I'm starting a podcast! I need help!

[kurtsietz]

Hey everyone, I like listening to podcasts a LOT and so does my friend.  She & I have decided to create a podcast because we've noticed TONS of podcasts for people who like Lost, Heroes, et. all, but we just watch the shows and listen to a podcast or two a week on each show.  We are just casual TV viewers and wanted to create a short lil podcast that people can watch.  We like Lost but we dont go crazy and go online reading for hours or do the Lost Experiences that they do each year and we barely ever go on youtube or anything like that so we wanted to give the insight of intelligent, casual fans of the show.  (We also have some other ideas for different shows) OK; here's where I need help.

I have a budget of like $100 and I need some GOOD quality for the best price I can get:

-2 microphones
-audio recording software
-a headset

I was wondering if anyone could tell me some cheap gear for podcasting that we can get because we dont want to invest TOO much money on it, I've been to some sites where a full set of podcasting gear was as much as $1000!!! I got scared and closed out. xD. But we dont just want some microphone that will produce un-listenable audio, we want it to sound GOOD. (good quality, good content)

Also, I have no clue if this is possible or how to do this:

I want to like play clips off of my computer (audio clips) and incorperate them into the podcast, I need help learning how to do this.  (I tried putting the mic up to the speaker but it sounded REALLY crappy).  I'm so new to this, any help would be appreciated.

THANKS EVERYONE!!! ;;;

[Cliff Ravenscraft]

Here's the setup that I would recommend for you!

Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer $39.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Eurorack-UB802-Mixer?sku=631238

On-Stage Stands MS7510 Mic Pro Pak (TWO OF THESE!) $17.99 Each
Note: this package includes a Mic, a Mic Stand, & a Mic Cable!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-MS7510-Mic-Pro-Pak?sku=270619

Hosa Stereo Y-cable Mini Male-Two RCA Males 6ft ($4.99)
Use this to go from TAPE OUT on mixer to the LINE IN on your Computer!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hosa-Stereo-Ycable-Mini-MaleTwo-RCA-Males?sku=333055

Maxell Headphone Splitter for iPod $4.99
This is so you can plug it into your headphones on the mixer and have two sets of headphones hooked up.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Maxell-Headphone-Splitter-for-iPod?sku=249506

Yamaha RH1C Ported Stereo Headphones TWO OF THESE! $10.99 Each
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-RH1C-POrted-Stereo-Headphones?sku=247114

Audacity Audio Editing Software  FREE!!!
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Total Cost= $107.93 Plus Tax!

Hows That?

[Dylan]

Thanks For The "Musician's Friend" Plug!!!!

-Dylan (Musician's Friend Customer Service)

[Phlegon]

ThinkGeek has the "USB Podcast Studio." (http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/99e5/

I haven't used this kit, and it is currently $170, but I thought I'd mention it because it looks cool. Also, Cliff, I'm wondering what thoughts you have about it. I really like the mic, though I don't know whether the software is needed.

[kurtsietz]

Here's the setup that I would recommend for you!

Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer $39.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Eurorack-UB802-Mixer?sku=631238

On-Stage Stands MS7510 Mic Pro Pak (TWO OF THESE!) $17.99 Each
Note: this package includes a Mic, a Mic Stand, & a Mic Cable!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-MS7510-Mic-Pro-Pak?sku=270619

Hosa Stereo Y-cable Mini Male-Two RCA Males 6ft ($4.99)
Use this to go from TAPE OUT on mixer to the LINE IN on your Computer!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hosa-Stereo-Ycable-Mini-MaleTwo-RCA-Males?sku=333055

Maxell Headphone Splitter for iPod $4.99
This is so you can plug it into your headphones on the mixer and have two sets of headphones hooked up.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Maxell-Headphone-Splitter-for-iPod?sku=249506

Yamaha RH1C Ported Stereo Headphones TWO OF THESE! $10.99 Each
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-RH1C-POrted-Stereo-Headphones?sku=247114

Audacity Audio Editing Software  FREE!!!
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Total Cost= $107.93 Plus Tax!

Hows That?

Wow this equipment looks really good and its cheap!! This is excellent!!!

[the Ramen Noodle]

Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer

This shows my ignorance of audio technology. Will this mixer function as a preamp as well?

