Podcasters Fighting for Better Audio
Independent content creators, particularly podcasters, are frustrated by inconsistent and poor audio quality from their microphones and recording setups. They face issues like background noise, flat sound, dropouts, and limitations with Bluetooth technology, hindering their ability to produce professional-sounding content. Finding reliable and affordable equipment is also proving difficult.
SOURCES (60)
“I know this is a very late answer but in all fairness, you could always use software such as Nvidia Broadcast to get some really great noise cancelling.”
“i'd worry less about cardioid vs omni than distance. get each mic 6 to 8 inches from the mouth and you'll cut way more room than a mic across the table.”
“Hi! I play 2-3 live music shows a week. Me and an acoustic guitar. I'm looking for a microphone I can use to capture content while I play and to record covers outside and at home. I use an iphone pro max and a canon eos r8. What is a mic I can use at my shows OR if I wanted to film covers for youtube on the beach or in the woods or in a field. Anywhere outside. Something that has or I can add a windscreen to. I like the outside noise. I know I can add something and record right from my mixer”
“Also, if you want to keep recording on your iPhone pick up a pair of lavalier mics on Amazon for $15-$20”
“Honestly the Razer Siren Mini is pretty solid runs at about $50 last I checked, don’t underestimate the gaming mics!”
“I have a simple cheap hollyland lark something and just narrated 30mins in my truck at work with the AC on. It doesn’t pick up any of it. I’d say as others are- look into a better mic.”
“Get a mic with better noise cancellation. If it still catches the noise, there are background noise removal tools you can use. Or install krisp while recording”
“Fair - I know they had mentioned a new AI noise reduction / removal feature and heavily promoted it and I was genuinely impressed with some of the before/after but I get it - may just be a "AI rebrand" of existing decent tech... they sure tried to make it sound like it was newerer and improvederer.. though”
“Appreciate your reply! Will take a look at the app you recommended. My videos will be recorded by my desk, so it isn't that big of an issue for me to have a portable setup. If I did go the Neweer route, I am concerned about the lens showing up in the footage, like you explain. Is that not an issue you have experienced with the Elgato?”
Any of the Rodecasters will run those without needing cloud lifters.
“I have a Heil PR40 mic already. I plan on adding the video component, hence the question about webcams.”
“Look for a power bank with USB-PD (Power Delivery) and 30W+ output if you're powering an audio interface or recorder. Standard 5V phone banks often cause subtle ground hum or reset when +48V phantom power is engaged.”
“I get that. Maybe grab a Samson Q2U on Amazon. If you dont like it, send it back! Good luck. It looks like you all are really into the content you are making. Thats so nice to see:)”
“Thank you for the feedback! I got this mic maybe a decade ago for music/vocal recording purposes and it sat in the case for years. Figured I'd rather re-use it if possible since it was pricey back then if I don't need to buy another.”
“Sorry for any confusion on the scratch test. I was thinking about dynamic mics, which I tend to use more because I and most of my clients record in untreated spaces. Your Sterling ST55 is actually a condenser mic, so the scratch test is more meaningful than I initially gave it credit for. If the scratch test confirms the ST55 is definitely being picked up but your voice is still coming through very quietly and/or with a lot of reverb, I’d check a few other things next. Make sure 48V phantom powe”
“It sounds like its picking up your laptop mic, not the one you're talking into. If it's a dynamic mic and you tap on it, you should be able to hear it in your headphones. That will tell you it's using the right mic.”
this right here, mic technique alone can make a huge difference tbh
“Without hearing samples it's hard to say, but the most likely answer is acoustic treatment and mic technique. If you're in a less treated room, it really doesn't matter what mic is being used, it won't sound as good.”
