Top 6 Best Podcast Mic for Beginners in 2024

A quality microphone can be the difference between an outstanding and a terrible podcast, making it vital to pick the right one.

The podcast industry has boomed over the recent years and if you analyze the successful programs, you will notice all of them have one thing in common: crisp and clear audio quality. It is the key to shine out there. So, before you invite any guest over, it is best to put a bit of thought into the microphone that is required to make the experience a fun one for the audience.

You do not have to put in much work because we have narrowed down the best options available in the market. Simply go over them and find the one that suits your needs the best.

Let’s get to them:

1. Why Is Blue Yeti By Logitech The Best Podcast Microphone For Beginners

The Blue Yeti by Logitech is one of the most popular podcast microphones among content creators, including solo podcasters, mainly because of its plug-and-play functionality and the versatility it offers. While it serves the best as a podcasting microphone, other content creators such as voiceover artists, gamers, and even musicians can also use it.

Much of this versatility is attributed to the fact that it has multiple polar patterns, allowing the users to pick the best one for the job. Adding a pop filter to the Blue Yeti can further improve the audio clarity by reducing plosive sounds that can distort the quality of recordings. Also, aim to record in a quiet environment with minimal background noise and echo to reduce room noise in your recordings.

Although the audio output is not comparable to studio quality, it is decent enough for users who are just getting started. Typically, multiple microphones are required to produce a good podcast, but with Blue Yeti you can work with just one. It allows you to switch to the omnidirectional polar pattern so it can record sounds from all directions. 

2. Why Is FIFINE USB Podcast Condenser The Best Podcast Microphone For Beginners

You will not come across many podcast microphones like the FIFINE USB Podcaster in the market, mainly because the combination of condenser diaphragm, USB port connectivity, lack of phantom power, and such a price tag is quite rare. Among condenser microphones, it features an all-metal body, which is not typically offered in this price bracket. Furthermore, it is a plug-and-play podcasting microphone, which requires no additional drivers to start working with laptops and desktops.

The sound quality is better than what one expects in this price bracket. It is a highly sensitive microphone by virtue of a condenser diaphragm, which captures the nuances of human vocals and delivers detailed and crisp results. To further enhance audio clarity and reduce sibilance, using a pop filter with this microphone is recommended, especially when adjusting the volume knob at the microphone to find the sweet spot. This improves transparency while minimizing unwanted background noise.

3. How Is RØDE NT-USB Versatile The Best USB Microphone For Podcasters 

The RODE NT-USB is a top choice among podcast microphones, getting you as close as one can get to studio-grade audio with a USB connection. This plug-and-play microphone delivers transparent, natural, and clear results without experiencing distorting effects like sibilance and popping. Unlike most USB mics, the proximity effect is minimal and despite a supercardioid polar pattern, it is quite forgiving, sparing you from the hassle of positioning it right.

Surprisingly, the stock tripod stand works incredibly to reduce the vibration noise. So, most users will not have to purchase an extra shock mount or suspension kit. Furthermore, the microphone is highly sensitive and offers an extended frequency response which delivers excellent results over 10 KHz. It is capable of capturing whispers that are at the threshold of hearing and processing it to a perfectly clear sound signal.

4. Shure SM7dB Is The Best Dynamic Microphone For Podcasters

SM7 dB is the latest iteration of the Shure’s legendary SM7 lineup that has been used by popular pop icons including Micheal Jackson. Dynamics mics are generally not preferred for podcasts or other forms of vocal studio recording, mainly because of their low gain, but SM7 dB fixes it. It comes with an integrated pre-amp, allowing the users to select between +18 or +28dB boost onboard to capture low notes with great precision, making it an exceptional choice among podcast microphones.

Furthermore, it features a directional polar pattern, rejecting the background noise with off-axis rejections. The pop filters provided with the microphone are also premium and perform a great job at minimizing plosive sounds owing to the proximity effect. Another mechanism that helps to keep the sound clear and crisp is the internal air suspension shock system, which keeps the mechanical noises in check.

5. Shure MV7 Is The Best Multipurpose Podcasting Mic

The Shure MV7 dynamic microphones offer the best of both worlds: USB and XLR microphones, thanks to their dual connection outputs, which can be used simultaneously. This makes the MV7 one of the most versatile USB microphones on the market that delivers stellar performance regardless of what you throw at it. You will have to download the ShurePlus MOTIV application, which features an intuitive interface to unlock the controls or set it to the auto.

Furthermore, even when you are connected via USB, the microphone does not require an audio interface or a preamp. It remains robust to loud sounds and resists audio clipping and signal distortion even on the USB connection, but despite this it is no match to what one can get from the XLR connection. You will not be let down with the audio results as it offers multiple tailored frequency responses, allowing you to choose that fits you the best. The background and mechanical noise rejection is also par excellent. 

