![]() Like many large dynamics, it needs a powerful preamp, but not as much as the SM7B. It’s an industry standard for good reasons, and if you prefer the way voices sound on traditional radio-studio dynamic microphones, the RE20 sounds much better on more voices than the Shure SM7B. Pop filter: Recommended, $12 mount combo or $10 foamĮlectro-Voice RE20 (XLR dynamic): $450, plus a $100+ XLR interfaceĪ great all-arounder: excellent sound, great suppression of background noise and room echo, and very forgiving of amateur mic technique. This versatile, mid-priced mic is great for most podcasters, with one exception: if your speech has strong sibilance (harsh “sss” sounds), the 87A accentuates that, and you’d be better served by the ETHOS, RE20, or KMS 105. ![]() Its compact, durable enclosure is better suited for travel, stage, or hand-held use than the Earthworks ETHOS or Electro-Voice RE20, although it doesn’t sound quite as good. Its supercardioid pickup pattern captures relatively little room echo and background noise, and it can be powered by inexpensive XLR USB interfaces and portable recorders. Shure Beta 87A (XLR condenser): $260, plus a $100+ XLR interfaceĪn incredibly practical, good-sounding mic. For almost any podcasting needs except hand-held use, stop right here - you’re done. I absolutely love the ETHOS, and I haven’t found a better all-around podcast microphone in the world at any price. Even the built-in swivel mount is a joy to use for quick angle adjustments. It’s sturdy, heavy, and made of stainless steel, yet more compact and attractive compared to other popular microphones (making it great for video). This is the best sound quality I’ve found that’s also practical in a home environment. ![]() Its supercardioid pickup pattern captures relatively little room echo and background noise, it’s extremely easy to drive even from inexpensive XLR interfaces and portable recorders, and has built-in shockmounting and pop filtering. It’s warm, smooth, and detailed, with zero background hiss. 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): $400, 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. $400 range: Earthworks ETHOS (the current best at any price).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. 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.
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