January 10, 2025 • 14 mins
Choosing the right microphone can make or break a podcast, especially for brands looking to establish a strong audio identity. Neal Veglio provides an extensive overview of microphone options tailored for different budgets and needs in podcasting.
He starts by stressing the importance of audio quality, noting that even the best content can be undermined by poor sound. For beginners on a budget, Veglio recommends the Audio Technica ATR2100X and the Samson Q2U, both of which offer USB and XLR connectivity, making them versatile for both novice and experienced podcasters.
His insights into the mid-range microphones, like the Shure MV7 and Rode Podmic, reveal how these models not only enhance audio quality but also provide user-friendly features for those venturing into more professional territories. The episode also delves into premium options, including the legendary Shure SM7B, known for its remarkable sound capture and background noise rejection. Veglio's candid critique of the Blue Yeti highlights common pitfalls that many new podcasters face, making this episode a vital resource for anyone serious about improving their podcasting game.
Takeaways:
- Choosing the right microphone is crucial for building trust with your podcast audience.
- Budget microphones like the Audio Technica ATR2100X are excellent for beginners starting out.
- Investing in a quality microphone can significantly enhance your podcast's audio quality and appeal.
- Dynamic microphones are better suited for noisy environments, reducing background noise effectively.
- Avoid the Blue Yeti for podcasting; its features can confuse beginners and lead to poor sound.
- Consider your future growth when selecting a microphone to ensure long-term usability.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Audio Technica
- Samson
- Maono
- Shure
- Rode
- Electro Voice
- Aston
Mentioned in this episode:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
Let's talk about the bestpossible microphone for you Starting
your podcast in 2025.
This is your business needs abranded podcast.
A podnos podcastingeducational show teaching brands
and entrepreneurs how toleverage podcasting.
Okay, so welcome to this newepisode of your Business Needs a
(00:24):
branded Podcast.
And yes, I know I've been quiet.
I'm Neil Velio.
I'm here to help you createthe perfect podcast that will connect
your brand with your audience.
And more recently, I've beenfocusing on my other podcast, the
Podmaster, which is a generalpodcast, helping all podcasters everywhere
(00:46):
to get the best out of their efforts.
But being that this is thetime of the year that a lot of corporate
brands are starting to sitdown and think about their marketing
goals for 2025, I thought whatbetter time than to update an old
episode with a new take and ofcourse, a new year.
So for some, it's time to takethe plunge into podcasting for the
(01:09):
first time.
If you're serious aboutstarting, one of the first things
that you'll need is a good microphone.
And since it's been a fewyears since we last talked about
this on this podcast today ondiving into the best microphones
for starting a podcast with upto date data as of 2025, we'll break
(01:31):
it down by budget under £100,£100 to £300 and over £300.
Plus we'll have a littlespecial segment on why you might
want to steer clear of theworst podcast microphone of all time.
Let's get started.
(01:54):
Now, before we get into therecommendations, let's talk about
why your microphone choice isso important.
Your audio quality is one ofthe first things listeners will notice.
A good mic won't just make yousound more professional, it'll help
you build trust and keep youraudience engaged.
And trust me, even if yourcontent is amazing, poor audio will
(02:18):
send listeners running for the hills.
Or at least towards a terrible podcast.
Or at least towards a bettersounding podcast.
So let's talk aboutmicrophones under £100 as we lovingly
refer to them in the industry.
Budget mics, starter mics,amateur mics, it doesn't matter.
(02:38):
They all do a perfectly goodjob of getting the most fundamental
task done, which is namelygetting all the stuff that comes
out of this mouth thing hereinto this microphone thing here.
If you're starting out andhave a tight budget, there are some
solid options still for you topick from.
(02:58):
Here are my suggestions.
The Audio Technica ATR2100XUSB around about £80.
This is a versatile mic thatoffers both USB and XLR connections,
which means it's great forjust plug and play into your laptop.
