{"id":8985,"date":"2020-09-24T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/?p=8985"},"modified":"2025-10-30T12:18:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T22:18:50","slug":"8-easy-ways-to-upgrade-your-podcasting-or-production-studio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/akg\/8-easy-ways-to-upgrade-your-podcasting-or-production-studio\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Podcasting or Production Studio"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we head into fall, many content creators are turning their focus toward podcasting, recording, livestreaming and other studio productions. Perhaps you\u2019ve been working guerilla style, relying on your mobile phone or the tools that came with your computer to capture and create content. If you\u2019re ready to take your audio productions to the next level, making a few key upgrades will make a big difference\u2014both in sound quality and in the way you work. Here, we\u2019re focusing on podcasting, but these versatile tools are also ideal for music recording, voiceover work and video production.<\/p>\n

\"Producing<\/a>

We\u2019ve all seen pictures of big recording studios tricked out like airplane cockpits, crammed to the gills with racks of equipment. But the truth is, you can make great recordings with a few functional, high-quality tools.<\/p><\/div>\n

1. Adopt a Less-Is-More Approach
\n<\/strong>It\u2019s a great time to be in the market for audio gear. Not long ago, professional technology was pretty much out of the reach of home studios; musicians had to either spend their life savings on gear or shell out top dollar for sessions in a high-end recording studio. But these days, content creators can be up and running for as little as a few hundred dollars and produce really impressive-sounding productions.<\/p>\n

Researching gear can be daunting; even seasoned pros have a hard time keeping up with the latest technology. It\u2019s tempting to try to stretch every penny of your budget to amass as much stuff and as many features as humanly possible, but it\u2019s better (and easier) to prioritize a solid, simple set-up over tons of cheap bells and whistles. You\u2019ll quickly outgrow those and end up spending more in the long run replacing inferior-quality equipment that will hold you back later.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen pictures of big recording studios tricked out like airplane cockpits, crammed to the gills with racks of equipment. But the truth is, you can make great recordings with a few functional, high-quality tools. While your upgrade process can be as complex as you want to make it, allow us to present some simple yet powerful ways to expand your creative options and bring professional-grade audio to your podcasts and other productions.<\/p>\n

\"Podcasting<\/a>

The fastest, easiest path to improving audio quality is to add a professional USB microphone such as AKG Lyra, which is available on its own or paired with AKG K371 professional studio headphones in the AKG Podcaster Essentials kit.<\/p><\/div>\n

2. Stick to the Essentials
\n<\/strong>If you\u2019re starting from scratch\u2014or you\u2019ve been relying on earbuds and the built-in microphone on your laptop, phone or tablet to create content\u2014the fastest, easiest path to improving audio quality is to add a professional USB microphone such as AKG Lyra<\/a>, which is available on its own or paired with AKG K371<\/a> professional studio headphones, Ableton Live Lite production software, additional cables and recording courses from Berklee Online in the AKG Podcaster Essentials<\/a> kit. (Learn how to capture studio-quality sound<\/a> with Lyra and your cellphone.)<\/p>\n

Upgrading your mic will dramatically boost sound quality, but if you\u2019re looking to create more complex productions or have needs that extend beyond simple interviews, livestreaming or recording, consider a set-up that includes a wired microphone (or microphones), a dedicated audio interface and mixer and studio reference monitors.<\/p>\n

\"JBL<\/a>

If you\u2019re looking to create more complex productions, consider a set-up that includes a wired microphone (or microphones), a dedicated audio interface and mixer and studio reference monitors.<\/p><\/div>\n

Standout choices include the AKG C214<\/strong><\/a> large-diaphragm condenser mic, Soundcraft Notepad<\/strong><\/a> analog mixers with USB I\/O and JBL 3 Series MkII<\/a> professional studio monitors. These tools are perfect production partners to take your podcasts to the next level: They\u2019re affordable, they sound incredible, and for those musical multitaskers out there, they\u2019re also great for general-purpose recording, live-streaming<\/a> and videoconferencing<\/a>. Let\u2019s explore these, along with a few more upgrade ideas.<\/p>\n

\"Home<\/a>

If you\u2019re looking for a premium studio condenser without a premium price, the AKG C214 is a great choice.<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Invest in a Do-It-All Mic: The AKG C214
\n<\/strong>Studio mics can be significant investments, especially when you start to get into specialized applications. If you\u2019re considering a single mic, it\u2019s a good idea to choose a versatile model that can record a range of performances with depth and clarity.<\/p>\n

For podcasting, your microphone needs are somewhat straightforward: Above all, you want your voice to sound crystal clear, and you want your microphone to capture all of the nuances that make you unique.<\/p>\n

Condenser mics are highly sensitive, making them ideal for vocals (if you have never heard your voice through a condenser microphone, we\u2019d argue that you\u2019ve never heard your true voice), but they can be used on just about any sound source with stellar results. Large-diaphragm condensers are known for bringing a pleasing or \u201cpresent\u201d quality to any recorded source from vocals to strings. If you\u2019ve shopped for large-diaphragm condensers, you know they can be expensive. If you\u2019re looking for a premium studio condenser without a premium price, the AKG C214<\/strong><\/a> is a great choice.<\/p>\n

\"AKG<\/a>

Designed as a cost-effective, single-capsule alternative to the legendary C414, the C214 is one of AKG\u2019s most popular mics.<\/p><\/div>\n

The C214 is one of AKG\u2019s most popular mics, for a lot of reasons: It was designed as a cost-effective, single-capsule alternative to the legendary C414 microphones, which have been studio classics for decades. It captures sound by combining one capsule of the legendary C414 dual-capsule system with patented AKG backplate technology to offer outstanding performance similar to the C414 XLII. C214\u2019s key podcasting benefits come from its integrated spider suspension, which reduces noise; a switchable bass-cut filter, which reduces rumble and allows close-up recording with almost no proximity effect; and a switchable 20 dB attenuation pad that allows the mic to handle extremely loud sources, up to 156 dB SPL.<\/p>\n

The C214 is housed in a die-cast metal body with a double-mesh grille for extra protection. And, with its retro aesthetic, it looks fabulous on camera. The C214 package includes the suspension mount and a foam windscreen, all housed in a rugged metal carrying case. (Take a deeper dive into microphones here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"Soundcraft<\/a>

Soundcraft Notepad mixers, which double as interfaces, bring advanced sonics and a whole new level of functionality to your rig.<\/p><\/div>\n

4. Enhance Fidelity and Functionality: Soundcraft Notepad
\n<\/strong>Like most podcasters, your home studio rig is probably based around a computer. There are plenty of straightforward interfaces out there that do a great job of getting audio in and out of your computer, but combination mixer\/interfaces bring advanced sonics and a whole new level of functionality to your rig. When you\u2019re working with multichannel audio, there\u2019s nothing like hands-on control. If you\u2019ve been controlling your input and output levels with your mouse, you\u2019ll be shocked at how much easier and intuitive mixing feels when you can put your hands on real faders and knobs.<\/p>\n

Mixers are available in endless configurations and connect to all types of audio sources. Some mixers even have effects built right in, making them an even better value. Think about ergonomics: The more closely a mixer layout matches your production style, the less you\u2019ll have to rely on squinting and mousing around your computer screen.<\/p>\n

Soundcraft Notepad<\/strong><\/a> mixers bring all of these functions to compact, affordable desktop USB units that combine legendary Soundcraft analog circuitry with premium digital effects such as reverb and EQ. Notepads expand your capabilities by letting you record and manage multiple simultaneous sound sources at the same time; they\u2019re great values for podcasters, singer-songwriters or anyone looking for a small-format mixing solution.<\/p>\n