The Definitive Guide to Choosing a Microphone for Speaking.
Videoconferencing • Podcasting • On-stage (keynotes) • On-camera (video recording) • Voiceover

Here are the factors to consider when choosing a microphone for podcasting, Zooming, voice over,  videoconferencing,…

For the best sound quality, consider all the following factors … because they all contribute to your sound quality.  And the best news? These factors do not necessarily lead to a more expensive microphone … rather they lead to a better sounding microphone!  And hint: quite often, the most important factors are #s 2, 4, and 9 (below).

1. Your voice
   • Different voices react to different microphones differently. It’s like how different jeans fit bodies differently. Sometimes you just need to try them on. Same thing here: to select a mic, you need to try some and see how they sound.
2. Your recording area – this is the most defining factor to your sound quality.
   • If speaking in a noisy, and or echoey environment, select a microphone with a very directional pickup pattern, for example hypercardioid and supercardioid. Or select a microphone with a long thin shape that naturally pickups up sound from a small area, for example a shotgun microphone. Otherwise a higher quality microphone will pick-up more of the unwanted sounds!
   • If recording in a minimally noisy and or echoey environment, select a regular directional microphone.
   • If recording in a very quiet and echo-free environment, select any mic.
   • TESTING: Echo and noise are amplified/worsened due to technology. So if you hear a little noise in your recording room, your listeners will hear a lot of noise. Therefore, my suggestion is to test it:
     (1) Have someone stand in the room where you’ll record.
     (2) Then you go far away (in the basement, out onto the road, into your car in the garage,…).
     (3) And lastly, phone call the person in your recording room: They talk on speakerphone (which simulates you talking on a microphone) and you go on headphones (which simulates most listeners). The noise/echo you hear should be commensurate with the amount your audience will hear.
3. The tone you want to convey to your audience.
   • For ultra clarity, try a shotgun mic.
   • For warmth, try a large diaphragm mic.
4. How much do you move?
   
   • If you move a lot while recording, select a large diaphragm mic.
   • If you stay still, select any mic.
5. What do you want your audience to see?
   
   • Larger microphones require more physical space and can be in the way. Plus, they require larger mic stands. HOWEVER, they often convey higher quality because they can appear more expensive and professional. Smaller microphones require less.
   • Clip-on-microphones (AKA lavalier mic, AKA lapel mic, AKA tie-clip mic) require virtually no space … especially if you use a wireless one.
6. How many audio controls do you want?
   
   • To keep things super easy (plug-n-play), select a USB mic. You’ll have very little control over your sound.
   • For better control, choose an XLR microphone with an interface for superior sound quality.
7. When recording one or more groups of people on the same microphone?
   
   • With one person recording (standing in front of the microphone), use a “directional” pickup pattern.
   • With two people (one on either side of the microphone), use a “figure 8” pickup pattern.
   • With three or more people (standing in a circle around the microphone), use an “omni-directional” pickup pattern.
8. When recording more than 2 or more people, each on different microphones, in the same room?
   
   • Each person should use a very directional microphone, like a shotgun mic.
9. AND SUPER IMPORTANT, consider the microphone type:
   

   Microphone Type	Pros	Cons
   Handheld microphone	They give your hands something to do/fidget with. Because one hand is holding the mic, you have less body language to have to think about. Physically holding the mic can relieve nerves for a nervous speaker.	It’s very easy to swing your arms, causing the mic to be far away from your mouth at times, resulting in low/almost no volume (the audience struggles to hear you). You’ll be a bit less animated because one hand needs to be holding the mic at your mouth. With a wired mic (as opposed to wireless), you have to contend with the wire (and be sure not to trip over it).
   Clip-on-microphone AKA lavalier microphone AKA lapel microphone AKA tie-clip microphone	It’s physically freeing: You can be more animated … you can move around freely … it goes everywhere you go. It’s mentally freeing: There’s no need to hold anything or stand at a mic. Small, discreet, no mic stand needed. With a wireless connection, even better.	They pick up clothes’ rustling sounds. They pick up thumps if you touch your shirt anywhere near the mic. Users don’t see them, and some users begin to distrust that their voice is actually being picked up, and therefore speak too loudly (sounding like they’re yelling at the audience).
   Headset microphone	Easy to wear. If you use a version that has built-in speakers, then your setup is even easier.	Less personable looking. It can set you apart from your audience (like when you talk with anyone who is wearing headphones).
   Conference room microphone	Great if you have people in various locations that should be recorded.	Can pick up lots of noise from all areas of the recording room.
   Microphone on a mic stand	Easy to use. You can be more animated, since you can use your whole body for body language.	You’re stuck in one spot for the duration of your presentation.
   Lectern microphone	Easy to use. You can be more animated, since you can use your whole body for body language.	Users tend to clench onto the lectern, which inhibits body language.