But also as you grow your teamand maybe incorporate other presenters
(03:22):
that you want to mic up, youcan connect them up into a mixer
using a XLR cable.
It's future proof, and thesame with the Samson Q2U, which might
be slightly more expensivearound the pound 85 mark, but it's
another fantastic USB XLRcombo Micro that's durable, reliable
(03:43):
and delivers excellent soundquality for the price.
Now, between that and theAudio Technica, honestly, I've had
both.
In fact, I've got both.
I've got spares of each model,but I tend to Favor the Samsung Q2U
for others just because in myexperience, unless you've got really
good mic technique, theSamsung Q2U is a little bit easier
(04:06):
to get a better quality sound from.
There's another option that'scome on the market.
It's the Maono DM30.
That's £60 roughly, and it's anewer option with surprising quality
for its price.
Great for solo podcasters thatare working in quieter environments.
And when I say that, what Imean is, compared to the other two
microphones, it doesn't doquite such a good job of eliminating
(04:29):
background noise.
But still, for all three ofthese, they're perfect for getting
started without breaking the bank.
They're simple to use and plugand play and offer a solid audio
foundation to get your showkicked off.
Now let's talk aboutmicrophones between 100 and 300 pounds.
(04:50):
If you got a bit more tospend, you're entering what I think
is the sweet spot forpodcasting microphones.
Here's what I tend to recommend.
First of all, the Shure MV7.
It's around about 200 to 230 pounds.
Designed specifically for podcasters.
It is a USB XLR hybrid mic,much like the other two that I mentioned
(05:10):
before in the bargain section,but it delivers a much richer sound
and includes onboard touchcontrols for easy adjustments.
Then we've got the rodepodmic, which is £100.
It's a robust dynamicmicrophone, perfect for podcasting.
But do keep in mind, unlikethe Shure MV7 and the next one we're
(05:31):
going to talk about, it doesrequire an audio interface, so something
like the focusrite Scarlettwill do you or any of the mixers
from Rode, you've got theRodecaster Duo and you can probably
pick up an old Rodecaster Pronow for probably around about £250,300.
Thirdly I'd mention the RodePodcaster again.
(05:51):
A USB plug in microphonearound about £150, which has a great
built in pop filter as well.
I happen to use the XLRversion of this microphone, so if
you like the way that mypodcast voice sounds right now, you
can bet your bottom dollaryours will sound very similar if
not identical.
(06:12):
These options providenoticeably improved audio quality
for you and more features forpodcasters who'd like to invest in
their sound.
Hopefully that's youconsidering you are doing a branded
podcast and you want to buildan audience.
All right, now, if you've gota slightly more generous CEO or CMO
(06:33):
who's willing to let you dip alittle bit deeper into the budget,
let's talk about microphonesover 300 pounds.
These are the going all in onaudio quality options.
Premium mics for podcasterswho want studio level sound.
You want to be competitive,but more than that, you want to win
the competition.
So first of all, you got theBig Daddy Shure SM7B.
(06:57):
This now retails around about£300 to £350.
The gold standard for podcasting.
Who doesn't know about this microphone?
Now it is a dynamic mic that'sunmatched in its ability to capture
warm, professional qualityaudio while still rejecting background
sound.
That is the beauty of adynamic mic.
Then we've got the ElectroVoice RE20, around about 350 pounds.
(07:23):
One of my biggest sadnesses ofleaving the radio broadcast industry
was leaving behind this Microsoft.
They've got these installed inmost of the radio studios in the
uk.
It's known for its clarity andversatility and it's excellent for
all voice types.
It comes to you rather thanyou having to go to it.
(07:43):
And a third option, which is arelatively newer addition to my recommendations,
however, I have used it and itsounds incredibly rich.
The Aston Stealth retailsaround about 3 to 350 pounds.
A unique dynamic mic.
It's got built in preamps andvoicing modes.
(08:03):
It offers incredible sound forpodcasters and voiceover artists.
