Audio Equipment

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If you are teaching in a physical room, check what technology is available. Some rooms may have a Meeting OWL, Opencast, or other equipment that allows you to record audio and video in the room. Room details are available through the Learning Space Management (LSM) website or the college/department office managing the room.

Some audiovisual equipment options are provided below for those who would like to update their teaching equipment. If you are an Arts & Science instructor in need of financial assistance to help pay for the audiovisual equipment you plan to use for your teaching, you may want to consider speaking to your Chair or equivalent unit head about the Pedagogical Innovation and Experimentation (PIE) Fund. One of the eligible expenses listed on the PIE Fund page is "Purchasing/licensing of software, hardware or equipment to support initiatives."

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If you want the freedom to be able to walk around a classroom while you teach, then a wireless lapel (sometimes called a "lavalier" or "lav") microphone system is a good choice. However, they are more expensive than wired lapel mics, require batteries, and may need a bit more setup.

Wi-Fi frequency: The Rode GO II Links to an external site. and the Sennheiser XSW-D Links to an external site. listed below both operate in the same frequency range as Wi-Fi. If you have a smaller class, these should work well. However, if you have a large class, it is possible that a high number of Wi-Fi signals (i.e., 50 or more, including from students' phones) may cause interference. Wi-Fi wireless mics also work best with line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, so if you are wearing the transmitter and turn so that your body is blocking the signal to the receiver, the signal may be momentarily lost. If you are concerned about these possible issues, the higher-priced Sennheiser G4 may be a more reliable option.

Wireless Lapel (Lavalier) Microphones

Equipment Image	Description
	The Rode Wireless GO II Links to an external site. is a good option as a relatively inexpensive (~$260) wireless mic. According to reviews, it is very easy to set up and use. Note that it does not come with a typical small lavalier mic. The actual microphone you attach to your shirt is in the square transmitter, which is 4.5 cm square. There is a built-in, USB-rechargeable battery. If you want a small, less obvious lavalier microphone you can purchase the Rode Go lapel mic Links to an external site..
	The Sennheiser XSW-D Links to an external site. is a similar option to the Rode GO, but is meant to be even more user-friendly, as there are no settings — just turn it on and use it. It is more expensive (~$410) than the Rode GO II. Note: There are variations of the XSW-D microphone package available. Ensure you choose the model with a 3.5mm microphone jack (Manufacturer Part Number: 508488), so it can be connected to your computer’s microphone input or the podium audio jacks in LSM-managed classrooms (i.e., that have a teaching station or dock). Do not choose the one with an XLR jack (Manufacturer Part Number: 508489).
	RF (radio frequency): Wireless transmitters and receivers that operate in the RF bands are not affected by Wi-Fi interference, and have about twice the range of the Wi-Fi models above. The Sennheiser EW122P G4 Links to an external site. is a professional-level, more expensive option for a wireless mic. These require a bit more knowledge to set up, but they are reliable, do not require line of sight, and provide very good sound quality. The full price through Vistek.ca is currently ~$840 but an educational discount should be available. Note: there are two versions: the one with the omnidirectional ME 2-II microphone is recommended, as it has a wider "pickup" pattern and will detect an instructor's voice even if they turn their head. The other version uses the ME 4 mic, which has a narrower cardioid pickup pattern which won't work as well in that situation.

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If you are recording from home, or don't need to move around in a classroom, a wired lapel mic can be a relatively inexpensive option for improving sound quality over using your laptop's built-in microphone.

Wired Lapel (Lavalier) Microphones

Equipment Image	Description
	A relatively inexpensive (around $120) but good quality lapel mic is the Rode GO Links to an external site.. It can be used with virtually any laptop that has a microphone input jack, as well as with the Rode Wireless Go II Links to an external site. transmitter and receiver. The cable is only 1 m long, so you may want to consider an extension cable, such as the Rode SC1 Links to an external site., which is 6 m long (for example, if you want to stand away from your computer while recording lecture videos). Note: if you plan to use this mic with your phone, you will likely need an adapter, such as the Rode SC4 Links to an external site..
	A cheaper option (under $50) is the BOYA BY-M1 Links to an external site.. The sound quality is acceptable, and likely better than using the built-in microphone in a laptop, but it is not great. It uses a watch battery, which reportedly lasts a long time, but you would have to make sure it doesn't run out while recording. The cable for this mic is 6 m long, which gives you some flexibility but could get in the way.
	If you want to have a separate mic and headphone jacks on your laptop, or if your audio jack is not working properly, an inexpensive adapter such as the UGREEN USB Audio Adapter Links to an external site. can be quite handy.

