Can anyone advice on what equipment I need to make podcasts?

Heedtheadvice

Tascam dr05 or Zoom H1n are the two best buys, both great value for money and have built in mics at the budget end of the market.
I use the dr05.
You should read the reviews before choosing!


It is a bit personal choice at that bottom end. Connot comment on the Zoom but the dr05 suffers from handling noise but not a problem if stand mounted or external mics used .-analogue not usb types.


Very good recording quality at 24bit, options to select recording quality in setup.

Jon_01

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

Tascam dr05 or Zoom H1n are the two best buys, both great value for money and have built in mics at the budget end of the market.
I use the dr05.
You should read the reviews before choosing!


It is a bit personal choice at that bottom end. Connot comment on the Zoom but the dr05 suffers from handling noise but not a problem if stand mounted or external mics used .-analogue not usb types.


Very good recording quality at 24bit, options to select recording quality in setup.

I have read about both of those. I worry that placement could be a problem and it would be closer to one person or another and create a mismatch in volume and tone.
I'd rather have a mic next to each person and neither of those allow external mics to be attached.

Looking at the Tascam I found the Tascam DR-006, which looks like it'll take two external mics? ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B5N85TY/ref=psdc_407830031_t3_B00O0YCUNC )

And then something like 2 of these mics to attached to it ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/TONOR-Microphone-Condenser-Recording-Podcasting-blue/dp/B07W6ZZZWK/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?crid=URGY65R3F5P4&keywords=microphones&pd_rd_i=B07W6ZZZWK&pd_rd_r=9d1ad5d2-2610-404b-9776-3fcfffc4e2b1&pd_rd_w=i00n0&pd_rd_wg=QQjVN&pf_rd_p=7dc56c0d-8a5f-4d97-9143-7233b106859a&pf_rd_r=Z9AJ9MVXANW52SNJ7T5H&qid=1572940034&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=mic%2Cmi%2C214 )

and maybe a couple of headsets.

Does that look like it would work?

dan958

A decent XLR mic for each peson on the podcast, going into a usb audio interface. Record each mic in seperate channels with Audacity. Seperate channels means you can clean up and level the audios for each person separately.

Heedtheadvice

A misconception regarding mic inputs, my dr05 works fine with them. See http://tascam-ca.com/product/dr-05/#sonota


Read the functional description at bottom of page.


You mic selection is cheap but not a good one:
Intended for "gamers" , small stand not great for positioning, noisy, usb output ok for some pcs that will record from two usb sources simultaeneously but will not interface to either of those tascams that need analogue external sources.



As an ex professional you really ought to do more research and see the issues??

Heedtheadvice

Dan's idea is much better. There are some cheap interfaces as mentioned out there....however....


For what you are considering (especially as you seem to be going for bottom end mics being acceptable) then maye not ideal.
Suggest, from what you are posting, more rugged dymanic mics could be better not needing external power with a cable to convert two single mono jacks to a stereo jack all to 3.5mm sizes.



FYI Jon 'xlr' refers just to the connector on the mic cable but commonly used to refer to analogue signal mics as opposed to 'usb' digital signals. Others are available too such as TRS, TTRS, mini jacks (like those tascam inputs). Often those with xlr connectors are wired as balanced signals (for what you want single ended -electrically unbalanced signals- wiill be fine).


Consider some cheap dynamic mics intended for live voice use or lavalier, clip on or headset mics (not those designed to go direct to a pc or Apple - compatibility issues! ) . That might get you started to see how you get on as you seem to be down at the early part of the learning curve and you can splash out a bit more and get something better when you both have a bit of experience as I fear you will go for " better " initially but make a mistake.

Jon_01

dan958 wrote: »

A decent XLR mic for each peson on the podcast, going into a usb audio interface. Record each mic in seperate channels with Audacity. Seperate channels means you can clean up and level the audios for each person separately.

I'd love to go direct to Audacity, but when I google the pc I'd need (and it would have to be a laptop as I'd have to take it to his home to record and the edit it on my system). I get machines costing a grand and up.

The budget isn't a big concern, but it won't run to a grand just for a laptop. That's why I thought the digital recorder would be a good step?
If the recorder captures both channels can't I just drop those into Audacity and edit from there?

If I have to go that route, what recorder would I need?

I'd missed that the mic I posted was usb, yes, xlr would be the way to go. Would either of these do the job?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marantz-Professional-Microphone-Windscreen-Shockmount/dp/B01C05AL4C/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=microphone+xlr&qid=1572951898&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Microphone-SUDOTACK-Professional-Condenser-Recording/dp/B07SYQCT8P/ref=pd_sbs_267_4/262-7809974-0864567?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07SYQCT8P&pd_rd_r=3f3f7f67-eb89-42b1-9679-5f93bdf4dd69&pd_rd_w=gHasP&pd_rd_wg=81oo6&pf_rd_p=cc188cba-1892-42b3-956f-6c67d0ab7a00&pf_rd_r=YY834CT5C0G4GGNW9WZF&psc=1&refRID=YY834CT5C0G4GGNW9WZF


Thanks for all the help guys!!!!

wishus

Hello, I'm a budget podcaster. I am also aware of how techie a lot of podcasters can be, but I like things simple, so maybe I can help.
I now use a Zoom Hn1, and it's tidy. I also got the accessory pack for the sponge cover, cables and stands, an extra jack for some lapel mics and a fluffy hat for going out and about. cost £80 + £30 + £5 + £5 + £5 - £135 in total. You also need a micro SD.
The beauty of this mic is you can do a 2-channel record and then upload that straight to your host site, and it sounds mint.
I don't tend to do this myself, because I like to tidy up the sound, add music and effects, so I use Audacity to mix first.

