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The Audio-Technica can be used as a live mic or a USB podcasting mic. As I stated before, because it’s a dynamic microphone, it’s great for rejecting outside noise.
Best Podcasting Microphones Under $200. Rode NT-USB USB Condenser Microphone. Rode NT-USB USB Condenser Microphone is perfect to produce rich sound with a great frequency response. The USB connectivity is simple that allow the customers to use it facilely. Apogee MiC 96k- Great preamps, Best for Mac Welcome to the future of studio recording where you no longer need an interface or a laptop. If you’re amongst the ever rising population of musicians with an affinity for on-the-go music making, you’re the target market for the Apogee MiC 96k. Best Buy USB Microphone Best Cheap USB Microphone Best USB Microphone for Singing Best USB Microphone for Vocals Best USB Microphone for Podcasts. As USB microphones experienced a significant surge in popularity, the market has been flooded with lots of quality models and the price for obtaining a decent one is now lower than ever. Our top choice for the best PC microphone is the Blue Yeti. Not only is the sound quality excellent for the price, but it has features that I’ve found I cannot live without (I use it on a Mac for podcasting). Or, as they call it: “high-resolution” recording. The microphone has input-level control, making it possible to adjust input level on the microphone itself. Besides that, it has a extended frequency response which is perfect for podcasting. The Cardioid Condenser USB microphone is compatible with Windows, Mac and iOS.
Podcasting has been experiencing a renaissance lately, and for good reason. Podcasts can be about a wide variety of topics, from Apple to sports, comedy, storytelling and so much more. It’s a great time to get into podcasting because the barrier to entry is so low and you don’t have to break the bank to buy a totally workable setup.
Some of the greatest podcasts in the iTunes Top Charts are regularly recorded using sub-$100 to $300 mics. Whether you want to gain influence in a community or nerd out about the latest iPhone, a podcast is a great place to do it.
That’s why I want to show you how to set up a podcasting rig for under $300, and include some great insights along the way.
Microphones: condenser versus dynamic
Your audio is only going to be as good as your weakest link, so it’s important to start with good mic technique and a good microphone. You may have heard about all sorts of different mics, but for our purposes we’re going to focus on condenser and dynamic microphones.
Condenser mics
A condenser microphone is very sensitive due to the way it’s built. This type of microphone usually has an incredibly even frequency response and picks up detail nicely. It can handle loud noises very well.
Just remember that extra sensitivity comes at a price. Condenser mics usually pick up a ton of background noise, including people outside or in other rooms, low-end rumble from air conditioning, and a lot more. If you’re in a perfect situation (such as a studio or really quiet room), a condenser is worth buying because of its crisp sound. Otherwise, you might want to consider a dynamic mic.
Dynamic mics
A dynamic microphone is typically a live mic. You’ll usually see these at live shows because of their durability and their ability to accept loud sounds. A dynamic mic is great for a podcaster because you have to be close to it for it to pick up your voice. The great part about that is that it doesn’t pick up background noise nearly as much as a condenser would. You have to be careful with dynamic mics, because they certainly don’t always sound as even as a condenser. But in a lot of instances, they are good enough for recording voices. They also work in many other situations, such as recording guitar, drums and even recording the president. For these reasons, dynamic mics have become staples in the studio.
For our budget, I’m going to recommend one good condenser mic and one good dynamic mic. Also, these will be USB mics, so you won’t have to worry about buying an audio interface, XLR cables or a mixer.
For a condenser, I recommend the Blue Yeti. I’ve had such good experiences with Blue Microphones in the past, this was a no-brainer. The company makes beautiful microphones. Not only are they constructed well and great-sounding, but they look good too. You can find the Yeti for around $120, and sometimes even sub-$100. The great thing about the Yeti is that it has selectable polar patterns, which means the mic can record in front of you, in the front and the back of the mic (if you have a person on either side of it), or in 360-degree omnidirectional mode, which records all around the mic (in case you have a large group of people you need to record). It also has a mute button, and more importantly a headphone jack. The headphone jack lets you hear yourself coming through the microphone, which really helps determine if you’ve got a good recording early on.
