Podcasting. Is it still relevant? Do people listen to them? Is there any point? I mean, we do one, but what about the rest of the world? Should they do it?
Well, it’s definitely gotten easier. The PM-21, for example, is a $129 podcast kit that includes a mini-mixer, microphone, mic stand, and Audacity software. It’s just enough gear to make you dangerous.
The mixer has two 1/4″inputs and one stereo RCA input. A small 1/8″ cable is designed for MP3-input and each channel has treble, bass, and volume knobs. There is a master output control along with two headphone outputs. The mixer connects as a USB audio device and uses an odd but not unusual full-USB to full-USB cable, something you rarely see anymore. It requires 12 volts of DC power.
The included mic stand is pretty solid although the clip is a bit cheap. The microphone, a MK-20 XLR model with 80-15kH frequency response and -56.5db sensitivity, is unpowered. The headphones, called the HP-20, are much too small to act as noise isolators and are, in truth, quite uncomfortable. You’re better off bringing your own.
The kit comes in a cardboard box with well-designed cut outs for each of the parts.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The audio quality, as evidenced by this sample, is fairly good. The mixing tools are cool as are the various inputs but for about the same price you can feasibly put this kit together yourself.
My own jackassery couldn’t make this mixer clip out, even at high volume, which is a huge plus for beginning podcasters. If you get this kit, try buying a Shure mic along with it for yourself and save the included mic for your subjects.
Bottom Line
Nothing about this kit is bad, per se. It is a stable platform to start podcasting. Devices like the Samson G-Track offer a more all-in-one approach but the fact that you can set up a little podcasting station on the road and include others on the conversation is fairly valuable. The fact that the headphones are, technically, quite poor makes me recommend some BYO gear if you buy this mixer or to look at a higher-end device, perhaps from Yamaha or Numark, and compare and contrast.
I listen to a ton of podcasts – maybe 20-30 a week. Most of them are NPR-related, and then some of the fiction ones like drabblecast, escapepod, starshipsofa etc. Every time I hear a bad podcast, for instance when escapepod outsources the narration to someone without the right equipment, it makes me want to pull my ears off and send them, one each, to the narrator and escapepod. If only people would invest in a good mic it would make such a big difference! You can only do so much in post-production if you don’t have the good raw material to work with in the first place. Anyway, done with my rant. Keep the reviews of the podcasting kit coming :)
BTW best audio production values I’ve ever heard from an “amateur” podcast has to be the drabblecast. If you haven’t already, check it out. http://web.mac.com/normsherman/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html
Good review John.
One point though- I checked out the Samson G-Track and am surprised you wrote that it offers “a more all-in-one approach”. While the condenser mic does look quite impressive, the Samson doesn’t come with a mixer!!
The Technical Pro Podcaster on the other hand does…
I agree with Sonny, i tested the Samson, and where it is a very nice mic it is FAR FAR away from what technical pro brought to the table… did you watch their video on Youtube. Mixer with an ipod input – controls so i can control the bass and treble of the ipod and my cd player mix them together blend them…. then it comes with a headphone a microphone and a mic stand.
I myself will upgrade and go with the dual podcaster because it gives me the ability to podcast interview professionally. OH OH OH OH and it runs on 9v! I’m psyched! i dont know if im giving up my samson mic so quickly but i know im in for the Dual Version of the Technical Pro Podcaster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U8VRnVh0QY
yah, Drabblecast is easily the best produced podcast out there. Would hardly call them amateur though.
The humor and stories they produce are wonderful, but might not always be for everyone. However , asfar as general sound quality and production decisions, it’s top-notch. And I too listen to about 30 podcasts a week.