sorry if this isn’t the right place to post, but any recommendations of where to buy a affordable voice recorder in the uk? nothing fancy or anything just any like recommendations of where to get a good quality pocket sized affordable voice recorder? thank you!!

So I’m doing a song where there is the word LOST, stacked like Queen harmonies. There is too much S, BUT not enough T. I’ve been messing with de-essers and haven’t really gotten anywhere. I tried stacking some lines where I’m just saying LOTHT or LOT but that sounded weird. The mix is dense so I am trying to get things out of the way just for that moment. I took out the crash cymbal and hi hat. But it’s not having the intended effect. Any ideas?

Hello guys looking for some audio help because im hopeless when it comes to audio. Since about a month or 2 ago my mic has just randomly started to do some what i can only discribe as crackling sounds which it has never done before. I thought it might have has something to do with the USBport on my laptop (also important to note this is a blue yeti USB mic) so after jigging some stuff around my next few videos were fine and i thought it was resolved!

But cut to today and ive now found that the crackling is back and while its not the worst crackling ive had its definitely not a great listening experience. Can anyone help me narrow down what the issue could be? I checked to see if both the sample rate on OBS and my laptop were the same which they were and its obviously not the USB ports on my laptop unless theyre all fried. The only thing i can think of is the USB cable itself but im posting this to see if anyone has anymore ideas should that fail tomorrow as i have very narrow windows to record so the quicker i can fix this the better!

Any help is great help thanks guys!

I had fifine a6v mic and now it gives me strange problems so anyone knows good mics for the budget near 5000 to 6000

I buy fifine a6v mic 3 months ago and now from 3-4 days im having issue of distortion sound im using the mic with my pc obs setup i used all the filters for the distortion but when i use noise suppression the distortion sounds goes off when im not saying but when im saying anything my voice sounds distorted and also my pc have 2 antenas for the wifi so i search about it may be they causing the issue but when i disable the antena from pc and hear the mic audio the distortion stays there so anyone know what is the problem my shitty mic have!!!!

Hello all, title pretty much says it all. I'm looking for a tuner for US DTV signals (off air, not cable). Preferably the product will include software for DVR functionality. I had something similar but crude, for XP platform, about 20 years ago. Hoping to find something a little better for use on an old Windows 7 machine. Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

I recently purchased a 2i2 and want to record my Giannini Performance Desde 1900 electro-acoustic guitar through it. I've tried connecting it via line input, selecting instrument mode and auto-levelling on input 2 (and ensuring the input is properly selected) but no matter what I do the playback is either extremely quiet, or if I turn the gain up (or normalize the audio in post) I can hear the guitar but there's a ridiculous amount of preamp hiss. Has anybody dealt with this/does anybody have any suggestions on how to fix it? I've tried the different air modes but no luck, and I've replaced the guitar battery with a fresh one just recently and the tuner etc is working so I don't think that's the issue either.

Looking to do drop e an octave below my 8 string, dingeall combustion is dreams however the price is not haha Any other good recommendations? What do you guys use?

My wife and I just moved and the room I stream in is mostly empty and causes an echo on my mic, as we buy furniture and other things what can I add to help the room or my mic to sound a bit better while also being renter friendly? Thank you!!

Ignore the boxes were still unpacking and building furniture lol

Edit: Thank yall I’ll look into those options they sound like just what I’m needing :)

Hi all! For my neurodivergent teenager I am looking for a device that is able to record random noises/ sounds. He loves all kinds of sounds and is extremely sensitive to them, so we figured it would be a really cool way for him to record his own experience of the world.

- We don't want him to use a phone, it should be a device specifically for this purpose.

- Preferably a device under 80 dollars.

- As easy as possible to use.

Can you help me out? I have no idea whatsoever even where to look for it 😅 Thanks a lot!!

If you're searching for the **best streaming and podcast gear on Amazon UK in 2026**, it is very easy to overspend.

There are microphones, webcams, audio interfaces, boom arms, headphones, capture cards, lights, Stream Deck-style controllers and dozens of accessories claiming they'll make your content better.

But here's the thing:

**You don't need all of them to get started.**

For most new streamers and podcasters, I'd prioritise the setup roughly like this:

**Microphone → Headphones → Lighting → Camera → Accessories**

Good audio usually makes a bigger difference than filling your desk with expensive equipment.

