In search for a great podcasting mic

You know we’re pretty serious with this BoBCast when we’re already in search for that ultimate podcasting mic. Last week, we recorded our 5th episode of the Band of Bloggers at Bataan but due to the number of BoBCasters and our lack of external microphones, the resulting audio did not went well. There’s just to wide an unequal volume in the recording and Marc seems to have a shield of static around him that’s affecting my laptop’s dual built-in mic. I tried all the low-pass filters, noise-cancelling and normalization techniques I’ve known to no avail so I think we’ll have to re-record that episode again.

Samson Mic So, I’m going out and getting us a nice external mic. Here’s my shortlist of a possible buy:

MXL V63M Studio Condenser ($99PHP 5,810INR 8,390EUR 94CNY 721, details here)

Shure KSM27 Studio Cardioid Condenser Microphone ($299PHP 17,547INR 25,340EUR 285CNY 2,176, details here)

Samson C01U – USB Studio Condenser Microphone ($90PHP 5,282INR 7,627EUR 86CNY 655, details here)

Of the lot, I think only the Samson mic is the only one that has a USB input. However, it comes with its own recording software and you can’t hook it up directly to say Audacity or Garage Band.

The question here really is, where do I find these mics? I’ve tried all the PC and music stores in Mall of Asia but none had something close to the ones above. Will try Park Square 1 later this evening.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

10 Comments

ManuelV says:

18 years ago

I use a Sopu headset mic (usb) with Audacity, and all I did was set the mic as the default recording device in Windows.

What error message does Audacity give when you set the Samson CO1U as the recording device?
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bimbo says:

18 years ago

hey let me know what you get, we’re also looking for one. Right now the Samson seems to be the choice but nothings’ set yet.
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bimbo says:

18 years ago

beep beep…
Audiophile carries them, well according to their website anyway.

Try to contact them here.
Audiophile Inc.
G/F Tisco Building, 1445 San Marcelino St.
Ermita, Manila 1000 Philippines
tel: +632-526-5186
fax: +632-524-1965

And according to the site it costs less than 4k…sweet!

http://www.audiophilecomponents.com/products.php
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Jonas Diego says:

18 years ago

Shure was the mic of choice back in the days. Pricey (should still be) but definitely worth it.

You may already know this but if I may offer my advice as someone who did DJ-ing/voice acting before…

If you’re going to use it for podcasting with a large number of people (as you do now with BOB), you’ll probably want an omni-directional mic though this will most probably mean you’re going to pick up a lot of background noise especially if you’re going to record on the fly outdoors.

Check this out on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphones#Microphone_polar_patterns

The guys at Audiophile should be able to help you find the mic that’s right for you. Just tell them about what it’s for, where you’re going to use it, and other various conditions that you might encounter while using it.

Can’t wait for the next Podcast. ;)
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jun says:

18 years ago

yugs, i have a samson usb (i forgot the model, but it’s like C-something) that i got from megamall sa 5th floor (i forgot the store) but have not used it that much (kulang sa time). If you want to try it out first, i can lend it to you when i come back to manila from bicol. just text me.
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jayvee f. says:

18 years ago

you can find it in audiophile. i had a pending order for this already but suspended it in the meantime.

cholo and brian of creativeoices got me a discount. maybe you would like to avail of it instead.

as for the software, you CAN use this with garageband and audacity. ive done this so many times. you need to plug in the mic first then set the audio input in settings (mac) or control panel (PC) afterwards.
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kai says:

17 years ago

ATTN: PODCAST LISTENERS
Hi, i’m chika bugtas senior broadcast communication at UPd. i’m doing a study about philippine podcasting. if you have time po, may i ask you to answer the ff questions po, kahit in bullet points lang po. you can email the answers at chikasci_bu****@****.***

thank you so much for you time. god bless!

Name: (PODCAST LISTENER)
Age:
Degree:
Occupation:
Website:

1. Who introduced you to podcasting? How did you discover podcasting?
2. What are your favorite podcasts? Why? (Describe these podcasts)
3. What are your least favorite podcasts? Why? (Describe these podcasts)
4. How often do you listen to or download podcast sites?
5. How are you able to access podcasts?
6. Are you planning to put up your own podcast site? Why yes? Why not?
7. In what ways do you think can podcasting benefit the Filipino society?
8. Are there negative effects of podcasting to Filipinos? If yes, what are those?
9. Are you aware of any issues being thrown at podcasting? What are those? (Ex. Podcasting will kill radio broadcasting)
10. Whatâ€™s your personal assessment on the status of podcasting in the Philippines?
11. Do you think podcasting will click in the Philippines? Why?
- Reply
Jesus Blare says:

14 years ago

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