Using a boom mic for podcast is good enough to get high quality audio. It carries the main advantage that it can reduce noise. When appropriately positioned, it will produce a balanced recording of speech and background noise. In this article, we will discuss common topics about using it in podcast creation, including:
- Reasons to use it for podcasting
- What kind of shotgun mic is used?
- How to choose the best device for podcast recording?
- Tips to use boom mic for podcasting
- Answers to FAQs
Why should you use a podcast boom mic?
Boom mic is ideal for interviews since it allows for close-up shots. This tool enables for natural sound pickup while remaining concealed from the camera frame. But pay attention, it is a directional microphone with a boom arm rather than a type of microphone.
The use of booms relieves interviewers of the difficulty of carrying microphones. They are free to move about without interfering with the sound. Furthermore, a rudimentary boom may be made out of nearly anything that can support the microphone. This includes household items such as wood or poles.
It is ideal for outdoor podcasts
Assume you prefer to record outside or create a nature podcast. In this situation, asking someone to position a boom mic over you and your speakers is a good idea to minimize noise. The resulting audio will have a good signal-to-noise ratio and a broad frequency range. The directional boom mic picks up audio from whoever is speaking while filtering out birds, car horns, and other ambient noise.
You can also make podcast studio setup with boom mic
The most common application for a boom mic is in film and video. However, it can also be used in applications such as studio production. As previously stated, it is incredibly directed, which is essential for movies. It does, however, have the advantage of being quite lightweight, making it simpler for the boom operator to maintain it in position.
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What kind of shotgun mic is used in podcast recording?
Boom mic for podcast comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can classify them by the way it connects to the recording device. XLR and 3.5mm jack are the most prevalent connectors. The large majority of TV crews will use professional XLR versions, however, there are also terrific sounding 3.5mm consumer variants available, especially focused on the DSLR video market and quite popular with vloggers.
Shotgun microphones are also available in a variety of lengths. The length you select will be primarily affected by how much off-axis sound you wish to decrease. The length of the interference tube reduces the amount of unwanted sound. The disadvantage is that it becomes more difficult to operate since the location of it must be considerably more precise to avoid any of the major sounds being rejected.
A professional quality XLR shotgun mic's usual length is between 225mm and 250mm. The 3.5mm models intended for the vlogger market are often shorter in order to fit more compactly into camera mounts.
Buyer’s guide to the best boom mic for podcast
When shopping for a new shotgun boom microphone for podcast, you should consider numerous factors, including the build quality, the sound dynamics, and the price. Here are some factors to consider:
What is its polar pattern?
Directional boom mic features various pickup patterns thus being sensitive or rejecting sounds from different angles. You can pick the one that fits your podcast setup.
How sensitive is it to sound source?
A high-sensitivity microphone is required to record low-pitched noises. If your profession does not demand this, a microphone with a low sensitivity setting will suffice. The aggregate speaking volume of you and your guests determines the suitable sensitivity level.
New podcasters usually ask friends and family to guest on their show. Use this as a volume guide to determine which microphones will work best for you. If you need more sensitivity, you may easily expand your mic collection later in your career.
How long will it last?
Chances are that the boom mic may drop down and cause damage to its lifetime. The majority of these mics are constructed of stainless steel or thick aluminum. This is critical for both sound quality and stress absorption.
How does it connect to the recording device?
There are diverse kinds of connections, and it all depends on the type of output you want.
If you wish to connect your boom mic to a separate audio interface, you should look for one that comes with an XLR connection. However, for usage on your smartphone, you'll most likely require the one with a Type-C or Lightning connector.
What accessories are included?
Check the product package to see what accessories are included in it. Usually there should be windshield for wind resistance and extra cables that allow you to plug them into audio interfaces.
How maneuverable is the podcast mic boom arm?
It would be advantageous if you choose a microphone boom arm that is easily moveable and capable of precisely positioning a microphone where it is necessary.
Many boom arms can rotate 360°, while others can only spin 270° or 180°. Depending on your setup, you may require complete rotation. On the other side, in a limited space, too much mobility may be more of a nuisance than a benefit. However, some podcasters believe that a 360° rotation is ideal.
Can the mic fit the boom arm?
We recommend double-checking the parameters of your microphone and cross-referencing them with the podcast boom mic stand to confirm that it matches your arm boom socket. Many boom arms have an adapter that generally fits current microphones to help you feel more at ease.
Furthermore, confirm the weight that the boom arm can support. Some podcasters use a pop filter or other attachments, thus the arm must be strong enough to support these. If the manufacturer hasn't mentioned this specification, consider visiting Reddit or Facebook forums to see what consumers say.
Table: Specs of SYNCO boom mic for podcast
As a universal microphone company, SYNCO has introduced several shotgun mics to the market. Below we list a table according to the aforementioned factors. Read on and see if there is the one that fits your podcasting requirements.
|
Product |
D1 |
D30 |
U3 |
|
Polar pattern |
Hypercardioid |
Supercardioid |
Cardioid |
|
Sensitivity |
-34dB/-32dB±2dB（1dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz） |
-24dB±2dB (1dB=1V/Pa at 1KHz) |
-26.5dbV@1KHz |
|
Connector |
XLR |
3.5mm |
3.5mm |
|
Included accessories |
|
|
|
How to use boom mic to record your podcast?
In actuality, you may not need a shotgun boom mic to work as the primary podcasting mic. If you're recording in a well-treated environment, the variety of microphones at your disposal would satisfy your podcasting requirements.
That's not to say you couldn't or shouldn't use one as your primary mic - a lot of voiceover work is done with a shotgun mic, especially when a deep, rich sound is desired - it all relies on how well it works for your target sound and how the results compare to other kinds of microphones.
If you don't use one as your regular mic but do occasionally record interviews or features outside, you might want to consider investing in one because they truly shine in certain situations.
FAQs
Q: What audio-editing software is recommended for podcast?
A: After you've finished capturing sounds from interviews and events, you'll need to arrange them in a sound-editing application like Audacity or alike. You can utilize a web application instead of software installed on a single machine if you want more flexibility. In this instance, Alitu is a fantastic choice.
Another free software that operates on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices is Anchor. This application also includes publication tools and monetization capabilities. There are other digital audio workstations that offer multitrack recording. These programs are useful if you're recording a group conversation and wish to save separate audio files for each speaker.
Q: Is there anything to notice when editing the podcast audio?
A: After setting up your boom mic for podcast and installing necessary software, remember that it takes time to mix the audio and allow enough time for it.
Give the following audio the highest priority so that your podcast sounds as well as it possibly can:
- Topic questions
- Helpful insight
- Contest announcements
- Main points of interviewees