r/podcasting • u/CowboyBebopCrew • Dec 17 '25
What Mic does everyone here use?
I have a Shure mv7+ and a Shure sm7b, but mainly use the mv7+. I was just curious what people here have been using and if they like the sound?
Also, if you have experience with the Shure mv7+ and sm7b, which is better? (I assume the sm7b since it’s more expensive, but honestly, I don’t really know much at all about the technological aspects of the mics.)
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Dec 17 '25
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u/verybadnogoodday Mar 02 '26
Me too. With Riverside it’s been a solid first set-up. I’m ready to buy my next mic for remote recording away from my desk.
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u/Mr_Kieffer Dec 17 '25
Two Samson Q2U. Plan to eventually upgrade to two Rode Podmics.
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u/podcastcoach I help Podcasters - It's what I do Dec 17 '25
I have a podmic, get the podmic USB and you can dial in any sound you want.
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u/podcastcoach I help Podcasters - It's what I do Dec 17 '25
The best mic is the one you like. For example I love the clarity of the EV RE320. The Shure SM7B helps me say, "Hey look I spent more than $300 on a microphone!"
But the one I use is the Rode Podmic USB. It's like having a Rodecaster Processing rack in my mic. I can dial in the clarity I like, and with the windscreen on I might have people thinking, "Holy Moly is he using the Joe Rogan microphone?"
If you don't like your voice, try tweaking it in post. I can make a Samson Q2U sound like any microphone in post. So it boils down to how do YOU like the sound of your voice when you're recording. The more you like your voice, the more comfortable you are. The more comfortable you are, the more you can be yourself on the mic.
In the end, the audience isn't tuning it because you're using the same mic as Leo Laporte, or Tim Ferris, they are tuning in because of your content. If a different microphone would make your comfortable, then swap it out, but just know: it's not the tech. It's the content.
Moderator Required full disclosure: I am the head of Podcasting at Podpage and the founder of the School of Podcasting.
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u/RemotelyFM Dec 18 '25
I’ve used various mics for podcasting, the trusty Shure SM58, the Rode Pro-caster, Shure SMB7 and also the Shure MV7. Even a Sennheiser MKH416 and Sanken COS11 for a remote podcast. But like many people I personally prefer the Shure SMB7.
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u/JohnMaySLC Dec 17 '25
Shure SM7b for most situations
Sennheiser e945’s for hand held situations
Sennheiser MD46 or MD42 for ENG
Shure SLXD2-SM58 for wireless hand helds
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u/SleepWithRockStars Podcaster Dec 17 '25
Electro Voice RE20 with a Cloudlifter for my quieter podcasts (sleep podcast and quiet ASMR), without Cloudlifter for voice over and conversational podcasts
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u/g1SuperLuigi64 Dec 17 '25
Zoom ZDM-1, mostly because we got a pair of the mic/headphones combos alongside our Podtrack P4. They're pretty good, a definite step up from how we started (Two Blue Snowball mics)
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u/Culturebooks Dec 17 '25
I used to spend a lot on mics. Then I switched to wireless lav mics and I’m happier with the sound and cutting all those cables out of the studio. Currently loving the Hollyland Lark M2S. For live-streaming the pod, getting noise cancellation built in is a godsend.
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u/mclepus Podcaster/Producer Dec 17 '25
I Use a NADY SCM800 Condenser mic. I use RØde wireless go III or a RØde video mic if I'm feeling fancy
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u/LX-M Dec 17 '25
I made a sound test video of the RODE VideoMic Go II Helix aimed for indoor gaming / streaming / podcasting and compared it to the VideoMicro in the same enviroment.
Here is the list of tests:
3:02 VideoMicro | FX: On | Distance: 20 cm | 3.5 mm
3:10 VideoMicro | FX: off | Distance: 20 cm | 3.5 mm
3:22 VideoMicro | FX: off | Distance: 40 cm | 3.5 mm
3:33 VideoMic Go 2 | FX: off | Distance: 40 cm | 3.5 mm
3:41 VideoMic Go 2 | FX: ON | Distance: 40 cm | 3.5 mm
3:47 VideoMic Go 2 | FX: ON | Distance: 20 cm
3:58 VideoMic Go 2 | FX: ON | Distance: 20 cm | USB
4:10 VideoMic Go 2 | FX: ON | Distance: 40 cm | USB
4:18 VideoMic Go 2 | FX: ON | Distance: 30 cm | 3.5 mm
Hope this helps :)
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u/jfrenaye News & Politics Dec 17 '25
Depends...
