10 pieces of gear to improve your podcasting and streaming audio quality in 2023
by The Press Desk
sE Electronics DynaCaster DCM6
Renowed for its pristine microphone manufacturing sE Electronics enters the podcasting field with the DCM6, a front-addreses active cardioid dynamic microphone integrated with phantom-powered DYNAMITE Technology applied to the company's slim active inline preamp with the same name. The tech provides users an extra 30dB of clean transparent gain at the push of a button. Gold-plated XLR connectors ensures loss-free, reliable signal connection.
Shure MV7
If you can't afford a low-noise environment or don't really have use for 8 different polar-patterns don´t worry, there are still plenty of high quality entry-level microphones in the market such as this one. With almost one hundred years in the business it is needless to say Shure is a benchmark regarding microphone designing and manufacturing and has recently - as all major companies - included a number of podcasting and content creation products in their catalog such as the MV7. Designed and built as a budget version of the company's legendary broadcast flagship, the SM7B. The MV7 dynamic micrphone offers podcasters the flexibility of both XLR and USB connections as well as a built-in headphone output, combine these with its included MOTIV Desktop App and you'll have all the tools needed in order to stream right away as the mic by itself can work as an audio interface.
IK Multimedia iRig HD X
The iRig HD X comes as the smallest footprint audio interface in this list and IK’s new flagship of the iRig family as well. Built for guitar players to practice, finding tones, jamming, recording and streaming anywhere this compact interface is capable of 24-bit / 96 kHz audio recording. iRig HD X also features a direct monitoring switch, loopback function and includes AmpliTube 5 SE and TONEX SE for Mac/iOS and PC/Android users to have access to hundreds of tone and amp models for guitar and bass. Whether you’re practicing, streaming or recording this little gadget will get you covered.
Focusrite Vocaster Two
Next on this list we have the Focusrite Vocaster Two, which alongside its smaller version, the Vocaster One announced the company's gateway to the podcasting and content creation market. The Vocaster Two can be sold separately or together with the Vocaster DM14v dynamic microphone and the HP60v headphones with a promotional price tag as the "Vocaster Two Studio" bundle. The little-but-mighty interface features two XLR microphone inputs conveniently tagged as "guest" and "host" as well as two headphone outputs with independent volume knobs also labeled the same way. Intuitive front-panel controls tells you pretty much all you need to know just by looking at it and a big center encoder adjusts the selected parameters highlighting the device's seemingless straight-forward operation design. The unit also features a TRS camera output, a TRRS phone input and bluetooth connectivity.
ZOOM H8
Need to record on the go without the clunkiness of a computer and an audio interface? Check out the Zoom H8, the company’s newest addition to its much praised H series of hand recorders. The H8 is a up to 12-track modular remote recorder with the ability to switch between attachable microphone capsules or 4 more XLR microphone inputs depending on the user’s choice along the equipment’s vast range of optional modules that features X&Y, Mid-Side, Boom, Ambisonic capsules and much more! The recorder has plenty of onboard storage and battery life to spare for hours of recording fun as standalone or as a 12-in/2-out multitrack audio interface with up to 24bit/96kHz of digital conversion, so if you can afford (or want to carry) a laptop you can still record on the go with the clunkiness of a computer and an audio interface!
RODE RodeCaster PRO II
The RØDECaster Pro II is an all-in-one solution for serious podcasters, merging mixing and recording tools into a single platform that can operate with or without a computer. The RØDECaster Pro boasts four Class A mic preamps with studio-grade APHEX® audio processing and on-board effects for seriously enhancing audio quality. It also comes with convenient bluetooth input, multiple headphone outputs, a high-performance quad-core audio engine and dual USB-C interfaces for connecting two computers or mobile devices. A very elegant solution if you’re hosting multiple guests on your podcast.
RODE Wireless Pro
The recently released RØDE Wireless Pro is a dual-channel compact wireless microphone system that changed the game for many by offering 32-bit float on-board recording, meaning professional grade audio quality from the source ready to be mixed by professionals. The device also features timecode capabilities for quick audio sync, 32GB internal memory for over 40 hours of on-board recording and 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption of audio transmission stability with a range of up to 260m. RØDE’s Wireless Pro kit contains everything you need to start producing with 2 transmitters, one receiver, 2 RØDE Lavalier II microphones and all the cables, cases and accessories you’ll need included in the box.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet
M50x Headset
One of the most used headphones in tracking, mixing and live applications has just been turned into a headset. The ATH-M50xSTS Streamset combines the good isolation, loud volume for monitoring and great sound quality of the M50x headphones with the power and flexibility of the acclaimed AT2020 condenser microphone.
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
iLoud Micro Monitors are designed to fit small rooms or the size of a typical bedroom and as such they are categorized as “super near-field” monitors and this is very good news for most of today’s content creators and streamers, not only for their outstanding performance dealing with sound reflection in such spaces but also for having the smallest footprint in the world of reference monitors so users can easily integrate it to their workspace. iLoud monitors feature the convenient Position EQ switch allowing owners the choice between a flat frequency response or ‘desk’ meaning the monitor will make EQ corrections regarding a typical bedroom studio situation where monitors are placed above a desk close to a wall. This configuration produces unwanted ‘boomy’ sound artifacts that now can be corrected with the flip of a switch. iLoud Micro Monitors has RCA, TRS inputs and bluetooth connectivity.
Shure SM7B
If you haven't been living under a rock you have certainly seen the ubiquitous Shure SM7B in use on so many broadcasts/live streaming from all kinds of content providers, from major TV channels to humble YouTubers, not to mention its frequent use in music recording studios as an exceptional vocal mic (amongst other uses!) It's superb on voice work and capable of handling high-SPL abuse like few others thanks to its effective internal pop-filter, making it perfect for handling those wild guests who will inevitably get too close to the mic - not to mention they will sound amazing on those people who know how to get the best out of them! Couple great sonics with great "bad-room-rejection" as well and you've got a classic.
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