Podcasting setup at DVinfo.net

Kathy Smith · September 5th, 2020, 06:06 AM

Hi,

I'm getting more and more into recording podcasts at home. I currently have Schoeps MINICMIT and Sound Devices mixpre-3 for equipment. Is this setup OK for podcasts? I mean I keep seeing people using cheap Blue Snowball mics so I think mine is better than that but maybe I need a different kind of microphone? This is obviously no different than doing a voice-over. If my setup is OK, I should probably just add a pop filter. I'm planning to record everything under a sound blanket. What do you guys think of my current equipment for this kind of work?

Rick Reineke · September 5th, 2020, 09:17 AM

The Schoeps MINICMIT is not an atypical narration mic, but neither is the Sennheiser 416 .. which is the preferred mic for some A-list VO artists, so draw your own conclusion.

Kathy Smith · September 5th, 2020, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

The Schoeps MINICMIT is not an atypical narration mic, but neither is the Sennheiser 416 .. which is the preferred mic for some A-list VO artists, so draw your own conclusion.

What makes a mic a narration mic?

Paul R Johnson · September 5th, 2020, 11:39 AM

What makes a narration mic? The cynical answer is the one that looks coolest in-vision, so the tubes with balls on the end, or of course an SM-7B work well. In audio terms though, just just want one that flatters all kinds of talent. Some are great mics and don't do narration that well. My favourite, the AKG 414 isn't very nice on female voices, so I like something a bit 'mellower'.

Kathy Smith · September 5th, 2020, 12:50 PM

What do you think of this mic: https://www.bluemic.com/en-us/products/yeti-pro/

Allan Black · September 5th, 2020, 03:56 PM

Kathy, you could easily get a suitable more economical mic. than the Blue Yeti Pro model.

You need a mic. that sounds good with your voice. Try calling B&H one of the NY stores and a sponsor here. They’re very helpful and they’ll help you with your podcast set up. You could arrange an appointment to go there, try a few mics and probably take one home on approval. Ask about trading in your existing gear too.

No, I’m not paid to promote them, when we’re in NY, I enjoy visiting their amazing store, take your credit card.

Cheers.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/brows...2855/KBID/3801

Rick Reineke · September 5th, 2020, 05:38 PM

The Blue Yeti is a popular podcast mic,. Multiple patterns and USB, The dual (XLR) option is not all that much more so it can be used with usual pro audio gear as well
Many of the these type mics are in short supply at this time, I surmise the shortage is due in part to COVID-19.
If your in NYC, stop in to B&H, if only for the spectacle .. multiple floors of pro and consumer gear. That area, (a short distance west of MSG and Penn Station), is 'still' relativity safe IMO, (despite the asshole mayor's efforts to make all of Manhattan a haven for criminals and other ne'er-do-wells).

Allan Black · September 5th, 2020, 06:15 PM

Rick, Covid has killed our NY visit this year, miss the B&H spectacle but we can buy on line. I bet they sell more there than ever before.

Kathy, check their Covid safe rules but get to B&H early, one Sunday morning I waited an hour in the queue to get in. But it was worth it and prices are better than in Sydney.

And (safe) walking distance away from B&H there’s Adorama, not as big but if you have the time, they’re worth visiting too.

Cheers.

https://www.adorama.com/g/nyc-store?kbid=68009

Kathy Smith · September 6th, 2020, 04:57 AM

Thanks everyone. I've been to B&H many times so I'm well aware of their assortment. I'm not the talent so testing a mic with my voice won't help. Having an option of USB and XLR connection seems like a perfect solution, as the mic will be connected to mixpre-3 for voice-overs but there will be times the talent will be performing remote interviews, so she will need to connect the mic to her computer. I won't be present for the recording sessions as we are not allowed to mingle. I'm OK with the interview part being lower quality because I can't control what the guest speaker on the other end will use anyway.

September 5th, 2020, 06:06 AM	#1
Kathy Smith Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY, NY USA Posts: 519	Podcasting setup Hi, I'm getting more and more into recording podcasts at home. I currently have Schoeps MINICMIT and Sound Devices mixpre-3 for equipment. Is this setup OK for podcasts? I mean I keep seeing people using cheap Blue Snowball mics so I think mine is better than that but maybe I need a different kind of microphone? This is obviously no different than doing a voice-over. If my setup is OK, I should probably just add a pop filter. I'm planning to record everything under a sound blanket. What do you guys think of my current equipment for this kind of work?

September 5th, 2020, 09:17 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Podcasting setup The Schoeps MINICMIT is not an atypical narration mic, but neither is the Sennheiser 416 .. which is the preferred mic for some A-list VO artists, so draw your own conclusion.

September 5th, 2020, 11:39 AM	#4
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,016	Re: Podcasting setup What makes a narration mic? The cynical answer is the one that looks coolest in-vision, so the tubes with balls on the end, or of course an SM-7B work well. In audio terms though, just just want one that flatters all kinds of talent. Some are great mics and don't do narration that well. My favourite, the AKG 414 isn't very nice on female voices, so I like something a bit 'mellower'.

September 5th, 2020, 12:50 PM	#5
Kathy Smith Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY, NY USA Posts: 519	Re: Podcasting setup What do you think of this mic: https://www.bluemic.com/en-us/products/yeti-pro/

September 5th, 2020, 03:56 PM	#6
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Re: Podcasting setup Kathy, you could easily get a suitable more economical mic. than the Blue Yeti Pro model. You need a mic. that sounds good with your voice. Try calling B&H one of the NY stores and a sponsor here. They’re very helpful and they’ll help you with your podcast set up. You could arrange an appointment to go there, try a few mics and probably take one home on approval. Ask about trading in your existing gear too. No, I’m not paid to promote them, when we’re in NY, I enjoy visiting their amazing store, take your credit card. Cheers. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/brows...2855/KBID/3801 __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

September 5th, 2020, 05:38 PM	#7
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Podcasting setup The Blue Yeti is a popular podcast mic,. Multiple patterns and USB, The dual (XLR) option is not all that much more so it can be used with usual pro audio gear as well Many of the these type mics are in short supply at this time, I surmise the shortage is due in part to COVID-19. If your in NYC, stop in to B&H, if only for the spectacle .. multiple floors of pro and consumer gear. That area, (a short distance west of MSG and Penn Station), is 'still' relativity safe IMO, (despite the asshole mayor's efforts to make all of Manhattan a haven for criminals and other ne'er-do-wells).

September 5th, 2020, 06:15 PM	#8
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Re: Podcasting setup Rick, Covid has killed our NY visit this year, miss the B&H spectacle but we can buy on line. I bet they sell more there than ever before. Kathy, check their Covid safe rules but get to B&H early, one Sunday morning I waited an hour in the queue to get in. But it was worth it and prices are better than in Sydney. And (safe) walking distance away from B&H there’s Adorama, not as big but if you have the time, they’re worth visiting too. Cheers. https://www.adorama.com/g/nyc-store?kbid=68009 __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

September 6th, 2020, 04:57 AM	#9
Kathy Smith Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY, NY USA Posts: 519	Re: Podcasting setup Thanks everyone. I've been to B&H many times so I'm well aware of their assortment. I'm not the talent so testing a mic with my voice won't help. Having an option of USB and XLR connection seems like a perfect solution, as the mic will be connected to mixpre-3 for voice-overs but there will be times the talent will be performing remote interviews, so she will need to connect the mic to her computer. I won't be present for the recording sessions as we are not allowed to mingle. I'm OK with the interview part being lower quality because I can't control what the guest speaker on the other end will use anyway.