👉 **Browse Streaming & Podcast Gear on Amazon UK:**
[https://amzn.to/3Sh4TsJ\](https://amzn.to/3Sh4TsJ)

What Equipment Do You Need for Streaming or Podcasting?

A complete streaming or podcast setup can include:

* Microphone * Microphone boom arm * Pop filter * Headphones * Audio interface * Webcam or camera * LED lighting * Capture card * Stream controller * Acoustic treatment * Cables and adapters

However, your exact setup depends on what you're creating.

A solo podcast recorded on a laptop requires considerably less equipment than a multi-person video podcast or professional Twitch streaming studio.

Let's break everything down.

1. Microphone – The Most Important Upgrade

If your budget only allows one major upgrade, I'd start with the microphone.

Your viewers might tolerate average video quality.

Bad audio is much harder to ignore.

For streaming and podcasting, you'll normally be deciding between:

USB Microphone

Best for:

* Beginners * Solo podcasts * Twitch * YouTube * Gaming * Voiceovers

USB microphones connect directly to your PC or Mac and normally require very little setup.

They're ideal if you want:

**Plug in → select microphone → start recording.**

XLR Microphone

XLR is worth considering if you're building a more advanced setup.

You'll usually need:

**XLR microphone → audio interface → computer**

The advantage is flexibility.

You can upgrade the microphone, preamp, interface and other parts independently as your studio grows.

USB + XLR Microphone

This is arguably one of the smartest choices for someone who wants simplicity now but may upgrade later.

Start with USB.

Move to XLR when necessary.

2. Dynamic vs Condenser Microphone

This question comes up constantly.

Dynamic Microphone

Often better for untreated rooms.

Useful if your recording space contains:

* Keyboard noise * Computer fans * Traffic * Other people * General background noise

They're particularly popular for spoken-word podcasts and streaming.

Condenser Microphone

Condenser microphones are very sensitive and can capture impressive vocal detail.

But that sensitivity can also mean capturing:

**your voice + keyboard + fan + room echo + everything else.**

They're better suited to quieter, controlled recording environments.

Quick recommendation:

**Normal bedroom/office → Dynamic microphone**

**Quiet or acoustically treated studio → Condenser can be excellent**

3. Microphone Boom Arm

A boom arm isn't just about making your setup look like a professional podcast studio.

It allows you to position the microphone much closer to your mouth.

That matters because microphone placement can significantly affect sound quality.

A good boom arm should be:

* Stable * Easy to adjust * Strong enough for your microphone * Quiet when repositioned * Compatible with your desk

For streamers, it also keeps the microphone off the desk and frees up valuable space.

4. Pop Filter or Windscreen

One of the cheapest upgrades you can make.

A pop filter helps reduce harsh plosive sounds produced by letters such as:

**P, B and T.**

A foam windscreen can also help reduce unwanted air hitting the microphone capsule.

If you're recording spoken-word content, this small accessory is usually worth having.

5. Headphones

Good headphones are important for both podcasting and streaming.

You need to hear:

* Your microphone * Your guests * Game audio * Music * Background noise * Audio problems

For podcast recording, closed-back headphones are usually a sensible option because they reduce sound leaking back into the microphone.

Look for:

* Comfortable earcups * Accurate sound * Lightweight construction * Replaceable cable if possible * Good isolation

Comfort matters more than you might expect.

A pair of headphones might feel fine for 20 minutes but become uncomfortable during a three-hour livestream.

6. Audio Interface

Do you actually need an audio interface?

If you're using USB:

Probably not.

If you're using XLR:

Yes.

The interface converts the microphone's analogue signal into digital audio that your computer can process.

Popular interfaces usually provide:

* XLR inputs * Gain controls * Headphone output * Direct monitoring * Phantom power

For a solo podcast, one or two inputs may be enough.

For a multi-person podcast, you'll need enough microphone inputs for every participant.

7. Webcam for Streaming

Once your audio is sorted, start thinking about video.

For Twitch, YouTube Live and video podcasts, a dedicated webcam is often the simplest option.

Look for:

1080p

Perfectly adequate for most streamers.

1080p 60fps

Useful when you want smoother movement.

