Ask Engadget: Cheap portable podcasting gear?

It's Thursday evening, which means it's time for another installment of Ask Engadget. Last week our own Dave Zatz asked for some advice on picking a new digital camera (he settled on Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX9, by the way), this week Pam is looking for some new gear for podcasting on the cheap:

I'm doing podcasting with MixMeister Propaganda. Works like a charm from my desktop and all I use is a cheap mic/headset combo thing. I want to start recording interviews/ambient sound to use in my podcasts. I bought an Olympus voice recorder, but the background noise is terrible. I'd love to see an "Ask Engadget" on portable podcasting hardware. I'd like to be able to get away with under 200, mic included. Tips on selecting podcasting hardware would be SO welcome.

Any advice?

[Derek K. Miller @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Although the user interface is a bit of a pain, iRiver's IFP-series MP3 player/recorders are a great deal, and you can plug your existing headset right into the 1/8" mini-mic port and record away. You have control over the recording bitrate, and files move via USB directly to MP3 files on your computer, Windows or Mac.

Minuses? Well, the user interface, as I mentioned; built-in flash memory instead of swappable cards; and you have to use the iRiver software (Windows or Mac, as I mentioned) to move files on or off. The biggest downside is, like Apple's iPods, if you move MP3 or other music files onto the iRiver, you can't move them off again. (Recordings and other files come off no problem.) But it does play .ogg format, and runs on a single AA battery.

[sam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I was just interviewed on the radio and the woman was using a beat up old sony minidisc and a microphone with a big foam cover on it. I think the foam cover was the key to getting good sound. Old minidisc recorders are pretty cheap.

[Brent Rowan Hopkins @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

How good is the speakerphone on your cellphone? You could just use Google's Audioblogger for free. Works like a charm.

[Muzungo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

200 is not a lot for professional sound...
Start with a good microphone for handheld work - most are designed to be mounted, and will give you a lot of handling noise. When I was a radio journalist, I used the Electrovoice RE50 - which has internal shock mounting - beautiful mike, perfect for interviews.
For recording, I would recommend MiniDisc - its a PITA to have to re-digitise all your sound, but in terms of sound quality for the buck, its the way to go.
By the way, make sure you use the right cable - the RE50 (or any interview mike) is mono - so you need an XLR mono to 3.5mm stereo jack - to feed the signal to both channels.

Of course if you want to go the pro router, you could spring for a Marantz PMD660:

http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp?FolderID=3629

Good luck

[Roberto Diggs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Try ebay for a rio carbon mp3 player. Has nice audio recording and is small yet has 5-6gb of storage. If you need something that uses a mic also look at something like the archos mp3 players that offer a line in. All you would need is a powered mike

[C.K. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Well, if you have a new iPod, they should be coming out with mics and iTalk-esque devices for it soon, which will say goodbye to the old 8mhz cap and welcome 44.1Khz Stereo audio recording. So it *could* be a good portable podcasting bit of gear. This is assuming that you already own the iPod.

[Jamie Moffett @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I'm quite the fan of the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96. Comes with a stereo mic, but it'll set you back about $350.00 street.

[Glen Campbell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I don't think it was the foam that improved the quality; it was having a high-quality mic in the first place. Minidiscs have been the standard for radio journalists for years now, but they're rapidly being replaced by high-end digital recorders like the Edirol M-1, the Marantz PMD660, and the M-Audio Microtrack. The last two will accept high-quality microphones with phantom power (preamp) requirements. The quality will be head and shoulders over a standard voice recorder.

[Niap @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The mic is everything...

[jono nolan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The problem you said means that you need a new mic. Get a minidisc, or a rio or an iriver; its largely irrelevant to audio quality. Then buy the best mic you can. While inside next to your computer there is no wind, no background noise and no movement. Once you are out and about you need to be thinking more about "Do I want a microphone that is cardiod ( you point it at something and it just picks up what is directly in front of it) or omni directional? (which picks up everything)

Have a look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphones
For some help about what you want.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Get a unidirectional mic. That'll help with the background noise.

[Craig Negoescu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Sony Minidisc is the way to go. It's cheap, robust, my old one works forever on a single AA battery (user replaceable). The AGC (auto gain) circuit on the MD is amazing. It can handle a rehearsal room when the band is going full tilt w/o distortion. Also, whenever you record a session, you have a backup- the disc itself. I am the most gadgeted person I know - but nothing short of my high end solid state field recorder comes close. low end solid state solutions haven't quite gotten there yet. Pair it up with an ECM stereo mic from Sony or something from the sound professionals website -- they rock.

