Where do you record?
I record inside my closet. My mic is set up on top of a dresser, so I can stand while I record. (My 9th grade choir teacher told us that anything vocal should always involve standing up so you could USE your DIAPHRAM, rendering your voice more powerful.)

What do you use to record?
I use the Behringer Studio Condenser C-1 Microphone, hooked up to a Zoom H4.

Why don’t you hook your microphone up to your computer?
I used to. I had the Behringer Studio Condenser C-1 Microphone hooked up to a Eurorack UB1002 mixer, which was hooked up to my computer. Unfortunately, that meant my very noisy desktop computer had to be on while I recorded, so I switched to the Zoom H4.

What about a portable set-up?
In the past, I used a set-up that’s been discontinued. Now I use my Zoom H4 and Shure SM-58 dynamic microphone. Because the dynamic mic only picks up what’s directly in front of it, the ambient noise is very low.

Why don’t you just use the Shure SM-58 mic all the time?
The Behringer Studio Condenser C-1 mic lends warmth to my voice that is lacking in the Shure SM-58. But if you already have a warm voice, using the dynamic mic all the time would work just fine.

Do I need a pop screen?
Yes. The pop screen keeps your Ps, Ts, and any big huffy breaths from annoying the hell out of the listener. They’re fairly cheap at audio stores, or you can make your own. (You can even make one out of pantyhose and a coathanger, which is what I used for over a year. But my Ps and Ts and big huffy breaths are apparently All Powerful and defeated the pop screen often enough - necessitating re-recording - that I eventually bought a froofy metal one.)

What about recording with a headphone mic? How can I avoid pops?
Move the mic so that it’s slightly above your mouth. If that doesn’t work, one of the Minions has come up with an ingenious solution, as follows:

She says:
“Basically I use a length of old nylon stocking over a circular wire thing (off a preserving jar) as a pop screen; there’s enough excess nylon to tie it to the microphone with the knot holding it at a/the right angle away from the mic proper. The eraser forces the mic further from my mouth (it was too close). One other problem I’ve noticed with the headphones is that if the wire connecting the headphones to the USB port is allowed to hang free in front of me, then it often hits some part of the headphone assemblage if I move my head. I rarely notice this happening until I check the recording and hear clicks/bumps. My solution is to keep it away from the headphones by running the wire over my shoulder and down my back.”

What else can you recommend?

The Logitech Digital Precision PC Gaming Headset (I’ve also seen it referred to as the Logitech Premium USB Headset 350, although be sure you have the version with the volume control on the cord, NOT the earpiece) works extremely well for the inexpensive price.

One listener records using the Shure SM-58 microphone and a Tascam US-122L preamp, and her audio is just gorgeous.

There’s also the Samson Zoom H2, which is half the price of the Zoom H4 but still produces sterling audio quality.

The Podcast Academy also gives well-researched recommendations for four possible audio rigs (from basic and inexpensive to ridiculously fancy).

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