hardware • recording • cleanup • feeds • other stuff

Capturing Audio for Podcasting

Below is a list of options for getting audio into your computer. Recording your audio is the first technical step in podcasting, after you plan or script your show.

There are many more products available. The items listed are some recommendations as of the Fall of 2005. The list assumes that your computer has either a mic input or USB port.

Microphones and other audio-in solutions

Fixed microphone (desktop or studio)

• Free - internal mic or the mic that came with your computer
• Inexpensive condenser mic or mic/headset that plug into the mic and headset ports of your computer
• USB microphone
  • Logitech USB Premium Headset 350 ($36)
• iSight™ camera (contains noise-canceling) or other web cam ($129)
• Blue Snowball USB Mic (flexible prosumer USB mic) ($139)
• Microphones to plug into Minidisc recorders, tape recorders or your computer's mic input
  • Sony ECM-719 Stereo Microphone ($79)
  • Sony ECM-DS70P Stereo Microphone ($52)
  • Sony ECMMS907 Digital Recording Microphone ($75)

Mobile recording (away from desk)

• cassette recorder (requires digitizing via stereo mini-to-mini cable)
• wireless microphone (s) and transceiver
  • Audio-Technica ATR288W Wireless Microphone System ($139)
• digital voice recorder (either contains doc for digital transfer for requires digitizing via stereo mini-to-mini cable)
  low-cost devices include built-in voice micas and USB for file transfer
  • Creative MuVo Micro N200 ($65)
  • iRiver IFP-180T 128 MB Flash MP3 Player ($50)
  • iRiver IFP-190T 256 MB Flash MP3 Player ($65)
• Mini-disc digital recorder
  • Sony MZ-RH10 Hi-MD Walkman Digital Music Player/Recorder ($240)
• iPod microphones & audio-in port
  • Griffin iTalk microphone ($28)Belkin
  • Voice Recorder for iPod ($35)
• video camera (requires digitizing via stereo mini-to-mini or RCA cable)

Collection of Educational Podcasting Resources