The gimmick about it is youcan turn the lights off on it, which
is what gives it the Stealth name.
A bit of a gimmick though, andit won't make a difference to the
sound of your podcast.
Now these mics all requiresome additional gear like audio interfaces
and boom arms, but the audioquality is worth every penny if podcasting
(08:28):
is going to be a seriousventure for you in 2025.
All right, so let's get ontothe Voldemort of the podcasting world,
then the microphone that youneed to avoid like the plague.
Let's address that elephant inthe room full on.
Grab its horns.
The Blue Yeti now this mic'sbeen popular with podcasters for
(08:53):
years, but I'm here to tellyou why it's not the best choice
for you as a podcaster in 2025.
First of all, there's a hugescope for user error.
The Blue Yeti's multiplepattern options, omnidirectional
and stereo are confusing forsome beginners.
Many people don't set it tothe correct cardioid mode for solo
(09:16):
podcasting.
Also, most people that gethold of one of these things tend
to talk into the top of itshead rather than its face, where
they should be talking.
When I say that, I mean wherethe knobs are.
That's where you want to betalking, the center of the capsule.
The reason for this is it's aside address microphone, so essentially
you're talking past it ifyou're talking into the end of it.
(09:40):
Poor room acoustics as as well.
Another factor of this it'shighly sensitive and picks up a lot
of background noise, making itunsuitable for home setups without
extensive soundproofing.
And unless you've got a builtin studio in your offices, that means
your space and it's overpricedfor the performance at its price
point of more than £120.
(10:01):
There are much better options.
We've mentioned them the ShureMV7 or the Samsung Q2 Ultra.
Far more user friendly andthey deliver a much better sound
in my opinion.
And I've been doing this a while.
So while the Blue Yeti mightseem like an easy choice, you just
type in microphone, it pops upon your screen, you click add to
(10:22):
checkout and buy it.
The truth is, it's moretrouble than it's worth for any podcaster,
let alone those starting outall of the podcast content I create,
I want to give you someactionable advice that you can feel
empowered to make the rightdecision for you.
So here's how you can decidewhich mic is best for your podcast.
(10:44):
Some key factors to considerfirst of all, your budget.
Start with what you'recomfortable spending.
You can get great audio at anyprice point, so don't overextend
yourself if you think this issomething you're gonna maybe stick
out for a few episodes.
Just see how it goes.
Then definitely stay withinthe budget range.
Once you have ultimately givenup your podcast, if you decide it's
(11:07):
not for you, you'll still havea great microphone which you can
use for things like teams,zoom calls and other things that
require audio input.
Maybe even YouTube if that'sthe direction you go in.
Secondly, you want to considerthe recording environment.
If you're in a noisy space,consider dynamic mics like the Samsung
Q2U or the Shure SM7B, whichhandle that background noise much
(11:31):
better.
Consider your future growth ifyou plan to upgrade your setup down
the line, choose a mic withboth USB and XLR options like the
ATR and again the Samsung QT U.
There's nothing worse thandeciding you want to get a group
of people in the boardroomtogether around a Rodecaster Pro
(11:51):
mixer only to find it's notgoing to accept USB plug in microphones.
You gotta consider the ease of use.
If you're not tech savvy, gofor a plug and play USB mic and the
aesthetic and build quality isalso a factor.
Some podcasters prefer micsthat look professional on camera
for video podcasting or livestreams as well.
(12:14):
Honestly, the Blue Yeti is anugly microphone.
I don't know why people buy itfor that purpose.
But that said, some peoplemight think that the Samson SM7B
is the only microphone thatthey want to consider for that look
just because it's alreadypassed the video podcasting test.
Most video podcasters use that microphone.
(12:34):
That might mean then if youare considering factoring in video
podcasting in your strategyvia YouTube, then the SM7B is a no
brainer.
At the end of the day, thebest microphone for you is the one
that fits your specific needsand helps you create content you're
proud of.
