Unless you’re working in a space with very little echo and background noise, avoid large diaphragm condenser microphones because they will find a way to record and make the echo and background noise obvious. Almost anything by Blue fits into this category. This is unfortunate because their mics are super cool looking and a good value as well. But they’re not great for podcasting.
Here’s what I can recommend:
Get an Audio Technica ATR-2100 and a boom to mount it to and call it a day. You’ll get 80% of the quality of far more expensive setups with 20% of the hassle. Seriously, it’s the 80/20 sweet spot of podcast mics in terms of sound quality, and it’s fairly rugged and portable as well.
These links are your for convenience, and aren’t affiliate links:
- Mic: https://smile.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B004QJOZS4/
- Boom: https://smile.amazon.com/RODE-Swivel-Mount-Studio-Microphone/dp/B001D7UYBO/
- Shock mount and pop filter (optional): https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TMYFZO/
- If you don't get the above shock mount + pop filter, get one of these instead to soften plosives: https://smile.amazon.com/Stage-Foam-Ball-Type-Windscreen-Black/dp/B0002GXF8Q/
If buying an iMac Pro is a no-brainer for you because you always buy the best, then you might consider the following choices. Otherwise you are getting into a range of equipment that will give you better sound but at the very real cost of money and learning curve in learning how to use it.
All these microphones use an analog XLR cable and require at least two other pieces of equipment: 1) a microphone preamplifier 2) an analog to digital converter.
Any of the following microphones will work well on most voices:
- Sure Beta 87a: https://smile.amazon.com/Shure-Supercardioid-Condenser-Microphone-Applications/dp/B0002BACBO/
- Electrovoice RE320: https://smile.amazon.com/Electro-Voice-Instrument-Microphone-Shockmount-Integrated/dp/B06XRK61NH/ (this link is for a kit that includes the boom and shock mount you will need if you choose this microphone)
- Electrovoice RE20: https://smile.amazon.com/Electro-Voice-Microphone-Shockmount-Two-Section-Broadcast/dp/B00U1S4YY4/ (this link is for a kit that includes the boom and shock mount you will need if you choose this microphone)
- Sure SM7b: https://smile.amazon.com/Shure-SM7B-Dynamic-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B0002E4Z8M/
How do you decide which of these? Several guidelines might help
- If you ever plan to travel with podcasting gear, just get the Sure Beta 87a. It’s the only XLR mic above that would work well in a typical business travel situation.
- If you want a microphone that doesn’t require careful microphone technique, get any of the Electrovoice options.
- Tascam 2x2: https://smile.amazon.com/Tascam-US-2x2-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B00MIXF2RS/
- DBX 286s: https://smile.amazon.com/dbx-286s-Microphone-Preamp-Processor/dp/B004LWH79A/ (if you get this you’ll also have to get an A to D converter because it’s not integrated, so you’ll need something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000KW2YEI/ and some adapter cables as well. I love helping people but I won’t be able to offer support if you get this option. I did that once and it nearly drove me insane; never again.)
- Sound Devices MixPre-3: https://smile.amazon.com/Sound-Devices-MixPre-3-Multichannel-Interface/dp/B07CZNYZ9K/
If you get the Shure SM7B, you’ll either need to get a signal booster (https://smile.amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-1-Cloudlifter-1-channel/dp/B004MQSV04/) or a preamp with a lot of gain, like the Sound Devices model listed above.
For any of these mics you’ll need a boom (again: https://smile.amazon.com/RODE-Swivel-Mount-Studio-Microphone/dp/B001D7UYBO/) and for the XLR mics you’ll need XLR cables, and any make or model will work. Don’t be afraid of inexpensive XLR cables.