Podcasting is a popular and effective way to share your expertise. While newer social media methods dominate the news, audio and video continues to grow as a way to connect with a listener and viewer, that is, your customer. For some, recording audio from a simple computer microphone is acceptable, but as you increase your listener base you will want to get a dedicated, external podcasting microphone.
The MXL Studio 1 Red Dot is a great USB-powered microphone at an affordable price. You can get their recording “kit” for around $100 on Amazon or your local electronics distributor.
MXL is well-known and respected for its recording equipment.
Podcasting Microphone: MXL Studio 1 Red Dot
I am not a sound expert, but I have used several external microphones over the years to record both audio and video (well, the audio portion of my videos).
But I have to say that this little microphone kit is now one of my favorites. It comes bundled in a durable carrying case, which is a small point. But one that makes a lot of sense given that most podcasting types are probably also mobile types. The company sent me a media review unit for this post.
What I Really Like:
- I already mentioned the nifty carrying case. What can I say, I like boxes and containers.
- Another nice thing to have is the 10-foot USB cable. Before you scoff, how many times have you received a short 2-foot USB cable with some peripheral gadget because the company was too cheap to give you some leash. MXL knows their customer.
- Comes with a useful little tripod. (That’s also the main disadvantage as you’ll see below.)
- Works with PC and Mac.
- This is the best part is that it comes with a 1/8 inch headphone jack so you can monitor the audio.
What I’d Like to See:
- A beefed up mic stand. This one will suffice as you get going, but you need a stable, secure spot for it.
This microphone is made well, feels solid and has a professional look to it. I have used it mostly for recording voice-over type recordings, but also some musical work and it performs well.
At the $100 price point, it can serve the needs of most podcasters until they start to get to the level where they are using a mixer board and other professional-level equipment.
I would add the wind screen (pictured left), by the way, to keep breath moisture away from the mic itself and to minimize popping when pronouncing P or T.
The last thing I’ll mention is — it is plug-and-play, just as it says on the box. I plugged it into the USB-port and it was ready to go with Audacity, the open source audio program I use, in minutes. No setup required.
Take a look at the MXL Studio 1 Red Dot if you’re in the market to upgrade your basic computer recording gear.
Images: MXL
ed pierce
I’m not big into podcasting yet, but I will be getting into it in the coming months and I think better equipment will make a better sounding podcast, so this might be on my short list for necessary equipment.
Aira Bongco
Same here. It is not that podcasting does not have a good market. It is just that talking on a mic is not really my thing. The same with videos. While I know their value, these are the things that I better outsource than do them myself.
Martin Lindeskog
TJ: Thanks for the review. I will soon do a review of an iPhone mic for my EGO NetCast site.
Ian Cohen
Hi TJ,
Thank you for doing this review of the MXL Studio 1 Red Dot. It is really appreciated. I just wanted to add that there is an optional professional grade desk-top mic stand (MXL model DS-03) that is available, with a heavy base and chrome steel pole at approximately $24.95 retail.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for letting me, and the readers here, know about that stand, Ian. I didn’t see that when I visited the site, but sometimes I’m just moving through too quickly. Sounds like the perfect addition and one that I personally would appreciate — I prefer to stand when I record podcasts and other audio work.
Again, thanks.