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How to Start Your Podcast: Blue Yeti vs. ATR-2100 vs. Samson Go Mic
https://www.johnnyfd.com/2015/11/how-to-start-your-podcast-blue-yeti-vs.html
This is the year. This is the year that Podcasts take over traditional media. More and more people are subscribing, listening to podcasts to and from work, and replacing their favorite must watch TV shows and radio stations with listening to podcasts.
I recently gave a talk at the weekly Digital Nomad Coffee meetup here in Chiang Mai about how every single business owner and digital nomad would benefit from having their own podcast, and this blog post is all about how to start, what equipment, recording devices, mics, and software to use as well as where to host and get your first 1,000 listeners.
Best Quality in Sound Proofed Studios: Blue Yeti
Best Value and Quality for Daily Use: Audio-Technica ATR-2100 (Or the new AT2005USB)
Most Portable but Worst Quality: Samson Go
For in person using two mics, I use Audio Hijack which is a million times easier and more stable than trying to do it the free method of using audio midi and sound flower, which seems to fail half of the time.
In person sharing a single mic such as the Blue Yeti, I use Audicity to record. I also use Audicity to edit all of my episodes.
The hardest part of making money online is building traffic and an audience to offer products to. Whether you want to sell a cool travel backpack on Kickstarter or announce your new awesome memoir you'll need an audience.
Having a podcast is already the first big hurdle that most people never conquer. Inside my course Income Boss I show you step by step in my video case studies how I monetize my email list, blogs, and podcast so you can do the same with yours.
Best of luck with your podcast, let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help!
Warm Regards,
Johnny
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I recently gave a talk at the weekly Digital Nomad Coffee meetup here in Chiang Mai about how every single business owner and digital nomad would benefit from having their own podcast, and this blog post is all about how to start, what equipment, recording devices, mics, and software to use as well as where to host and get your first 1,000 listeners.
Why Podcast?
Starting the Travel Like a Boss Podcast has introduced me to top experts in my field, connected me to tens of thousands of new followers, and increased my online income 10x both by having a bigger audience but also from the business connections and knowledge I've gained being able to ask successful entrepreneurs whatever's on my mind for an hour each and every week.
The best part of having 15,000-20,000 downloads per month compared to even having 20k blog visitors a month is the fact that podcasts are an hour long, and your listeners can really get to know you over that amount of time. As long as you have great guests on, don't hold back, and really give value, people recognize that and it's easy to build trust, connection and a loyal listener base because of it.
What Mic do I use for the Podcast? I use the Audio Technica AT2005 which is basically just a black version of the silver ATR-2100, but are identical mics otherwise.
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| My download stats for August - October |
What Equipment to Use?
It took me a long time and a ton of different mics to finally figure out what the best podcast mic is for my situation. I wanted a mix of high quality audio, portability as I travel a lot, and affordability.
I've used a ton of different mics including the Blue Yeti, Snowball, Samson Go, and Audio-Technica ATR-2100's. Here is my review of every mic that I currently use as well as a sound test so you can hear for yourself exactly what the differences are. I even include two budget options so you know what you're getting when you purchase a USB mic.
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| I've tried out most USB mics and the video below show my top three favorites. |
Video Review of 5 Mics:
Here's the Top 3 USB Mics:
Most Portable but Worst Quality: Samson Go
Hear in the Mic's in these Episodes:
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| Recorded with a shared Blue Yeti |
Software for Podcast Editing:
If you're recording over Skype I'd recommend Call Recorder which is what I personally use.
2016 Update - After going through Ian Robinson's Professional Podcasting course (he's the producer of the Tim Ferris Podcast) I took his recommendation and started using Piezo 2 instead as it records calls in separate channels allowing you to individually adjust volume levels and edit each person's track.
2016 Update - After going through Ian Robinson's Professional Podcasting course (he's the producer of the Tim Ferris Podcast) I took his recommendation and started using Piezo 2 instead as it records calls in separate channels allowing you to individually adjust volume levels and edit each person's track.
For in person using two mics, I use Audio Hijack which is a million times easier and more stable than trying to do it the free method of using audio midi and sound flower, which seems to fail half of the time.
In person sharing a single mic such as the Blue Yeti, I use Audicity to record. I also use Audicity to edit all of my episodes.
2021 Update - I now use both the ATR-2100 which is currently sold out, and the identical AT2005USB as I've found them to be the most reliable and best sounding in non-perfect sound proofed rooms.
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| Recorded with 2x ATR-2100's |
Podcast Hosting:
My best advice is not to cheap out and try to use soundcloud, podbean or any other "free" hosting service. I lost a ton of iTunes reviews and subscribers when I switched over to a paid hosting service after I got serious with my podcast and suggest that if you're going to do it at all, just pay for it. Hosting isn't free and shouldn't be.
I personally use Libsyn and recommend them. Currently i'm on the $15 a month plan and it's all I need with 4x 1 hour long episodes per month being uploaded.
Monetizing Your Podcast:
The hardest part of making money online is building traffic and an audience to offer products to. Whether you want to sell a cool travel backpack on Kickstarter or announce your new awesome memoir you'll need an audience.
Having a podcast is already the first big hurdle that most people never conquer. Inside my course Income Boss I show you step by step in my video case studies how I monetize my email list, blogs, and podcast so you can do the same with yours.
Best of luck with your podcast, let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help!
Warm Regards,
Johnny
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Great article Johnny. Of course, I'm a big fan of podcasting.
ReplyDeleteMy only feedback would be that I'm not a big fan of the Blue Yeti... I think it's because I use a Scarlet 2i2 mixer and plug my ATR 2100 into that using the XLR cable. This gear is heavier, and more complex. Not as good to travel with if you're a ounce counter when packing. I think the audio quality is considerably better.
Of course, anyone reading this could listen to the episode in which you're a guest on Love Affair Travel to hear the difference (google JohnnyFD Love Affair Travel). I recorded with the Scarlet 2i2 + ATR2100 combination. Did you use the Blue Yeti for that conversation?
For anyone listening, it might be interesting to decide for yourself. :D
All the microphone stuff aside, I think starting a podcast is a blast. Great for networking and being seen as an expert in a specific space.
With appreciation,
Ian
Hey Ian, thanks for the input. I've actually been looking into USB Audio interfaces like the Scarlett 2i2 you have.
DeleteDoes going through the Scarlett 2i2 make the audio sound better than just plugging your ATR-2100 straight into your laptop? If so is it the preamp or something else?
I'm pretty sure I used the Yeti when recording that episode with you: It's here if anyone wants to listen: http://loveaffairtravel.com/johnny-fd-fighting-diving-and-dropshipping-across-thailand/ (site seems to be down right now)
The only reason that episode might not accurately represent the true sound is because we recorded through Skype and usually it loses a bit of audio quality for the guest.
can i connect the mic to a dslr camera?
ReplyDeleteNope not these mics as they use a USB input. You'll need one that fits your DSLR input.
Deleteany idea where to purchase Blue Yeti in Chiang Mai?
ReplyDeleteHey Andy, I had a really hard time finding a USB Mic when I was in CM and ended up buying a used one. You can try Amazon or Ebay to see if they'll ship here, you'll just have to pay custom fees. Or ask a friend who's coming.
DeleteThank you for the awesome post
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! I think this would help me a few of my clients.
ReplyDelete