Best microphones for branded podcasts in 2025
B2B Podcasting Insights - business strategy podcast for founders and brands
Choosing the right microphone can make or break a podcast, especially for brands looking to establish a strong audio identity. Neal Veglio provides an extensive overview of microphone options tailored for different budgets and needs in podcasting.
He starts by stressing the importance of audio quality, noting that even the best content can be undermined by poor sound. For beginners on a budget, Veglio recommends the Audio Technica ATR2100X and the Samson Q2U, both of which offer USB and XLR connectivity, making them versatile for both novice and experienced podcasters.
His insights into the mid-range microphones, like the Shure MV7 and Rode Podmic, reveal how these models not only enhance audio quality but also provide user-friendly features for those venturing into more professional territories. The episode also delves into premium options, including the legendary Shure SM7B, known for its remarkable sound capture and background noise rejection. Veglio's candid critique of the Blue Yeti highlights common pitfalls that many new podcasters face, making this episode a vital resource for anyone serious about improving their podcasting game.
Takeaways:
- Choosing the right microphone is crucial for building trust with your podcast audience.
- Budget microphones like the Audio Technica ATR2100X are excellent for beginners starting out.
- Investing in a quality microphone can significantly enhance your podcast's audio quality and appeal.
- Dynamic microphones are better suited for noisy environments, reducing background noise effectively.
- Avoid the Blue Yeti for podcasting; its features can confuse beginners and lead to poor sound.
- Consider your future growth when selecting a microphone to ensure long-term usability.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Audio Technica
- Samson
- Maono
- Shure
- Rode
- Electro Voice
- Aston
Mentioned in this episode:
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2025-01-10
14 min
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Transcript
Neil Velio 00:00:15 Let's talk about the best possible microphone for you Starting your podcast in 2025. Neil Velio 00:00:22 This is your business needs a branded podcast. Neil Velio 00:00:26 A podnos podcasting educational show teaching brands and entrepreneurs how to leverage podcasting. Neil Velio 00:00:34 Okay, so welcome to this new episode of your Business Needs a branded Podcast. Neil Velio 00:00:40 And yes, I know I've been quiet. Neil Velio 00:00:43 I'm Neil Velio. Neil Velio 00:00:44 I'm here to help you create the perfect podcast that will connect your brand with your audience. Neil Velio 00:00:49 And more recently, I've been focusing on my other podcast, the Podmaster, which is a general podcast, helping all podcasters everywhere to get the best out of their efforts. Neil Velio 00:01:02 But being that this is the time of the year that a lot of corporate brands are starting to sit down and think about their marketing goals for 2025, I thought what better time than to update an old episode with a new take and of course, a new year. Neil Velio 00:01:19 So for some, it's time to take the plunge into podcasting for the first time. Neil Velio 00:01:24 If you're serious about starting, one of the first things that you'll need is a good microphone. Neil Velio 00:01:30 And since it's been a few years since we last talked about this on this podcast today on diving into the best microphones for starting a podcast with up to date data as of 2025, we'll break it down by budget under £100, £100 to £300 and over £300. Neil Velio 00:01:53 Plus we'll have a little special segment on why you might want to steer clear of the worst podcast microphone of all time. Neil Velio 00:02:03 Let's get started. Neil Velio 00:02:07 Now, before we get into the recommendations, let's talk about why your microphone choice is so important. Neil Velio 00:02:14 Your audio quality is one of the first things listeners will notice. Neil Velio 00:02:19 A good mic won't just make you sound more professional, it'll help you build trust and keep your audience engaged. Neil Velio 00:02:27 And trust me, even if your content is amazing, poor audio will send listeners running for the hills. Neil Velio 00:02:34 Or at least towards a terrible podcast. Neil Velio 00:02:37 Or at least towards a better sounding podcast. Neil Velio 00:02:40 So let's talk about microphones under £100 as we lovingly refer to them in the industry. Neil Velio 00:02:46 Budget mics, starter mics, amateur mics, it doesn't matter. Neil Velio 00:02:51 They all do a perfectly good job of getting the most fundamental task done, which is namely getting all the stuff that comes out of this mouth thing here into this microphone thing here. Neil Velio 00:03:06 If you're starting out and have a tight budget, there are some solid options still for you to pick from. Neil Velio 00:03:12 Here are my suggestions. Neil Velio 00:03:14 The Audio Technica ATR2100X USB around about £80. Neil Velio 00:03:21 This is a versatile mic that offers both USB and XLR connections, which means it's great for just plug and play into your laptop. Neil Velio 00:03:30 But also as you grow your team and maybe incorporate other presenters that you want to mic up, you can connect them up into a mixer using a XLR cable. Neil Velio 00:03:42 It's future proof, and the same with the Samson Q2U, which might be slightly more expensive