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For no reason I can pinpoint, I’ve been missing my old radio days. Got so bad, I decided it was time to start podcasting. You know, talking into a microphone like a have an actual radio-sized audience, then posting the resulting MP3 file for you to listen to.
If I really decide to do this thing, it’ll be the unholy offspring of vanity and nostalga. But, hey, who doesn’t love a baby?
NOTE: After three-plus years of blogging, a little fact just hit me. When I was doing small-market morning radio for damn near minimum wage, I had a bigger audience than I get here on the internet. And let me tell you: I’m a lazy blogger, but I was an even lazier broadcaster. Puts things in perspective, no? On the other hand, I like you people a lot more than I liked most of my neighbors in Humboldt County, CA.
Anyway, I’m looking for a good mic. Something less than a hundred bucks, yet won’t pick up all my popping P’s. An inexpensive, yet forgiving, microphone. A cheap hooker with a heart of gold I can talk dirty into without having to pay extra.
Got any advice?
My advice would be not to worry about stuff like the microphone. Just record your ‘cast using your built-in mike on your Powerbook or whatever. Content first, presentation second.
Stephen, I won’t lie to you. This is my way of saying “Let’s find out if you’re any good before you invest any money in this thing.”
I use a Logitech USB headset. Whatever you get, I recommend getting USB, because direct plug in microphones always end up having problems with electrical noise being generated by the wires, especially at the point near the plug where it tends to get bent sharply.
Any of the headsets here are good:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/productlistns/US/EN,crid=101
Also, I use Audacity to mix sound. It’s freeware, I think under a GNU license.
NOTE: After three-plus years of blogging, a little fact just hit me. When I was doing small-market morning radio for damn near minimum wage, I had a bigger audience than I get here on the internet.
…but Stephen, your readers come to this site for you*, not the music or the traffic reports or to kill time during the commute. It’s not at all the same.
*and Will.
Try anything by Shure. They have good normal mic’s and headset mic’s for under $100.
Goto http://www.samash.com, and search for Shure. A lot of stuff will come up.
I’m with Charl on this one. Go into the first musical instrument store you see, get an entry priced Shure mic (a dynamic) and get the foam wind screen. Then remember to STAY BACK FROM THE MIC. That’s where the pops come from, and it’s why they put the little circular screen about 6″ from the mic in studios.
Given it’s location and area of interest, is there any chance of you livedrunkblogging the 2nd annual Modern Drunkard Convention in Denver this weekend?
http://www.drunkard.com/md-convention.htm
James Lileks has tried/started something similar. You might want to talk to him. Lileks.com
James Lileks has tried/started something similar. You might want to talk to him. Lileks.com
Not sure about your setup, but I’d recommend the Shure SM58 as well. You’d need an impedance matching transformer and an adapter to plug it straight into your computer though, and frankly I’ve never done that.
The best way to avoid ‘popping’ is back off a bit as Charl and Ed mentioned above, but also to rotate the mic so that you’re talking across the top of the diaphragm as opposed to straight into it.
If you really want to do professional quality podcasts, the Digidesign MBox will get you into the Pro Tools world for about $500. Fairly steep learning curve though, but you can get up and running fairly easily.
Do ANY of you guys have lives? I hear there’s a fire sale at GetALife.com. Cheaper than the rigs you’re recommending to Stephen as well!
We look forward to your learning curve though Esteban! You’ll do your normal bang-up job with it & teach Frank Martin what mistakes to avoid. Though I’ve far too often heard Frank ranting in person…
You might want to drop an email to Chris Carfagno at http://www.soundprofessionals.com.
Beltway Traffic Jam
The daily linkfest:
Stephen Green is going to become one of the Pod people.
Terry Oglesby calls for a showdown between Georgias.
Dean Esmay proposes to change the dictionary to conform to his spelling.
LaShawn Barber tackles government regul…
Shure SM-58
Radio Martini
Take equal measures of vanity and nostalgia, top up with vodka, add a microphone and stir vigorously. What do you get? I’m not sure but I think we’re about to find out – Stephen Green is looking at podcasting….
AKG 1000 S with a popper stopper.
Around twice your budget, but a bargain for the quality of a “real” mic. It also takes an internal nine-volt so you can use it without a phantom power source.
Also note that the best mic in the world will still pop if you talk into it radio-like (e.g. close). That’s what the popper stopper is for.
Advice?
Don’t worry about audience size.
I’m with everyone recommending a Shure.
If you don’t mind spending an extra $50, this is a nice mic:
Marshall MXL 2003
…excellent sound quality, very sensitive mic though (if there’s a dog pitter-pattering in another room, you’ll hear it).
If you want to stop by next time you’re up our way, you can check it out – it’s what I use for recording my guitars (that and a Shure). Or I could send you an MP3 I guess.
I think it’s a great idea, perhaps you may even parley this opportunity into an AM radio show, then on to satellite radio. Force your fans to upgrade their bandwiths! I’m at a location where my only choice is dial-up, but I would still download the files.
John Deere, The International Sprawl
You are going to waste that perfect hair, and pretty face with “radio”…you have got to be @#*@ing nuts
For a quick tutorial on setting up an “Internet Radio Station” check out:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/digaudio/chapter/ch16.pdf.
For a DIY microphone that doesn’t pop “P”s check out:
http://www.jakeludington.com/project_studio/20050321_build_your_own_microphone_pop_screen.html
I used “Shure” some 30 plus years ago Stephen……When I did what you used to do……
They have maintained their quality…
I am a grad of the “old” radio school opf hard knocks from stations in Illinois like:
WSIV Pekin, WSDR Sterling, WRRR Rockford, WJOL Joliet, and a short stint as weekend anchor at WREX-TV Rockford, IL. My bit was news.
Of course I did this while you were still a twinkle in someone’s eye…..1967-1973.
What a way to make a living!
Now I compute and write for a living, and have a much better feeling….plus make a buck or two more!!!
Good luck with the IPOD…
Duke of DeLand
http://pekinprattles.blogspot.com