“Hi all I’m looking for a solution for one of my cameras to have my wireless mic kit on it, in a compact way. I was just wondering if someone can point me in the right direction or could help me design it. My camera only has the Mini Advanced Shoe for the Canon Camcorder I’m using. It’s an older camera, but this is what I’m using. Using the DJi Mic 3 kit. I don’t own my own 3D printer, however I have access to one. But would be happy to pay for print and shipping if needed. If anyone has any solu”
“Just recently I went to record audio for a video and put it into the editor, only to find it was severely muted. Went to check my sound settings and Windows had again turned down my mic's volume to 40%. This isn't the first time it's happened to me, and assuming it happens to others as well, it can be a significant contribution to worsened mic quality. For anyone on Windows having audio issues like this, make sure to check your sound input volume. submitted by /u/ColsonTh”
“Not getting complaints about your audio doesn’t mean there aren’t any. It can be difficult to know what good audio sounds like if you are new to this.”
“DaVinci Resolve (free) also has auto sync of video and sound and works great. I use the same type of camera as you + separate mics.”
“Start with a PodTrak P4Next. Small, affordable and portable. For mics, I suggest Zoom SM1 or similar condenser types. For cans (headphones), basic Audio Technica. M20 to m40s. Get your feet oon the ground then start upgrading gradually. There are plenty of services out there to promulgated your recorded episodes.”
“Is you use a Mac, I recommend ecamm. I record video audio with it and edit in my editing software.”
“If you're not noticing echo in the audio playback, it should be fine. Outside of professional sound treatment, the easiest way to cut down echo in a room is to have non-reflective stuff in the environment. Softer materials tend to work best but books could be OK. Concrete and glass tend to be more reflective, in my experience. (Disclosure: I work with the Blubrry support team.)”
“What microphone are you using, and how far is it from your mouth? Proper mic selection and technique will make a huge difference in your environment. It's not everything, but it can reduce a lot of issues. For example, if you have a perfectly acoustically treated environment, you can get great audio from a condenser mic a foot away from your mouth. But in a normal room, especially if you have hard floors or flat walls (i.e., no furniture in front of the walls), you would get a lot more rever”
“I have my own 9x9 office. There’s a lot of furniture and books in it. Do I need to worry about echos in the recording? The playback sounds fine but do I need to zoom in to detect noise somehow? What’s acceptable? I’m also debating on doing voiceovers, as well, and the topic came up. submitted by /u/MoonstoneBerry [link] [comments]”
“my english isnt perfect so sorry if this sounds weird but have you checked the settings in OBS? you can add a pitch filter directly to your mic input without needing any extra cables or routing. just right click your audio source, go to filters, add "pitch" from the vst plugins. works in realtime and its free i used to do the same thing with a virtual cable setup and it was such headache. this is way cleaner”
“If there is no mic or other input to a channel, the track will be silent regardless of the mute button.”
“I have used a 2nd gen 2i2 on a Mac for hundreds of hours of recording and never had to power cycle anything, nor has it ever done anything other than behave as an impeccable, low-noise mic pre. Have you considered that your unit might be defective?”
“I use a 2nd gen 2i2 for podcasting and instrument recording. I have a Shure SM57 and an SM58, that I bought second hand 20 years ago - they're bulletproof, they work fine with a very low noise floor. The SM58 is better for my particular voice; I wind up mic'ing guitars with the SM57 for the most part. I'd recommend my setup to anyone, and I don't think you get much better audio without spending thousands of dollars on tiny marginal gains. Looking at other comments here: I've”
“100% agree on the SD card thing. no reason not to have a safety net while the workflow is still shaky”
“The computer with the RC2 Pro, is it logged into Riverside and recording video also? If so, which audio inputs do you select in Riverside on the computer? Is it a Mac or Windows PC? How many microphones are plugged into the RC2 Pro?”
“There’s some good videos on YouTube on how to use the Rodecaster with Riverside. I used those when I was starting out.”
“The RØDECaster won't automatically replace the phones' audio just because it's connected to the computer. In Riverside, open Studio Settings and select RØDECaster Pro II Chat as the input. Run a 30-second test and make sure Riverside's meter is moving and the recording actually contains the microphones before you do another episode. I would also push back on not using a microSD card. You don't need one to send audio to Riverside, but it gives you a separate backup recording.”
“Bro, hearing how well that microphine were takes eq… it's a no brainer. I'm ordering a pair!”
