Mass Media & Technology

Podcasting Microphones

A little help in making a decision (December 2020)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
JB
JasonB
This is for those who do podcasting or any kind of pre-recorded radio show. What microphone would you recommend to use? I'm looking for one to try out some pilots and see how i sound. Ideally my requirements are one with a tripod that i can stand on a table and plug in via USB to my laptop.
BA
Bail Moderator
Look no futher than the Rode NT-USB then for good audio quality and its super simple to use and setup. It's about £120-£150 depending where you buy.

http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt-usb
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rode-Microphones-NT-USB-Microphone/dp/B00KQPGRRE
JB
JasonB
Bail posted:
Look no futher than the Rode NT-USB then for good audio quality and its super simple to use and setup. It's about £120-£150 depending where you buy.

http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt-usb
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rode-Microphones-NT-USB-Microphone/dp/B00KQPGRRE


Thanks Bail.

I had read about that brand yesterday when looking through a top 10 list of microphones to use and i might treat myself to it for Christmas. We did our last live socially distanced hospital radio programmes again in the run up to Tier 3 last Tuesday and now as we're in Tier 4 it looks like it'll be a while before i do any kind of live programming again.
BA
bilky asko
Bail posted:
Look no futher than the Rode NT-USB then for good audio quality and its super simple to use and setup. It's about £120-£150 depending where you buy.

http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt-usb
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rode-Microphones-NT-USB-Microphone/dp/B00KQPGRRE


Thanks Bail.

I had read about that brand yesterday when looking through a top 10 list of microphones to use and i might treat myself to it for Christmas. We did our last live socially distanced hospital radio programmes again in the run up to Tier 3 last Tuesday and now as we're in Tier 4 it looks like it'll be a while before i do any kind of live programming again.


If you look a lot like the BBC's Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, this is how you might look using said microphone:



SP
Steve in Pudsey
Interesting. Rory used to use ISDN with a vintage lip mic



MA
Markymark
Interesting. Rory used to use ISDN with a vintage lip mic



You mean a Coles 4104 ?

http://www.coleselectroacoustics.com/microphones/4104-commentators-microphone

That Rode mic is a USB connected device I think, so looks as if the BBC journos have been issued with kit that is supportable by vanilla IT orientated staff, and not broadcast engineers per se.
TE
Technologist
Interesting. Rory used to use ISDN with a vintage lip mic




You would expect that the Technology correspondent would be on BASS and thus be using SIP ..... rather than ISDN ...
SIP, is a protocol which is already widely adopted by VoIP phones and company switchboards. The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) actually set a standard for SIP connectivity between broadcast codecs over a decade ago,
N/ACIP https://sip.audio/knowledgebase/ebu_tech_3326.php

But it's only now that an agreed set of parameters have been set ..
All major codec manfacturers inc Glensond support it ...
but look,at https://inqualitymedia.com/ for some set ups ..
NG
noggin Founding member
The chances are that Røde mic is plugged into the Raspberry Pi + Pi Foundation 7" Touchscreen BBC Codec box next to it you can see connected via IP to whatever destination he is working to. I think the BBC are phasing out ISDN connections - partially because they are EOL and will be phased out by BT at some point, but also it's a cost saving if the correspondent also has broadband suitable. (The BBC need no longer pay for a permanent ISDN connection to each correspondent's home).
UKnews and bilky asko gave kudos
MA
Markymark
The chances are that Røde mic is plugged into the Raspberry Pi + Pi Foundation 7" Touchscreen BBC Codec box next to it you can see connected via IP to whatever destination he is working to. I think the BBC are phasing out ISDN connections - partially because they are EOL and will be phased out by BT at some point, but also it's a cost saving if the correspondent also has broadband suitable. (The BBC need no longer pay for a permanent ISDN connection to each correspondent's home).


Dec 31 2025 is the End of Life date for BT ISDN, and I think also domestic analogue phone lines? This is why domestic, but often proprietary to the ISP, VoIP services are being rolled out on new domestic connections.

Newer posts