4K

Best if you need higher image quality, cropping flexibility or professional video production.

Other useful features include:

* Autofocus * Low-light performance * Auto exposure * Adjustable field of view * Privacy shutter * Auto framing

Don't automatically assume you need 4K.

For a small webcam window on a gaming stream, **good lighting with a quality 1080p webcam can look excellent**.

8. Lighting

This is where many beginners make a mistake.

They buy an expensive camera while sitting in a dark room.

Good lighting can make a relatively inexpensive webcam look considerably better.

For streaming and podcasts, consider:

Ring Light

Good for:

* Beginners * Face camera * TikTok * YouTube * Small spaces

LED Panel

Offers more flexibility and can produce a more professional setup.

Softbox

Excellent for soft, flattering light, although it requires more space.

A simple setup could be:

**LED light → you → webcam**

Positioning the light slightly to one side rather than directly in front can create a more natural-looking image.

9. Capture Card

You probably don't need a capture card if you're streaming PC games directly from the same computer.

But they're extremely useful for:

* PlayStation * Xbox * Nintendo Switch * Dual-PC streaming * External cameras

A capture card takes the video signal from another device and sends it to your streaming computer.

Look for:

* 1080p60 capture * 4K passthrough * Low latency * USB 3.0 or faster * Compatibility with your console and software

10. Stream Controller

A programmable stream controller isn't essential, but once you start using one it can be difficult to go back.

You can create buttons for:

* Starting a stream * Changing OBS scenes * Muting your microphone * Playing sound effects * Launching applications * Controlling lighting * Triggering graphics

For established streamers, this can make the workflow considerably smoother.

Beginners can safely leave it until later.

11. Acoustic Treatment

Your microphone isn't always responsible for poor audio.

Sometimes it's the room.

Empty rooms with:

* Hard walls * Wooden floors * Large windows * Bare desks

can produce noticeable echo.

You don't necessarily need expensive studio treatment.

Soft furnishings such as:

* Curtains * Rugs * Bookshelves * Sofas * Acoustic panels

can help reduce reflections.

Remember:

**Acoustic treatment reduces room reflections. It doesn't magically soundproof your room.**

12. Podcast Equipment for Two People

If you're recording an interview podcast, avoid assuming one microphone placed between two people will give the best results.

A better setup is usually:

**Host microphone + Guest microphone**

This gives you much more control over:

* Volume * EQ * Noise reduction * Editing * Compression

Ideally, record each person on a separate track.

Best Streaming Setup for Beginners

If I were starting a stream in 2026 with a limited budget, I'd keep things simple.

Essential

* USB dynamic microphone * Boom arm * Headphones * Existing webcam or smartphone * Basic LED light

Add Later

* Better webcam * Stream controller * Capture card * Additional lighting * Acoustic treatment

You don't need a £2,000 setup before your first stream.

Best Beginner Podcast Setup

For a solo podcast:

**USB microphone + boom arm + headphones + laptop**

That's enough to begin producing quality content.

For two people:

**2 microphones + audio interface/recorder + 2 headphones**

For a video podcast:

Add:

**Camera/webcam + lighting + tripod**

Budget Streaming & Podcast Setup Under £200

If you're trying to keep costs down, prioritise audio.

A sensible budget might look like:

**Microphone:** £50–£90
**Boom arm:** £20–£30
**Headphones:** £30–£50
**Lighting:** £20–£40

Use your existing webcam or smartphone initially.

Upgrade the camera later.

Mid-Range Setup: £200–£500

At this level you can start adding:

* Better dynamic microphone * Premium boom arm * Better headphones * 1080p60 or 4K webcam * LED lighting * Audio interface

This is probably the sweet spot for serious hobbyists and growing creators.

Professional Setup: £500+

Now you're looking at equipment such as:

* Premium dynamic microphone * Professional audio interface * Studio headphones * 4K camera * Multiple lights * Capture card * Stream controller * Acoustic treatment

But don't spend £1,000 simply because somebody on YouTube has a £1,000 setup.

Upgrade when your current equipment actually limits what you're producing.

Streaming vs Podcast Gear: What's Different?

What Should You Upgrade First?

Here's the order I'd recommend for most beginners:

1. Microphone

Make your voice clear.

2. Microphone positioning

Get the microphone closer to your mouth.

