Podcast Tools and Gadgets (part 1)

We all want to have a more organized and effective workspace. A place to get the creative juices flowing. A place to PODCAST! ???

Welcome to our PDC members for checking out the blog today!

There are a lot of tools you gadgets that can make this process much easier especially if you are on a budget. These post includes just a few of those. To all my friends in the PDC this is for you.

Let’s check out some basic MICROPHONE ACCESSORIES:

Pop Filter/Wind Screens: What are they? What’s the difference?

Pop Filter (source Wikipedia)

A pop filter or pop shield is an anti-pop noise protection filter for microphones, typically used in a recording studio. It serves to reduce or eliminate ‘popping’ sounds caused by the mechanical impact of fast moving air on the microphone during recorded speech and singing. It also keeps moisture off the microphone which can cause mold growth. Additionally, a pop filter can protect against the accumulation of saliva on the microphone element. Salts in human saliva are corrosive and thus use of a pop filter may improve the life of the microphone.[1]

Pop filter prices start at $5 plus $2 for shipping (prices subject to change). I got mine from the Wish mobile application. You can also purchase one easily from Amazon or eBay.

I have not had any issues with mine which I’ve had for about one year. Filter is pretty thin and not made from the highest grade materials. Overall, it gets the job done and I am happy with this purchase.

Rating: 4/5 

Windscreen (source Wikipedia)

Windscreens (or windshields – the terms are interchangeable) provide a method of reducing the effect of wind on microphones. While pop-screens give protection from unidirectional blasts, foam “hats” shield wind into the grille from all directions, and blimps / zeppelins / baskets entirely enclose the microphone and protect its body as well. This last point is important because, given the extreme low frequency content of wind noise, vibration induced in the housing of the microphone can contribute substantially to the noise output.

Windscreen prices start at $1-2 for 3-10 screens. Shipping $1. You can’t really get these wrong. Depending on the brand of microphone you have and it’s sensitivity you may consider getting a bit thicker screen. Some slightly vary in size and circumference.

For me these served as a great giveaway to the Podcast Discovery Center, our private member only group I founded with Scott Doucet, my Pirate in crime!

Rating: 4/5

Mic Flag (for those who record video)

Where to buy: Amazon, Wish

Price was about 5-9 bucks with shipping. This seems to be the standard prize point. There a few styles available to choose from including a square or a triangle as depicted above.

This is a great place to put your logo or brand to get the extra visual exposure when recording, or on skype calls.

Rating 5/5 

Wire tie downs, cable ties

Does this look familiar?

All your wires tangled and thrown behind your desk…? We can fix this easy and inexpensively. Something like this could cause two problems

1.) Fire hazard

2.) Certain wires touching may cause audio interferences such as hums and hisses.

Here’s what you need! There are multiple types and sizes of clips designed to prevent a tagled mess. Most of these come equipped with 3m tape to make attaching a breeze.

Rating: 5/5

I have tried and tested the above mentioned and offer a rating based on personal experience and opinion. I take into consideration the price point first and that you get what you pay for.

Some of the products listed in this article are NOT professional grade quality. When I was getting started I had no budget to work with. You may want to upgrade at some point in the future but these gadgets will help get you started. Good luck and POD-ON ???

*disclaimer about Wish mobile application. These products are cheap and come direct from China. Shipping takes an extended period of time and some items are made poorly. If you are on a tight budget however you will not find any place else cheaper.
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