July 17, 2023 • 31 mins
In this episode, I provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the best podcast microphone for any budget. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced podcaster, this episode covers various microphone options, explains the differences between dynamic and condenser mics, and compares USB and XLR connectivity.
I also shares recommendations for budget-friendly, mid-range, and high-end microphones, highlighting their features and performance. You'll gain insights into microphone types, connectivity options, and factors to consider for optimal sound quality in their podcast recordings.
Key Takeaways and the time:
- Different microphone types: Condenser and dynamic microphones [00:09:00]
- Pros and cons of condenser and dynamic microphones [00:10:00]
- USB microphones offer easy setup and portability, while XLR microphones provide professional quality but require additional equipment [00:11:00]
- Budget-friendly microphones: Shure SM57, Audio Technica ATR2100X USB, Samsung Q2U [00:13:00]
- Mid-range microphone options: Audio Technica AT2020, Rode NT1 [00:17:00]
- High-end microphone recommendations: Shure SM7B, Neumann U87Ei [00:19:00]
- Factors to consider for optimal sound quality: Accessories, microphone technique, audio editing software [00:22:00]
Resources Mentioned:
- Descript (audio editing software) [00:24:00]
- SpeakPipe (platform for leaving voice messages) [00:26:00]
- sevenmillionbikes.com (host's website for resources, courses, and services)
Email me (niall@sevenmillionbikes.com) or contact me on Seven Million Bikes Podcasts Facebook or Instagram to book your free Podcast Audit!
Thanks to James Mastroianni from The Wrong Side Of Hollywood for the endorsement!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Niall Mackay (00:00):
Welcome to Smarter Podcasting.
I'm Neil McKay, the podcast guy,and I'm sharing my wealth of
experience and insights into theworld of podcasting.
(00:20):
If you've ever dreamt ofstarting your own show or taking
your existing podcast in Newheights, then you've come to the
right place.
My podcasting generally beganwith a Vietnam podcast in 2019,
and it's been an incredible rideever since.
After I lost my job in thepandemic, I decided to turn my
passion and my hobby into abusiness and launched 7 Million
(00:43):
Bikes Podcast.
Podcasting has changed my lifeand I now work full time to help
others achieve that dream too.
I work with clients around theworld from Vietnam to Israel,
the Netherlands and the UK andthe US in a host of diverse
fields from marketing, tourismand a personal favorite of mine,
(01:04):
Through this show, SmarterPodcasting, I'm thrilled to pass
on all the valuable lessons I'velearned and help you navigate
the exciting world of podcastingwith confidence.
In every episode, I pour mypassion and expertise into
providing practical tips, expertadvice, and inspiring stories
that will fuel your podcastingambitions.
(01:26):
I understand the challenges youface as a podcaster.
Believe me.
I still face them to this day.
And my goal is to equip you withthe tools and knowledge you need
to succeed.
I founded 7 million bikespodcast to help you save the
time and stress needed to createand develop your podcast.
(01:47):
I offer a comprehensive step bystep podcast course for
beginners that covers everythingfrom concept development to
recording, editing, andpublishing.
You'll gain the confidence andskills to create top notch
content that won't captivateyour audience.
And I regularly update my blogtoo with a treasure trove of
insightful tips to help youbuild your audience and connect
(02:10):
with your community.
I genuinely care about yourpodcasting success, which is why
I also offer a free consultationto understand your unique goals
and tailor my guidancespecifically to your needs.
No two podcasts are the same andI'm here to ensure your podcast
thrives in its own unique way.
(02:30):
But, Smarter Podcasting is morethan just a podcast and a blog,
it's a thriving community oflike minded individuals and
businesses all working towardspodcasting success.
One of those people is AnnieHuang, who's just passed the pod
fade milestone of publishing her11th podcast episode called The
Aspiring CMO.
(02:51):
And if you're like me and you'rethinking, what the hell does CMO
stand for?
It stands for Chief MarketingOfficer.
She is an unbelievablepodcaster, very talented and
wants to conquer the marketingworld.
And she had a question for meabout her new podcast.
Anii Hoang (03:06):
Hey Neil, I really enjoy your episodes on this
podcast.
And my question is, is that howdo you not get stuck on the
numbers?
I just started my podcast and Itend to just look at the numbers
all the time.
It got more and more listenersand I think it's kind of driving
me crazy.
I don't know.
What's your advice
Niall Mackay (03:26):
on that?
This is a great question andthank you Annie so much for
asking it because I think everynew podcaster goes through this
and I absolutely went throughthis in the beginning.
I've even made memes about thisphenomenon.
I remember being in thebeginning and refreshing it
every couple of minutes, goingback to the browser, hitting
refresh, checking, it's gone upby one! Yes! Oh my goodness,
(03:47):
it's gone up by five! It'scompletely normal to do that,
and I think it's just somethingthat, as you do it for longer,
you're gonna do it less.
But this is my third podcastthat I've started, and I'm still
falling into the same trap, andstill do the same thing.
Maybe not as much as before.
I think the biggest thing is tomake sure that you realize what
are good podcasting numbers.
(04:08):
And I'm excited to actuallyshare this with people today
because for my first few yearsof podcasting, I kept asking
myself the age old question, Ithink many podcasters do, Are
these numbers any good?
And then when I found out whatgood podcasting numbers mean, I
was beyond excited and I'mextremely excited to share with
you today.
So I always refer to theBuzzsprout stats because they're
(04:29):
my podcast host of choice sincethe very beginning and when I
found this data It blew my mindSo the biggest metric to look at
is how many downloads you get inthe first seven days after
publication I've spoken topodcasters before and they tell
me their numbers and like yeah,but I'm sure it's gonna go up
soon Sadly, it won't.
You're probably going to getabout 70% of your total
(04:53):
downloads in the first day ofpublication, probably 90% in the
first week, and then it's goingto trail off after that.
If you look at any graph of yourpodcast stats, it's going to be
the same for every episode.
Now, one of the crucial thingsto remember is, and I found this
out recently, why it's importantto keep creating content and
keep building episodes, and youwill see your download numbers
(05:13):
go up over time.
