If you are looking for information on the best podcasting microphones, then this post has a list of microphones that I recommend for budget-conscious podcasters.
Podcasting is all about audio.
But what good is audio if it is not listenable?
And producing audio that is listenable has two aspects – the recording quality and the editing quality.
While I am not a big fan of spending hours editing your audio to make it fit for a surround-sound audio system, I am a big advocate of using a good microphone for recording your audio.
But then, it isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Like with most other things in technology, you are faced with an abundance of choices and varieties, which makes picking the right microphone for your podcast a difficult task.
There are so many microphones in the market that it can be difficult to know which one is the best.
From dynamic to condenser microphones and USB to XLR microphones, there is a microphone out there for everyone.
While a good microphone may cost you some money, it is an investment that you need to make.
And this post will look at some of the best podcasting microphones under Rs.5000, for podcasts and why it’s important to make the right choice.
If you are looking for information on the different kinds of microphones, you can listen to this episode or, read the post there.
Best Podcasting Microphones under Rs.5000
The decision to go for a condenser microphone or, a dynamic microphone will depend upon your requirements.
If you are planning on recording solo for your show, then the ideal one to go for is a dynamic microphone. But if you have more than one person recording together at one place, then a Condenser microphone is a good choice.
Condenser Microphones
With Condenser Microphones, it means you will need to record at a quiet time and place because they tend to pick up noise from around. But condenser microphones are cost-effective.
The earlier versions of these microphones were all XLR, which meant that you will need an audio interface to plug them into. But these days, you also get a lot of USB microphones which are slightly costlier than the XLR ones but easy to handle.
Here’s a list of the best condenser microphones under Rs.5000 that are all USB devices. All of these can directly be plugged into your computer and then used for recording.
Dynamic Microphones
Most podcasters prefer dynamic microphones because of the very fact that they pick up very less of the noise and sound from the surroundings.
They are durable and easy to use as well.
But the only downside to these microphones is the fact that they are slightly on the higher side when it comes to the cost.
You might find some cheaper ones as well, but they don’t sound that well. Hence it is recommended that you go for only the better ones that are specifically made for podcasters.
While it is recommended that you record at a quiet time and place, it isn’t necessarily required.
Most of these are USB microphones and hence can be plugged in directly to your computers, though you might be able to find one with XLR option as well, if that is something you prefer.
Audio Technica ATR2100X –
This is what most serious beginner podcasters use. It is a long-term podcasting microphone, meaning you can use it for the long term and even after you become an experienced podcaster. But this one is slightly the higher side when it comes to price, but totally worth it.
If you can shell out that extra money, then I would recommend going for it. It is priced at around Rs.8000.
Hybrid Microphones
Truth be told, there isn’t anything called as hybrid microphones.
But the reason I am using that term here is because I can better explain how these microphones work.
Usually, all the dynamic microphones have a singular or, uni-directional polar pattern (you can read more about polar patterns in this article)
It basically means that it picks up voice only from the front of the microphone.
Condenser microphones usually have an omnidirectional pickup pattern, which means that it picks up audio from all around the microphone.
With these microphones that I call as “hybrid microphones”, you can adjust the pickup pattern using a simple knob. Since you have an option to adjust the polar patterns, I call them “hybrid microphones”.
With these hybrid microphones you can select the option – to record everything around including noise or, only what is there in front of it (your voice). These microphones are from Blue and are slightly costly between Rs.6000 – Rs. 10,000
Blue Snowball USB
The best podcasting microphone around the Rs.6,000 range, this one has an adjustable pickup pattern.
I really like the look of this microphone and it is simple to use. Just plug it into your computer and place it on your desktop.
Blue Yeti Microphone
This is my favorite beginner podcasting microphone and the one that I use these days along with my condenser microphone.
I like the construction quality and the looks of the microphones from Blue. The Yeti is another masterpiece, both from a look and from a usage perspective as well.
If you have the budget, then this is another recommended beginner podcasting microphone that will be with you for a long time.
Conclusion – The Best Podcasting Microphones
As a podcaster, it is important that your message is conveyed to your audience in the best possible audio and only a good quality microphone can do it.
With so many options in the market, it can be a difficult decision on which microphone is the right one. I hope this article on the best podcasting microphones for around Rs.5,000 helps you pick the best and most affordable one for yourself.
Comment below and let me know your thoughts!
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