For a dynamic microphone, I’d recommend the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB. I’d love to recommend the Røde Podcaster because I really love Røde Microphones as a brand, but the Podcaster line has taken a dip in quality recently. The Audio-Technica can be used as a live mic or a USB podcasting mic. As I stated before, because it’s a dynamic microphone, it’s great for rejecting outside noise. It has a pretty even frequency response, a headphone jack for monitoring yourself, and doesn’t break the bank at just $40!
Remember to focus on your situation when it comes to selecting a mic, and choose the one that’s best-suited to your recording location!
Headphones and accessories
If you’re using a condenser mic, there are two accessories that are crucial for use: a pop filter and a shockmount.
A pop filter screens out the plosives in your voice. A plosive is a P or a B sound that makes a short burst of air and can really ruin a great recording. The pop filter I recommend is the Samson PS01. It’s only $25, and it does the job perfectly. You can attach this to any microphone stand, place the pop filter in front of the mic, and you’re ready to go.
For a microphone stand, I’d recommend the On-Stage MS7701B. This boom stand is perfect because it can get out of the way, and has a little bit more flexibility than a desktop stand. You could invest in a fancy desk-mounted boom arm, but it’d be a little too pricey for our budget.
If you’re using a condenser, you’re also going to want to buy a shockmount. Shockmounts range from $20 to $50 on the low end, and are important for keeping noise and rumble out of your recordings. They absorb any shocks to the stand, and help the mic produce a great recording. I won’t recommend a specific one here because they’re typically pretty unique for each mic, so make sure to find the right one for your mic before buying!
Having good headphones is important to your overall podcast rig, because it’s helpful to be able to hear everything you’ve recorded accurately. Sennheiser has been making great headphones and other products for a long time, and I’m going to recommend the HD202 II model. At just $23, these headphones are a steal. They have a decent frequency response, and are comfortable if you’re going to be wearing them for extended periods of time. I’ve loved the HD 280 Pro headphones for some time, but these 202’s at under $25 make perfect sense for this budget.
GarageBand and Pro Tools First
We have our microphone, accessories and headphones — so now what? The last thing we need is a place to record it all. For this I’m going to recommend two programs that are perfect when it comes to recording, editing and mixing podcasts.
The first is GarageBand, which is made by Apple. GarageBand is great for dealing with a few tracks of audio, and it will also help anyone looking to get a head start on learning Apple’s pro product, Logic. GarageBand is easy to record into, and has some great features when it comes to mixing voices. It comes with a number of built-in audio plugins for EQ, compression and more. It also supports the Audio Units plugin format, so you can get some heavy-hitting processing if you’re looking to spend a little more money.
The other program I recommend is Pro Tools First. Avid’s Pro Tools recording software has long been the industry standard. Pro Tools First is a stripped-down version of the company’s flagship program that allows you to record (16 tracks), edit and mix all your audio. They even include more than 20 plugins to process your tracks (including EQ, compression and more). I find editing and mixing audio is easier in Pro Tools, but I think the most important thing to do is learn one program very well (keyboard shortcuts, what each knob is, etc.) and be proficient in that program.
I’d recommend trying out both, and seeing which program fits your needs best.
The ins and outs
Rogue Amoeba also makes some fantastic software. For a long time, I’ve used their Piezo app, which is perfect for recording Skype calls with two people. Since we have a good amount of money left in our budget, I’m actually going to recommend Rogue Amoeba’s higher-end and more fully featured software, Audio Hijack. You’re sure to get a ton of use out of this program.
What Audio Hijack does is allow you to route audio from pretty much anywhere into a host of other locations, including recording right within the program. You can take audio from Skype, iTunes, the web and a number of other places and route it wherever you need it to go. Think of it as a virtual patch bay for your audio.
