How much money should I spend on a microphone?

The answer to that question is really up to you.

Is it going to be a hobby or a profession?

Are you going to do interviews on other podcasts?

Will you interview other people for your podcast?

Unlike video, podcasting is all about the audio component. The better the audio, the better the podcast quality. And if you are creating a podcast in an effort to promote your business, start a business, or promote your status online, then you will want a good quality microphone.

A better microphone not only results in better sound, it can also reduce the amount of editing you have to do to get the best possible result.

But that doesn’t mean you should invest in an expensive mic setup if you’re going to record in a less-than-perfect environment. I know of some podcasters who bring their expensive microphones and mixing consoles with them to do “on-site interviews.” They go to bars and restaurants for their interviews (that’s the theme of their show) and the end result: it sounds like it was recorded in a bar or restaurant with all the associated background noise.

That said, I’ve heard some great podcast interviews recorded in a quiet room, but they used really cheap microphones and they sounded like they were in an echo chamber!

The best advice I can give you is this: if you do this as a hobby, then an iPhone headset with a mic accessory will work great. Even if you normally record in a studio and “sometimes” take your interviews on tour, this will work fine. It is not the best, but it will work.

If you’re doing this to start, create, or build a professional podcast (one that you can monetize and earn some money with), you may want to invest in a set of microphones that will help you sound as professional as possible. Stay within your budget. Don’t go overboard with a microphone set up.

When I started, I was using my flip phone and speaking on a free website on the computer. That was my first podcast and I used it for about six months. It sounded like he was “talking on a flip phone with a free website on the computer.”

Once I started to get serious about what I was doing, I invested in a $ 20 headphone / boom mic combo. The difference in sound was staggering!

About six months after that, I went to a “snowball” mic. Once again, the difference was definitely evident.

Next, I went to a blue Yeti with a retractable arm, etc. It made a BIG difference in quality.

I am currently moving to a setup where I will have a dynamic mic instead of a condenser mic. I’ll talk more about those differences later.

Simply put, determine the end result of your podcast. Determine your current budget. Buy your microphone accordingly. Don’t go over budget just for the sake of mic setup.