[Cliff Ravenscraft]

ThinkGeek has the "USB Podcast Studio." (http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/99e5/

I haven't used this kit, and it is currently $170, but I thought I'd mention it because it looks cool. Also, Cliff, I'm wondering what thoughts you have about it. I really like the mic, though I don't know whether the software is needed.

I personally don't like anything USB when it comes to recording setups.  I plan to look into some in the future, but I'll always suggest people get equipment that will easily allow them to go to direct recording into a flash digital audio recorder down the road.

My experience is that COMPUTER NOISES will eventually drive people crazy in the editing process and they will WISH they would have headed my advice and gone analog with a mixer. 

Cliff

[Cliff Ravenscraft]

Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer

This shows my ignorance of audio technology. Will this mixer function as a preamp as well?

Yes Daniel, this will certainly amplify the signal from your dynamic mic and it also has phantom power for condenser mics as well!

[the Ramen Noodle]

Wow. So I was about to pay $100 for a USB Preamp that I didn't really need when a cheaper board like this will do mostly the same thing? I was thinking that the USB would allow me to record into multiple tracks, but then realized that this mixer board could send Channel 1 to Left and Channel 2 to the right, and then I just record in Stereo. Instant split tracks!

Thanks for the tip, Cliff. This should be my first purchase after I pay some bills.

[sine922]

Finally have time to ask my question about classroom use for the setup you recommended.  Would you recommend this solution for a classroom? 

We use a wireless (Shure or AKG) mic connected to the sound card on the PC and Audition.  Faculty have to be free to move around the room while lecturing.  After class, they upload their lecture and make it available as podcasts for their students.  Most don't do any editing.  The mics alone cost ~$500!  We have been considering going with Solo USB mic with no belt pack, but it costs ~$1000.  We need to equip over 100 rooms, and have about 10 in place right now.

Thanks for any advice you have to offer!

[sine922]

Forgot t say that we are trying to make it as easy as possible for users, so we keep all equipment locked up in the room so they don't have to carry anything with them.  The whole setup needs to fit in a cabinet drawer.

[Cliff Ravenscraft]

Here's the setup that I would recommend for you!

Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer $39.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Eurorack-UB802-Mixer?sku=631238

On-Stage Stands MS7510 Mic Pro Pak (TWO OF THESE!) $17.99 Each
Note: this package includes a Mic, a Mic Stand, & a Mic Cable!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-MS7510-Mic-Pro-Pak?sku=270619

Hosa Stereo Y-cable Mini Male-Two RCA Males 6ft ($4.99)
Use this to go from TAPE OUT on mixer to the LINE IN on your Computer!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hosa-Stereo-Ycable-Mini-MaleTwo-RCA-Males?sku=333055

Maxell Headphone Splitter for iPod $4.99
This is so you can plug it into your headphones on the mixer and have two sets of headphones hooked up.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Maxell-Headphone-Splitter-for-iPod?sku=249506

Yamaha RH1C Ported Stereo Headphones TWO OF THESE! $10.99 Each
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-RH1C-POrted-Stereo-Headphones?sku=247114

Audacity Audio Editing Software  FREE!!!
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Total Cost= $107.93 Plus Tax!

Hows That?

Wow this equipment looks really good and its cheap!! This is excellent!!!

Everything is good but the mics... "They are cheap mics."  They will work fine to get you started though!  Much better than the average folks who start with a headset mic going into their computer.

Mixer is GREAT!  Everything else is pretty standard equipment.

[the Ramen Noodle]

I just realized this is missing only one thing—a pop filter. Can you make one yourself with woman's hosiery?

[Cliff Ravenscraft]

I just realized this is missing only one thing—a pop filter. Can you make one yourself with woman's hosiery?

Yes you can.  In fact, most that you buy look like they were!

[Cliff Ravenscraft]

Finally have time to ask my question about classroom use for the setup you recommended.  Would you recommend this solution for a classroom? 

We use a wireless (Shure or AKG) mic connected to the sound card on the PC and Audition.  Faculty have to be free to move around the room while lecturing.  After class, they upload their lecture and make it available as podcasts for their students.  Most don't do any editing.  The mics alone cost ~$500!  We have been considering going with Solo USB mic with no belt pack, but it costs ~$1000.  We need to equip over 100 rooms, and have about 10 in place right now.

Thanks for any advice you have to offer!

I don't think I would recommend this package to you for your classrooms.

I would instead recommend this... ALONE!!!!
Click Link Below!
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1916