Are you looking for the best gear for your podcasting studio or classroom audio/video club? Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to test a ton of great gear and have listed my recommendations on my Classroom podcasting equipment and my podcasting studio equipment Pages.
In this article, we’ll be looking at my favorite podcasting microphones for summer 2022. This year, I’m not only looking to update the gear I use with my students, but also buying some new gear for my broadcast mobile when I attend conferences such as ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education).
Each of these microphones below are ones that I own or have used in the past and have extensive testing experience. If you would like to contact me and discuss your next equipment purchase, please feel free to select a time to talk on my booking page.
Microphones that sit on a desk or table
RODE NT-USB MINI
The RODE NT-USB MINI The microphone is a studio-grade condenser microphone featuring a directional cardioid polar pattern to help reduce sounds found in loud classrooms. The microphone has a built-in pop filter to reduce annoying sounds from heavy breathing.
The NT-USB Mini works with any Windows, MacOS or Chromebook computer as well as most tablets.
The famous (or the infamous) BLUE YETI is a USE microphone that can be used on your desk or attached to a boom. The YETI features a multi-pattern design that lets you record vocals at 180 and 360 degrees. The YETI will always have a safe place in my gear bag as it was the first podcasting microphone I purchased, and I still use it today for special projects.
The RODE SMARTLAV+ is a broadcast quality lavalier microphone designed to be powerful enough to record clear sound but small enough to be hidden inside clothing when video recording. The SMARTLAV+ features a 3.5mm TRRS interface and comes with a clip and windscreen to protect your recordings from excessive noise and wind.
If you want to give your mobile audio game a boost, the RODE LAVALIER II premium microphone might be the right one for you. Featuring a low-profile design, superior sound, and several professional features, the LAVALIER II is my go-to mobile microphone for conferences this summer. The RODE LAVALIER II, when paired with the AI=MICRO, can attach to any desktop, laptop, or mobile device providing the best mobile unit for creating an intimate 1:1 podcast conversation .
The RODE PODMIC is a rugged, durable USB/XLR microphone featuring all-metal construction. This is the microphone I bought in bulk when I started my college broadcast program. The microphone costs just over a hundred dollars and includes an internal pop filter. The RODE PODMIC works great both as a desktop microphone or when held in place by a boom arm such as the RODE PSA 1 SWIVEL MOUNT STUDIO MICROPHONE BOOM ARM.
Another microphone that will be in my gear bag this summer is the RODE VIDEOMIC ME-L. This compact but very high quality microphone comes in 3 versions for iOS, androidand Headphone connection and is the perfect companion for video setups using your phone or tablet. My favorite feature of this microphone is the 3.5mm headphone port so you know your mobile device is getting clear sound in your favorite recording app.
I will always remember spending hours packing all my gear and setting sail for conferences like ISTE. I probably had 1-2 bags full to the brim with wires, mixers and dongles for every occasion. I don’t want to think about how much I probably paid in baggage fees at the airport.
Podcasting gear has certainly come a long way since then. The equipment is much smaller, the prices are cheaper, and the strain on your back from long days of walking is far from over.
I look forward to attending this year’s ISTE conference and would love to meet you in New Orleans. Don’t forget to find me on Twitter @TeacherCast and attack me in the halls of the conference if you see me running between interviews!
About the Author, Jeffrey Bradbury
Jeff Bradbury, creator of TeacherCast and father of the famous @EduTriplets Thanks for checking out TeacherCast today. Please take a moment to find me on all my social media channels!