Is that once you build up thatback catalog, people are going
to find that content and listento it.
So your overall numbers will goup, even though every episode
might not be massive each time,but these episode download
numbers.
So these are what Buzzsprout hasshared just recently.
And I've tracked these numbersover many years and they don't
(05:34):
change too much.
If you get just 31 downloads inthe first 7 days after
publication, you're in the top50% of podcasts in the world.
If you get over 113 downloads inthe first 7 days, you're in the
top 25%.
462, the top 10%.
(05:54):
1, 100, the top 5%, and ifyou're getting over 5, 000
downloads in the first sevendays, you are in the top 1% of
podcasts.
Now, remember, if you're in thetop 1% of anything in the world,
you are doing incredible.
If you're in the top 5%, you'redoing unbelievable.
If you're in the top 10%, you'redoing absolutely fine.
(06:15):
But even if you're getting just31 downloads in the first seven
days.
You are in the top 50% ofpodcasts in the world.
That is incredible.
I think it's difficult becauseas podcasters, we often compare
ourselves to YouTube and weoften compare ourselves to other
podcasters like maybe Joe Rogan,the Tim Ferriss show, the, the
(06:35):
diary of a CEO and we know thesepodcasts with massive numbers,
millions of downloads.
These guys really, really are inthe top 1%.
That's how they can make so muchmoney through ads.
For the majority of podcasters,they're going to be down in that
lower level.
So I think it's really importantas a podcaster to just look at
your numbers and celebratesuccess, whatever they are, even
(06:57):
if they're only 10 in the firstseven days, that is 10 people
who are consuming your content.
That is incredible.
Imagine if you were standing ina room and you had 10, 20, 50, a
hundred people all listening toyou.
And the biggest difference withpodcasting.
is the amount of engagement anddepth of connection that you get
with your listener.
Around about 80% of people whostart a podcast will listen to
(07:22):
the end.
Now compare that with YouTube,where some of my videos get 4%.
And now I'm pretty bad atYouTube, I don't focus on that,
but only 4% of that content isconsumed, compared to 80% on a
podcast.
And even a great YouTube videois probably only going to get
about 40 to 50%.
So the difference withpodcasting is the numbers are
(07:43):
lower, but the engagement ishigher.
But the biggest point is,celebrate those numbers,
whatever they are.
Do the whole thing of keeprefreshing it, it's cool, it's
cute, it's awesome.
We all do it in the beginning,you should do it, it gets you
excited.
And when you stop gettingexcited about podcasting, you
should just stop doing italtogether.
So keep doing it, have fun, andcelebrate your successes.
(08:09):
Picture this, you're sitting infront of your shiny podcast
microphone, ready to record yourlatest episode.
But wait, are you using theright microphone to capture that
full richness and resonance ofyour voice?
In this episode, I'll explore aplethora of options that cater
to every budget and style.
From the budget friendly to thehigh end powerhouses we'll cover
(08:33):
it all.
And guess what?
You won't need a degree in soundengineering to understand it
all.
I promise to keep it light, Idon't have one either.
It's one of the most commonlysearched terms is podcasting
microphones and it can beoverwhelming and confusing.
I'll try to explain it as simplyand easily as I can in just
(08:53):
under 30 minutes.
I'll compare dynamic andcondenser mics, break down the
differences between XLR and USBconnectivity.
so whether you're a podcastingnewbie and aspiring host or a
seasoned audio wizard, lookingto level up your game, this
guide is for you.
Get ready to discover thepodcast microphones that will
(09:14):
podcasting experience from mehto magnificent.
Now, let's find the best podcastmicrophone and make your voice
shine like a podcastingsuperstar.
Before we dive into thedifferent types of podcasting
microphones, let's take a momentto understand the advantages and
(09:34):
disadvantages of each type.
This will help you make aninformed decision when choosing
the right microphone for yourpodcast.
So first up we have theCondenser Microphone are highly
sensitive and capable ofcapturing subtle details and
nuances in sound.
They provide a more accuraterepresentation of the recorded
(09:55):
source, making them ideal forcapturing vocals and acoustic
instruments.
However, they can be moredelicate compared to dynamic
microphones storage to avoiddamage.
On the other hand, we have thedynamic microphone.
Dynamic mics are resistant tomoisture and humidity, making
(10:15):
them suitable for outdoor orhigh moisture environments.
They're also more rugged anddurable, making them ideal for
live performances andenvironments with high sound
pressure levels.
However, they can be heavier andbulkier compared to condenser
microphones, so it might not besuitable for lightweight and
compact setups.
(10:37):
Now let's talk aboutconnectivity options.
So you have the USB microphones,which connect directly to a
computer or a USB enableddevice, which provides a really
easy setup and portability.
USB mics are often compact andlightweight, making them
suitable for on the gorecordings.
However, they may not match theaudio quality and versatility
(11:00):
offered by high end studiomicrophones and professional
audio setups.
On the other hand, we have XLRmicrophones.
Which use an X L R connector foraudio connectivity.
That's the little three pins,three plugs that you see on the
end of a microphone.
Used the stage performances.
X L R.
Mics are known for theprofessional quality and
(11:22):
compatibility with a variety ofaccessories and peripherals
commonly used in professionalaudio setups.
The downside is they do requireadditional equipment such as an
audio converter or a mixer,which adds to the overall cost
and a little bit extracomplexity of the setup.
I started off with a USB BlueYeti mic, which did the trick
(11:45):
for me at the time, but lookingback, the sound quality wasn't
great and it took a lot of extrawork in post production to bring
that sound quality up to beinganything near worth being
published.
XLR microphones are a little bitmore expensive.
You do have to buy the mixer.
I recommend buying the PodTrakP4 by Zoom, which will set you
back a couple of hundreddollars, but it's extremely
(12:07):
portable, meaning you can recordanywhere on the go with an XLR
microphone and the sound qualityis delicious.
So now that we've covered thebasics, let's explore some of
the best podcast microphones fordifferent budget ranges.