After you’ve plugged your mic in via USB, recorded your audio and dropped it into your editing and mixing program of choice, you’re all set to ship your podcast to the world!
Breakdown of pricing
So where did we end up with all the components I’ve recommended? Let’s take a look at both the condenser and dynamic mic packages:
Condenser mic podcast setup
Blue Yeti condenser microphone – $120
Stand (built in to the Yeti) – Free
Pop filter – $25
Shockmount (Not needed with the Yeti, because of the built-in stand) – Typically $30 and up
Sennheiser HD 202 II headphones – $23 GarageBand or Pro Tools – Free ($4.99 for GarageBand on 2012 and older Macs)
Audio Hijack – $49
Total = $247
Dynamic mic podcast setup
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB – $40
Microphone stand – $25
Sennheiser HD 202 II headphones – $23
GarageBand or Pro Tools – Free ($4.99 for GarageBand on 2012 and older Macs)
Audio Hijack – $49
Total = $137
As you can see, the barrier to entry for podcasting has gotten incredibly low. This is great news for anyone wanting to start a podcast or participate in an existing one.
Best Podcasting Microphone
This post was syndicated via The App Factor.
Many people will never give their computer microphone a second glance, how about you?
It isn’t really something you check the quality of when choosing a MacBook to buy, and most people tend to assume that whatever is built in will be satisfactory for their occasional use.
Best voice recognition software for mac. However, there comes a point where the built-in microphone simply doesn’t cut it. Whether your voice isn’t getting picked up properly while using Skype or if you want to start recording your own podcast, an external USB mic is a great place to start rectifying this problem.
In this guide, we’ll point out some of the best mics in portability, versatility, and recording power. We’ll also guide you through picking a mic that suits your needs — whether you’re an everyday user, amateur recorder, or a professional.
Quick Summary
For something ultraportable but geared primarily towards communication needs (i.e. business conference calls, narration), the Blue Snowflake USB Microphone folds into a small rectangle that is easy to take to/from work on the daily.
Does your recording demand versatility? With multiple recording patterns the Blue Yeti offers a flexible design and endless ways to take your audio quality to the next level. It also includes a zero-latency headphone jack.
The Apogee MIC PLUS is the best choice if you’re completely committed to Apple and looking for a product that feels the same. Well integrated with all of Apple’s products and extremely portable, this mic is ready to rock whenever and wherever you are.
To step up your audio game at home, the Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Mic has you covered. Its classy design and brand reputation imply a degree of quality, you’ll be able to experience first hand whether you’re recording your guitar or narrating a home video.
Do I Need a Mic for My MacBook Pro?
An external microphone is not usually a cheap investment, and those who purchase them usually need them for a regular task.
That could be as mundane as frequent video-conference calls for work where you need others to be able to understand you clearly or as technical as creating your own music in a home recording studio, but the occasional Skype with an old friend will probably be just fine using your Mac’s built-in microphone.
Buying a USB Mic for MacBook Pro: What to Consider?
Size
Depending on your intended use for your microphone, you’ll be comfortable with different levels of portability. For example, if you only plan on recording at home a larger microphone with a bigger footprint may be perfectly fine. However, if you need the mic while at work or have another need to take it wherever your laptop goes, you’ll want to look for something that can become quite a bit more compact.
Recording Pattern
What you plan on recording has a significant impact on which mic you choose. Microphones come in different polar patterns, which is what determines how well they pick up sounds at specific angles (see the “Additional Tips and Tricks” section below to help decide what you’re looking for). This is key to making sure your mic works effectively and records only what you want it to.
Recording Quality
Buying a USB mic means you’re already looking for something a step above what’s built into your Mac, but even so, they come in many different recording qualities. Measured in bits/kHz, the higher this rate is the higher quality your sound will be. Don’t be tricked into paying for something much more technical than you need though – the final file format of your recording could make that rate obsolete, so this isn’t something to worry about if you’re just going to hook up the mic when using Skype.