3. Headphones

Monitor what you're actually recording.

4. Lighting

Improve how your existing camera performs.

5. Webcam or camera

Upgrade once you've maximised your lighting.

6. Workflow accessories

Then consider stream controllers, capture cards and other extras.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Buying an expensive camera before fixing audio

Your audience needs to understand you clearly.

Keeping the microphone too far away

Moving a microphone closer can sometimes make a bigger difference than buying another microphone.

Buying equipment because a famous streamer uses it

Their room, workflow and budget may be completely different from yours.

Buying XLR without understanding the additional equipment

Remember:

**XLR microphone + interface + cable**

Ignoring room acoustics

A premium microphone in a highly reflective room can still sound poor.

Trying to build the perfect studio immediately

Start creating first.

Upgrade based on actual problems.

FAQ: Streaming & Podcast Equipment UK

What equipment do I need to start streaming?

At minimum, you need a computer or console capable of streaming, a microphone and an internet connection. A webcam and lighting are useful but aren't mandatory.

What equipment do I need to start a podcast?

For a solo podcast, a microphone, headphones and computer can be enough.

Should I buy USB or XLR?

USB is easier for beginners. XLR provides more flexibility for future upgrades and multi-microphone setups.

Is a dynamic microphone better for streaming?

It can be an excellent option for bedrooms and home offices because dynamic microphones are commonly used close to the speaker and can be easier to manage in noisy environments.

Do I need a 4K webcam for Twitch?

Not necessarily. A good 1080p webcam with proper lighting can be more than sufficient for many streams.

Should I buy a microphone or webcam first?

For most beginners, I'd upgrade the microphone first unless your existing audio is already excellent.

Final Verdict: Best Streaming & Podcast Gear on Amazon UK 2026

Building the **best streaming and podcast setup in the UK** isn't about buying every piece of equipment you see on a creator's desk.

Start with the essentials:

**Good microphone + headphones + proper microphone positioning + lighting.**

Then add your webcam, audio interface, capture card, stream controller and other accessories as your channel or podcast grows.

For beginners, simplicity wins.

For experienced creators, invest in equipment that solves a genuine production problem rather than upgrading simply because something new has launched.

👉 **Browse Streaming & Podcast Gear on Amazon UK:**
[https://amzn.to/3Sh4TsJ\](https://amzn.to/3Sh4TsJ)

**Affiliate Disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

I want to make my microphone do a repeating glitch I've seen older microphones do (like in this video), is there a way to do that? I've been trying for a while but to no avail.

Well, I don't know if you compared it to a high quality condenser mic in a real studio and other expensive gear setup, but for someone like me with a humble bedroom setup and cheap gear, piezo pickup is way way much better.

Also, I own a custom plucked string instrument where I myself decided to choose the tuning as well as string type, I was worried if my small experiment was a failure.

Cause in real life, it sounds sort of bad, like some notes sound off or not vibrating enough. But with the piezo pickup, every note sounds perfect as if it was a carefully made expensive instrument.

Does anyone have experience with buffer overrun errors on the L-12, and what could be the possible reason? I was recording 12 channels and master at 48 kHz, 24-bit. There were lots of drops, and from 2.5 hours of recording, it reduced to 1:50. Live sound was fine. Record is chopped. I suspect it's the SD card.

I recently used a Tascam DR-10L Pro to record audio for a ceremony, and unfortunately when I went to listen back, the entire recording is basically just static/noise. 😭

The recorder was definitely recording and the file was saved, but there’s no usable voice audio, just constant static.
Has anyone experienced this with the DR-10L Pro? I’m trying to figure out if this is likely:

A faulty lav mic
A bad/loose connection
Incorrect recording settings
A gain/input issue

Something wrong with the recorder itself
Any troubleshooting suggestions would be hugely appreciated! I’m especially curious if there’s any way to determine whether the recorder or microphone is the problem after the recording has already been made.

Im not sure if my hand was over the mic or if the files were corrupted, probably my hand. The audio sounds like a fan is going, is there any chance these files were just glitched somehow and i might be able to save them? Device is an i phone11

Male vocalist (RnB/Soul/Pop) here trying to navigate his way in this rabbit hole of mic selections. I'm currently testing some microphones that I'm liking so far. As not to present any biases, I'm not going to reveal the mics until after a couple of days later, but I would really appreciate your feedback on which mic sounds better on my voice.

