Podcasting Microphones Under PHP 5,000

The number of content creators during this time of pandemic has seen a massive increase; from vloggers, streamers, and podcasters, we have seen them all come about. What I want to focus on and share about is podcasting. For those of you who do not know what podcasting is, here’s the definition as told on Merriam-Webster’s website: a program (as of music or talk) made available in digital format for automatic download over the internet. To put simply, podcasting is somewhat similar to a radio show, but available on-demand, anytime and anywhere, through various platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast.

If you have been wondering how you can start your own show, you would need a few things to get yourself going. First, is to think of a good theme of what your show would be talking about. Will it be about music? Relationship advice, adulting tips, or life coaching? Whichever theme you choose, make sure that you research about the topics that you would be tackling and perhaps invite a guest who specializes in that specific discussion that you are sharing.

Next, would be to find good equipment. With a lot of microphones to choose from, how would you know which one to get? Here’s a list of sub-PHP 5,000 microphones that you might want to consider:

Table of Contents

Samson C01U Pro

Specs:

USB studio condenser microphone
Large, 19mm diaphragm ensures pristine studio-quality audio
Headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
Ideal for recording music, ADR work, Sound Foley, voiceovers, audio for YouTube videos
Vastly improves Skype, FaceTime, VoIP applications and speech-to-text dictation software
Super cardioid pickup pattern
Smooth, flat frequency response of 20Hz–18kHz
16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution
Solid die-cast metal construction
Shock-mounted mic element
Peak LED indicator
Plug-and-play, no driver installation required
Compatible with most recording software and apps
USB bus-powered via Mac, PC or iPad
Includes tripod stand, swivel mount, and USB cable
Samson Sound Deck Noise Cancellation Software (Mac OS X/Windows) available for purchase

Price: PHP4,976.00 (available on Shopee)

Boya BY-M1000

Specs:

Color: Black
Material: Aluminum Alloy
Acoustic Principle: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional
Diaphragm: 34mm(1.3inch)
Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz
Sensitivity: -33±3dB(0dB=1V/Pa at 1KHz)
SN: 80dB and more
Output Impedance: 20 Ohm
Power Requirement: 24V or 48V Phantom
Cable Length: 3m(10ft)
Item Size: 11.5 * 16.5 * 20.0cm / 4.5 * 6.5 * 7.9in
Item Weight: 664g / 23.4oz
Package Size: 24.3 * 20.3 * 15.4cm / 9.6 * 8.0 * 6.1in
Package Weight: 1083g / 38.2oz

Price: PHP4,567.00 (available on Lazada 11)

Rode Podmic

Specs:

Sound Field – Mono
Capsule – Dynamic
Polar Pattern – Cardioid
Frequency Range – 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Impedance – 32 Ohms
Sensitivity – Cardioid: -57 dB at 1 kHz
Output Connectors (Analog) – 1 x XLR 3-Pin
Dimensions – ø: 4.29 x L: 6.77″ / ø: 109 x L: 171.96 mm
Weight – 2.06 lb / 937 g

Price: USD 99 (~PHP4.8K) available at B&H Photo. 13

Once you finally get a good microphone, you can now start recording. A good tip that I would recommend before recording is to write your own script or at least follow a sequence that allows you to track where the conversation is going. Make it seem like you’re telling a story, start from the introduction, the rising action, the climax, falling action, then the resolution. In this way, people would feel as if they are part of the conversation and would react naturally to the discussion.

This article is written by Ziggy Chavez