And we'll start with the budgetfriendly options that won't
break the bank.
As you've heard me say on thispodcast before, if you're a
(12:29):
regular listener, I am Scottishand I do not like to spend
money.
This microphone I'm using rightnow, the Sure SM 57 is loaned to
me by my friend, the musicproducer Louis Wright.
Saves me paying for it, and itworks amazing.
and I cannot recommend this michighly enough.
It's a true force to be reckonedwith, with its unrivalled
(12:50):
performance, durability andversatility.
First and foremost, it excels incapturing pristine sound
quality.
All for around 100.
It's dynamic microphone designallows it to handle high sound
pressure levels with ease, butyou're not really going to need
that as a podcast unless you'rescreaming into the microphone,
(13:10):
which I doubt you are.
But it does ensure you getcrystal clear audio
reproduction.
And it is known for it'slegendary durability, and if
you're, if you're clumsy likeme, that is important.
It is built like a tank.
This microphone can withstandthe demands of rigorous use from
rock stars, so I'm sure it cansurvive the occasional
(13:30):
accidental drop that I often do.
It's the kind of microphone thatdoes stand the test of time.
I've been using it for yearscompanion throughout your
podcasting journey.
One of the standout features isits remarkable versatility.
polar pattern, it minimizesunwanted background noise and it
ensures that your voice istaking center stage.
(13:53):
So whether you're recording in acontrolled studio environment,
Or venturing into the greatoutdoors, or recording like me
in a big, open, tiled, shinyroom.
The sound quality is going to beamazing.
What are the drawbacks?
Well, with any microphone, theSM57 has a few things you need
to think about.
It's focused sound capture canbe a double edged sword, as it
(14:16):
does require careful positioningand technique to capture
multiple voices, which Iwouldn't recommend with one mic.
Or, if you do turn away byaccident and you're not talking
right into it, you're gonna losethat sound quality immediately.
However, these minor limitationsare easily outweighed by the
overall performance andreliability of the SM57.
(14:38):
As I said, I've been using itfor years, for the price, the
value, the durability and thequality.
This would be my recommendation,but it is up to you and your
budget and also your circum andalso your circumstances.
Another great recommendation isthe Audio Technica ATR2100X USB.
(14:58):
This will cost you about 80 andthis is a dynamic USB
microphone.
Now it offers really greatquality and versatility and it
delivers crisp and clear audiowhich is going to capture your
voice with impressive clarityand warmth.
Now the good thing about this isit offers both USB and LXR
connections which providesflexibility for beginners and
(15:20):
advanced users.
It's also got a portable anddurable design and this makes it
perfect for podcasters on thego.
Now you may be thinking, what isa podcaster on the go?
Well, many people might want togo and do interviews in the
field.
Or if you're somebody like mewho works with different
clients, I often have to go totheir offices or on site and
record them there.
The downside is it can pick uphandling noise if not used with
(15:43):
care.
So.
As I mentioned in the lastpodcast about the setup that you
need, make sure you have a goodmicrophone stand or boom arm.
Another great budget option isthe Samsung Q2U.
Priced at about 70, this dynamicmicrophone punches above its
weight in terms of performance.
It offers a rich and warm soundreproduction, with included
(16:05):
accessories such as that desktoptripod stand, which is going to
help with handling noise, a micclip, a USB cable, and a foam
windscreen.
If you're unsure what a foamwindscreen is, go back and
listen to the previous episodewhere I explain everything you
need for your setup.
That's going to help take awaythe plosive sounds like the p
and the b, which you shouldn'tbe getting a breath of air in
(16:26):
your ear right now because I'musing a foam pad right now.
The Q2U is beginner friendly andit's perfect for podcasting
newbies who just want a hasslefree experience.
But do be aware that it may besensitive to those plosive
sounds without a pop filter andsome people have reported that
the body feels a little lessrobust compared to higher end
options.
(16:50):
Moving on to the mid rangecategory.
Priced about between 100 to 200,I've two fantastic options for
you that are going to elevatethe quality of your podcast
audio.
My first recommendation is theAudio Technica AT2020.
This will set you back about 100and is a condenser podcast
microphone that will deliverstudio quality sound.
(17:11):
Capturing every nuance of yourvoice with exceptional clarity
and detail.
The at 2020 is versatile andperforms well in different
recording environments.
This durability ensures it lastsand it offers excellent value
for its price.
However, it may be sensitive tobackground noise and you'll need
an audio interface on Mixer thatprovides plus 84 V Phantom
(17:34):
panel.
My second recommendation in themid-range category is the Road N
T one.
Priced at 250, this renownedcondenser microphone offers
exceptional quality.
It reproduces your voice withprofessional grade precision,
the NT1 comes bundled with theessential accessories that you'd
need, saving you from additionalexpenses, which is always good.
(17:57):
However, it does fall towardsthe higher end of the price
spectrum, it does requirephantom power, similar to the
AT2020.
if you've got the budget, we'regoing to jump up and look at the
high end territory with twoexceptional podcast microphones
that will make your audio shine,but will also set you back a
(18:20):
little bit.
My first high end recommendationis the Shure SM7B, and love them
or hate them, as used by the oneand only Joe Rogan.
This will set you back about400, but this legendary dynamic
microphone is a staple in thepodcasting and broadcasting
world.
It will deliver unmatchedquality, capturing your voice
(18:42):
with warmth, richness andexceptional clarity.
It has what's called excellentoff axis rejection, which what
that does is captures your voiceand minimizes unwanted
background noise.
Making it ideal for recording inless controlled environments and
most podcasters, let's behonest, are recording in less
controlled environments.
(19:03):
I've done voiceovers and goinginto a voiceover studio is one
of the most amazing things inthe world and as an independent
podcaster, you're like, man, Iwish I could do all my podcasts
in here.
But again, that's going to setyou back some extra money.
So save that money and invest ina good microphone and you're
still going to get great audio.
And, like I talk about in everyepisode and on every blog post,
(19:24):
make sure you use Descript orother AI tools to increase the
quality of the sound of yourpodcast.
