Gear for doing in-person interviews

[KatCocks (Katherine Anne Cocks)]

I started my podcast as host on mic, because it was the easiest. Now I am doing interviews. I did not know about zoom 6 my husband had an old focusrite which I used but dropped and he got me a new one for Christmas that has two outlets. I have one shure mic. If I do interviews in my studio or in the field, I know @craigconstantine had a picture of his field gear but I can’t find it. My birthday is in March ( I am really becoming a geek) what should I order if I go somewhere to interview or bring them into my studio. I guess another microphone.

[steveh (Steve Heatherington)]

Exciting @KatCocks - I love spending other people’s money!

A big question is where you will be recording. Dynamic mics are good for home settings generally and out and about. Condenser mics are better in quiet environments like a recording studio.

If it is connecting to the Focusrite it will need to have an XLR connection.

A good multi purpose mic (and one I use) is the Samson Q2U which is a dynamic mic and has both USB and XLR connections which gives great flexibility. What is your existing Shure? You could just get another one like that.

SteveH

[craigconstantine]

@KatCocks

I know @craigconstantine had a picture of his field gear but I can’t find it.

There are two thinks you may be referring to…

A large blog post with lots of photos:

https://constantine.name/2019/04/26/evolution-of-my-field-recording-kit/

And a recent topic here on PodComm:

Part of my field recording setup

Continuing the discussion from On the road: Movers Mindset field recordings… Here’s an overview of the basic parts of my current field recording kit in an 8-minute video. If there are more questions, or specific, “but, why?” to answer, I can explain farther. https://vimeo.com/643206346/fedfd151c3

Also, @ozkanozlem and I have been having a long discussion by private email and Zoom about her building out an in-person kit. Perhaps she’ll chime in with what she’s settled on…

[DannyvLHealthHats (Danny van Leeuwen)]

Fancy:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LavalierGO--rode-lavalier-go-professional-wearable-microphone
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LavalierGOWh--rode-lavalier-go-professional-wearable-microphone-white

This is what I use with my Zoom H6

Amazon.com: Movo LV-6 XLR Lavalier Microphone Set - Omnidirectional Microphone...

[craigconstantine]

I’m not using lav’s with my Zoom recorder… but my contact at Sweetwater recommended these if I wanted to use them with the Zoom. He said:

You’d want mics that can power over 48V since Lavs often take lower voltage. Countryman B3s work well and have hardwired XLRs on them so they are biased for that. Typically the cheaper Lavs are meant to plug into a wireless body pack which helps power them correctly

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/B3P4FF05B--countryman-b3-omnidirectional-lavalier-microphone-with-hardwired-xlr-connector-black

“cheaper Lavs are meant to plug into a wireless body pack” — Those two lavs that Danny linked to Sweetwater are such. I’m pretty sure my contact (quoted above) is referring to lavs which come with the 3.5mm looks-like-a-headphone-plug ends. There are cheap (few dollars) adapters that enable mating that 3.5mm to an XLR end (so you can plug it into a Zoom).

For the less-expensive option, I would buy what Danny is using — those “Movo” lavs come with the XLR end, so they’re designed to work that way.

[AnetteCarlisle]

And here’s the post I did a few months ago. Overkill for what you are asking, I know, @KatCocks. But thought I’d share.

Travel Gear for Podcasting

@craigconstantine recently posted about his road trip and travel gear (link below). I wanted to share mine that is a little more compact. This forced me to clean out my backpack, too, so thanks! I will describe best I can, and feel free to ask questions. When I travel, I carry this and a carryon piece of luggage. You can get bigger backpacks, but I treated myself to this Tumi when I started this two years ago. It has a space in the back for my computer or iPad, depending on which I’m bringing. T…

[KatCocks (Katherine Anne Cocks)]

If you don’t use Lavs do you use stands and regular mics.

[craigconstantine]

@KatCocks

do you use stands and regular mics.

yeup! The first blog post I linkd has my tabletop setup. I also have lightweight fairly-portable floor stands these days.

[KatCocks (Katherine Anne Cocks)]

Thanks I found your blog, missed it the first time. Do you use Shure microphones?

[KatCocks (Katherine Anne Cocks)]

Probably stick to dynamic mics but I like the one you sent me as it is a little less than the shure. Thanks. The probably with spending other people’s money is my husband is a musician and has his own home studio and he spends way more than I do.

[craigconstantine]

@KatCocks

Do you use Shure microphones?

Yes, Shure SM58

[thearena (Linda McLachlan)]

Thanks for asking this question @KatCocks and for all of the below answers. Invaluable community! I am looking to add to my mic arsenal in the coming months.

TIP: in Canada Long & McQuade allow you to rent gear so if you want to explore options that’s a away to experiment before you commit. They’re focused on music mostly but do have vocal mic’s of course. Also a means of picking up used gear if you’re looking for a deal.

There are similar businesses in US, UK etc.

[KatCocks (Katherine Anne Cocks)]

Thanks for @steveh @craigconstantine @AnetteCarlisle @DannyvLHealthHats and every one else. I have ordered the zoom H6, an extra shure mic, some stands and am ready to record in my house or on the go. (once everything arrives) I am cleaning out my office and finding a lot of pouches so when I am ready I will take a picture of my travel gear bag.

[AnetteCarlisle]

That is awesome, @KatCocks! Best of luck with your new goodies!

[DannyvLHealthHats (Danny van Leeuwen)]

Great. Keep us posted