The Best External Mics for MacBook Pro: Our Picks in 2019
Please note that the mic products recommended below are chosen based on the criteria listed above, plus our personal preferences. They are, however, not intended to be ranked in this order.
1. Blue Snowflake USB Microphone
This microphone is one of the most ideal if you’ll need high-quality recording wherever you go. The compact case expands into a stand that can clip on the top of your MacBook with ease, and the whole device is only about 2.5” thick, making it for easy transport without sacrificing quality since it has a sample rate of 16bit/44kHz.
Pros: It covers all the bases with both an eye-catching design and spot-on functionality. A cardioid condenser, it’s perfect for home narration, podcast recording, or voice calls from your Mac. Also, it doesn’t require any drivers, so works perfectly as soon as you plug it in.
Cons: Not an optimal choice for musicians; quality is more than sufficient for communication but would likely be found lacking when it comes to recording a track.
2. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
If you need something versatile and top-tier quality, the Blue Yeti has you covered. With four different recording patterns available in a single mic, it’s ready for any possible recording situation, from voiceovers to a new record track. You can also connect your headphones directly to it for a complete recording experience.
Pros: The ability to choose between cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo recording patterns means you’ll never sacrifice recording quality no matter the situation. It includes gain control and a mute button. And it’s backed by a two-year warranty so you never have to worry about defects.
Cons: Not built for portability. At almost a foot tall, this mic is meant to stay in one place, such as your home office or recording studio.
3. Apogee MIC PLUS
If you want a mic truly built for Mac, Apogee is the way to go. Besides recording as normal when connected to your MacBook, it also has the ability to connect to your iPad or iPhone and integrate with Garageband for optimal productivity. This is a cardioid condenser microphone.
Pros: At only a bit more than a pound and less than 5 inches tall, this mic is ready to go anywhere and everywhere with you. In addition to a tabletop stand, It also comes with an adapter so that it can fit securely into an existing microphone stand. It’s a great choice for musicians.
Cons: There are some users say that you cannot use the Garageband functionality with iOS 11, although Apogee has been working on the issue.
4. Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Mic
Alright, so the Blue Snowball doesn’t actually come in blue… but the round snowball shape associated with the brand has a reputation for performance for a variety of recording situations. A bit over a pound and close to a foot tall when mounted on the included stand, this mic is ready to go straight out the box with no drivers to install.
Pros: This driverless mic is ready to put in work as soon as you are, with a cardioid pickup pattern and sturdy design that will leave you more than satisfied with the sound. It’s also Skype-certified, lending credibility for the sound quality of any communications you may use it for. Should work nicely for a single-player recording as well.
Cons: Since it picks up sound in front and behind the mic, you may experience some buzzing or humming if you aren’t in a properly arranged space.
Additional Tips & Resources
Picking up on all the lingo of a new technical product or field can be difficult and confusing. When it comes to microphones, one of the key things to learn about is the polarity pattern of your potential purchase. This pattern determines how well sound will be picked up at different angles, which becomes more or less important depending on how you plan to use it. This guide will give you a great explanation of what each pattern means and when each is most useful.
Best Podcast Microphone For Macbook
Once you have the right mic, you’ll also need to make sure to set up your recording properly as well. While it may seem like the best settings are simply pushing all sliders to the max, this actually isn’t the case, and this discussion will help guide you through picking a sampling rate and bit depth that works for what you need.
Final Words
Buying a mic is heavily dependent on what you plan to use it for, and you should always make sure to thoroughly research any model you consider.
All of the models we’ve listed connect to your mac through the USB port, but other types of mics may use the mic/headphone port or some other method, which is also something to consider. Additionally, many come with different kinds of stands or adapters that you may find useful- always check for these!
Do you currently use a USB mic? We’d love to hear what you think of your model and what you look for in picking a new one.