So coupled with a goodmicrophone, a bit of AI, and a
bit of patience, you will getstudio sound quality without
having to be in the studio.
Another great thing about theSM7B is it's built like a tank
and offers, and offersversatility for various
(19:45):
applications.
However, it requires a powerfulpreamp for optimal volume levels
and it does fall on the higherend of the price spectrum.
Finally, we have the NeumannU87Ei.
This iconic condenser microphoneis the gold standard for
podcasting and you'll see whythe price of over 2, 500.
(20:09):
It offers impeccable soundreproduction capturing your
voice with transparency, detailand natural warmth.
The U87Ei is known for itsversatility.
versatility, craftsmanship, andaesthetic appeal.
It comes bundled with essentialaccessories, so it means you
have everything you need as soonas you get it out of the box.
But it does require asignificant investment due to
(20:33):
its price, and it may be moresensitive to room acoustics.
Alongside choosing the rightmicrophone, There are several
other factors that do play asignificant role in achieving
optimal sound quality for yourpodcast.
So don't run out and buy theNeumann U87 AI for over 2, 500
and think that's it, the soundis going to be amazing.
(20:53):
There's a few other things youneed to consider.
And as I said, go back to theprevious episode where I cover
everything you need for apodcast setup.
One of them was a pop filter ora windscreen and these are
accessories that help reducethose plosive sounds I
mentioned.
Also minimising unwanted breathnoise that...
As a podcast editor, you hear ita lot.
The breath in.
(21:14):
Maybe you can hear that, maybenot.
But these are essential forimproving the audio quality.
And some microphones do comewith built in pop filters, so
check that out when you do buythe microphone.
Another thing that's overlookedis proper microphone technique.
Make sure you maintain aconsistent distance from the
microphone and avoid unnecessarymovements and positioning.
(21:35):
Things like avoiding unnecessarymovements and positioning the
microphone correctly can make asignificant difference in sound
quality.
As my sound producer and friendLewis Wright recommends, you
want to be about a fist's lengthaway from the microphone, or
even closer.
One time I was recording aclient, and he loved to talk in
(21:55):
his chair, and move right back,and lift his head right back up,
and continue the conversationwhile he talked to the ceiling.
to continually tell him to lookback into the mic.
So mic placing is reallyimportant.
And make sure as well, you'renot touching it lots.
I'm using a boom arm because Ilike to talk with my hands, I
will knock the boom arm.
But I've got it set up that youshouldn't be able to hear any
(22:16):
vibrations right now.
But if you do knock it, Take abreath and just restart your
sentence again, so that you canedit it out later.
And as I mentioned, if you dodecide to go with an XLR mic,
then you do want to get a goodquality audio interface, like
the Zoom H5 or H6.
Or my recommendation is thePodTrak P4, also by Zoom,
(22:38):
because of its ease of use andits lightweight.
And as I just mentioned, makesure you get yourself a boom arm
or a mic stand.
A mic stand takes up a bit moreflow space and a bit less
adjustable.
With the Bootmom, I've got itattached to my desk and I can
easily move it when I need to.
And lastly, maybe the mostimportant thing out of
(22:59):
everything is the audio editingsoftware that you use.
This can really further enhanceyour recordings.
You can adjust the levels,remove background noise,
equalize the sound and applyother effects to optimize the
overall quality of your podcastaudio.
And that is why I'm a massiveproponent and advocate for
Descript.
I am not an audio engineer and Iused to have to send off my
(23:23):
podcast to Lewis Wright and askhim to enhance the audio because
he is an audio genius.
That wasn't his full time job,he was helping me out, and
sometimes I had to wait 2 or 3days till he had the time to
send that back to me, whichcompletely messed up my schedule
every single time.
I'm not an audio engineer, andit's not my strength, and I
(23:45):
didn't have the time to learnthose techniques.
Then, when I started usingDescript, they added the Studio
Sound feature.
This is where AI really isstarting to take off.
Thanks to using AI technology,you can press a button.
you can take any audio andenhance the quality.
Now studio sound isn't perfect.
(24:05):
I use it with lots of differentclients and sometimes it doesn't
work.
If you're using a blue Yetimicrophone in the middle of two
or three people, like you have aguest or two people on your
show, the sound is not going tobe great.
It's not perfect, it's not gonnaturn these three people all
sitting a meter away from amicrophone in the middle of the
room and suddenly they all soundlike they're Joe Rogan.
(24:28):
And when people laughespecially, or talk over each
other, the AI seems to get alittle bit confused, and so the
audio quality will drop to thepoint where you probably don't
even want to use it.
But, if you have a goodmicrophone, good microphone
technique, a boom arm, and a popfilter.
Like everything I'm doing rightnow, and then turn on the studio
(24:51):
sound, you're gonna get reallygood audio quality.
And it is for that reason thatI'm an affiliate with this
script, so go in the show notes,check it out, you get an hour
for free anyway.
If you don't like it, don't useit.
If you do like it and you signup, I'll get a commission at no
extra cost to you.
So there you have it, that is myguide to the best podcast
(25:12):
microphones for any budget in2023.
Remember, achieving excellentsound quality is a combination
of using the right equipment,creating a suitable recording
environment, and employingproper techniques during
recording and post processing.
I hope this episode has helpedyou in choosing the perfect
microphone for your podcastingjourney.
(25:35):
Please leave me a message, justlike you heard Annie at the
beginning of the show.
There is a link in the shownotes for SpeakPipe.
It's so easy to do, you canleave me a message or a question
and I will get back to you onthe next episode.
So get out there and go andcreate amazing content for your
listeners and please share itwith me so I can hear what you
(25:56):
do.
If you do have any questions orneed further guidance on podcast
setup ideas, Or for the guidanceon anything podcasting, please
don't hesitate to reach out.
As I said, I do offer a freeconsultation.
I'm here to help you on yourpodcasting journey and provide
the support you need to succeed.
And before we wrap up, I want toremind you to check out my
(26:17):
website at 7millionbikes.
com for more resources, courses,and services to elevate your
podcasting game.