[Steve Borsch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I've purchased and/or tested the:

- Edirol R1 = $400
- iRiver ifp899 = $99
- PMD660 = $450
- iPod

I settled on the M-Audio Microtrack. Why? Sound quality; price ($400-ish street); compact form factor (about the size of an iPod but about 2 inches thick); and the recording features (WAV or mp3 with multiple variables for bit rate, etc.).

It comes shipped with a little "T" stereo microphone that is amusingly and surprisingly AWESOME. It's not perfect and I wish my iPod would allow me the recording flexibility this unit has (the new iPod's have lifted the 'artificial' 8khz recording capability in favor of 44.1khz but don't have the same inputs, etc.) but this Microtrack covers the bases you'd require for interview, field or other kinds of recording.

Two sessions you might like to hear:

1) My podcast that includes a review of the Microtrack: http://borsch.typepad.com/ctd/2005/10/ctd_for_october.html

2) A surprisingly good one hour session I recorded at the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco earlier in October (of the AttentionTrust.org first board meeting). The first two minutes are quiet...until I set the Microtrack on the table where the panelists were sitting. You can even hear questions from the 100 or so audience members who were interested in this new .org)" http://www.wsjb.com/podcast/20051005_ATBM.mp3

Hope this helps -- Steve

[Brant @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Good times. I am still knocked out after a couple of years with my iriver. I bought it becouse it is the only mp3 player getting good reviews that has a line in jack. After growing up recording myself and friends journaling and making music I've been wowed by the recordings I get with the built in mic. (classes, Journaling, audio notes, and getting an down a guitar idea. The big deal though is pluging in a good mic. The thing is tiny, (it's in my pocket now with some podcast and tunes I through on this morning). In my world there are three grades of gear. Cheap, you've tried that; Beautiful high end stuff, fun to look at; and then work-horse rest-of-us gear. Mini-disk have made a zillion great recordings on the cheap, but there is no reason to go there now that there are flash memory(reliable), and harddrive (giant amounts of memory) options. The irivers do ot record to mp3 as somebody pointed out, but the desktop software does the converting automaticly so I have never cared. The mic is key, a pre-amp will improve things 15 to 20 percent, if you already have a decent quality. Gear and litature for live music recording helps to inform and thin out the junk. Rock on. Keep learn'n.

-my friend want my mic and pre-amp from...
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?category=0

-freak out now...
http://bensbargains.net/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?search
(mine is the old 256m and I would like more memory, but it's rocked my world)

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The Fhash Mic
http://www.hhb.co.uk/hhb/int/press/press_detail.asp?ID=336

Portable recording specialist HHB Communications has developed the FlashMic DRM85 - the world's first professional Digital Recording Microphone. Perfect for all voice recording applications, in particular broadcast and press interviewing, the FlashMic combines a high quality Sennheiser omni-directional condenser capsule with 1GB of flash recording memory to create a convenient, durable and portable recording device that's extremely easy to operate.

[Qwell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I've got to through in with the Sony MD crowd. I've had mine for six years and it's been a consistently admiralble component. I've used it for conferences, weddings, concerts and meetings. I use an old grey Apple PowerBook mic. The mic itself is over ten years old but the pick up is great and the sound in varied conditions is magnificent.

[John Lane @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The longtime mainstay of profesionals is portable minidisc recorders. Which can be found quite inexpensive now, thanks to its fading usage.

Microphones, are equally as important to consider. Who, what, and where are you going to be recording.

However one thing no-one has covered yet is microphone placement, and where you are going to recording. These are more important to audio quality than the recorder and mic.
Goto your library and pick up some good books on the subject of recording Voiceovers specificly.
Here is an exert from Jay Roses's excellent book Recording Audio for Digital Video, which includes a good peice on Voiceover recording.
(warning pdf link)
http://www.dplay.com/book/app/appSamp.pdf

John

[Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Fostex MR8 - 8 track recorder

44Khz 16bit
2 XLR connectors + built-in Mic
Compact Flash
Removeable Batteries

Discounted to $250.00

[Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I bought the M Audio microtrack.

The microtrack phantom power didn't work as well as I had hoped with my mic, but I ran the mic through a eurotrac mixer and now I get a lot of volume and it is pretty clean.

I'm new to audio, but this set up is the best I've tried so far.