Take your time, read reviews,and don't hesitate to reach out for
(12:56):
more advice from me if you're unsure.
So that wraps up my microphonerecommendations for 2025.
Whether you're on a tightbudget or ready to invest in studio
quality sound, there is amicrophone out there that's perfect
for you and your team.
And remember, your podcast isan extension of your brand.
(13:16):
Make it so sound as great asyou possibly can.
If you have any questions orneed more recommendations, feel free
to reach out to me.
Don't forget to follow thispodcast and leave a review if you
found this episode helpful.
I'll be back with anotherepisode of your Business Needs a
Branded Podcast soon, so keepan eye on your library.
(13:38):
This is your Business Needs aBranded Podcast A podnosis Podcasting
educational show teachingbrands and entrepreneurs how to leverage
podcasting.
Let's talk about the bestpossible microphone for you Starting
your podcast in 2025.
This is your business needs abranded podcast.
A podnos podcastingeducational show teaching brands
and entrepreneurs how toleverage podcasting.
Okay, so welcome to this newepisode of your Business Needs a
(00:24):
branded Podcast.
And yes, I know I've been quiet.
I'm Neil Velio.
I'm here to help you createthe perfect podcast that will connect
your brand with your audience.
And more recently, I've beenfocusing on my other podcast, the
Podmaster, which is a generalpodcast, helping all podcasters everywhere
(00:46):
to get the best out of their efforts.
But being that this is thetime of the year that a lot of corporate
brands are starting to sitdown and think about their marketing
goals for 2025, I thought whatbetter time than to update an old
episode with a new take and ofcourse, a new year.
So for some, it's time to takethe plunge into podcasting for the
(01:09):
first time.
If you're serious aboutstarting, one of the first things
that you'll need is a good microphone.
And since it's been a fewyears since we last talked about
this on this podcast today ondiving into the best microphones
for starting a podcast with upto date data as of 2025, we'll break
(01:31):
it down by budget under £100,£100 to £300 and over £300.
Plus we'll have a littlespecial segment on why you might
want to steer clear of theworst podcast microphone of all time.
Let's get started.
(01:54):
Now, before we get into therecommendations, let's talk about
why your microphone choice isso important.
Your audio quality is one ofthe first things listeners will notice.
A good mic won't just make yousound more professional, it'll help
you build trust and keep youraudience engaged.
And trust me, even if yourcontent is amazing, poor audio will
(02:18):
send listeners running for the hills.
Or at least towards a terrible podcast.
Or at least towards a bettersounding podcast.
So let's talk aboutmicrophones under £100 as we lovingly
refer to them in the industry.
Budget mics, starter mics,amateur mics, it doesn't matter.
(02:38):
They all do a perfectly goodjob of getting the most fundamental
task done, which is namelygetting all the stuff that comes
out of this mouth thing hereinto this microphone thing here.
If you're starting out andhave a tight budget, there are some
solid options still for you topick from.
(02:58):
Here are my suggestions.
The Audio Technica ATR2100XUSB around about £80.
This is a versatile mic thatoffers both USB and XLR connections,
which means it's great forjust plug and play into your laptop.
But also as you grow your teamand maybe incorporate other presenters
(03:22):
that you want to mic up, youcan connect them up into a mixer
using a XLR cable.
It's future proof, and thesame with the Samson Q2U, which might
be slightly more expensivearound the pound 85 mark, but it's
another fantastic USB XLRcombo Micro that's durable, reliable
(03:43):
and delivers excellent soundquality for the price.
Now, between that and theAudio Technica, honestly, I've had
both.
In fact, I've got both.
I've got spares of each model,but I tend to Favor the Samsung Q2U
for others just because in myexperience, unless you've got really
good mic technique, theSamsung Q2U is a little bit easier
(04:06):
to get a better quality sound from.
There's another option that'scome on the market.
It's the Maono DM30.
That's £60 roughly, and it's anewer option with surprising quality
for its price.
