
Shure Beta 87A (XLR condenser): $260, plus a $100+ XLR interfaceĪn incredibly practical, good-sounding mic for the non-professional recording environments that most podcasters use. If you can handle the price, stop right here - you’re done. I absolutely love it, and its high price compared to other podcasting mics is its only downside. It’s sturdy and heavy, made of stainless steel, yet more compact and attractive (good for video) compared to other mics with integrated shockmounting and pop filtering (like the SM7B). This is the best sound quality I’ve found that’s also practical in a home environment.
#Podcast microphone for macbook air portable
Its supercardioid pickup pattern is very good at suppressing noise and room echo, it’s extremely easy to drive even from inexpensive XLR interfaces and portable recorders, and it doesn’t need a shockmount or pop filter. It’s warm, smooth, and detailed, with zero background hiss, sounding very similar to the KMS 105. Incredible sound and practicality, and my favorite mic to date. And while we both have podcasts, neither of us are professionally trained announcers or have a background in radio - just like most podcasters.Īll audio samples were captured without any processing except loudness normalization to –18 LUFS.įrom most to least favorite, considering sound quality, value, and practicality for podcasters who aren’t recording in professional studios:Įarthworks ETHOS (XLR condenser): $700, plus a $100+ XLR interface

I speak more loudly, and her quieter levels reveal background hiss more easily.

I need more midrange smoothness, while she needs more sibilance suppression. My voice is more “picky” with mics, while she sounds great on almost anything. I’ve provided sound samples from both my wife and me for comparison: I have a more nasal voice, while she has a smoother tone. dynamic and pickup patternsĮvery microphone accentuates and suppresses different characteristics, so what works for one person may not sound as good with another. Some commonly recommended mics were disappointing, some were right on, and I’ve found some real gems that were previously unknown in my podcasting circles. And almost no reviews include audio samples to compare.
#Podcast microphone for macbook air pro
It’s hard to find useful microphone recommendations for podcasters: most people have only tried one or two, and pro audio engineers recommend mics designed for very different environments than the rooms most podcasters record in.

Updated on Mato add Earthworks ETHOS, Earthworks ICON, and Shure MV7. A programmer, writer, podcaster, geek, and coffee enthusiast.