Thank you for tuning in today.
Your support honestly means theworld to me.
And if you have enjoyed thisepisode, be sure to subscribe to
Smarter Podcasting, and if youhave the time, leave a review to
help other people find the showas well.
Your feedback really helps meimprove and reach more aspiring
(26:40):
podcasters like yourself.
and make sure you don't miss thenext episode where I'm gonna
dive into finding the perfectpodcast headphones.
Until then, keep podcasting,keep growing, and keep sharing
your unique voice with theworld.
This is Neil McKay, the podcastguy.
Remember, your podcastingjourney is an adventure, and I'm
(27:00):
here to guide you every step ofthe way.
Keep creating, keep evolving,and keep podcasting smarter.
Till next time, cheers.
Welcome to Smarter Podcasting.
I'm Neil McKay, the podcast guy,and I'm sharing my wealth of
experience and insights into theworld of podcasting.
(00:20):
If you've ever dreamt ofstarting your own show or taking
your existing podcast in Newheights, then you've come to the
right place.
My podcasting generally beganwith a Vietnam podcast in 2019,
and it's been an incredible rideever since.
After I lost my job in thepandemic, I decided to turn my
passion and my hobby into abusiness and launched 7 Million
(00:43):
Bikes Podcast.
Podcasting has changed my lifeand I now work full time to help
others achieve that dream too.
I work with clients around theworld from Vietnam to Israel,
the Netherlands and the UK andthe US in a host of diverse
fields from marketing, tourismand a personal favorite of mine,
(01:04):
Through this show, SmarterPodcasting, I'm thrilled to pass
on all the valuable lessons I'velearned and help you navigate
the exciting world of podcastingwith confidence.
In every episode, I pour mypassion and expertise into
providing practical tips, expertadvice, and inspiring stories
that will fuel your podcastingambitions.
(01:26):
I understand the challenges youface as a podcaster.
Believe me.
I still face them to this day.
And my goal is to equip you withthe tools and knowledge you need
to succeed.
I founded 7 million bikespodcast to help you save the
time and stress needed to createand develop your podcast.
(01:47):
I offer a comprehensive step bystep podcast course for
beginners that covers everythingfrom concept development to
recording, editing, andpublishing.
You'll gain the confidence andskills to create top notch
content that won't captivateyour audience.
And I regularly update my blogtoo with a treasure trove of
insightful tips to help youbuild your audience and connect
(02:10):
with your community.
I genuinely care about yourpodcasting success, which is why
I also offer a free consultationto understand your unique goals
and tailor my guidancespecifically to your needs.
No two podcasts are the same andI'm here to ensure your podcast
thrives in its own unique way.
(02:30):
But, Smarter Podcasting is morethan just a podcast and a blog,
it's a thriving community oflike minded individuals and
businesses all working towardspodcasting success.
One of those people is AnnieHuang, who's just passed the pod
fade milestone of publishing her11th podcast episode called The
Aspiring CMO.
(02:51):
And if you're like me and you'rethinking, what the hell does CMO
stand for?
It stands for Chief MarketingOfficer.
She is an unbelievablepodcaster, very talented and
wants to conquer the marketingworld.
And she had a question for meabout her new podcast.
Anii Hoang (03:06):
Hey Neil, I really enjoy your episodes on this
podcast.
And my question is, is that howdo you not get stuck on the
numbers?
I just started my podcast and Itend to just look at the numbers
all the time.
It got more and more listenersand I think it's kind of driving
me crazy.
I don't know.
What's your advice
Niall Mackay (03:26):
on that?
This is a great question andthank you Annie so much for
asking it because I think everynew podcaster goes through this
and I absolutely went throughthis in the beginning.
I've even made memes about thisphenomenon.
I remember being in thebeginning and refreshing it
every couple of minutes, goingback to the browser, hitting
refresh, checking, it's gone upby one! Yes! Oh my goodness,
(03:47):
it's gone up by five! It'scompletely normal to do that,
and I think it's just somethingthat, as you do it for longer,
you're gonna do it less.
But this is my third podcastthat I've started, and I'm still
falling into the same trap, andstill do the same thing.
Maybe not as much as before.
I think the biggest thing is tomake sure that you realize what
are good podcasting numbers.
(04:08):
And I'm excited to actuallyshare this with people today
because for my first few yearsof podcasting, I kept asking
myself the age old question, Ithink many podcasters do, Are
these numbers any good?
And then when I found out whatgood podcasting numbers mean, I
was beyond excited and I'mextremely excited to share with
you today.
So I always refer to theBuzzsprout stats because they're
(04:29):
my podcast host of choice sincethe very beginning and when I
found this data It blew my mindSo the biggest metric to look at
is how many downloads you get inthe first seven days after
publication I've spoken topodcasters before and they tell
me their numbers and like yeah,but I'm sure it's gonna go up
soon Sadly, it won't.
You're probably going to getabout 70% of your total
(04:53):
downloads in the first day ofpublication, probably 90% in the
first week, and then it's goingto trail off after that.
If you look at any graph of yourpodcast stats, it's going to be
the same for every episode.
Now, one of the crucial thingsto remember is, and I found this
out recently, why it's importantto keep creating content and
keep building episodes, and youwill see your download numbers
(05:13):
go up over time.
Is that once you build up thatback catalog, people are going
to find that content and listento it.
So your overall numbers will goup, even though every episode
might not be massive each time,but these episode download
numbers.
So these are what Buzzsprout hasshared just recently.
And I've tracked these numbersover many years and they don't
(05:34):
change too much.
If you get just 31 downloads inthe first 7 days after
publication, you're in the top50% of podcasts in the world.
If you get over 113 downloads inthe first 7 days, you're in the
top 25%.
462, the top 10%.
(05:54):
1, 100, the top 5%, and ifyou're getting over 5, 000
downloads in the first sevendays, you are in the top 1% of
podcasts.
Now, remember, if you're in thetop 1% of anything in the world,
you are doing incredible.
