[snoonan]

As someone who records a lot of different amateur voice people daily for language courses, I'd have to disagree with some of this.

It's generally an OK guide, but I would suggest the mic recommendations are incorrect. I'd like to see an AT2020 USB in the mid-range and Heil PR-40 on the higher end. It's cheaper and significantly better sound. I own the H4N for mobile recording, but the quality really doesn't come close to a proper broadcast mic like Shure SM7B or the Heil. You can hear the Heil from a lot of pro podcasters and the SM7B on Marc Maron's WTF and a lot of radio hosts.

It also glosses over the use of mic arms, pop filters in getting pro sound. It's geared towards on-the-go recording and the quality will be nothing like a studio result.

[brudgers]

I think Hanselman does a lot of his recording outside of a dedicated studio these days. In studio recording of podcasts is a whole nother level of commitment and cost.

[snoonan]

Sure! But the two mics I mentioned don't require a studio environment to sound good. Almost any reasonable room will do. They can be had for around the same price as the setup mentioned in the article.

Sound quality is king in podcasting! Anyone thinking of doing a solo podcast from home/office would be better steered towards something like the AT2020 for mid range or PR-40 or SM7B for a comparably equal investment compared to the mobile gear mentioned in the article.

[brudgers]

I wasn't clear. I was responding to "nothing like studio quality".

I listen to a fair amount podcasts while I drive. My belief is that though poor sound quality can turn listeners away, poor content will insure that there are few listeners or none. I am willing to put up with sound quality issues for good content. I'll skip episodes with mediocre content.

YMMV.