2022 Most Popular Interfaces for Podcasters
Podcasting is a growing industry that has the potential to reach a large audience. It’s not a new phenomenon, though. It already happened with instant messaging technologies: in the beginning, we had calls, then text messages, then video calls, then voice messages. Radio has always been there, people got obsessed with TV, and, several decades later, people have rediscovered that consuming audio content is an enjoyable and necessary experience. We can’t always read or watch videos. Sometimes our eyes are busy, and we can only listen to a voice. Sometimes, we simply want to. This principle is what has allowed the podcast industry to grow exponentially. The fields of podcasting are diverse, and growing every day: academic lessons, meditation, news, personal development, debates, audiobooks, etc.
Best of all: you don’t need much to make podcasts. Nevertheless, it is important to know the basics. Besides which microphones to use, how to set up the recording space, and how to mix the sound, it’s important to be aware of the most basic audio problems you should avoid, and, as we’ll mention here, which interfaces are the best to start with or to improve your performance.
Focusrite Clarett 4Pre USB
Here we have a professional audio tool with a quite attractive price that is within the reach of amateur users. When buying an audio interface, sound quality, software, and the number of inputs are most important. This one doesn’t compete in the same software section as other models presented in this post but it offers plenty of connections, great audio, and a wonderful price-performance ratio. It has eighteen inputs and eight outputs with MIDI in and out. Each of the inputs is controlled with a knob that is surrounded by an indicator that changes color depending on the gain level of the signal. The software offers a control panel that allows you to manage the routing of digital connections and other preferences. Yet, its primary function is to create mixes for low latency monitoring. It is highly recommended in forums.
Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Duo
Although this interface does not include a Thunderbolt cable, it is versatile and offers excellent sound quality. Control in the Apollo systems is cascade mode, and overall, the most important thing to say is that this is an upgrade to an audio interface that is well known for its sound quality. Like the previous model, this audio interface features a large rotary control for volume/gain in the center, accompanied by eight buttons. The six center buttons can be used to select input types, activate the high pass filter, supply the phantom power, attenuate the input, change the phase, as well as link the two analog inputs.
Compared to the other two-input audio interfaces, this one is not cheap whatsoever. However, no other model offers the sound quality, DSP capability, and features that the Apollo Twin MKII offers. It is, in short, the most complete and professional two-channel model you could find. If sound excellence is your call, don’t think twice.
Audient iD4
This is the smallest and simplest audio interface produced by this brand. It is USB and offers great sound quality. It is ideal for podcasters who need to record solo from any computer, tablet, or phone, and, of course, from any corner of the planet. Its inputs are limited (consider the size…!) but the sound quality is impeccable, and it’s extremely easy to use — especially for beginners (you only need one cable to connect it, for example.) It offers monitoring and mixing options, plus you can turn the volume knob into a plugin controller, a novelty which has never been seen before, by the way. Although many users complain in the forums about its limited connections, the truth is that most people don’t use that many, and, well, it’s an ideal tool for podcasters with limited space and needs that offers amazing sound quality. What more could you ask for?
Apogee Element 46
This tool offers everything a professional producer needs in a Thunderbolt audio interface. Tons of models provide software controls over hardware but this one goes a step further in terms of control options and ease of use. Even though it doesn’t include the Thunderbolt cable, which, in practice, is a disadvantage, here we’re talking about exceptional audio quality and conversion, as well as foolproof software: audio input settings, such as gain or Phantom Power, can be configured via Logic Pro’s strip control. For installation, all you need to do is connect the hardware and register it via the manufacturer’s website. You can then download the corresponding package to your audio interface, and voila.
Preamps and A/D conversion are the prestige of this brand and you only have to take a look at them to understand why!
If you need recommendations from experts in the audio industry, just contact Enhanced Media Sound Studio. We can also help you with your podcasts, film productions, and other audiovisual projects.
