If You’re Starting A Podcast DO NOT Buy This Microphone
One of the questions I get asked the most is, “I’m starting a podcast. Where do I start and which microphone should I buy?” It’s something I get asked at least once every few weeks. Heck, someone asked me about it just a few nights ago at Gilley’s Las Vegas. I get it, podcasts are becoming more and more popular. Chances are, you know someone who has one or who has done one. But if you’re someone who has contemplated starting your own, there’s one microphone I don’t think you should buy.
The Shure SM7b
Let me start off by saying I actually love the Shure SM7b! It’s my everyday microphone that I use when you hear me on the air at 107.9 Coyote Country. But wait, you might be thinking, “If you love it, why shouldn’t I buy it?” And I have a couple of reasons.
First, this bad boy STARTS at $399! It’s an EXPENSIVE piece of tech! Plus, that’s BEFORE you buy an interface to get it to work with your computer!
Secondly, there’s a statistic I read that says most people who start a podcast quit after the first three episodes. So, I think there are better options to start with. Because if podcasting becomes something you do frequently, you can always upgrade your gear. And if that happens, I absolutely recommend getting one of Shure’s microphones.
So Where Should I Start?
Oddly enough, the easiest place to start is something you might be looking at right now… your phone. Modern day phone microphones have come leaps and bounds in recent years. Plus, most smart phones already have voice recording software built in. But if you don’t like the voice recorder that came with your phone, there are so many great FREE options in the app store of your choice.
Another option I really like is the…
Samson Q2U
The Samson Q2U is such a cool little microphone. I love it for a couple different reasons.
- It sounds really good!
- It’s a hybrid mic, which means you can plug it in via USB or XLR cable. That means, you get the simplicity of a USB mic, but if you ever decide to upgrade your gear to an audio interface, you can also utilize the superior XLR capabilities.
- The Price! The Samson Q2U regularly retails for 70 dollars, but it goes on sale a lot. I bought two, last year, at 60 bucks each.
Even at full retail, that means you can get 5 Samson microphones for the same price of ONE Shure SM7b. Which is really nice if you plan on having multiple people on your show.
I hope this helps. Happy podcasting!
Vintage Gadgets: Outdated Tech That Still Sparks Joy
A Physical Calculator
You probably haven’t seen a calculator in ages, but a Reddit user chimed in to say that, for them, the old-school scientific calculator beats the one on your phone or any app. They simply put it like this, “Honestly, a standard scientific calculator is just easier to use than your phone’s built-in scientific calculator.” It could be the fun button-tapping sound or the nostalgic thrill of typing in cheeky words with numbers that makes this person prefer calculators.
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Watches That Only Tell The Time
Smartwatches may pack in loads of features, but there’s a catch – they need regular charging and maintenance, and their battery life is shorter. On the flip side, traditional watches are a low-maintenance choice with longer battery life. In fact, a Redditor mentioned they still rock a “a lovely, inexpensive, bombproof, analog, big face Casio.” They also pointed out that smartwatches aren’t allowed at their job, so their trusty Casio gets the job done.
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CD Player, MP3 Player, and Vinyl Albums
If you’ve put a ton of effort into collecting CDs and vinyl records, and creating some killer playlists, why ditch them, right? One person told their story about growing up in the ’90s, building a massive CD collection, and stashing them all in one of those Case Logic CD binders. They fondly shared, “I still keep it with me in my car and it’s a wonderful trip down memory lane every time I open it. I laughed and cried a little when my kids friend asked me what it was and I said, ‘CDs’ and they followed up with, ‘What’s that?'” But also: not everything is available on streaming services. That obscure soundtrack or tribute album from the ’80s? Licensing issues may have prevented it from hitting the streamers. Love Joni Mitchell? Well, Spotify doesn’t have her catalog. Sure, you can subscribe to another service, but if you kept your old vinyl and have a turntable, you can listen to it the old school way.
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"I Love Wires"
You have people who can’t stand a tangle of wires in their tech setup, and then there’s that Reddit user who’s all about the wired life. They firmly believe that wired networking is “not obsolete or outdated.” According to them, it’s superior in every aspect, except for the mobility it lacks compared to wireless. They put it simply, “Wired is the ideal, you only go wireless if running cable is unfeasible for the situation.
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A Regular Doorbell
A regular doorbell does its job well. It lets you know someone’s at the door. On the other hand, a video doorbell does the same but with the perk of letting you see and hear the person at your door, even if you’re not home. Someone mentioned they’d be up for a smart doorbell if it kept the data local. They said, “I don’t want anything being sent online, so I might need to set up my own system… I’ll just stick with the traditional kind.”
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Physical Buttons
A Redditor shared their affection for good old physical buttons, arguing that not everything needs to go the touchscreen route. They stressed the importance of having car radios equipped with buttons rather than screens, believing it’s a safer choice. They explained, “It’s easier for me to push a button to change the music while keeping my eyes on the road/ I can’t do that if my car has a screen. It increases distracted driving incidents.”
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