For a long time, I have been wondering why podcasters keep their large, sophisticated microphones in their face. As well as their guest’s. It’s like you are talking to an appendage.

Is it to keep their voices “present in the room”? That may be so. A hangover from the studio setup for talk radio may be. Voice quality over FM radio channels had to be interference-free. The quality of receivers varied hugely, from car radios to high-end audio receivers at home. Had to keep the input tiptop for assured audio reception. Therefore those diaphragmed microphones right in the face. Think studio recording artists.

However, come the Internet and personal audio devices, along with the sensitivity and fidelity of classic and modern microphones, the bandwidth for video and voice has been excellent for a long time.

Also, for some time now, in theatre plays and live news casts, the mics have been out of the way. You got an uninterrupted view with a clear voice. Indeed, microphones were driven by that requirement.

I would think the top reason for these extra-large in-the-face microphones is talk-radio imitation, and over time, it made the podcasters look “professional cool”. Maybe boosted their confidence. A micosterone. In fact, some podcasters seem to suffer from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).

For mic manufacturers, this is great. The rise of Blue Yeti, a product of the age of podcasts. The classic workhorse Shure SM7B. Their brands, flashing. They are happy.

I am a musician and I love the Rodes and Shures. But in a podcast, I would say, get the bloody mic out of my face and…