks Lee!
Well, well…. do you know what, I actually bought a Samson CO1U on the weekend just gone as it did appear to tick all the boxes (and before I found your blog). However, I found it to be very poor, creating a big hiss. I could hardly generate any noise out of the thing either. BUT, this was using my Brother’s PC. I then heard from a friend that it was not that great on PC’s, but decent on Macs so I took it straight back… but I am curious to see what it would be like on my PC now 😳 Still, probably not a high enough spec for a radio show anyway.
Even though I want to do this on a budget, I am not one for cutting corners on quality. The AKG C1000S seems like the best bet for me. (I have also read that the Battery gives a better sound than the Phantom Power itself?). I could try it with the XLR to 3.5mm jack to start with and if this doesn’t suffice get an additonal USB input device. My voice will never be the only sound as it would be a music show, so that may cover up any slight noise from the sound card (I hope!).
I would love one of those Zoom H4’s or the like (I love gadgets!) but that is probably pushing it. I would hope that my set-up would be OK. I am now worrying that a mic as good as the AKG will quite easily pick up my PC fan noise!! 🙄
This is as confusing as it is interesting! 😆
I’ll have a think and let you know what I decide. Thanks again for all the advice, it has been invaluable.
Cheers,
Greg
fyi
Looking at the CO1U again now I think I did it all wrong! I have learnt a lot since then… might give it another shot!
Hi Greg
I am quite surprised at the C01U, it just shows, it is always best to try things out. I guess you could have set the input gains to low in which case noise would increase. Can you get hold of it again to try? How far away were you from the mic?
Anyway, here are 3 tests for you to listen to.
3.5mm jack, basic soundcard
http://blog.mediamusicnow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/audio/greg-1.mp3
The same but using Audacity noise removal
http://blog.mediamusicnow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/audio/greg-2-noise-reduction.mp3
Using the H4 as a USB interface
http://blog.mediamusicnow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/audio/greg-3.mp3
Regards
Lee
I wouldn’t take any notice of my experience with the CO1U. I think I royally messed that up. I am quite keen to test it again to be honest. May well buy it again! I coincidentally got a phone call whilst testing it telling me those USB mics were no good and gave up. I doubt that to be the case now 🙄
Thank you so much for those mp3’s, they really help!!! I can hear the slight hiss straight into the soundcard…. and I know from playing with noise reduction that it is not great. The H4 sounds PERFECT. I would love to get one of those 🙂
What is the M-Audio Mobile Pre USB Interface like?… will cost around £90 and solve my soundcard issues…. but that H4 would be nice. What is the microphone on the H4 like???
But I am really considering going for the Samson again as I know I could get that working….and only £50 hmmm!
Once again, thanks Lee… top man for all this! 🙂
Cheers,
Greg
Hi Greg
I guess if your phone call was someone with experience of the Samson C01U they may well be right, however, if their opinion was a generalisation about USB mics then it may be worth trying again, they could be wrong.
On paper the mic seems good, I am very curious to know how it sounds in use.
I am please that the mp3’s helped; I think I will add one to my Zoom H4 review to demonstrate the built is microphones. It is a good bit of kit but I am know there are other ways of doing the job just as well with different kit, it is just a question of finding what is suitable to your particular recording requirements / budget.
My latest post cover this in a bit of detail – Microphone Connectivity with your PC / Recorder
The M-Audio Mobile Pre
seems pretty featured I was just looking at it on Amazon. I have not used it personally but I know M-Audio to be a reputable make.
Lee
Hi Lee,
Your latest article was once again very good. Thanks!
I went for the AKG C1000S and the M-Audio MobilePre USB combination (bought it yesterday). All very easy to set-up and get working. Initially I had a lot of backgrund hiss and hum, but soon learnt that this disappeared as I got closer to the microphone and got my levels on the pre amp right. I found a good position and now have a clean vocal. I added it as a voice over to music and it sounds very good. I think I can stil improve the quality further. I will keep playing around. Do you have any further tips on this? 🙂
I was tempted to go for the USB microphone again, but thought I would go for a more traditional mic in case I want to use it with a mixer. I have heard the Rode Podcaster is a better option than the Samson, but at more than double the price it should be higher spec.
Thanks again for all your help!
Cheers,
Greg
Hi Greg
I am really glad you got sorted out, I think you have made the right choice. The setup may have cost you more than the USB mic but will give much more versatility when you need it.
It has been a while since I have been able to check into the blog, I imagine you have it pretty much sorted by now? One of the things I have been doing is recording and producing an EP for a local band. I took my microphones with me to this session and was using a custom made microphone cable of about 60ft, this you could not do with a USB mic, also, I used an analogue valve compressor… another thing you can not do with a USB mic.
As you are finding out, the key to getting a clean sound is a good input level. Get the gain as high as you can without risking a digital over. I find using the pop shield on the AKGC1000S beneficial for preventing the popping sound on p’s and b’s, however, I also angle the mic slightly, about 35-45 degrees to avoid popping.
Anyway, you will have to post a link to one of your shows sometime.
Best Regards
Lee
Hi Greg, I’ve been reading some of your comments. I’m not Podcasting yet, but here’s what I have as a simple studio set-up at home. A Behringer Mixer ($150), Shure SM-58 Mic ($99) 2 Numark CD Players (175 Each) a Mic Boom Stand ($15) and KOSS Headset ($40). Everything is patched into my eMac and I’m using Sound Studio and Audacity Audio Editing Software.
I keep my levels in the neg 50 range on the VU. They can always be boosted later, add compression, EQ, etc., using the software programs. I find that my work is very clean. Some of the stuffI have done has been used on commercial stations so I know I’m putting out a decent product. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on your equipment. Let me say this, if you’re using Windows, buy Adobe Audition. It’s one of the best programs for the money, around $300, but shop around. Audacity is “free” and does a great job too, but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles Adobe has. Good luck!
USB kind of blows for the most part, and for anything serious you go wired with mic preamps and all that… Thats how i used to think. Now i getting into it, its so easy to set up and the quality is getting better and better… anyway— im really just writing this to mention the new XLR>>USB adapter from SHURE… its pretty cool and a long awaited development. Has anyone else played around with their vocal microphones and the Shure adapter? and if so, what kind of results are you getting? — Evan.
Greg—- skip the Behringer. I’m personally not a big fan of most Behringer stuff. try this mic out — the Blue Snowball. Blue is a cool new company, the mics look and perform amazingly well. They also make another USB mic called the snowflake… but the Snowball is probably better for recording vocals. you should be able to get one for about $100 bucks. You won’t need any drivers or anything- its a plug-and-play mic. you will need a headset and that is it. Let me know what happens! I have a Blue Snowball that I ordered for myself before I added the full line of Blue mics to my store. Check it out at vocalmicrophonesdirect.com.