This is a question I think everyone has asked no matter the point they are in their podcast career.

Even if you're getting started looking to build and buy a podcast setup, this is for you.

How many mics should you buy?

If you are doing a zoom podcast, just one is fine. If you are doing a podcast with multiple people, the best solution is the number of guests plus one.

There is a reason the plus one is in there is you never know what can happen during a podcast. Lots of mics contain electrical components, so they are susceptible to liquid damage, drop damage as well as they may just burn out over time.

This will help prevent you from ever being stranded without a mic.

There is also another huge benefit of having an extra microphone on hand. That is the flexibility most people don't look for when they are first getting their original setup. Remember, if this may ever be a thought in your mind, I would recommend making sure your mixer can handle that extra microphone.

This is also good because it gives you an option god forbid something happens to your original input. For example, corrosion, the connectors break, or just plain won't work. It allows you to solve the problem and address it later.

Now I have recorded over 150 podcast episodes on my mixer, and this has never happened to me, but you can never be too careful. You don't want the podcast of your dreams to come along, and they come to your studio, and all of a sudden, you cant record. It hasn't happened to me thankfully, but one would imagine its embarrassing.

When buying an extra mic, another thing you may want to consider is to buy an extra cable. Regardless of if you are plugging it in via USB or xlr connection, always have another cable. Cables are very cheap, and there is really no excuse to have a couple of extra laying around.

Think to yourself where do cables sit, on the table typically and the ground.

What's on the ground that could cause damage? Your chair, your feet, or when someone is walking past the studio and cables are hanging low for something that's so cheap (typically around $10), its a no brainer to buy at least an extra one.

There was one time I took my studio on the go and brought it to a guest's office. When I got there, I set everything up, and I forgot to bring an extra cable. Guess who felt like a fool. Yep, I was that guy. Recording on two people on one mic and fixing the audio was a nightmare and a learning curve I was not ready for. I would give it a 10/10 would not recommend.

Having an extra mic and an extra cable is something well worth it even if you use it once it's worth making that headache go away.

There is another reason why it's so important to have a second of both. When you pack your stuff up and your traveling with a podcast studio, you may forget something. Typically it's going to be the small stuff. You almost never going to forge the mixer or your recording device. If you forget those, then this blog cant help save you. Those are probably the most important parts of the podcast studio set up you are going to need.

This blog isn't about how to travel with a podcast studio, but if you want to learn about it, check that out here. Its something I tell everyone is a good idea and if you have the opportunity, I recommend taking it. This can lead to new adventures and ways to get very creative with your podcast.

Regardless of the mic, you buy its always a good thing to buy a second mic if you can afford it. Suppose you looking for a cheap mic that is super versatile check out this blog here.

There I set everything up, and I forgot to bring an extra cable. Guess who felt like a fool. Yep, I was that guy. Recording two people on one mic and fixing the audio was a nightmare and a learning curve I was not ready for. I would give it a 10/10 would not recommend.

Trust me having an extra mic and an extra cable is something well worth it even if you use it once it is worth making that headache go away.

There is another reason why it is so important to have a second of both. When you pack your stuff up and your traveling with a podcast studio, you may forget something. Typically, it is going to be small stuff. You are almost never going to forge the mixer or your recording device. If you forget those than this blog can't help save you. Those are probably the most important parts of the podcast studio set up you are going to need.

This blog is not about how to travel with a podcast studio, but if you want to learn about it, check that out here. It's something I tell everyone is a good idea and if you have the opportunity I recommend taking it. This can lead to new adventures and ways to get very creative with your podcast.

Regardless of the mic, you buy its always a good thing to buy a second mic if you can afford it. If you are looking for a cheap mic that is super versatile, check out this blog here.

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