around the pound 85 mark, but it's another fantastic USB XLR combo Micro that's durable, reliable and delivers excellent sound quality for the price. Neil Velio 00:04:00 Now, between that and the Audio Technica, honestly, I've had both. Neil Velio 00:04:05 In fact, I've got both. Neil Velio 00:04:06 I've got spares of each model, but I tend to Favor the Samsung Q2U for others just because in my experience, unless you've got really good mic technique, the Samsung Q2U is a little bit easier to get a better quality sound from. Neil Velio 00:04:22 There's another option that's come on the market. Neil Velio 00:04:24 It's the Maono DM30. Neil Velio 00:04:27 That's £60 roughly, and it's a newer option with surprising quality for its price. Neil Velio 00:04:33 Great for solo podcasters that are working in quieter environments. Neil Velio 00:04:37 And when I say that, what I mean is, compared to the other two microphones, it doesn't do quite such a good job of eliminating background noise. Neil Velio 00:04:45 But still, for all three of these, they're perfect for getting started without breaking the bank. Neil Velio 00:04:50 They're simple to use and plug and play and offer a solid audio foundation to get your show kicked off. Neil Velio 00:04:59 Now let's talk about microphones between 100 and 300 pounds. Neil Velio 00:05:04 If you got a bit more to spend, you're entering what I think is the sweet spot for podcasting microphones. Neil Velio 00:05:10 Here's what I tend to recommend. Neil Velio 00:05:12 First of all, the Shure MV7. Neil Velio 00:05:14 It's around about 200 to 230 pounds. Neil Velio 00:05:17 Designed specifically for podcasters. Neil Velio 00:05:20 It is a USB XLR hybrid mic, much like the other two that I mentioned before in the bargain section, but it delivers a much richer sound and includes onboard touch controls for easy adjustments. Neil Velio 00:05:32 Then we've got the rode podmic, which is £100. Neil Velio 00:05:35 It's a robust dynamic microphone, perfect for podcasting. Neil Velio 00:05:40 But do keep in mind, unlike the Shure MV7 and the next one we're going to talk about, it does require an audio interface, so something like the focusrite Scarlett will do you or any of the mixers from Rode, you've got the Rodecaster Duo and you can probably pick up an old Rodecaster Pro now for probably around about £250,300. Neil Velio 00:06:01 Thirdly I'd mention the Rode Podcaster again. Neil Velio 00:06:05 A USB plug in microphone around about £150, which has a great built in pop filter as well. Neil Velio 00:06:14 I happen to use the XLR version of this microphone, so if you like the way that my podcast voice sounds right now, you can bet your bottom dollar yours will sound very similar if not identical. Neil Velio 00:06:26 These options provide noticeably improved audio quality for you and more features for podcasters who'd like to invest in their sound. Neil Velio 00:06:34 Hopefully that's you considering you are doing a branded podcast and you want to build an audience. Neil Velio 00:07:15 All right, now, if you've got a slightly more generous CEO or CMO who's willing to let you dip a little bit deeper into the budget, let's talk about microphones over 300 pounds. Neil Velio 00:07:26 These are the going all in on audio quality options. Neil Velio 00:07:31 Premium mics for podcasters who want studio level sound. Neil Velio 00:07:35 You want to be competitive, but more than that, you want to win the competition. Neil Velio 00:07:39 So first of all, you got the Big Daddy Shure SM7B. Neil Velio 00:07:43 This now retails around about £300 to £350. Neil Velio 00:07:46 The gold standard for podcasting. Neil Velio 00:07:48 Who doesn't know about this microphone? Neil Velio 00:07:50 Now it is a dynamic mic that's unmatched in its ability to capture warm, professional quality audio while still rejecting background sound. Neil Velio 00:08:00 That is the beauty of a dynamic mic. Neil Velio 00:08:02 Then we've got the Electro Voice RE20, around about 350 pounds. Neil Velio 00:08:09 One of my biggest sadnesses of leaving the radio broadcast industry was leaving behind this Microsoft. Neil Velio 00:08:15 They've got these installed in most of the radio studios in the uk. Neil Velio 00:08:19 It's known for its clarity and versatility and it's excellent for all voice types. Neil Velio 00:08:25 It comes to you rather than you having to go to it. Neil Velio 00:08:29 And a third option, which is a relatively newer addition to my recommendations, however, I have used it and it sounds incredibly rich. Neil Velio 00:08:39 The Aston Stealth retails around about 3 to 350 pounds. Neil Velio 00:08:45 A unique dynamic mic. Neil Velio 00:08:46 It's got built in preamps and voicing modes. Neil Velio 00:08:49 It offers incredible sound for podcasters and voiceover artists. Neil Velio 00:08:54 The gimmick about it is you can turn the lights off on it, which is what gives it the Stealth name. Neil Velio 00:09:00 A bit of a gimmick though, and it won't make a difference to the sound of your podcast. Neil Velio 00:09:04 Now these mics all require some additional gear like audio interfaces and boom arms, but the audio quality is worth every penny if podcasting is going to be a serious venture for you in 2025. Neil Velio 00:09:21 All right, so let's get onto the Voldemort of the podcasting world, then the microphone that you need to avoid like the plague. Neil Velio 00:09:29 Let's address that elephant in the room full on. Neil Velio 00:09:32 Grab its horns. Neil