How to Set Up a Mixer for Podcasting

One of the many benefits of podcasting is that you can get started without breaking the bank.
There are, of course, a few necessities, but some - if not all - are typically hardware or software that come already built-in to your laptop or desktop computer. If you’re just starting out, then these options will definitely get you headed down the right path.
However, I do want to provide you with a few different options, including a low cost, a mid-cost and the higher-end so that you know what to keep your eye out for as you progress as a podcaster.
Don’t worry: whether you’re a PC person or a MAC lover, you’re in luck. Both systems run smoothly with the options I’m going to talk about in this post.
Let’s take a look at the hardware and software required to record, edit and publish a podcast, and then also review some of the other options if you’re in a position to make an investment upfront.
Later in this post, I’ll also talk about other recommendations for podcasters that’ll cost you, but that will enhance the quality and start to give your audience a real idea of your brand is all about.
Let’s get to it!

Podcasting Studio Mixer Setup

Podcasting hardware

What’s a podcast without sound? The only piece of required hardware to start a podcast is, of course, a microphone.
Whatever laptop or desktop you’re working from most likely has a built-in microphone, whether you know it or not.
While using your built-in microphone is very cost effective and definitely do-able, it’s really not the best option.
Why? Because your audio quality will suffer.

Audio quality is a very important component of a podcast for obvious reasons. The medium you’re using to produce content is audible, and if the quality of your audio isn’t that great, then your audience will recognize that and it could mean the difference between someone listening and someone not listening.
When you’re just starting out – especially if you’re just trying to get a feel for recording an episode and doing some practice runs – using your built-in microphone is definitely okay.
Moving forward, I would recommend this piece of the puzzle be your first investment, as it is your sound that makes your podcast.
A major difference between this microphone and the other options I’ve mentioned thus far is that the HeilPR-40 does not plug into your computers USB port, rather it uses an XLR connection. This means you will need to purchase a mixer to plug the microphone into should you decide to go this route.
I’ll dive into the optional goodies for podcasters, like mixers, in just a minute; first, let’s take a look at the software required to start a podcast:

Podcasting software

The one and only piece of software that is required to start a podcast is recording software.
Recording software is the program that allows your voice to actually be recorded, then edited and finally
converted into an MP3 file that can be uploaded to your media host.
If you’ll be doing an interview-based podcast, then you’ll also need to use calling software, and I highly recommend using Skype for this. Skype can be downloaded and installed on a MAC or a PC and is a great way to connect with your guests.
Every one of my interviews is conducted via Skype because it is far better and much clearer to record VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) versus trying to do an interview with someone who is on a cell phone.
Recording via Skype gives both you and your guest the option to be hardwired in (highly recommended) so you don’t have to worry about connection issues like you would on a cell phone. The reception is simply better, resulting in better audio quality.
Even if your guest is only using their built-in microphone on their computer, this is a far better option than the quality you would get from a cell phone recording.
With the help of programs like eCamm Call Recorder (for MAC) and Pamela (for PC), you can easily record both voice and video, and then upload the recording to your software program of choice.
Another option for recording if you’ll be doing video interviews is Google+ Hangouts on Air (G+ HOA).
G+ HOA not only records your video chat, it also automatically streams it to your YouTube channel live – a great way to be on several platforms without a ton of work. This would also give you the option to embed the video interview on your website for people to watch live, or as a replay.
I put together a step-by-step guide of how to set up and record your live, G+ HOA, and it’s linked at the end of this post. Here’s a quick look

How To Start

If you will not be doing an interview-based podcast, then you can skip Skype, and just record directly into your
software program. Here are the no-cost options available:
No cost for both MAC and PC users:
Audacity is a great, no-cost option to record and edit your podcast. It doesn’t give you anywhere near the same capabilities as Adobe Audition, but it definitely gets the job done.
No cost for MAC users:
GarageBand: For a free piece of software, GarageBand is a great option. Again, I prefer Audition over GarageBand, but if you’re not looking to spend money on a program just yet, then GarageBand will definitely get the job done.
Cost option for both MAC and PC users:
Adobe Audition. I use the Adobe Audition Cloud software, which I can record directly into while using Skype as my “calling system” and my PreSonus Firetudio mixer. I’ll talk more about mixers in just a bit, though.
The Adobe Audition Cloud software can be purchased for a low monthly cost of $19.99 on its own, or, if you use other Adobe products you can purchase the Adobe Cloud Package for $49.99/month.
Alright, now that you have an idea of the software required to start recording, editing and uploading your podcast, let’s talk about those goodies!

