Reddit reviews BEHRINGER, 12 Mixer - Powered, Black (Q1202USB)

Not amazing quality but Behringer can get you started for cheap. This is probably the cheapest way to get started without all crowding around one microphone.

• Cheap 3 mic set
  
• Cheap Mixer with compressors and usb
  
• Cheap cables
  
• Cheap foam windscreens to use as pop filters
  
• Free audio editor / recording software
  
• Free automatic audio post-mixer (You may have to download the app from here)
  
• Ultra basic video of how to use Audacity and Levelator for ultra cheap audio editing / mixing
  
• Free RSS host
  
• Free RSS conformer for itunes
  
• Free audio hosting
  
  Also consider Cheap RSS and media hosting from Libsyn
  and See behringer's whole range of basic mixers. You might also want to check out cheap mic stands. I would also reccomend using a backup recording device connected to your mixer like a Tascam / Zoom / iPhone in case your recording software crashes during the session.

The cheapest mixer I would consider would be a Behringer Q1202USB ($100US). 4 XLR jacks, a USB connection to a computer to record and a couple Aux Sends so you can do a Mix-Minus for Skype guests if you want.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Q1202USB-12-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00CTKI45M/

Any XLR mics would work. I usually recommend the Audio-Technica ATR2100 USB ($60US)

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B004QJOZS4/

or it's nearly identical cousin the Samson Q2U

http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Handheld-Microphone-Headphones-Accessories/dp/B001R747SG/

which is easier to fine outside of the US.

You can go cheeper and look for a deal on some cheap Nady or Behringer mics.

Maybe a 3 pack of these for $40US plus one spare. They don't look like they come with cables and such like the others I mentioned above, though.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-ULTRAVOICE-XM1800S-Cardioid-Microphones/dp/B000NJ2TIE/

Or Nady

http://www.amazon.com/Nady-SP-4C-NADY-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B00009W40D/

Not my favorite but at $10US it's hard to argue with and comes with XLR to 1/4" cables.

!

Here is our usb mixer setup. We run XLR mics (60 bucks for a 3 pack).

Link: BEHRINGER, 12 Mixer - Powered, Black (Q1202USB) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CTKI45M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CMTXDb9TG5MT6

Like I said above, it's usb and we record using Audacity.

Here is an example of us with a blue snowball:

https://youtu.be/ksLciGbLDfY

Here is an example with the xlr mic and mixer:

https://youtu.be/ksBsOAKj3U8

The best thing...we can tune it to a particular vocal range. Don (guy on the left) has deeper tones, while Beau (guy on the right) needed emphasis on the mid range.

We just export to mp3 when we are done recording. It's been a game changer for us.

The Rode podcaster is a REALLY great mic. However, it is also a dynamic mic which has a low sensitivity. It is meant to be used a few inches from your mouth and probably would not be very well suited for picking up multiple people.

The best way to mic multiple people on a single recording is to get several XLR dynamic mics and feed them into a mixing board or preamp. The Akai EIE is great for this because you can have multiple audio streams output to your computer. However, a Behringer Xenyx 1202USB or a Tascam 1200 would work well too. Pair that with a few

If you want to do mic multiple people with one mic then you're looking at a condenser mic. For the price of your podcaster($230) I have a few suggestions. I would still look at getting an XLR setup, because they are much better IMO.

• AT2020 ($100)
  
  
• AT2035 ($150)
  
  Pair one of those mics with the Behringer Zenyz Q802 USB ($80), Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, ($150), Focusrite Scarlett Solo ($100), Presonus AudioBox 2x2 ($100), or Presonus AudioBox iOne ($70). For future-proofing I suggest gettign at least a 2 channel audio interface, in case you want to add more mics later. That's up to you. Make sure you factor in the price of a mic stand.
  
  If you have any questions let me know! You could always go with a USB mic, like the Blue Yeti or the AT2020USB, but I think you'd have more luck with the XLR setup. Up to you.

If it's just you and your buddy and you aren't doing any Skype call-ins, and you guys can both be in the same room all you'll need is...

Two mics:
ENTRY/BASIC: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100-USB-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B004QJOZS4/ - $64.00 American - $128 total.