6. Rode Procaster Is The Best Podcast Mic For Detailed Audio Quality

Rode Procaster is a purpose-built podcast microphone for recording vocals, making it an exceptional option for broadcasters such as podcasters. While it is a dynamic microphone, it is capable of capturing the nuances of speech recordings, provided that you have the additional equipment like an audio interface or mixer. In case you do not, the Rode Podcaster is an excellent alternative, which is essentially the same mic with the podcaster with a USB connection.

By the virtue of having a dynamic diaphragm and a directional pickup pattern, this XLR mic is exceptional at keeping the audio clear of mechanical and background noise. It also allows you to record outdoors or in untreated rooms without fearing distortion or interference in the audio. Furthermore, it features an all-metal construction, making it able to withstand accidental falls or the abuse frequent travel can throw its way. 

The Best Podcasting Microphone For Beginners: Notable Mentions

What Should You Know Before Buying Podcast Microphones: An In-depth Explainer

We hope we have narrowed down your options, but if you are still on the fence about which podcasting microphone to buy, this section should clear it up.

1. Dynamic or Condenser Mic

The first aspect you have to deal with while selecting a mic for podcasting is whether you want a condenser microphone or a dynamic one. None of these microphones are necessarily better than one another, but their applications vary greatly.

Traditional dynamic microphones were designed for broadcast and live performances, such as concerts and award ceremonies. Dynamic mics, because of their design, are capable of better off-axis rejection, enabling their use outdoors in noisy environments. These mics can also withstand higher sound pressures without distorting the final output. However, these attributes come at the expense of sensitivity, which reduces their ability to capture the nuances of different sounds.

Condenser mics, on the other hand, feature a more delicate diaphragm, allowing them to capture more detail and nuance in the audio. Their frequency responses are wider, enabling them to reproduce natural sound. However, unlike dynamic mics, these microphones cannot withstand higher sound pressure and are prone to capturing background noise.

The gap between the differences of condenser mics and their dynamic counterparts has been bridged owing to the evolution in technology. The market now offers dynamic microphones, which can capture the nuances of sounds because of tailored frequency responses. 

So, the choice between the two audio equipment options comes down to your applications. If you work with studio-gear equipment in a treated room and want highly detailed sounds, condenser microphones are the way to go. However, if you often work outdoors or in noisy environments, the dynamic mics are your best bet.

2. USB vs XLR Microphones

Be it dynamic or condenser, all microphones have either of the two outputs: USB or XLR. The USB mics run a USB cable from the microphone to the desktop or laptop. It can be paired with either a USB-A or USB-C connector. The benefit of such a microphone is plug-and-play operations, meaning you do not require additional equipment such as an audio interface or mixer to make it work. Simply plug the microphone inside the USB port, and the USB mic will start working.

That said, the USB cable is not as good as its XLR counterpart when it comes to signal transmission. Thus, the results offered by USB microphones will always be inferior to the ones delivered by an XLR mic.

XLR mics, on the other hand, use an XLR connector to run an XLR cable which is standard for studio equipment. Such microphones offer superior audio quality, but you will need extra equipment to get the output from the XLR mics.

So, the factor that ultimately decides whether you want an XLR or USB microphone is the audio quality you prefer and the effort you are willing to put into it.

3. Frequency Response

Frequency response is often described in graphical form, which tells how a microphone behaves over a certain frequency. If there is a hike on the graph, it means the microphone augments that particular frequency. In contrast, the depression indicates that the mic suppresses that particular note.

An average user will prefer a microphone that offers a wide and flat frequency response. However, those with slightly higher or lower pitch should watch out for it. Individuals with lower pitch should get a microphone that augments lower notes so it does not miss the faint notes. In contrast, people with loud voices should get a mic that controls the higher notes so the sound does not come out distorted.

4. Polar Pattern

Polar Pattern or pickup pattern is the active part of the mic’s diagram that captures sound waves coming towards it. There are two basic polar patterns: unidirectional or cardioid and omnidirectional. A cardioid polar pattern allows the microphone to pick up sound from an angle of 180 degrees and rejects the signals from other sound sources in the room. The omnidirectional polar pattern, on the other hand, picks up sound from all directions.

So, if you get a directional microphone you will require multiple ones if you want to invite guests over. A single cardioid microphone does not work for podcasts. However, you can make it work with a single omnidirectional microphone – albeit the sound quality will be far inferior to what you can get with using multiple directional microphones.

Some microphones also offer multiple polar patterns, which are excellent options for people who dabble with other forms of content too.

5. Simple Controls

Microphones are complex pieces of electronics with multiple features which can be quite hard to navigate at times. As a beginner, you do not want to get sucked into the complexities because it can be overwhelming. You should instead try to go for microphones that offer simple setup and controls, so you can focus on your craft rather than spending hours trying to find the right settings.

6. Budget

The best podcast microphones can cost a fortune and spending such an amount is not a wise choice if you are only starting out. You will have no use for the microphone if the podcasts do not have enough audience and you want to stop doing it. Hence, it is better to pick more affordable options and start making your way up as you start finding success in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Credits:

Images from: Andy Slye, Podcastage,