Simply need to know the best portable setup to record 2 sided interviews for podcast

R

rossagrant

Member
Hi guys,

Sorry if this has been asked before, I've seen similar threads but all seem to come to a different conclusion.

This is my scenario:

I run a pretty popular website where I produce podcasts with UK actors, directors etc.

They are pretty much always just me interviewing one other person.

Most are done on Skype - i use the built in mics on the H4n which are actually really good for Skype when converted to mono in post.

Now recently I have been spending a fortune on studio time doing these in person.

I figure it would actually be a better investment to buy some more gear to do these on location, rather than in a studio.

I need to know what the best setup would be to do this on a reasonable budget.

The kit I already have and options are:

1. Use the 2 XLR inputs on the H4n and hookup 2 mics.

I have an SM57 which is great for voice, but the BIG problem with using dynamic mics with a H4n is the gain. Even on max input settings I can still only get to about -24db without shouting.

Is there something I could buy to boost the level of these dynamic mics, so that I could just record 2 seperate XLR inputs on the H4n?

2. I have a macbook and an Apogee Duet. This has 2 XLR inputs on it, but I'm not experienced at using it. Could I use this to record directly on with say 2 Sm57's?

3. Buy something new altogether to record 2 Sm57's or recommnded mics on for tis scenario.

Would really love some advice, especially if people already do this.

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!

Ross :)
 
If this is just audio without video, how about a pair of lavalier mics, each going into one channel on your H4N? You could place them optimally on the speakers' chests without worrying about what it would look like on camera.

- Greg
 
Because this is audio-only for a podcast, which is pretty much like standard radio production, dynamic mics might make things more easier. The SM57 is okay, but wouldn't be my first choice. I'd look toward mics made for this kind of application: EV RE20, RØDE Procaster, Heil PR40. Lavs and other condensers will be much more finicky in different environments, where the dynamics will be easier to control.

The XLR inputs on your H4n are weak. Those pre-amps are nowhere close to top of the line, and they struggle espeically with mics that have lower output levels. There's just not much clean gain in there.

Using your Apogee Duet to record straight to your laptop is a great way to go for podcast production. I've not used the Duet (is it the original, or the Duet 2?), but what I've read of them has been favorable regarding XLR ins and pre-amps. So two dynamic mics on shortie (desktop) stands straight into the laptop bypasses the H4n entirely, and gives you greater flexibility for editing and mixing. Did your Duet come bundled with any kind of DAW (recording and mixing software)?
 
I use a couple of Beta 58 mics on location straight into an H4. Yes, it needs a nudge in gain in post. One thing you could consider is even a cheap Behringer mixer - give yourself a bit of gain up front.
 
Thanks so much for the replies so far.
I think hooking up the XLRs on the duet and recording directly into the laptop may be the way to go.

I have the original Duet.

so basically it comes down to the best mics, of which I'm not experienced.

I've only ever recorded one podcast with the guest literally sat across the table from me and I found that both mics were picking up both mine and the guest's voice.

This became a bit of a pain as it was like getting the audio in stereo at times. I could deal with it in post by cutting the overlapping tracks, but when we were both talking at the same time, I obviously had to keep both tracks in which made the audio inconsistent.

I guess I need the mics to be far more directional, picking up minimal ambience and the opposite persons voice.

what would people recommend? I really have no experience with mics.


I do have the Rhode lavalier which I use for some video production straight into the xLR on the h4n, and the sound is very good, so that is another option, but the wires are pretty short. I'd need to somehow extend those if its possible as I don't have any wireless kit.

Anyone had any experience/ examples of podcasts recorded in person/ interview style?
 
Get another Rode lav so you can have two wired lav mics, one on the interviewer, one on the guest. From your post it sounds like the one you have has the MiCon 5 XLR connector (if it doesn't, get one for your existing mic) and the second lav should as well. You said the "wires are pretty short" but with XLR you can extend the cables almost indefinitely. XLR extension cables are not expensive and a couple of them would give you as much room as you need. Interviewer and guest sit far enough apart so as to minimize the bleed of one person's voice into the other person's mic. Record each mic to its own channel. If the resulting recording is a stereo track, DO NOT leave each individual mic on the left or right channel as the case may be. In post split the track into two mono tracks, one for each mic. Slice and dice as you see fit. Pan both tracks to the centre in the final mix.
 
Thanks for your reply Steve.

I'm just testing the Rhode lav now with the Duet and it's nice and clear which is great. I'm running it through the Micon 5.

All podcasts interviews I do are generally going to be one to one in a quiet room, so I think this could work really well using Lavs, plus it means I have to Lavs for video interviews if I ever get around to doing them.

What software would people recommend for recording these in.

I've got Garageband, but stuff like Ripple Delete just doesn't really exist in it.

Not sure if I can run pro tools. I usually edit in Adobe audition, but have never recorded directly to it.

I could perhaps record in Garageband, export, then edit in Audition.
 
Audition's recording abilities are fine. Since you have it might as well use it. And that cable is the sort you need, though I don't know anything about that brand. And "balanced" is important.
 
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