(upbeat music) I'm Danny Brown, and you're listening to One Minute Podcast Tips, the show that helps you be a better podcaster in just a minute a week. If you want more specific tips just for you in your podcast, check out the Magic Mic membership at oneminutepodcasttips.com/support. And now, this week's episode. I saw an interesting comment on whether you need to use an audio interface when you can just use a USB mic and go straight to your computer. And it's a fair comment.
After all, the beauty of a USB mic is the fact that you can just plug your mic straight into your computer, hit record, and you're good to go. However, while that process is simple, the question of whether you need to use an interface isn't quite as simple. Podcast mics are either USB or XLR. There are ribbon mics too, but I feel for the most part USB or XLR is the choice.
Now as I mentioned, USB mics are great that they can plug straight into your computer and start recording using whatever software you have installed, so Audacity, GarageBand, et cetera. However, that setup is usually great for a solo podcaster and one mic. Start to add more podcasters, or guests, or hosts, and multiple USB mics into one computer and it all becomes a nightmare. On the other hand, XLR mics, the ones with three pins on the back and dedicated cables, require an interface.
But these can support multiple mics and many come with processing effects you can use while recording, as opposed to afterward in editing or post-production. The Rodecaster Pro or Pro 2 for example, as well as other less expensive interfaces, have features like EQ, de-esser, noise reduction, compressors and more, and these give you amazing
sound before you even start recording. Audio quality is also usually better because of the connection and the control you have etc. That being said, some of the newer USB mics, the Shure MV7 or the Rode PodMic USB as examples, offer you software that lets you add the kind of stuff normally reserved for XLR mics, so quality sound settings before recording. Though technically I guess you could then call these apps or software the equivalent of an XLR interface. So it comes full circle.
So whether you need an interface or not really depends on are you a solo podcaster, does your USB mic have software that allows you to add processing before the recording or do you need more control over the mics, the setup and the sound. Until the next time, happy podcasting. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy one minute podcast tips be sure to share with your friends and other podcasters so they can enjoy it too. Until the next time, happy podcasting. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)