Sometimes an idea can be more glamorous than the reality. Podcasting is no different. It can be discouraging when you embark down a rabbit hole of equipment & software with price tags way out of your budget. It doesn’t have to be that way. The way I see it there are 2 very important elements to a good podcast, Quality Content & Quality Sound. Assuming you already have the former covered I will assist you with the latter, on a budget.
The most accessible way to record a podcast is in the voice notes app on your phone. Obviously this option is not going to deliver top audio quality, but cell phone technology has come a long way & this will allow you to start immediately.
Under $100
Samson Meteor Mic -
This is a USB Microphone that I actually used for many years. Before I went to college I used this microphone to record 100’s of demos in my bedroom & even used it to do dabble in Podcasting for a summer. Knowing what I know now, I would never use this microphone to capture my guitar amp but it is perfect for getting your podcast started, especially for under $100
Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic -
The Blue Snowball comes in two forms; the regular Snowball, and the Snowball iCE.
The regular Snowball is what Blue refers to as the “professional quality option”, whilst the iCE is marketed as “basic quality”. This microphone is a decent starter option despite its lower sound quality. I would strongly recommend a pop filter as this microphone is sensitive to plosives & does not have a headphone port to monitor as you record.
$100 - $300
Blue Yeti USB Mic -
This is a very popular microphone choice among streamers.
It comes with three condenser capsules, and it can pick up four different polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8, and stereo). For example set it to omnidirectional and you can gather a few people round a table and record a discussion style episode.You will however get the best out of the microphone in the Cardioid pattern. The Yeti is a good looking mic that won't intimidate the absolute beginner. A trusted name in the audio industry, Blue Yeti is known for delivering quality products.
RODE NT-USB Mic -
This a really compact microphone making convent for podcasting on the go.
The microphone also includes a zero-latency headphone monitoring jack, a tripod stand, pop shield, and ring mount. You can spend a little extra on the mic without having to purchase the extra equipment.
Rode Podcaster -
This is the most high - end option on this list. The Rode Podcaster is the USB version of the Rode Procaster. You will need a boom arm or mic stand in order to use it making it not as flexible as some of the other options. If you're looking for a premium quality mic though, but would rather stay with USB as opposed to getting a mixer or preamp, then the RODE Podcaster could be for you.
The wonderful thing about podcasting is that there really isn’t a barrier of entry. These options above are great for hobbyist or those who are not quite ready to make a larger investment. Regardless of your podcasting goals do not allow high price tags & complicated audio gear hold you back.