Do You Need to Use an Audio Interface for Your Podcast?

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I'm Danny Brown,

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and you're listening to One Minute Podcast Tips,

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the show that helps you be a better podcaster

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in just a minute a week.

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If you want more specific tips just for you in your podcast,

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check out the Magic Mic membership

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at oneminutepodcasttips.com/support.

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And now, this week's episode.

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I saw an interesting comment

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on whether you need to use an audio interface

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when you can just use a USB mic

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and go straight to your computer.

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And it's a fair comment.

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After all, the beauty of a USB mic is the fact

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that you can just plug your mic straight into your computer,

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hit record, and you're good to go.

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However, while that process is simple,

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the question of whether you need to use an interface

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isn't quite as simple.

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Podcast mics are either USB or XLR.

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There are ribbon mics too,

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but I feel for the most part USB or XLR is the choice.

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Now as I mentioned, USB mics are great

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that they can plug straight into your computer

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and start recording using whatever software

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you have installed, so Audacity, GarageBand, et cetera.

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However, that setup is usually great for a solo podcaster and one mic.

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Start to add more podcasters, or guests, or hosts, and multiple USB mics into one computer and it all becomes a nightmare.

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On the other hand, XLR mics, the ones with three pins on the back and dedicated cables, require an interface.

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But these can support multiple mics and many come with processing effects you can use while recording,

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as opposed to afterward in editing or post-production.

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The Rodecaster Pro or Pro 2 for example, as well as other less expensive interfaces, have

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features like EQ, de-esser, noise reduction, compressors and more, and these give you amazing

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sound before you even start recording. Audio quality is also usually better because of

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the connection and the control you have etc.

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That being said, some of the newer USB mics, the Shure MV7 or the Rode PodMic USB as examples,

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offer you software that lets you add the kind of stuff normally reserved for XLR mics, so

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quality sound settings before recording. Though technically I guess you could then call these

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apps or software the equivalent of an XLR interface. So it comes full circle.

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So whether you need an interface or not really depends on are you a solo podcaster, does

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your USB mic have software that allows you to add processing before the recording or

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do you need more control over the mics, the setup and the sound. Until the next time,

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happy podcasting.

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Thanks for listening. If you enjoy one minute podcast tips be sure to share with your friends

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and other podcasters so they can enjoy it too.

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Until the next time, happy podcasting.

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