Other recommended goodies for podcasters

Something that I don’t know if I could live without is my mixer.
What exactly is a mixer, and what does it do?
Great question. It’s an electronic device for combining and changing the level, timbre and dynamics of different types of audio signals. If you end up purchasing the same microphone that I have, which is the Heil PR-30, then the XLR connection will require a mixer.
Again, the mixer is definitely not a necessity, but it does allow you to do some pretty cool stuff with your voice levels, and it has definitely saved the day on a couple of occasions when my guest’s sound wasn’t all that great.
I use the Presonus Firestudio Project, which will set you off $400. It’s not a cheap purchase, but it will
drastically improve the quality of your audio and the ease with which you’re able to edit your podcast.
If you do not plan on doing any of the editing, or you’re not too concerned with being able to record on two separate tracks, then this is probably $400 you could spend on something else. Here’s why I can’t live without it:

as previously discussed, the mixer is also what allows me to record directly into Adobe Audition on two separate tracks (one track is my voice, the other track is my guest’s voice). Among a lot of other benefits, recording on two separate tracks makes editing a lot easier, including the ability to silence out background noise and also cut out entire parts of the audio clip if and when you and your guest talk over one another.

Well, there you have it! A quick look at all the podcast software and hardware required to start your own podcast.

Beginnner's Guide To Recording Vinyl Into Your Computer

An audio interface is not necessary to record vinyl into your computer. The exception is if your turntable does not have a USB output AND your computer ONLY has a USB input (many computers have an 1/8" input).
A case can be made to use an Audio Interface even if you technically don't need one. If you want your recordings for music production, digital DJing or critical listening, you probably want an Audio Interface to your setup to assure optimal sound quality transfer.

Technics SL-1200G Vinyl Player

What Software Should I Use To Record Vinyl?

For Macs, Garage Band will work fine.
Audacity is a free downloadable program that works on both PC and MAC.
Recording Basics
Connect your turntable output to your computer's 1/8" audio input or USB input.
Launch your program and create a new file.
Select the appropriate input source (1/8" or USB) in the program preferences.
Test play your record and make sure the input levels do not reach "red", adjust input volume if necessary.
Click "Record" and once you are finished hit "Stop".
If using Audacity go to the "File" menu and select "Export to MP3".
If using Garageband go to the "File" menu and select "Save As". The default file type is AAC.

How To Create Individual Tracks / Songs

Please note, recording software does not automate the creation of separate tracks. The first method to record a track is to record one track at a time and save them individually. The second method is to record a whole side of an album, then edit and save them as individual tracks.

Editing Audio

Editing audio in a recording program is easy to learn and that does not take much time. Play around with highlighting different sections of your recording (represented by the waveform). You can easily identify the beginning and ends of songs by reading the waveform. Highlight a section and you can delete it like you would a text document. If you prefer copying and pasting: copy, create a new file and paste into that file. Lastly, "Export to MP3" or "Save As".

Recording Settings + MP3s + File Types

For CD quality recording, we recommend 44.1 kHz / 16 Bit for your input settings.
General maximum quality for most recordings is 96k Hz / 24 Bit, but this will create a very large file.
For exporting your recording to MP3 we recommend 320 kbps KPS (DJ quality). FYI, iTunes files are 256 kbps.
MP3s optimize and compress file size.
MP3s allow you to store ID3 tag info such as Artist, Title, Label, Track Number, Compose, Year, etc.
WAV and AIFF files do not offer compression and will have very large file size.
WAV and AIFF files do not store ID3 tag info and will not transfer additional info (however, iTunes will allow you to store the info).
Once you have edited and saved your audio files, just drag the files from the folder you have saved them to into iTunes. Once the files appear in the tracklist, right click + "get info" and fill in info such as Artist, Track Title, Label, Year, etc.

Behringer XENYX X2442FX Mixer

Behringer 1224FX Mixer

1. 6 state-of-the-art, phantom-powered XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps.
2. 16 editable, studio-grade presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and multi-effects.
3. 9-band stereo graphic EQ allows precise frequency correction of monitor w: Behringer XENYX X1832USB USB Mixer with Effects.

With the previous UB series mixers, Behringer began to shed its reputation as a maker of throwaway gear for DJs and touring bands who don't have money to burn. The UB series turned out to be solidly built mixers that delivered a lot of bang for the buck and were darn near impossible to destroy. The XENYX series completes the transformation. No longer snubbed by serious musicians as a bargain-basement brand, Behringer is now a genuine contender. I wouldn't be surprised if other gear makers are taking these things apart to see what makes 'em tick.

At the top of the XENYX line is the 2442FX with 12 fader channels. The first 8 are mono mic or line inputs, followed by a pair of mono mic or stereo line inputs, shades of the Eurodesk series. Another pair of stereo line inputs rounds things out.