Velio 00:09:33 The Blue Yeti now this mic's been popular with podcasters for years, but I'm here to tell you why it's not the best choice for you as a podcaster in 2025. Neil Velio 00:09:47 First of all, there's a huge scope for user error. Neil Velio 00:09:51 The Blue Yeti's multiple pattern options, omnidirectional and stereo are confusing for some beginners. Neil Velio 00:09:58 Many people don't set it to the correct cardioid mode for solo podcasting. Neil Velio 00:10:03 Also, most people that get hold of one of these things tend to talk into the top of its head rather than its face, where they should be talking. Neil Velio 00:10:11 When I say that, I mean where the knobs are. Neil Velio 00:10:14 That's where you want to be talking, the center of the capsule. Neil Velio 00:10:17 The reason for this is it's a side address microphone, so essentially you're talking past it if you're talking into the end of it. Neil Velio 00:10:26 Poor room acoustics as as well. Neil Velio 00:10:27 Another factor of this it's highly sensitive and picks up a lot of background noise, making it unsuitable for home setups without extensive soundproofing. Neil Velio 00:10:36 And unless you've got a built in studio in your offices, that means your space and it's overpriced for the performance at its price point of more than £120. Neil Velio 00:10:47 There are much better options. Neil Velio 00:10:49 We've mentioned them the Shure MV7 or the Samsung Q2 Ultra. Neil Velio 00:10:54 Far more user friendly and they deliver a much better sound in my opinion. Neil Velio 00:10:59 And I've been doing this a while. Neil Velio 00:11:01 So while the Blue Yeti might seem like an easy choice, you just type in microphone, it pops up on your screen, you click add to checkout and buy it. Neil Velio 00:11:10 The truth is, it's more trouble than it's worth for any podcaster, let alone those starting out all of the podcast content I create, I want to give you some actionable advice that you can feel empowered to make the right decision for you. Neil Velio 00:11:27 So here's how you can decide which mic is best for your podcast. Neil Velio 00:11:31 Some key factors to consider first of all, your budget. Neil Velio 00:11:34 Start with what you're comfortable spending. Neil Velio 00:11:37 You can get great audio at any price point, so don't overextend yourself if you think this is something you're gonna maybe stick out for a few episodes. Neil Velio 00:11:45 Just see how it goes. Neil Velio 00:11:47 Then definitely stay within the budget range. Neil Velio 00:11:50 Once you have ultimately given up your podcast, if you decide it's not for you, you'll still have a great microphone which you can use for things like teams, zoom calls and other things that require audio input. Neil Velio 00:12:02 Maybe even YouTube if that's the direction you go in. Neil Velio 00:12:06 Secondly, you want to consider the recording environment. Neil Velio 00:12:08 If you're in a noisy space, consider dynamic mics like the Samsung Q2U or the Shure SM7B, which handle that background noise much better. Neil Velio 00:12:18 Consider your future growth if you plan to upgrade your setup down the line, choose a mic with both USB and XLR options like the ATR and again the Samsung QT U. Neil Velio 00:12:30 There's nothing worse than deciding you want to get a group of people in the boardroom together around a Rodecaster Pro mixer only to find it's not going to accept USB plug in microphones. Neil Velio 00:12:43 You gotta consider the ease of use. Neil Velio 00:12:45 If you're not tech savvy, go for a plug and play USB mic and the aesthetic and build quality is also a factor. Neil Velio 00:12:52 Some podcasters prefer mics that look professional on camera for video podcasting or live streams as well. Neil Velio 00:13:00 Honestly, the Blue Yeti is an ugly microphone. Neil Velio 00:13:02 I don't know why people buy it for that purpose. Neil Velio 00:13:05 But that said, some people might think that the Samson SM7B is the only microphone that they want to consider for that look just because it's already passed the video podcasting test. Neil Velio 00:13:17 Most video podcasters use that microphone. Neil Velio 00:13:20 That might mean then if you are considering factoring in video podcasting in your strategy via YouTube, then the SM7B is a no brainer. Neil Velio 00:13:29 At the end of the day, the best microphone for you is the one that fits your specific needs and helps you create content you're proud of. Neil Velio 00:13:38 Take your time, read reviews, and don't hesitate to reach out for more advice from me if you're unsure. Neil Velio 00:13:45 So that wraps up my microphone recommendations for 2025. Neil Velio 00:13:49 Whether you're on a tight budget or ready to invest in studio quality sound, there is a microphone out there that's perfect for you and your team. Neil Velio 00:13:58 And remember, your podcast is an extension of your brand. Neil Velio 00:14:03 Make it so sound as great as you possibly can. Neil Velio 00:14:06 If you have any questions or need more recommendations, feel free to reach out to me. Neil Velio 00:14:11 Don't forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you found this episode helpful. Neil Velio 00:14:16 I'll be back with another episode of your Business Needs a Branded Podcast soon, so keep an eye on your library. Neil Velio 00:14:24 This is your Business Needs a Branded Podcast A podnosis Podcasting educational show teaching brands and entrepreneurs how to leverage podcasting.