Great for solo podcasters thatare working in quieter environments.
And when I say that, what Imean is, compared to the other two
microphones, it doesn't doquite such a good job of eliminating
(04:29):
background noise.
But still, for all three ofthese, they're perfect for getting
started without breaking the bank.
They're simple to use and plugand play and offer a solid audio
foundation to get your showkicked off.
Now let's talk aboutmicrophones between 100 and 300 pounds.
(04:50):
If you got a bit more tospend, you're entering what I think
is the sweet spot forpodcasting microphones.
Here's what I tend to recommend.
First of all, the Shure MV7.
It's around about 200 to 230 pounds.
Designed specifically for podcasters.
It is a USB XLR hybrid mic,much like the other two that I mentioned
(05:10):
before in the bargain section,but it delivers a much richer sound
and includes onboard touchcontrols for easy adjustments.
Then we've got the rodepodmic, which is £100.
It's a robust dynamicmicrophone, perfect for podcasting.
But do keep in mind, unlikethe Shure MV7 and the next one we're
(05:31):
going to talk about, it doesrequire an audio interface, so something
like the focusrite Scarlettwill do you or any of the mixers
from Rode, you've got theRodecaster Duo and you can probably
pick up an old Rodecaster Pronow for probably around about £250,300.
Thirdly I'd mention the RodePodcaster again.
(05:51):
A USB plug in microphonearound about £150, which has a great
built in pop filter as well.
I happen to use the XLRversion of this microphone, so if
you like the way that mypodcast voice sounds right now, you
can bet your bottom dollaryours will sound very similar if
not identical.
(06:12):
These options providenoticeably improved audio quality
for you and more features forpodcasters who'd like to invest in
their sound.
Hopefully that's youconsidering you are doing a branded
podcast and you want to buildan audience.
All right, now, if you've gota slightly more generous CEO or CMO
(06:33):
who's willing to let you dip alittle bit deeper into the budget,
let's talk about microphonesover 300 pounds.
These are the going all in onaudio quality options.
Premium mics for podcasterswho want studio level sound.
You want to be competitive,but more than that, you want to win
the competition.
So first of all, you got theBig Daddy Shure SM7B.
(06:57):
This now retails around about£300 to £350.
The gold standard for podcasting.
Who doesn't know about this microphone?
Now it is a dynamic mic that'sunmatched in its ability to capture
warm, professional qualityaudio while still rejecting background
sound.
That is the beauty of adynamic mic.
Then we've got the ElectroVoice RE20, around about 350 pounds.
(07:23):
One of my biggest sadnesses ofleaving the radio broadcast industry
was leaving behind this Microsoft.
They've got these installed inmost of the radio studios in the
uk.
It's known for its clarity andversatility and it's excellent for
all voice types.
It comes to you rather thanyou having to go to it.
(07:43):
And a third option, which is arelatively newer addition to my recommendations,
however, I have used it and itsounds incredibly rich.
The Aston Stealth retailsaround about 3 to 350 pounds.
A unique dynamic mic.
It's got built in preamps andvoicing modes.
(08:03):
It offers incredible sound forpodcasters and voiceover artists.
The gimmick about it is youcan turn the lights off on it, which
is what gives it the Stealth name.
A bit of a gimmick though, andit won't make a difference to the
sound of your podcast.
Now these mics all requiresome additional gear like audio interfaces
and boom arms, but the audioquality is worth every penny if podcasting
(08:28):
is going to be a seriousventure for you in 2025.
All right, so let's get ontothe Voldemort of the podcasting world,
then the microphone that youneed to avoid like the plague.
Let's address that elephant inthe room full on.
Grab its horns.
The Blue Yeti now this mic'sbeen popular with podcasters for
(08:53):
years, but I'm here to tellyou why it's not the best choice
for you as a podcaster in 2025.
First of all, there's a hugescope for user error.
The Blue Yeti's multiplepattern options, omnidirectional
and stereo are confusing forsome beginners.
