Source
r/podcasts•
phrunk

Need help on equipment selection for a 3-person podcast (2 host, potential remote guest)

I'm getting started with some friends for a 2-3 person podcast (depending on guests), and need some help with regard to mixers, digital recorders, and interfaces. This is Audio Only, and we're complete beginners, willing to learn. Our budget is $200-$300, with a bit of wiggle room.

We've decided that dynamic mics make the most sense for us, and we're exploring affordable entry-level options there. Note that we be using XLR cables to try and maximize sound quality.

Where we really need help is on the subject mentioned above: mixers, digital recorders, and interfaces. Which is ideal for getting started?

Mixers seem expensive, and it's difficult for me to see the real value for us as beginners.

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Should i be looking at Interfaces or Digital Recorders (like the Zoom H6) instead?

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Should I be trying to find something that has 3+ XLR inputs, or would it be just as good to have a mix of XLR and 3.5mm/USB?

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Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted Mar 10, 2020, 6:50 PM UTC

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MXNBWL•

My first goal was to get each mic on it's own channel. I looked into mixers, but they didn't offer what I wanted, in a decent beginners price range. The mixer I did buy, had mic 1 on the channel 1 left, and mic 2 on channel 1 right. Some might be OK with this, it was my preference not to, since I wanted to be able to expand to 4 mics if needed, and I didn't realize the mixer couldn't provide this.

So, I picked up a 4-channel audio interface, and that allows me to map each mic to a separate channel into the recording software. This is important in case of any post production I may need to do. Poppa bear is too loud... Momma bear is too soft... I can fix it in post. Rarely does that happen since I double check the gains on the interface before recording.

I looked at Zooms but, I felt I wanted less features I wasn't going to use, for less money I was going to spend. Maybe for a live event, it might be perfect because it's so portable, all in one, and can run of battery power for a good while, but that's my thoughts.

As for a remote guest, AKA over the Internet, USB is fine for them. IF they could record locally on their side, and send you the WAV afterwards, that would be the best case scenario.

You didn't mention but I feel its very important and often over looked. Headphones. I have a micro amp with 4 outputs, into $25 over the ear headphones. This helps with mic control, if you're too loud or too soft, instant feedback to help with your overall sound quality.

My setup, with a mix of new & used equipment, totaled around $425+, and thats a 3 host setup (not including the unused mixer). I'm no means an audiophile, but I have strived to produce great audio quality.

Let me know if you have farther question, I'm happy to help.

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AdventuresWithBG•

I'm very interested in your set up. Do you have a list of everything you are using?

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