What to Buy for Mobile Podcast Recording
We’ve already covered the gear you’ll need to record high quality remote podcasts over Zoom, Riverside, or Squadcast – but what about recording one or two people on-location instead of over the internet? We have 3 options that cover most budgets and recording scenarios.
But First - The Fine Print!
The goal with the setups below is to keep cost low and simplicity high. That said, it’s easy to make mistakes that ruin your recordings, even with the best gear, so let’s start with a few tips that ensure your podcast will sound as clear as possible:
Place the mic correctly: Lav/lapel mics and wireless transmitters should be clipped to clothing as close to the person’s mouth as possible and positioned in a way that they won’t rub on clothing. Tabletop mics should be within a fist’s distance of the subject’s mouth, and placed slightly down or to the side in order to avoid blasts of air (“plosives”) coming from the mouth. Mics placed this close to the mouth will pick up more of what you want (voice) and less of what you don’t (room noise). Placing mics this close to the mouth also means you’ll need one mic per person.
Reduce unwanted noise: Pick a quiet location for your interview and silence anything that could introduce background noise. Close doors and windows; remove jangly jewelry; turn off cellphones and music; and caution your subjects not to tap their pen, type, or make other distracting sounds. Wind, or even a slight breeze, makes recording especially difficult, so if you plan on recording outdoors you’ll need special equipment not covered here.
Check your levels: Your recorder or smartphone app will have a “level meter” showing the volume of sound the mics are picking up. Levels that are too high or too low can spoil a recording. Keep the maximum level during normal speech around ¾ of the way up the meter. This provides a healthy signal while leaving some “head room” for loud exclamations or random bursts of laughter.
Make sure you’re recording! As basic as this sounds, everyone who works in audio has a horror story about forgetting to press record or thinking they’re recording when they’re not. To be sure you’re recording, wear headphones to monitor the recording in progress, and keep an eye on your recorder’s screen – you’ll know you’re recording if the level meters are bouncing up and down and the timer is ticking up.
Practice and make a checklist: Get to know your equipment before that critical recording session by recording some test conversations and listening back to ensure everything sounds good. Write yourself a checklist based around your equipment and the tips above to ensure you don’t miss anything when it comes time to record for real.
And now, our recommended gear for recording on-location:
Wired Podcasting Setup (~$220)
Our least expensive recommended setup uses two wired clip-on JK MIC-J 044 lav mics ($55 each) and a RODE AI-Micro Audio Interface ($110) to connect to your smartphone. Use the Rode Report App to capture the sound from the mics. Make sure you’re recording in “split mode” to separate each speaker onto their own track.
Why it works: Clip on mics keep the mic correctly positioned even if your subject moves around a bit.
Room for improvement: The mic cables are each only 1.2 meters long so consider buying a couple of inexpensive headphone extension cables to increase their reach. That said, if you think you and your subject will be moving more than simply leaning forward and back in a chair, consider going the wireless route.
Wireless Podcasting Setup (~$400)
Wireless mics remove the limitations of wires, but introduce a few more variables to consider like battery life and audio hiccups if there’s radio frequency interference from wi-fi or other sources. We recommend the Dual Channel RODE Wireless GO 2 ($400) which handles these potential issues gracefully. The battery will last up to 7 hours, and each clip-on transmitter records internally - so you have a backup if there’s any interference. Use the Rode Report App to capture the sound from the receiver. Make sure you’re recording in “split mode” to separate each speaker onto their own track.
Why it works: Wireless mics accommodate movement well and the onboard backup recording can be a lifesaver.
Room for improvement: The clip-on transmitters with built-in mics are small, but still a bit bulky when clipped to clothing. If you prefer more unobtrusive lav mics, consider the RODE Wireless PRO ($540), which includes two lav mics and a host of other useful accessories. Skip the cheaper Wireless ME, which doesn’t include the backup recording feature.
Desktop Podcasting Setup (~$400)
This setup is great for recording people sitting at a table. The Zoom PodTrak P4 ($199) records internally on a memory card, while the Mackie EM-Series, Dynamic Vocal Microphone (EM-89D) ($65 each) sound great for the price and include the necessary XLR cables. Neewer Tabletop Mic Stands ($20 each) are a cheap and cheerful way to get the mics close enough to each subject’s mouth. Don’t forget to purchase a memory card to capture the audio!
Why it works: Two or more people sitting behind tabletop mics is a classic podcasting setup for a reason. These larger mics capture richer, higher quality sound. As a bonus, the Zoom recorder can accommodate up to four mics, while the other setups on this page max out at two.
Room for improvement: This setup relies on you and your subject staying close to the microphone, unlike the clip-on options above. Additionally, any contact with the table will cause vibrations that transmit easily into the microphones. Take special care to ensure this doesn’t happen, and consider investing in an inexpensive shockmount to reduce those vibrations.