Gear Closet
Your Source For Podcast Knowledge, Know How & Equipment
Microphones: USB Based
Make Your Voice Heard
USB based microphone options are a great way to get into the podcasting game on a budget but yield high quality. The microphones contain the digital converter to allow the mic to be plugged right into your PC or Mac, connect to an audio recording program and get your voice over put down in no time at all.
Blue Snowball Ice USB
Blue Yeti USB
sE Electronics sE2300 USB/XLR Mic
Microphones: XLR Based
Make Your Voice Heard In Analog
XLR based mics require an audio interface of mixer that contains the digital converter to get audio into your computer. Unlike the USB based models, these require additional equipment to operate. The benefit, however, is higher quality audio, better dynamic range and better noise reduction.
Shure SM58
Rode NT1-A
Shure SM7b
Audio Interfaces
The Bridge Between
The audio interface is the is the converter required to get your XLR based microphone into the computer. The interface, as the name suggests, takes your
The Important, Often Forgotten, Goodies
Essential Accesories
These essential items are often overlooked int he process of buying equipment but are needed to hook up everything or, aid in making the process easier and better.
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XLR (Microphone) Cable: Used to connect a microphone to the input of the Interface
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Headphones: Used to hear the playback of what you record as hear yourself as you record
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Microphone Stand: Desktop or Boom Arm, these stands will keep the mic in front of your mouth
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Shockmount: Used to "decouple" the mic from the stand and reduce rumbles and unwanted vibrations transferred from the room to the mic
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Pop Filter: Stops the puffs of air caused by plosives (P & B type sounds)