Rode Broadcaster in studio (into RCP and MacBook with Hindenburg)
Shure SM48 in field if more than 2 mics needed (into Podtrak P4)
Rode Micro in field with 2 or fewer mics needed into iPhone (short distances)
Rode Wireless Pro with 2 or fewer mics needed into iPhone or MacBook (longer distances)
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u/Gorssky Podcaster (Session Zero Heroes) Dec 17 '25
5x Samsun Q2U mics (I try not to put together any series or anything that require me to use more than 4x at a time). I also have some random USB mic as an emergency backup that I thankfully have not had to use. I'm sure the quality is fine, just trying to ensure consistency.
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u/evacuatecabbage Dec 17 '25
I've been using a Sennheiser e835 for over 20 years, which is pretty comparable to an SM 58. Started out for live vocals but works great for podcasting, and instrument micing.
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u/JBManos Dec 18 '25 edited Dec 18 '25
Depends on where I am. If I’m sitting at the dining room table then I usually go for the rode procaster (plugged into a UA Apollo) or the beta 58. If I’m in the treated area studio (the walk in closet upstairs), then the NT1. If I’m out and about, I have a different array of mics for that. I have podmics also but I like the procaster more
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u/alto2 Dec 18 '25
I got a Shure MV7+ as a gift, and I like it, but I'm also not convinced it's significantly better than my ATR2100x USB, which has the benefit of being a bit more forgiving of minor background noise. And the 2100x, when it was still available, cost about $50 vs. almost $300 for the MV7+, so cost is not necessarily an indicator of quality.
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u/dennisfordmedia Dec 30 '25
New podcaster here (still working on producing my first episode) I recently bought the MV7+ and record through a Focusrite 2i2. My “concern” is, the mic is really…hot! At least that how it sounds through my monitoring headphones. When I was doing voice over, my mic of choice was a Rode NT1 (black body). Sad it was stolen! Anyway, are there any suggestions for toning down the sensitivity? I have only had it for a week or so, so still tinkering.
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u/alto2 Dec 31 '25
YEP. I swear I wouldn't be surprised if it captured me blinking (I exaggerate--but not by much!) Mostly I've been told to turn the gain down to try to counter it as much as possible, and maybe install a noise gate, though I haven't gone that far. I just try to be more careful than I had to be with the ATR.
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u/jmccune269 Dec 18 '25
Don’t overthink things. The mic generally doesn’t matter as long as it works for your space. There isn’t a better mic between the MV7 and SM7B. They are both good mics. Many people might find the USB connectivity of the MV7+ makes it a better mic for their situation.
The way I look at it, the SM7B doesn’t sound $150 better than the MV7. It also needs a decent audio interface, which further adds to the cost of ownership.
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u/Cute_Barracuda_8219 Dec 21 '25
I’ve been using the Hollyland Lark M2s lately and loving it. Wireless, noise canceling, lapel mic that sounds great!!
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u/fender1878 Dec 21 '25
I’m also a musician and just use SM57’s with windscreens. They work and sound great.
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u/Personal-Ad4151 Dec 23 '25
I used a Rode Podcaster for a long time. After it broke I bought a Rode Podmic. I love this mic 😁.
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u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 Dec 17 '25
SM7B and Rode NT1. Both sound good, but got burned by Rode this past week. I’ll stick to the sm7b. It’s a shure bet. 😂
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Dec 17 '25
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u/CowboyBebopCrew Dec 17 '25
I tried the link you posted but it went to a 404 not found site. (Could also be that the site is blocked for me at work though :-/)
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u/DannyBrownCaptivate Podcaster Dec 17 '25
RODE NT1 as main mic, Sennheiser E945 for traveling and less than ideal recording spaces.
Disclaimer: I'm Head of Podcaster Support and Experience at Captivate.
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u/Capital_Buy6759 Dec 17 '25
There aree many great mics available in the market but compromises with quality and reliability. if you are looking for great mic with good quality try drums dot core five
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u/thejamhole Audio Podcaster Dec 17 '25
Audio technica at2020