[KD @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The HHB mic the guy is reccomending is $1300.00! Buy 2 of these instead: http://www.zzounds.com/item--SAMC01U

Its a USB studio mic for $80.00. Spend a little more to get stands and windsocks, bring your laptop and you're good to go.

[Jim O'Connell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The Olympus recorder is probably fine. I use a VoiceTrek DS-20 and the sound quality is very very good - IF, you use an external microphone.

Get the Sony ECM MS-907 (http://www.minidisco.com/ecm-ms907.html)

I've been using mine since 1996 and it's never let me down. It's small, lightweight, rugged and takes a single AA battery. I recently bought a second.

Then, just be careful about extraneous noise and vibration, like the sound and vibration from a laptop on the same table. Putting the whole kit on a folded-up sweater would probably be totally adequate.

This recorder is the same one that my friend used when she was a reporter for TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) by the way and the quality was good enough for them to broadcast.

[Audio Collective @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

We have been doing the mobile podcasting thing for a long time and have used a verity of cheep equipment. What we are using now sounds amazing for the price. We use the iRiver IFP-895 and a pair of binaural microphones http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-BMC-2.
This setup sounds great for podcasting and is also cheep at under $200!
Here is a show we did with the recording setup
http://audiocollective.podlot.net/audiocollective056.mp3
Hopefully this helps,
-dave

[Audio Collective @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

We have been doing the mobile podcasting thing for a long time and have used a verity of cheep equipment. What we are using now sounds amazing for the price. We use the iRiver IFP-895 and a pair of binaural microphones http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-BMC-2.
This setup sounds great for podcasting and is also cheep at under $200!
Here is a show we did with the recording setup
http://audiocollective.podlot.net/audiocollective056.mp3
Hopefully this helps,
-dave

[Barry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I recently got the MicFlex USB microphone. At $39.99 it produces very high quality sound. I've only tried it w/the desktop PC in the home studio, which of course takes care of the ambient sound problem right there. I also use it w/a speaker phone for now, but that isn't ideal. Also, don't forget the DIY pop shield (nylons streched over a hanger). That improves things w/any mic.

[Coach Fu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I have a podcast and I'm using the Olympus DS-2 Digital Voice Recorder (US$118.99 - .wma format and usb connection for file transfer) + a Sony ECM 719 mic (US$ 67) for a very good result.

[Brad Rokosz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The MXL Desktop Recording Kit ($99 or $129 with a booster) seems to be a good way to go as a step up from the basics...
http://www.mxlmics.com/Comp_Recording/main.html

And paired with Audacity (free), you'd have a pretty potent combo under your target price point:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[Brian Housewert @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I use a fairly cheap but very effective setup. My primary recording and encoding audio source is the xClef 500 by digmind http://www.digmind.com/store/index_500.html
I bought the unit without a hard disk and threw in a 100 gig drive - you have to format the drive FAT32 prior to install but it was super slick easy - this little guy is so diversive, I can use it just like an external USB 2.0 drive to store whatever and it has a really simple OS to play back your MP3s or vocode or encode up to 320 kbps. I run a simple 4 channel marrantz mixer into it with a balanced microphone while I am at home recording my studio stuff, but again digmind was thinking when they placed a really solid mic right on the unit, be advised though it picks up everything, but its got a great sound for a pinhole mic. I take the already encoded audio file right off of the unit via USB import it into my mixing program and edit away, upload it to my server and bam! Super easy and cuts a lot of steps out of the production process. Total price for me was around $400 for everything. You can hear the results at my website http://www.objectibus.com I also have photos of my rig there. Thanks.

[Jomy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I think the new "video" iPod *should be* the ideal tool for Podcasting. With that said, as it stands it currently isn't.

The technical specs page for the new iPods state that they are capable of 44.1Khz stereo recording. However, Apple has eliminated the remote port on the new iPods that allowed the previous generation of iPods to accept a recording microphone such as Griffin's iTalk. So while the iPod is capable, without the necessary hardware accessory available we can't record anything.

Any post about Apple wouldn't be complete without some future product speculation. I fully expect to see a microphone accessory as well as Podcasting production software at MacWorld San Francisco. This will give Apple an end-to-end solution for Podcasting. I also expect this new podcasting tool to be part of iLife '06.

Imagine going to an event, recording it on your iPod and snapping some pics with your digital camera. You come home and plug your camera and iPod into your Mac. You grab the audio you just recorded on your iPod, do some basic editing, add chapters and pictures from iPhoto and quickly publish a Podcast lickety-split.