The mic pre-amps are dead-room quiet, delivering vocals with a natural presence. The line inputs are just as impressive, imbuing my wife's Martin guitar and Dean Markley ProMag Gold pickup with a warmth and range I hadn't heard before.

Additional inputs include mono and stereo insert points as well as sends and returns for modifying the sound with external processors, none of which we'll ever use at church but nice to have nonetheless. You can mix the sound down to 4 subgroups before sending everything to the main mix. The uses for the subgroup faders and routing switches are limited only by your imagination.
And then there's that built-in effects processor. Our church is a steel-frame building that acoustically doesn't cut it, so we add in some hall reverb (setting 8), giving the music those ethereal few seconds of hanging in the air. With the effects routed to subgroups 3/4, I can press a single button to turn the reverb on and off at will. For spoken readings during a hymn, the reverb can be potted down on individual channels. The subgroup buttons also function as standby switches, muting all the mics and instruments between hymns.

As if all that wasn't enough, Behringer includes a USB interface box so you can lay down tracks directly on your Mac or PC. Suddenly, you're not just a musician. You're a record producer as well.
Yes, as someone else noted, you only get stereo outputs on the USB connection. In this price range, I don't know of any board that truly delivers a professional quality multi-track editing experience through a USB connection. You just can't have it all in this price range. If read the Berhinger specs you can easily find out more about the USB connection. The manuals are available at the company website too. However, you can have as many as eight output channels using the direct outputs on the rear of the board. Simply patch the lines into a multi-track recording device/computer and you can have an 8 channel multi-track editing experience.

I've got a feedback detecting EQ and a Behringer compressor/limiter between the mixer board and the amps. It's always a good to protect your PA speakers with additional gear. That said, the eight onboard compressor channels and the PLF Channel Setup Procedure can protect you pretty well too. If you use the PLF Channel Setup Procedure on each channel before each gig, you get remarkable sound quality with plenty of headroom. Don't just rely on the Gain Control turn-knobs during setup (as some amateurs might be prone to do), follow the whole setup procedure annotated in the manual, and you can pretty much knockout about 95% of the clipping without the use of a ceiling limiter.
I do wish the FX generator was 32 bit instead of 24 bit, but the 16 each 24 bit FX generators sound really good compared to my old mixer. I also love how the FX tap system works though I rarely use this feature. Besides, all I really use is the plate reverb for vocals anyway.

This board is fantastic. I'm highly skeptical of most Behringer products, but this one is truly great. It is comparable to the Mackie MixWizard 16:2, with compressors on 10 channels (even better IMO).
There is a lot of confusion about the functionality and some of the USB capabilities, but after researching online it seems that a lot of people think this board is supposed to do everything for dirt cheap. READ the specs before thinking it is a multitrack USB wizard. It is only called X2442USB to distinguish it from the X2442FX board, which looks exactly the same but has more preset FX and no USB. The USB only sends OR receives a 2-ch stereo mix/input; DO NOT expect it to bus all those channels digitally for $379. That is just a pipe-dream. I bought mine used on Craigslist for $200. Not a single problem, have used it everyday for a year.

IMHO this board functions best as an out-board only. I record strai
ght into a Liquid Sapphire56 and/or MAudio Profire 2626, and snake all their outputs into the X2442USB for mixing and monitoring purposes. I always feed my BX8 D2's (MAudio studio monitors) from the X2442USB because it's sound is so good, and has balanced XLR outs, which most in-boards (audio interfaces) don't have. Not recording 16 channels at once too often, so I run TV, computer sounds, an ONKYO receiver through it, and even play music through it from my phone using the RCA inputs. If you need a convenient board for live sound in a band, or want to keep every possible home media device plugged into one place while also using it as part of a home studio, you will want powered speakers or a stand-alone power amp.

The preamps are so much better than we expected at SETI Systems testing lab, compressors are amazing when set well (and unnoticeable). I really wouldn't use it as an in-board unless my other two firewire interfaces died suddenly. However, there is no reason you couldn't plug 10 mics plus another 6 balanced/unbalanced 1/4" inputs with FX sends/returns and snake it the other way into the interfaces for multitrack recording. Like I said, I am seriously amazed at the quality of this product.

This board is perfect for small-medium sized bands, small-medium sized music venues, DJ's, TV studios, and home studios as a LIVE sound and monitoring or control room system. Forget the USB function, I used it once to make sure it worked, but this is not really a recording interface unless you just need to record a 2-ch mix. The board offers 24-bit DSP (digital signal processing), but it only records via USB at CD quality, 16-bit 44.1kH. I've read of some issues surrounding the manufacturing quality, and if something breaks, the whole circuit board must be replaced (in other words buy another one). Two of these boards are still considerably cheaper than a Mackie MixWizard. The bad reviews of this product are primarily people that don't read up on gear before purchasing it.