If you're in the top 5%, you'redoing unbelievable.
If you're in the top 10%, you'redoing absolutely fine.
(06:15):
But even if you're getting just31 downloads in the first seven
days.
You are in the top 50% ofpodcasts in the world.
That is incredible.
I think it's difficult becauseas podcasters, we often compare
ourselves to YouTube and weoften compare ourselves to other
podcasters like maybe Joe Rogan,the Tim Ferriss show, the, the
(06:35):
diary of a CEO and we know thesepodcasts with massive numbers,
millions of downloads.
These guys really, really are inthe top 1%.
That's how they can make so muchmoney through ads.
For the majority of podcasters,they're going to be down in that
lower level.
So I think it's really importantas a podcaster to just look at
your numbers and celebratesuccess, whatever they are, even
(06:57):
if they're only 10 in the firstseven days, that is 10 people
who are consuming your content.
That is incredible.
Imagine if you were standing ina room and you had 10, 20, 50, a
hundred people all listening toyou.
And the biggest difference withpodcasting.
is the amount of engagement anddepth of connection that you get
with your listener.
Around about 80% of people whostart a podcast will listen to
(07:22):
the end.
Now compare that with YouTube,where some of my videos get 4%.
And now I'm pretty bad atYouTube, I don't focus on that,
but only 4% of that content isconsumed, compared to 80% on a
podcast.
And even a great YouTube videois probably only going to get
about 40 to 50%.
So the difference withpodcasting is the numbers are
(07:43):
lower, but the engagement ishigher.
But the biggest point is,celebrate those numbers,
whatever they are.
Do the whole thing of keeprefreshing it, it's cool, it's
cute, it's awesome.
We all do it in the beginning,you should do it, it gets you
excited.
And when you stop gettingexcited about podcasting, you
should just stop doing italtogether.
So keep doing it, have fun, andcelebrate your successes.
(08:09):
Picture this, you're sitting infront of your shiny podcast
microphone, ready to record yourlatest episode.
But wait, are you using theright microphone to capture that
full richness and resonance ofyour voice?
In this episode, I'll explore aplethora of options that cater
to every budget and style.
From the budget friendly to thehigh end powerhouses we'll cover
(08:33):
it all.
And guess what?
You won't need a degree in soundengineering to understand it
all.
I promise to keep it light, Idon't have one either.
It's one of the most commonlysearched terms is podcasting
microphones and it can beoverwhelming and confusing.
I'll try to explain it as simplyand easily as I can in just
(08:53):
under 30 minutes.
I'll compare dynamic andcondenser mics, break down the
differences between XLR and USBconnectivity.
so whether you're a podcastingnewbie and aspiring host or a
seasoned audio wizard, lookingto level up your game, this
guide is for you.
Get ready to discover thepodcast microphones that will
(09:14):
podcasting experience from mehto magnificent.
Now, let's find the best podcastmicrophone and make your voice
shine like a podcastingsuperstar.
Before we dive into thedifferent types of podcasting
microphones, let's take a momentto understand the advantages and
(09:34):
disadvantages of each type.
This will help you make aninformed decision when choosing
the right microphone for yourpodcast.
So first up we have theCondenser Microphone are highly
sensitive and capable ofcapturing subtle details and
nuances in sound.
They provide a more accuraterepresentation of the recorded
(09:55):
source, making them ideal forcapturing vocals and acoustic
instruments.
However, they can be moredelicate compared to dynamic
microphones storage to avoiddamage.
On the other hand, we have thedynamic microphone.
Dynamic mics are resistant tomoisture and humidity, making
(10:15):
them suitable for outdoor orhigh moisture environments.
They're also more rugged anddurable, making them ideal for
live performances andenvironments with high sound
pressure levels.
However, they can be heavier andbulkier compared to condenser
microphones, so it might not besuitable for lightweight and
compact setups.
(10:37):
Now let's talk aboutconnectivity options.
So you have the USB microphones,which connect directly to a
computer or a USB enableddevice, which provides a really
easy setup and portability.
USB mics are often compact andlightweight, making them
suitable for on the gorecordings.
However, they may not match theaudio quality and versatility
(11:00):
offered by high end studiomicrophones and professional
audio setups.
On the other hand, we have XLRmicrophones.
Which use an X L R connector foraudio connectivity.
That's the little three pins,three plugs that you see on the
end of a microphone.
Used the stage performances.
X L R.
Mics are known for theprofessional quality and
(11:22):
compatibility with a variety ofaccessories and peripherals
commonly used in professionalaudio setups.
The downside is they do requireadditional equipment such as an
audio converter or a mixer,which adds to the overall cost
and a little bit extracomplexity of the setup.
I started off with a USB BlueYeti mic, which did the trick
(11:45):
for me at the time, but lookingback, the sound quality wasn't
great and it took a lot of extrawork in post production to bring
that sound quality up to beinganything near worth being
published.
XLR microphones are a little bitmore expensive.
You do have to buy the mixer.
I recommend buying the PodTrakP4 by Zoom, which will set you
back a couple of hundreddollars, but it's extremely
(12:07):
portable, meaning you can recordanywhere on the go with an XLR
microphone and the sound qualityis delicious.
So now that we've covered thebasics, let's explore some of
the best podcast microphones fordifferent budget ranges.
And we'll start with the budgetfriendly options that won't
break the bank.
As you've heard me say on thispodcast before, if you're a
(12:29):
regular listener, I am Scottishand I do not like to spend
money.
This microphone I'm using rightnow, the Sure SM 57 is loaned to
me by my friend, the musicproducer Louis Wright.
Saves me paying for it, and itworks amazing.
and I cannot recommend this michighly enough.
It's a true force to be reckonedwith, with its unrivalled
(12:50):
performance, durability andversatility.
First and foremost, it excels incapturing pristine sound
quality.
All for around 100.
It's dynamic microphone designallows it to handle high sound
pressure levels with ease, butyou're not really going to need
that as a podcast unless you'rescreaming into the microphone,
(13:10):
which I doubt you are.