“My Hardware: Behringer X1222USB mixer - USB into PC Shure SM7B - XLR to mixer This XLR cable - https://www.amazon.com/FIBBR-Microphone-Braided-Balanced-Compatible/dp/B09Q1186SQ Phantom power is enabled and showing on the mixer. My Shure is connected to the mixer via XLR (I have tried all 4 main inputs). I have to crank the Gain to MAX to get any kind of decent recording volume, and that's with me an inch from the microphone. Pics for reference - https://imgur.com/gallery/very-low-volume-from”
“Hey guys, can you pls share the best mic link on Flipkart/Amazon under 1500rs for content creation? It will be more than a help. Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/badatplans [link] [comments]”
“Just for some reference, I went for the Rode Caster Duo and the sound is impeccable! Well worth spending the extra cash for a quality sound! Thank you all for your help :)”
“Samson Q2U! I used mine when there was drilling in the apartment above ours. hardly heard a thing.”
“Realistically I don't think you'd be able to record your voice over and screen record the thing you want to watch all at the same time on just your Samsung. I think your best bet would be getting a separate device (laptop with a microphone preferably) and record you audio on that device with an application like audacity - then you can sync up your voice over with what you do on your samsung. Thats the best way I can think of doing it - all the best man”
“What mic are you using when you say quality mic? It took me a decent bit of experimentation to find the right positioning and levels on mine.”
“if you used two computers through the same virtual room, that's probably creating part of the echo. Record each mic locally with both laptop speakers muted, clap once for sync, then line the files up in edit instead of routing either person's audio back through the room.”
“Pretty much what the title says. For the last year or so, I've been recording all of my video while wearing a mask as I don't want to show my face. While obviously it affected my audio, I never thought it was too major and I never got any complaints about it. Fast forward to now, and my last two videos have both had tons of comments complaining about the mask saying it's ruining my audio. I'm a little stuck, because I know my audio is bad (it's really quiet no matter what I d”
“With just two of you, I would think you could sidechain each person’s track to the other’s and get decent results. With more than two, you need an Automixer. If you’re having persistent reverb (what I’m guessing you’re calling echo,) the only sure-fire fix is sound treatment of your physical space. On-the-cheap, you can try hanging some moving blankets. Make sure you’re consistently and sufficiently close to your mics. That’s really quite important especially with multiple open mics in one space”
“Get the Rode, and you’ll get the results your environment will allow. The other mics won’t make noise any less present. Having recorded podcasts all week with the SM7b. I still love it and would say the MV7+ is worth stretching your budget for.”
“Condenser is NOT what you want in a noisy setting - You'll hear your neighbors farts reverberating through the floor. For $400, you could get a brand new Scarlett 2i2 (4th gen) and a pair of SM58s. For $200, you could get a Gen3 2i2 (Look on reverb.com) AND a pair of Behringer XM8500s , which sound pretty dang good once EQ'd . In your shoes, I'd spend the $200, and then spend another $100 on DIY sound treatment. I record on SM58s with 4 performers and an acoustic guitar in one modera”
Get this Rode mic. It’s an inexpensive workhorse. https://a.co/d/0efPxYgC
“"the FIFINE T669 mic picks up everything that's around you." ... welcome to using a microphone, that's exactly what it's supposed to do. This is a user error for a fact. You said you tried using it in Audacity to removing the static. What static? I don't have static in mine. Try gating, LOWERING your gain on your interface even your mac itself. Probably getting too much input signal. Try EQ'ing frequencies that are in the way. You didn't make a mistake, you made”
“I’m using a Shure MV7+ through XLR with a Scarlett Solo 4th Gen, and I’m curious how much gain you guys normally use. I know the MV7+ is a pretty quiet, low-sensitivity mic over XLR, so it needs a decent amount of gain. I’m trying to get a warm, full sound without introducing too much preamp noise. Right now I have the gain knob at around 80%. Is that normal for the MV7+ with a Scarlett Solo 4th Gen, or would you recommend running it lower/higher? Would love to hear what gain settings other MV7+”