hey, any suggestions for a mic for my mac to do podcasts. i'm sure there's tons of really expensive ones but i just need something that won't sound like crap in my bedroom. thanks.

What's ur budget?

Will you be using a mixer or some sort of preamp?

In general, I'd say that even an inexpensive condenser mic is better than a so-so dynamic mic up to a point.

The only downside to that is that a condenser will require phantom power.

i just want something i can plug into the usb port and go. and remember, student = can't spend a ton.

I'm not sure they sell a mic yet that you can just plus straight into USB; you'll need some sort of interface to get the microphone line converted to USB.

How is the souncard on your laptop? You could just go with a mic that plugs into your computers "mic" input. Should be fine for what you are trying to accomplish (for now).

A lot of it to is gonna depend on the software that you are using to produce your podcast. Garbage in is garbage out as they say.

***Nerdy message board alert***

This may be helpful: http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,37894.0.html

Actually Blue makes a USB mic called the Snowball that is intended specifically for podcasts and such. Retails about $150 if I remember correctly. I'll try to find a link for you. Reviews were pretty good.

Here it is...

http://www.bluemic.com/modules.php?op=m ... prod_id=18

Get one that looks like Conan's.

the only problem is that you are stuck with that mic.

for 150, you can get an inexpensive condenser and an interface and then you always have the option of upgrading your mic and still using the interface.

Agree completely. Just trying to keep to suggestions that wouldn't exceed a limited budget and still provide decent results. Any of the interfaces and condenser mics I can think of...even on the cheap end... would cost a substantial amount more. Yail probably knows more than me on the subject though.

If you have more of a budget, check out musiciansfriend.com and do a search for podcast package. They have several bundles of interfaces and mics in a few different price ranges to get started. It can at least get you an idea of what is out there.

Correct me here Bloor, but ain't that Octava small diaphram about $100, and an ART tube pre amp another hundy? That's not bad, and would sound excellent-ay.

I've actually got 2 of these that I use (I've still got that Rode NT-1 from a few years back as well)

They are great for the price and just about the top shelf of what I'd personally shell out if no one is paying me.

If you're the only one talking, get a lavalier.

$40 for an audio technica...

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired ... index.html

Incidentally i've also gotten some cool results using these lavaliers clipped to either side of the sound hole of an acoustic for getting a stereo image. Keep in mind, lavaliers are generally really small condensers too.

Those things certainly look the business. They sound good too? That price... eastern europe has really come a long way I guess.

ok, so far it have 1) small condenser mic-->preamp-->mac (+connected to power somehow), 2) computer-only mic that goes right in (either mic input or usb), 3) lavalier mic that goes into mic input. am i missing anything? condenser sounds cool and more versatile but need to buy a preamp, no?

for recording stimuli I simply go:

Mic (AKG C2000B)--> Mic Pre (Applied Research Technologies MICROMIX) --> XLR cable (Hosa XVM105) --> computer

For the mic pre -- make sure that you get one with Phantom Powerif required by your mic.

The lavalier takes a battery, there's a small preamp in the chain with q points set for human speech that the battery powers, so you don't need phantom power. or a pre.

Check your PM Neuroboy.

What's a podcast?