But it does ensure you getcrystal clear audio
reproduction.
And it is known for it'slegendary durability, and if
you're, if you're clumsy likeme, that is important.
It is built like a tank.
This microphone can withstandthe demands of rigorous use from
rock stars, so I'm sure it cansurvive the occasional
(13:30):
accidental drop that I often do.
It's the kind of microphone thatdoes stand the test of time.
I've been using it for yearscompanion throughout your
podcasting journey.
One of the standout features isits remarkable versatility.
polar pattern, it minimizesunwanted background noise and it
ensures that your voice istaking center stage.
(13:53):
So whether you're recording in acontrolled studio environment,
Or venturing into the greatoutdoors, or recording like me
in a big, open, tiled, shinyroom.
The sound quality is going to beamazing.
What are the drawbacks?
Well, with any microphone, theSM57 has a few things you need
to think about.
It's focused sound capture canbe a double edged sword, as it
(14:16):
does require careful positioningand technique to capture
multiple voices, which Iwouldn't recommend with one mic.
Or, if you do turn away byaccident and you're not talking
right into it, you're gonna losethat sound quality immediately.
However, these minor limitationsare easily outweighed by the
overall performance andreliability of the SM57.
(14:38):
As I said, I've been using itfor years, for the price, the
value, the durability and thequality.
This would be my recommendation,but it is up to you and your
budget and also your circum andalso your circumstances.
Another great recommendation isthe Audio Technica ATR2100X USB.
(14:58):
This will cost you about 80 andthis is a dynamic USB
microphone.
Now it offers really greatquality and versatility and it
delivers crisp and clear audiowhich is going to capture your
voice with impressive clarityand warmth.
Now the good thing about this isit offers both USB and LXR
connections which providesflexibility for beginners and
(15:20):
advanced users.
It's also got a portable anddurable design and this makes it
perfect for podcasters on thego.
Now you may be thinking, what isa podcaster on the go?
Well, many people might want togo and do interviews in the
field.
Or if you're somebody like mewho works with different
clients, I often have to go totheir offices or on site and
record them there.
The downside is it can pick uphandling noise if not used with
(15:43):
care.
So.
As I mentioned in the lastpodcast about the setup that you
need, make sure you have a goodmicrophone stand or boom arm.
Another great budget option isthe Samsung Q2U.
Priced at about 70, this dynamicmicrophone punches above its
weight in terms of performance.
It offers a rich and warm soundreproduction, with included
(16:05):
accessories such as that desktoptripod stand, which is going to
help with handling noise, a micclip, a USB cable, and a foam
windscreen.
If you're unsure what a foamwindscreen is, go back and
listen to the previous episodewhere I explain everything you
need for your setup.
That's going to help take awaythe plosive sounds like the p
and the b, which you shouldn'tbe getting a breath of air in
(16:26):
your ear right now because I'musing a foam pad right now.
The Q2U is beginner friendly andit's perfect for podcasting
newbies who just want a hasslefree experience.
But do be aware that it may besensitive to those plosive
sounds without a pop filter andsome people have reported that
the body feels a little lessrobust compared to higher end
options.
(16:50):
Moving on to the mid rangecategory.
Priced about between 100 to 200,I've two fantastic options for
you that are going to elevatethe quality of your podcast
audio.
My first recommendation is theAudio Technica AT2020.
This will set you back about 100and is a condenser podcast
microphone that will deliverstudio quality sound.
(17:11):
Capturing every nuance of yourvoice with exceptional clarity
and detail.
The at 2020 is versatile andperforms well in different
recording environments.
This durability ensures it lastsand it offers excellent value
for its price.
However, it may be sensitive tobackground noise and you'll need
an audio interface on Mixer thatprovides plus 84 V Phantom
(17:34):
panel.
My second recommendation in themid-range category is the Road N
T one.
Priced at 250, this renownedcondenser microphone offers
exceptional quality.
It reproduces your voice withprofessional grade precision,
the NT1 comes bundled with theessential accessories that you'd
need, saving you from additionalexpenses, which is always good.
(17:57):
However, it does fall towardsthe higher end of the price
spectrum, it does requirephantom power, similar to the
AT2020.
if you've got the budget, we'regoing to jump up and look at the
high end territory with twoexceptional podcast microphones
that will make your audio shine,but will also set you back a
(18:20):
little bit.
My first high end recommendationis the Shure SM7B, and love them
or hate them, as used by the oneand only Joe Rogan.
This will set you back about400, but this legendary dynamic
microphone is a staple in thepodcasting and broadcasting
world.
It will deliver unmatchedquality, capturing your voice
(18:42):
with warmth, richness andexceptional clarity.
It has what's called excellentoff axis rejection, which what
that does is captures your voiceand minimizes unwanted
background noise.
Making it ideal for recording inless controlled environments and
most podcasters, let's behonest, are recording in less
controlled environments.
(19:03):
I've done voiceovers and goinginto a voiceover studio is one
of the most amazing things inthe world and as an independent
podcaster, you're like, man, Iwish I could do all my podcasts
in here.
But again, that's going to setyou back some extra money.
So save that money and invest ina good microphone and you're
still going to get great audio.
And, like I talk about in everyepisode and on every blog post,
(19:24):
make sure you use Descript orother AI tools to increase the
quality of the sound of yourpodcast.
So coupled with a goodmicrophone, a bit of AI, and a
bit of patience, you will getstudio sound quality without
having to be in the studio.
Another great thing about theSM7B is it's built like a tank
and offers, and offersversatility for various
(19:45):
applications.
However, it requires a powerfulpreamp for optimal volume levels
and it does fall on the higherend of the price spectrum.
Finally, we have the NeumannU87Ei.
This iconic condenser microphoneis the gold standard for
podcasting and you'll see whythe price of over 2, 500.
(20:09):
It offers impeccable soundreproduction capturing your
voice with transparency, detailand natural warmth.
The U87Ei is known for itsversatility.
versatility, craftsmanship, andaesthetic appeal.
It comes bundled with essentialaccessories, so it means you
have everything you need as soonas you get it out of the box.