Or imagine sitting down at your Mac firing up your new podcasting iApp, pasting in the text of your "speech" and hitting record. Your Mac's screen becomes a teleprompter while you record your video podcast. This iApp then encodes your video podcast into H.264 at 320x240 and publishes it. A couple million of your closest fans get your video podcast auto-magically downloaded by iTunes to their Mac/PC/iPod...

THE VIDEO PODCASTING REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED!

[Brant @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Brant again:
In an earlyer post I mentioned a pre-amp, but was at work and in a hurry. I should have mentioned a battery modual, if your mic or recorder does not power your mic and it needs it. Again I am totally happy, even recording live music, with this gear and think shopping for live music gear helps thin out the junk.
http://bensbargains.net/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?search
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-19
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-SPSB-1
Have Fun.

[Kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

How about the Sony Pro MZ-M10 Hi-MD Portable Audio Recorder:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/244762/

Over an hour's uncompressed PCM recording on a 1 Gb MiniDisc that costs $6. If you use the ATRAC compression then you get over 30 hours of recording. The unit itself is $300, includes a mic and it does USB downloads. Oh, and it's lots smaller than the MAudio or Edirol so us musos can stick it in our instrument cases.

Sounds intriguing.

Cheers,
Kevin
www.TheNettles.com

[johnny envelope @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

For some of my freelance assignments, I've been using my Archos Gmini400 to interview some of my subjects: (http://www.archos.com/products/overview/gmini_400.html).

Although it has a built-in microphone, I like to use the optional in-line FM receiver attachment, because it actually happens to have a very good microphone built into it. To really get an idea of how I use it as a mic, you should see how it looks: http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500533.html

Since I got my gmini400, Archos has come out with variations on this unit, like the 402 and the camcorder version.

[Deviant Marshakk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Okay, I know this device is 10 times the price point specified in the original post at $2K but this device is freakin' kewl, it's made of titanium, has analog VUs and comes with a pair of built-in mics already in a fixed X/Y configuration on the top of the device. It's due out in Dec. of this year according to the press release. I heard about this device from Music Thing which is also how I learned about this thread. If only I were good enough that Santa would see fit to bring me one of these for Christmas this year:

http://aes.harmony-central.com/119AES/Content/Sony/PR/PCM-D1.html

[D. Perez @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

From your request I figured you'd want an Omni-Directional mic because they pick up ambient sound. Blue's Snowball USB mic does this beautifully. You can pick one up at the Apple store for $150 with free shipping, http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/72503/wo/lZ583QtffNH93YD5Et31Wf1kZdC/3.0.19.1.0.8.25.7.11.0.3

Now since I've got about $49.99 to spend I'm going to have to reccomend the Podcast Maker Software for Mac users, http://www.download.com/Podcast-Maker/3000-2179_4-10436311.html?tag=lst-0-1 it'll set you back $30 and comes with a 15 day free trial.

You might also want to pair it with the Audacity Software which is avaliable for free at, http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[D. Perez @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

From your request I figured you'd want an Omni-Directional mic because they pick up ambient sound. Blue's Snowball USB mic does this beautifully. You can pick one up at the Apple store for $150 with free shipping, http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/72503/wo/lZ583QtffNH93YD5Et31Wf1kZdC/3.0.19.1.0.8.25.7.11.0.3

Now since I've got about $49.99 to spend I'm going to have to reccomend the Podcast Maker Software for Mac users, http://www.download.com/Podcast-Maker/3000-2179_4-10436311.html?tag=lst-0-1 it'll set you back $30 and comes with a 15 day free trial.

You might also want to pair it with the Audacity Software which is avaliable for free at, http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I tried 2 USB mics (as someone suggested) on my mac. All of the software only let me choose one USB mic or the other as my audio source for both right and left channels. Can you use two USB mics (for stereo) without purchasing some sort of external USB mixer?

[Ghaerdon @ Dec 28th 2005 11:45AM]

When looking at mics for iRiver 700-800 series or maybe even the Mpio FY600 (supposed to be line-in) are there any that you can suggest?



I have a Radio Shake mic, mono (one black band), great for Audacity, but doesn't want to be used with these MP3 players. I have also read that only certain mics work with these less expencive options. Again, I'd love suggestions... I'm looking to podcast to a small group, nothing overy fancy.



Thanks Again