Before this outlay, I used, and still sometimes use, a basic Logitech headset. Just £30. I can sense the horror in other podcasters now, but it works fine. Especially if you use the handy tools in Audacity to clean the sound.

I record into Audacity, then mix in other audio files from the Hn1, some royalty free music and play around with silly voices etc. If I can't work out how to do a particular thing, there are lots of really good videos that show me how to do something, like make myself sound like a 1940s news reel, for example.
A friend who also does a podcast has spent over a grand on his mic, and he just records his voice, no music, no effects, then uploads the file to his host site. The sound quality is really good, but maybe not £1000 better than mine, which is a bit galling for him, but just shows what you can do for very cheap.

Some people just record straight onto a podcasting app on their phone, which has to be the cheapest!



So, if you did not want to run to a laptop purchase, do you need to go very complex at all? Have you checked out something like the podbean app on smartphone? That's free for the first few hours. I believe Anchor is 100% free. You just wouldn't be able to edit a lot after, but get used to talking and you'll soon get rid of any nervous ums and ahs.

Heedtheadvice

Jon, you are putting the cart before the horse to some extent.


If budget is not an issue decide exactly what you want to do and how. Only then look at equipment. There is plenty out there to do whatever you probably want.


You seem to be ignoring bits of the messages!


"when I google the pc I'd need (and it would have to be a laptop as I'd have to take it to his home to record and the edit it on my system). I get machines costing a grand and up." then you need to look harder. Do not rely on Google. Have you not read what I wrote and linked to about laptop/PC specs from Audacity's website? You can get a brand new laptop for under £600 and refurbished/2nd user for a lot less than that that fully meets the top end of their spec. Plenty of posters on here have made some very good cheap recommendations for those wanting laptops.


"That's why I thought the digital recorder would be a good step?" It is and a lot less costly.


"If the recorder captures both channels can't I just drop those into Audacity and edit from there?" Yes. Just load the files to your PC from the recorder and open with audacity!

"what recorder would I need?" Have we not been there before? Why ignore the suggested machines?



" Would either of these do the job?" Read my earlier posts!!! Still on a short stand and one is USB lots around that are ok for voice podcast at a lot lower price. Now if you were going for Broadcasting that would be another matter.


If budgeting is not a problem and I thought you could define what you wanted I possibly would quote to do the job for you for the price of your laptop and be well happy with my profit!



Although @ thorganby and I have had a difference of opinion (that I have ignored) I can well see why he /she wrote in a post yesterday on this thread - although I certainly do not agree with the tone/language used!


Having given my advice freely I do not think I can add much more to this thread..........other have given you links to podcast dedicated sites. Go read for yourself would be a good start.

Jon_01

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

Jon, you are putting the cart before the horse to some extent.


If budget is not an issue decide exactly what you want to do and how. Only then look at equipment. There is plenty out there to do whatever you probably want.


You seem to be ignoring bits of the messages!


"when I google the pc I'd need (and it would have to be a laptop as I'd have to take it to his home to record and the edit it on my system). I get machines costing a grand and up." then you need to look harder. Do not rely on Google. Have you not read what I wrote and linked to about laptop/PC specs from Audacity's website? You can get a brand new laptop for under £600 and refurbished/2nd user for a lot less than that that fully meets the top end of their spec. Plenty of posters on here have made some very good cheap recommendations for those wanting laptops.


"That's why I thought the digital recorder would be a good step?" It is and a lot less costly.


"If the recorder captures both channels can't I just drop those into Audacity and edit from there?" Yes. Just load the files to your PC from the recorder and open with audacity!

"what recorder would I need?" Have we not been there before? Why ignore the suggested machines?



" Would either of these do the job?" Read my earlier posts!!! Still on a short stand and one is USB lots around that are ok for voice podcast at a lot lower price. Now if you were going for Broadcasting that would be another matter.


If budgeting is not a problem and I thought you could define what you wanted I possibly would quote to do the job for you for the price of your laptop and be well happy with my profit!



Although @ thorganby and I have had a difference of opinion (that I have ignored) I can well see why he /she wrote in a post yesterday on this thread - although I certainly do not agree with the tone/language used!


Having given my advice freely I do not think I can add much more to this thread..........other have given you links to podcast dedicated sites. Go read for yourself would be a good start.

Thank you for all the info, I'm sorry if it came over that I wasn't reading it, I was.

I was trying, if possible, to avoid getting yet another laptop (long story). But if that's the way it needs to go, that's what I'll get.

Thanks again...

Heedtheadvice

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was trying, if possible, to avoid getting yet another laptop (long story). But if that's the way it needs to go, that's what I'll get.

Well that just goes to show you are either NOT reading posts properly. or possibly just do not understand.


You are clearly being told that you do not need to buy a laptop (of any grade let alone an expensive beast). Don't just take my word for it read wishus's post too............