But it does require asignificant investment due to
(20:33):
its price, and it may be moresensitive to room acoustics.
Alongside choosing the rightmicrophone, There are several
other factors that do play asignificant role in achieving
optimal sound quality for yourpodcast.
So don't run out and buy theNeumann U87 AI for over 2, 500
and think that's it, the soundis going to be amazing.
(20:53):
There's a few other things youneed to consider.
And as I said, go back to theprevious episode where I cover
everything you need for apodcast setup.
One of them was a pop filter ora windscreen and these are
accessories that help reducethose plosive sounds I
mentioned.
Also minimising unwanted breathnoise that...
As a podcast editor, you hear ita lot.
The breath in.
(21:14):
Maybe you can hear that, maybenot.
But these are essential forimproving the audio quality.
And some microphones do comewith built in pop filters, so
check that out when you do buythe microphone.
Another thing that's overlookedis proper microphone technique.
Make sure you maintain aconsistent distance from the
microphone and avoid unnecessarymovements and positioning.
(21:35):
Things like avoiding unnecessarymovements and positioning the
microphone correctly can make asignificant difference in sound
quality.
As my sound producer and friendLewis Wright recommends, you
want to be about a fist's lengthaway from the microphone, or
even closer.
One time I was recording aclient, and he loved to talk in
(21:55):
his chair, and move right back,and lift his head right back up,
and continue the conversationwhile he talked to the ceiling.
to continually tell him to lookback into the mic.
So mic placing is reallyimportant.
And make sure as well, you'renot touching it lots.
I'm using a boom arm because Ilike to talk with my hands, I
will knock the boom arm.
But I've got it set up that youshouldn't be able to hear any
(22:16):
vibrations right now.
But if you do knock it, Take abreath and just restart your
sentence again, so that you canedit it out later.
And as I mentioned, if you dodecide to go with an XLR mic,
then you do want to get a goodquality audio interface, like
the Zoom H5 or H6.
Or my recommendation is thePodTrak P4, also by Zoom,
(22:38):
because of its ease of use andits lightweight.
And as I just mentioned, makesure you get yourself a boom arm
or a mic stand.
A mic stand takes up a bit moreflow space and a bit less
adjustable.
With the Bootmom, I've got itattached to my desk and I can
easily move it when I need to.
And lastly, maybe the mostimportant thing out of
(22:59):
everything is the audio editingsoftware that you use.
This can really further enhanceyour recordings.
You can adjust the levels,remove background noise,
equalize the sound and applyother effects to optimize the
overall quality of your podcastaudio.
And that is why I'm a massiveproponent and advocate for
Descript.
I am not an audio engineer and Iused to have to send off my
(23:23):
podcast to Lewis Wright and askhim to enhance the audio because
he is an audio genius.
That wasn't his full time job,he was helping me out, and
sometimes I had to wait 2 or 3days till he had the time to
send that back to me, whichcompletely messed up my schedule
every single time.
I'm not an audio engineer, andit's not my strength, and I
(23:45):
didn't have the time to learnthose techniques.
Then, when I started usingDescript, they added the Studio
Sound feature.
This is where AI really isstarting to take off.
Thanks to using AI technology,you can press a button.
you can take any audio andenhance the quality.
Now studio sound isn't perfect.
(24:05):
I use it with lots of differentclients and sometimes it doesn't
work.
If you're using a blue Yetimicrophone in the middle of two
or three people, like you have aguest or two people on your
show, the sound is not going tobe great.
It's not perfect, it's not gonnaturn these three people all
sitting a meter away from amicrophone in the middle of the
room and suddenly they all soundlike they're Joe Rogan.
(24:28):
And when people laughespecially, or talk over each
other, the AI seems to get alittle bit confused, and so the
audio quality will drop to thepoint where you probably don't
even want to use it.
But, if you have a goodmicrophone, good microphone
technique, a boom arm, and a popfilter.
Like everything I'm doing rightnow, and then turn on the studio
(24:51):
sound, you're gonna get reallygood audio quality.
And it is for that reason thatI'm an affiliate with this
script, so go in the show notes,check it out, you get an hour
for free anyway.
If you don't like it, don't useit.
If you do like it and you signup, I'll get a commission at no
extra cost to you.
So there you have it, that is myguide to the best podcast
(25:12):
microphones for any budget in2023.
Remember, achieving excellentsound quality is a combination
of using the right equipment,creating a suitable recording
environment, and employingproper techniques during
recording and post processing.
I hope this episode has helpedyou in choosing the perfect
microphone for your podcastingjourney.
(25:35):
Please leave me a message, justlike you heard Annie at the
beginning of the show.
There is a link in the shownotes for SpeakPipe.
It's so easy to do, you canleave me a message or a question
and I will get back to you onthe next episode.
So get out there and go andcreate amazing content for your
listeners and please share itwith me so I can hear what you
(25:56):
do.
If you do have any questions orneed further guidance on podcast
setup ideas, Or for the guidanceon anything podcasting, please
don't hesitate to reach out.
As I said, I do offer a freeconsultation.
I'm here to help you on yourpodcasting journey and provide
the support you need to succeed.
And before we wrap up, I want toremind you to check out my
(26:17):
website at 7millionbikes.
com for more resources, courses,and services to elevate your
podcasting game.
Thank you for tuning in today.
Your support honestly means theworld to me.
And if you have enjoyed thisepisode, be sure to subscribe to
Smarter Podcasting, and if youhave the time, leave a review to
help other people find the showas well.
Your feedback really helps meimprove and reach more aspiring
(26:40):
podcasters like yourself.
and make sure you don't miss thenext episode where I'm gonna
dive into finding the perfectpodcast headphones.
Until then, keep podcasting,keep growing, and keep sharing
your unique voice with theworld.
This is Neil McKay, the podcastguy.
Remember, your podcastingjourney is an adventure, and I'm
(27:00):
here to guide you every step ofthe way.
Keep creating, keep evolving,and keep podcasting smarter.
Till next time, cheers.
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