Looking to Get A Podcast Microphone

**Melf** · 29 Jan 2012, 01:55 PM

I want to be able to participate in TNL's podcasts and eventually hope to start up one for Sega-16. The thing is, I've never been involved in one before. Questions:

What kind of microphone should I get? I don't have a lot of money for one now, and I can spend around $50. Is that enough for a decent one? I'd also like to use it for Sega-16's video review series.
What programs do I need? I figure Skype and Audacity are musts, but do I need anything else?

I figure I'll learn the logistics of a podcast when Nick or the TNL crew have me on eventually, so I just need to know what equipment I need.

**Josh** · 29 Jan 2012, 04:54 PM

Wait until you have $100.

Really.

**Melf** · 29 Jan 2012, 05:05 PM

I was kind of thinking the same thing, after looking at them on Amazon. All the good ones are $100+.

Any recommendations?

**jyoung** · 29 Jan 2012, 05:32 PM

I'm not sure if this is the exact model, but I have one of those Samson USB condenser mics:

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-CO1U-US.../dp/B000AP1RE8

They're good. I've used it before for a radio show.

**Josh** · 29 Jan 2012, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Melf

I was kind of thinking the same thing, after looking at them on Amazon. All the good ones are $100+.Any recommendations?

Get at me via email or PM or I will forget. I use a Neumann TLM 103 if you wanna roll like a baller.

**MarkRyan** · 30 Jan 2012, 01:04 AM

We use Audio Technica AT2020s for our podcast. Looks like the USB version is quite a bit pricer, assuming that's what you want.

**Josh** · 30 Jan 2012, 12:26 PM

Cheaper to get the USB mic than it is to buy a USB interface with phantom power and the XLR mic.

**Mzo** · 30 Jan 2012, 08:36 PM

Would there be a point where a really nice mic is bottlenecked by not having a dedicated sound card?

**Nick** · 30 Jan 2012, 08:55 PM

I have the Samson USB mic that jyoung linked. It's perfect for the podcast. Unless I'm mistaken, USB mics don't depend on having a good sound card.

We use Skype and Audacity. If you're only doing a solo recording, you don't even need Skype.

Record each particpant in a separate sound file and have something like MP3 Skype recorder recording the group as a back-up option.