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Recording tips: Video: 10 Tips for Better Sounding Vocal Recordings for Beginners (11:11) Links to an external site.

If you prefer a desktop microphone over a lapel mic, there are a wide variety of USB microphones on the market that plug directly into your computer, with many under $100. Even a cheap one will likely sound much better than your laptop's built-in microphone. The ones listed below are good quality and reliable.

Desktop USB Microphones

Equipment Image	Description
	Blue Snowball Links to an external site.: This is a cheap (less than $100) but good performing USB mic that is popular with people starting out as podcasters. It is easy to set up and use.
	RODE NT-USB Mini Links to an external site.: Reportedly has a great sound for the price ($129), and is compact. You may want to consider getting a higher stand or a boom arm in order to have it closer to your mouth when speaking. For a detailed review, see this video Links to an external site. by Curtis Judd.
	Blue Yeti Links to an external site.: This is a popular USB mic with many YouTubers, especially if they are just starting out or don't want to spend a lot on equipment but still want to record good quality sound for a good price (less than $200). Blue sells a Yeticaster bundle Links to an external site. that includes a boom arm and shock mount (to reduce vibrations) which is handy for keeping the mic off your desk and allowing you to position the mic close to your mouth.
	Shure MV7 USB Links to an external site.: This is a more expensive option than the other microphones listed here, but it is well regarded by a number of reviewers for its performance and versatility. For a detailed review, see this video Links to an external site. by Curtis Judd.

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If you want to use "pro" level microphones to get higher quality audio, you can use a microphone that has an XLR connector Links to an external site. and plug it into a USB audio interface which then plugs into your computer. This requires a bit more of a learning curve than the USB mics above and is more expensive, but you may find that the results are worth it. There are many XLR microphones and interfaces available — those listed below are just some examples to consider. This comparison page Links to an external site. from Podcast Insights provides some useful information on different microphone options.

XLR Microphones and USB Audio Interfaces

Equipment Image	Description
	Audio-Technica AT2020 Links to an external site.: This is a popular "side address" mic that is relatively affordable (~$150). There is also the slightly more expensive AT2035 Links to an external site. (at about ~$200) that includes a shock mount to reduce vibrations that might get picked up while recording.
	Rode NT1A Links to an external site.: This is a popular option that provides high-quality sound at a reasonable price. It comes with a shock mount (to reduce vibrations) and a pop filter (to reduce "pops" and hiss when you say words that start with "p" or have an "s" in them).
	Scarlett Solo Links to an external site.: This is a USB audio interface that is used to connect an XLR microphone to a computer. It allows you to adjust the gain (essentially, how sensitive the microphone is), and you can connect headphones to it in order to monitor the audio while recording. These are very popular, as they produce high-quality sound at a reasonable price (~$170). There is another version, the Scarlett 2i2 Links to an external site., which is more expensive (~$240) but allows you to connect two XLR microphones at the same time.
	Scarlett Solo Studio Links to an external site.: This is a convenient option if you want to purchase a bundle that includes a microphone, headphones, audio interface, and cables all at once for about $330.

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If you plan on doing a lot of asynchronous video recording and/or webinar meetings, you might consider mounting your microphone on a boom arm (also known as a scissor arm). They are very convenient for freeing up desk space, and it's much easier to get the mic close to your mouth, which will provide better sound. They can also be adapted for mounting a webcam or light. Below are some popular options that are all available on Amazon.

Microphone Boom Arms

Equipment Image	Description
	Rode PSA1 Links to an external site.: This is a popular workhorse that has been around for years, but is more expensive than the Neewer described below, although it may last much longer.
	Blue Compass Links to an external site.: Comparable in quality, strength, and price to the Rode PSA1, but it can be stiffer to adjust. This can be an advantage, however, if you are using a heavy microphone like the Blue Yeti.
	Neewer Boom Arm Links to an external site.: About $26 on Amazon, where the reviews are generally positive but beware that some reviewers found that these could snap after extended use.

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Microphone Sanitizer

Equipment Image	Description
	If you will be sharing a microphone, you may want to pick up some Goby Labs Microphone Sanitizer Links to an external site. (yes, there is such a thing!).

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