Are you ready to upgrade your microphone but aren’t sure where to start in the complex world of audio equipment and microphones?You’re in luck. This episode of The Visual Lounge is all about audio – how to pick the best equipment, how to use it correctly, mistakes to watch out for, and much more.Host Matt Pierce has some helpful need-to-know tips and even tests some of the most popular microphones on the market. Learning points from the episode include:1:28 – 2:38 How much should you spend on a microphone?2:38 – 5:54 USB vs. XLR microphones5:55 – 7:08 Can you use headsets for recording?7:08 – 13:07 Why you need to think about your environment and pickup patterns13:08 – 18:06 How to adjust your gain and other settings18:06 – 21:08 How far away you should be from your mic 21:09 – 27:25 The benefits of using lapel mics27:26 – 28:09 Using Snagit or Camtasia to level up your audio28:09 – 29:34 Why audio is so important for videos 29:35 – 36:00 Why the sE2200 is one of our favorite microphones (but not a great fit for everyone)36:00 – 39:48 The benefits of a shotgun mic vs. other mics39:48 – 41:24 Why you should pick a mic that’s right for you41:25 – 43:53 The difference between dynamic and condenser microphones 43:53 – 44:28 Why you should be mindful of microphone placement44:28 – 47:17 The simple secret to avoiding an audio disaster 47:17 – 48:09 Recommended microphones48:10 – 49:41 Why you should prioritize audio equipment over video49:41 – 50:48 When to use noise reduction50:49 – 52:52 Matt’s favorite podcast to listen to52:52 – 55:21 OutroImportant links and mentions:YouTube Subscribe Link: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeGear List: https://bit.ly/36jPjVm Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/upgrade-your-microphone