Intermediate: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/356521-REG/Audio_Technica_AT2020_AT2020_Condenser_Microphone.html - $99.00 American - $200 total.

Two XLR cables: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JNLTTKS/ - $5.99 American - $12.00 total.

One XLR-to-USB setup: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CTKI45M/ - $99.00 American

Two Scissor Arms: https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Microphone-Suspension-Broadcasting-Voice-Over/dp/B00DY1F2CS/ - $12.99 American - $26.00 total

Two Pop Filters: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Studio-Microphone-Filter-Shield/dp/B00ACFAULC/ - $6.95 American each - $14.00 total.

A DAW: Audacity - Free - https://www.audacityteam.org/download/

TOTAL BASIC COST: $280-355 American

If you need to do a Skype call Mix-Minus it will cost an extra $20-50 depending on how you would like to do it.

Would not recommend this, Thunderbolt connections are not completely common at this point. The advantages of one aren't even necessary unless you need very low latency. A USB interface would work just fine, would recommend: http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Q1202USB-12-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00CTKI45M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1462939004&sr=8-5&keywords=4+channel+mixer This would work well considering it has 4 XLR pre-amps and a USB out so it also works well as an interface. Would also work well if OP doesn't want to mix inside the box.

Wondering if something like this might be better suited? Claims to be "low noise"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CTKI45M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iscoveods-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00CTKI45M&linkId=e4f4c660a73227e59e686886093d5117

There is a way using Soundflower if you're on a mac or try this other reddit thread if you're on a PC.

However, that is definitely going to be a bit of headache. The much easier, but obviously more expensive solution, down the line would be to use two XLR mics and a mixer. A mic like the ATR2100 that is USB / XLR is a very good choice and what my wife and I use on our show. From there any of the inexpensive Behringer mixers are really all that you need. So for just over $200 you have a very scaleable set-up. Add in a Zoom H1 / H4 and you don't even need the computer anymore.

Gonna jump in and suggest a behringer mixer. Comes in different sizes for relatively cheap. Super versatile as well, i use it for tons of different things. Also has phantom power in case a mic comes into play. 1202 is at a good Price Right now

I actually have sent the old one (The q802 USB sound mixer) back and am going to be getting a better mixer that will have two buss outputs so I can get what I am looking for done with one mixer instead of purchasing two. I'm looking at either the Yamaha MG10XU or the Behringer q1202 USB but not sure if either one will do the job or not...

Behringer Q1202 USB is even cheaper and as far as USB mixers go that supports 4 XLR mics, it's the cheapest.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Q1202USB-12-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00CTKI45M/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1459134032&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer+xenyx+q1202usb

You have 4 condenser mics which means you'll need to supply phantom power to them.
If you want control over all four mics in post-production, you'll want the USB mixer.

Everything this guy said is on point. This mixer fits the bill in every way.

It may seem daunting at first if you've never dealt with live audio, but it's extremely simple

Yeah, you could get an additional set, but make sure if you do that you get the uhf set so you can change channels on the second set. Also you would likely need an external mixer for any more than one set, which isn’t a bad idea anyway but I don’t know what your budget is. If you want to record through USB this one would be okay but you would need to do a bit of adapter gymnastics to get your full 5 channels:
BEHRINGER XENYX Q1202USB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CTKI45M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0912AbNZ76M19

Or if you don’t need USB this one is a bit better sized:
BEHRINGER XENYX 1002B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027B41P0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_a912AbVWNHMKZ

Once again I’m assuming a budget of next to nothing so this is pretty much the minimum you’d want to get the job done. Another option would be to use the wired mic that you already have on one person, then wireless on everyone else into a two channel mixer such as this one:
BEHRINGER XENYX 502 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J5UEGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s812AbEF7EKSG
But the jankiness of that setup scares me a bit.

Oh and here’s a 2 channel mic setup as well.
GTD Audio U-35L UHF Wireless Microphone System with Headset Lavaliere Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013XVR85M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4l22AbVB766XE

Upon further investigation I have discovered that the 502 nor 802 can do a proper "mix minus" (listening to another source without it going to main mix).
Though the BEHRINGER XENYX Q1202USB can, and is on sale right now, though that's still a decent chunk more then an 802.

Also available sans FX if you aren't interested in them. I'm probably picking one up myself soon.