Standalone Microphone Suggestions

When it comes to podcasting, high-quality audio is essential. Wired microphones and headsets deliver consistent, reliable, and professional sound that wireless options simply can’t match.

If you want to try for a more professional feeling setup, you can try a standalone microphone and headset setup.

Standalone Microphone and Headset Suggestions

We recommend the following dedicated microphones:

• Blue Yeti
• Blue Yeti Nano
• FIFINE USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone

If you choose to go with a standalone microphone, then you will need two additional components: headphones and a cable.

Wired Headphones

We recommend wired over-the-ear headphones, which eliminate feedback and echoes. You can also use wired earbuds or any wired over-the-ear headphones as long as they have a 3.5mm jack. Some suggestions are:

• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
• Samson SR950
• TASCAM TH-02

USB Cable

The microphone you purchase should come with a USB cable to connect it to your computer. If it does not, you will need to purchase a cable separately. Make sure that you have the correct connections for the microphone and your computer.

Testing Your Microphone

We recommend that you test whatever microphone you use before joining the show. You can test your microphone here.

Here are some tips for optimizing the quality of your voice when using a standalone microphone:

• If your microphone has a direction setting, change it to the “cardioid pattern” setting. This will make sure the microphone only picks up sound from the front of the microphone and eliminates picking up other sounds in your room.
  • Yeti microphones: Locate the “pattern” knob on the back of the microphone and rotate it to select cardioid (the heart-shaped icon).
  • FIFINE: This is automatically set to cardioid.
• Do multiple test recordings and listen to them with headphones. Pay attention to details like background noise, clarity, and overall sound quality.
  • Record yourself speaking at different volumes and distances from the microphone.
  • Try different positions in your recording space to find the sweet spot with the least amount of echo or background noise.
  • Record a few sentences with and without a pop filter to hear the difference.
• Record in a room with a lot of soft surfaces (e.g., carpets, rugs, couches, curtains, etc.) to eliminate echoes.
• To minimize plosives, use a pop filter or maintain a slight distance from the microphone. To reduce sibilance, experiment with microphone placement or consider a de-esser software plugin.
• Maintain a consistent distance from the microphone (around 4-6 inches) and avoid moving your head too much while speaking.
• Just like singers, warm up your voice before recording. Do some vocal exercises to loosen up your vocal cords and improve clarity.