After you get a microphone of your choice, you might want to get a voice processor to make your podcast sound more professional with less noise and better quality sound. Today we’re taking a look at two voice processors that could work for you.

Starting off; the Symetrix 528E is a channel strip that has six different functions: a mic preamp, a compressor/limiter, downward expansion, parametric EQ, and de-essing. Most of these things are pretty confusing, even an audio expert like myself can’t explain them in clear detail. To give you a head start on what these things are, check out episode 7 of the Pixel Corps’ Gear Media Tech video podcast which explains voice processor basics. The 528E comes with an excellent-written manual that gives you a detailed look at every feature, and how to use them. At $499 you’ll probably want to consider if your podcast needs it, but if used properly it can make your podcast sound a whole lot better!

Up next is the PreSonus Eureka. The Eureka is a single channel preamp, compressor, and equalizer that pairs nicely with the PreSonus FireStudio we mentioned previously. Although it does not have as many features as the Symetrix it comes at the same price of $499. It may not be worth it compared to the 528E which has the same features plus a downward expander and de-esser.

Thanks to Symetrix and PreSonus for sending us the audio equipment used in this article.

Coming up next in our podcasting series, our final article on software and editing.

In part 2 of our podcasting series we’re going to show you what microphone is the best choice for your podcast. From the latest in USB microphones to the best in studio-quality dynamic microphones – there has to be one for you.

USB Microphones

USB microphones are generally the best choices for people who don’t need a mixer, and who want to get the best bang for their buck. Plus they’re very easy to setup – no need for phantom power, just plug in the USB cable.

The Samson C03U Podcasting Pak ($299) is a great choice and comes with everything you need to start podcasting (if you aren’t already), including: microphone stand, shock mount, the microphone, and software to get you started. It is a condenser microphone so it does pick up quite a bit of room noise, but this can be fixed in post-production (which we’ll go over in the next few articles).

Another great choice is the Blue Microphones Snowball ($99), which for the price is perfect for the beginner who has no experience in audio and wants to step up from a PC headset microphone. Great sound, design, and price.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones are very versatile and rugged for on-location recording. An example is the Shure SM58 which is known for it’s ruggedness and portability. These microphones do not require phantom power which can be a problem in some cases.

At the top of the line we have two microphones similarly priced, the Heil PR-40 and Shure SM7B. The SM7B ($349) is known for it’s wide use in radio stations across the globe and can be used in a variety of applications including podcasting. The SM7B does not require a shock mount since internally it is rubber mounted, therefore it can be bumped around without outputting noise. It has a warm sound users have come to love and you won’t go wrong with the SM7B.

The PR-40 from Heil Sound ($375) is another great microphone for podcasting that TWiT.tv host Leo Laporte uses almost on a daily basis. The PR-40 also has a nice noise rejection which can be an issue with unexperienced users; as soon as you get off-axis with the mic – you immediately drop off. The sound of the PR-40 is one that no other dynamic mic can compare with and sounds better than most condenser microphones. Since the Heil PR-40 requires good technique in order to keep on mic we recommend this to somewhat experienced podcasters.

Either way you go – the Shure SM7B or the Heil PR-40 are both great dynamic microphones for the price. Need something cheaper? Take a look at the Shure SM58 ($99).

Headset Microphones

Another great way to keep unexperienced podcasters or guests on mic is a headset microphone, since the microphone is always pointed at the host or guest’s mouth.

We tested the AKG HSC-271 headset, which is available in both an on-the-ear and over-the-ear style headphone. They sound great and at $399, you get great sounding cans (headphones) and a great microphone.

Coming up next: voice processors. Thanks to Heil Sound and their worldwide distributor TransAudio Group for providing us with the PR-40, Shure for providing us with the SM7B, AKG Acoustics for providing us with the HSC-271, and Samson for providing us with their C03U Podcasting Pak.

The first thing you need to purchase in order to get a professional microphone (something we’ll go over in the next article) into your PC or Mac is an audio interface.

We have three great choices to get your microphone sounding great and ready to record.

At the high end is the PreSonus FireStudio (FireWire) and at $699, it isn’t for your beginner podcaster. We would generally recommend this to someone who records a roundtable podcast with 6 or more people talking. It even has inserts for inserting a compressor or gate (again, we’ll go over this in another article) before it hits your recording workstation.

The middle end is the one we use almost on a daily basis, the AudioFire 4 from Echo Audio. At $300 it’s a great choice for experienced podcasters who want to kick it up a notch and get two microphones via FireWire into your computer.

The low end is the M-Audio Fast Track USB which, as it’s name implies, is a USB audio interface that takes 1 XLR input (one microphone), and is great for the solo podcaster who is just starting in the world of podcasting. For $99, you can’t go wrong with the Fast Track USB.

Thanks to PreSonus and Echo Audio for providing us with the equipment that we mentioned in this article. Coming next, microphones that make you sound the very best.