Getting Started: Page (1) of 2 - 03/30/06

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Deciding on equipment that you?ll need for your podcast can be a daunting task.  What mic do you need?  Is a mixer a requirement?  And how do you get the sound into your computer?  In this installment, I?ll offer some solutions for beginners.

Microphones
You have to start somewhere, so why not with audio getting from your mouth to your listeners ears.  Microphones can range from cheap solutions found at your local super store to multi-thousand dollar solutions.  For the beginner you need to be concerned with capturing clean, clear, and consistent sound (the three Cs).  But as a beginner you don?t want to spend pro prices.  Here are some offerings for around $100.

Shure SM58 - $99.00 (street) $188 (MSRP)
This is a great rugged dynamic microphone that has been used for years.  This dynamic cardioid microphone has a good pickup pattern, and is excellent for handheld interviews in the field or resting in a stand in the studio.

Audio-Technica AT2020 - $99.00 (street) $169 (MSRP)
This is a fairly new addition t the Audio-Technica line.  The AT2020 is also a condenser microphone that has low self noise, and a wide dynamic range for capturing all sorts of sounds.  This microphone is designed for in studio use, and because it is a condenser needs power fed via phantom power from a mixer or analog to digital converter.

Pop Filter/Windscreen
Go ahead and invest in a pop filter or windscreen for these microphones.  The windscreen is a piece of foam that fits around the head of the mic and traps the wind from reaching the microphone, and can protect the internal mechanisms from spit flying from the performer?s mouth (yuck!).   Windscreens for the above microphones will run between $5 and $20.

One of the biggest problems with novices recording their voice is getting hard hits from plosive sounds like the Ps and Bs.  A simple solution is to get a pop filter.  This consists of a nylon material stretched across a (usually) circular frame.  This is then attached to a flexible gooseneck arm that can then connect to your mic stand.  On the low end, a pop filter will run your $25.

Microphone stands and booms
The problem with holding a microphone in your hand any movement of your hand will translate to noise in the mic.  To solve this problem, you need to get that mic in a stand of some sort.  If you don?t have a specific area where you plan on recording your podcast each week, a simple table stand may be all you need.  Don?t worry about buying this online, your local electronic house type store has these in stock for around $15.  While it is not a bad price, you should be on the lookout for table stands that have telescoping capabilities to get the mic at the proper height for you.

If you are a stander, or someone who needs to keep the area in front of you empty for laptops, or scripts, you might consider a simple boom mic stand.  This type of stand can be found for less than $30 at most music supply stores. 

Finally, if you are going to go all out and are looking for a more permanent and flexible solution, check out a boom arm.   These give you the professional look of a podcasting pro.  With a flexible arm, you can position the mic where ever is most comfortable for you, and because it folds up, can easily be moved out of the way when you are not creating your show.  I have an OC White ProBoom desk mount mic stand in my podcast studio and it works great.  These type of booms often come with an over monitor extension that allows you to permanently mount the mic behind your computer screen, allowing it to hang in front of you while you gathering information from news sites, or recording your show.  If you want more flexibility, you can get a table clamp attachment that allows you to attach the stand to the edge of a table.  The entire OC White ProBoom setup streets for $89.00.

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