The power of a $25 mic & how it will skyrocket your podcast quality
I find myself reiterating this point to those looking to start a Podcast. Your microphone and podcast equipment does not need to be expensive, especially as a beginner.
A small investment goes a long way and you can achieve a lot with a cheap podcast microphone.
Poor audio quality is without a doubt the biggest issue I come across in Podcasting and yet it’s easy to go from poor audio to very acceptable audio, with a minimal amount of money. Mic used below is the Jabnecter Headset mic
Starting a podcast? Here are two things you should not do
Don’t Spend big money on podcast equipment packages
Don’t Spend zero money and use an inbuilt laptop microphone to record a podcast
So many Podcast beginners do a search for “podcast equipment packages” and get sold an expensive microphone, an interface, XLR cables, mic stands, pop shields. All these things are good in the right environment, but you need to know how to use them and get advice or training from an expert.
Recording equipment marketing adds words like “pro” to the name of their gear to make it seem more appealing. The buyer thinks, “buying pro gear will make me sound like a pro”. It’s really not the case. Expensive Recording equipment is conditional.
There is no microphone or software that will make you sound great without some level of knowledge on how to use it.
The complexity that comes with expensive equipment always leads me to advise new podcasters to keep it simple! Don’t go all out on equipment at the start. There is a much easier and cheap way to start podcasting without sacrificing quality.
My second point. Using an inbuilt laptop microphone is an absolute turn-off, it sounds terrible, and no listener should be subjected to it for long periods.
With so many Podcasts out there, don’t give the listener the opportunity to switch over. This is such an easy win for a new Podcaster. Get your audio half decent. It doesn’t have to be studio quality, just clear and concise.
the humble headset mic is guaranteed to deliver
As podcasting becomes more and more popular and shows no signs of slowing down, the competition for ears is rising rapidly. With that, it astonishes me that people continue to record Podcasts without a microphone.
I always recommend starting with a 30 dollar / euro headset mic as a great solution. There is no need to spend big, a headset mic is a very clever option for Podcasting and extremely cost-effective.
Headset vs Inbuilt: Mic testing the difference
With just 30 euro or dollars you can your Podcast audio quality sounding 10 times better than an inbuilt laptop mic. Here are some mic tests that I recorded myself.
Just listen to the difference a cheap headset podcast microphone makes in comparison to using the laptop mic:
Here is another sample below where both guests used the Jabnecter Headset mic, check out the professional quality it can give:
Save your money: why going cheaper is sometimes better
More advanced and expensive microphones are not recommended for beginners.
I would say 50% of Podcasters who use more expensive microphones end up with bad audio quality and would be better off with a cheap headset microphone and here’s why.
I mentioned the biggest mistake in Podcasting that I hear is not using a microphone… The second biggest mistake is using an expensive microphone incorrectly.
I see the following mistakes ALL THE TIME from podcasters who use more advanced microphones:
Sitting too far away from the mic.
Positioning the mic in a bad place.
Recording in a bad room for the microphone they use.
Recording without headphones and having no idea what’s being recorded.
Struggling with the complexities of a more advanced mic.
All of the above issues disappear by spending a tiny amount of money and buying a headset mic.
Why headset mics are underrated for Podcasting
The use of an inexpensive headset mic for Podcasting means:
You save money.
They double up as headphones
It works the same in almost any space
The setup and ongoing use are easy.
You don’t need to worry about positioning or mic technique.
Headset mics are guaranteed to deliver a certain level of standard for a beginner.
Check out the video below where I test out a cheap podcast mic (headset) vs a dynamic mic twice the price (I take out the headset mic at 2:27, have a listen and compare it with the dynamic mic I use at the start):
Which headset microphone to go for
What headset mic you choose for Podcasting ultimately depends on your budget. While I found an excellent one for 30 euro, you can easily spend more if you have the budget and get something more comfortable and with better audio quality.
Here is what I recommend as a starting point or a superb value headset mic:
Jabnecter Headset Microphone - a $25 dollar Podcast mic bargain!
This is the set I used above in the video and the audio sample further up the page. The main thing to remember with this set is not to have the mic too close to your mouth. They sound great, especially after a touch of processing and noise reduction. More than acceptable audio quality for a Podcast.
Sennheiser PC 8 USB
Sennheiser also manufactures good headset mics, while they are a little more expensive they will do a very similar job. The audio quality, to me sounds a little bit more lo-fi but the build of the headset is maybe a little stronger.
Encourage your guests to use headset microphones
It’s very hard to expect guests to have good recording equipment. However, if you can get them wearing a headset mic, you are really going to have such a better and more listenable finished product.
You should always ask guests if they have a headset mic. Many will have 1 lying around the office and may not realise the value it brings to a Podcast recording. If they don’t, encourage them to get one. Tell them the benefits of being a frequent guest on podcasts can bring to them. Tell them how a small 20 dollar or euro investment will ensure that they always sound good on a Podcast.
Educate your guests on Podcasting and recording. The more that people are using better recording the devices, the more the industry standard of Podcasting will rise.
Headset mic plosives and how to avoid
This is maybe the one drawback of a headset mic. They can cause a lot of plosives. These are loud puffs of air sounds that hit the microphone hard, usually on ‘p’ sounds.
The best way to reduce plosives with a headset mic is to adjust the position. Make sure it’s not too close to your mouth. Experiment with some different distances and see how it sounds.
EQ is another good way to reduce plosives in post-production. With some minimum knowledge on EQ you will be able to filter out pops from a recording with ease.
One final common mistake to avoid
Whether using Zoom, Riverside, Zencastr or recording directly into Audacity, there is 1 mistake I see all the time. With every recording software you will have the option to select your input device (microphone). If you don’t double check what is selected as your input, your software may be recording your inbuilt laptop mic and you may not realise until you listen back when it’s done. At this point it’s too late.
Get in the habit of checking which input is selected before you start each Podcast.
Don’t speak when doing a test, saying “hello, 1, 2, 3” will still read on your software if you have the wrong device selected. Instead, tap the microphone you want to use, look for levels when tapping and ask your guest on the other end if they can hear tapping.