Many people don't set it tothe correct cardioid mode for solo
(09:16):
podcasting.
Also, most people that gethold of one of these things tend
to talk into the top of itshead rather than its face, where
they should be talking.
When I say that, I mean wherethe knobs are.
That's where you want to betalking, the center of the capsule.
The reason for this is it's aside address microphone, so essentially
you're talking past it ifyou're talking into the end of it.
(09:40):
Poor room acoustics as as well.
Another factor of this it'shighly sensitive and picks up a lot
of background noise, making itunsuitable for home setups without
extensive soundproofing.
And unless you've got a builtin studio in your offices, that means
your space and it's overpricedfor the performance at its price
point of more than £120.
(10:01):
There are much better options.
We've mentioned them the ShureMV7 or the Samsung Q2 Ultra.
Far more user friendly andthey deliver a much better sound
in my opinion.
And I've been doing this a while.
So while the Blue Yeti mightseem like an easy choice, you just
type in microphone, it pops upon your screen, you click add to
(10:22):
checkout and buy it.
The truth is, it's moretrouble than it's worth for any podcaster,
let alone those starting outall of the podcast content I create,
I want to give you someactionable advice that you can feel
empowered to make the rightdecision for you.
So here's how you can decidewhich mic is best for your podcast.
(10:44):
Some key factors to considerfirst of all, your budget.
Start with what you'recomfortable spending.
You can get great audio at anyprice point, so don't overextend
yourself if you think this issomething you're gonna maybe stick
out for a few episodes.
Just see how it goes.
Then definitely stay withinthe budget range.
Once you have ultimately givenup your podcast, if you decide it's
(11:07):
not for you, you'll still havea great microphone which you can
use for things like teams,zoom calls and other things that
require audio input.
Maybe even YouTube if that'sthe direction you go in.
Secondly, you want to considerthe recording environment.
If you're in a noisy space,consider dynamic mics like the Samsung
Q2U or the Shure SM7B, whichhandle that background noise much
(11:31):
better.
Consider your future growth ifyou plan to upgrade your setup down
the line, choose a mic withboth USB and XLR options like the
ATR and again the Samsung QT U.
There's nothing worse thandeciding you want to get a group
of people in the boardroomtogether around a Rodecaster Pro
(11:51):
mixer only to find it's notgoing to accept USB plug in microphones.
You gotta consider the ease of use.
If you're not tech savvy, gofor a plug and play USB mic and the
aesthetic and build quality isalso a factor.
Some podcasters prefer micsthat look professional on camera
for video podcasting or livestreams as well.
(12:14):
Honestly, the Blue Yeti is anugly microphone.
I don't know why people buy itfor that purpose.
But that said, some peoplemight think that the Samson SM7B
is the only microphone thatthey want to consider for that look
just because it's alreadypassed the video podcasting test.
Most video podcasters use that microphone.
(12:34):
That might mean then if youare considering factoring in video
podcasting in your strategyvia YouTube, then the SM7B is a no
brainer.
At the end of the day, thebest microphone for you is the one
that fits your specific needsand helps you create content you're
proud of.
Take your time, read reviews,and don't hesitate to reach out for
(12:56):
more advice from me if you're unsure.
So that wraps up my microphonerecommendations for 2025.
Whether you're on a tightbudget or ready to invest in studio
quality sound, there is amicrophone out there that's perfect
for you and your team.
And remember, your podcast isan extension of your brand.
(13:16):
Make it so sound as great asyou possibly can.
If you have any questions orneed more recommendations, feel free
to reach out to me.
Don't forget to follow thispodcast and leave a review if you
found this episode helpful.
I'll be back with anotherepisode of your Business Needs a
Branded Podcast soon, so keepan eye on your library.
(13:38):
This is your Business Needs aBranded Podcast A podnosis Podcasting
educational show teachingbrands and entrepreneurs how to leverage
podcasting.
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