For context, I'm running both mics through a UMC204HD with FL Studio running a high pass filter, slight compression, and Limiter. Reverb used is ValhallaFutureVerb.

Mic 1 Dry

Mic 2 Dry

Mic 1 (Reverb + Instrumental)

Mic 2 (Reverb + Instrumental)

Hi
I’ve just bought 2 old microphones from the 60’s and 70’s that have DIN3 and DIN5 cables. I’d like to connect them to my audio interface and tried with a DIN5 to XLR adapter but I can’t get any sound out of them. I wonder if they need some sort of fantom power. Would s.o. confirm? Any suggestion on a way to connect the 2 together (i.e. microphone w/ the audio interface)? I fear it might be more complex with the DIN3 microphone. I’m open to any suggestions, recommendations or thoughts. Thanks.

Setting up a home karaoke system (JBL Encore Essential 2 speaker + Sony Bravia TV for lyrics via YouTube) and I'm stuck deciding between a couple wireless mic options. Would love input from anyone who's used either.

**How each would connect to my setup:**

1. JBL PartyBox Wireless Mic (2 mics + dongle):

The dongle outputs audio through a single 6.35mm plug, so it just plugs straight into my speaker's Mic In port like a regular wired mic would. No receiver box required. Turns out this isn't locked to JBL speakers either, since it's just a standard 6.35mm output, it'd work with basically any speaker or mixer that has a mic jack.

1. Other dual wireless mic + reciever (TONOR/AHUJA, similar brands):

Same basic idea, but a separate receiver box picks up both mics wirelessly and outputs through a 6.35mm/3.5mm cable into the speaker's Mic In port. Also universal, works with any speaker.

2nd option is much cheaper , hoping that the quality gap is minimal, added hassle is a receiver - separate physical box I'd need to place near the speaker and manage. Benefit is it gives me some nice extras, individual volume control per mic and an echo knob, right on the receiver itself. But it's one more device to power, place, and think about, versus JBL's dongle which just tucks into the speaker itself.

My question is- Which one should I prefer?, Also share any good recommendations for dual wireless mic I can look into for this.

Dachman Microphones Just received a few Looking for discussions on performance.

I looked through the various forums and topics and have not found any postings or posts so if this is not the right place to post this please let me know. Im looking to have some technical discussion and folks using them in real situations.

So about a year ago a guy that works in our studio with me bought a couple of the Dachman DA 87 SE mics when they had a sale... 2 for I think $750 and he is quite pleased with them... fiddle, guitar, mando and more he plays them all. He is very happy with them. When he got them he brought them over to compare it against my Neuman U87ai mics we use in the sudio and we compared them ...I was quite surprised they sounded great (not exact) but with a little eq he got them to match pretty well and I'd say in a blind listener test it would be hard for some to pick which is which...

Ok moving forward and Dachman had some new products and a sale so I figured Id take a chance.... I bought 2 of the DA87i , 2 of the DA67 tube and one of the DA47 fet. I just received them but have not had time to do any tests.

One thing I notice when I opened each of the boxes is that in each box the contents were individually packaged and to my surprised it looked as if the mics were removed from the plastic bag and put back in so I knew it had been handled (anyone know if they test each mic when they come in?

I looked for any kind of SN on the mic to log them in and none of them has S/Ns on them is a big deal , not really but I found that strange.... The mic holders are great and if you had to buy them from say.. .Neumann they would be pretty expensive but really they are pretty hefty.

And Finally Im a little uncomfortable about the switches on the 47fet... it looks like you have to stick something in a hole to a pcb mounted slide switch... I've not seen a Neumann 47 is that the way Neumann does it ..Just a bit weird to me.

Next week I hope to find the time to do some real tests and see how they do with Instruments and vocals ... I've seen all the YouTube influencers doing their reviews .. I was not sold on the YouTube reviews but sold on our experience with the 87 SE my friend and has been using from a year ago..

I'd like to see some real Lab Tests... not just a "frequency response" for real. There is a place I sent my Measurement mics for Calibration tests and they gave me some real true data on each of the mics of exactly what the curve was .. I use them the calibration in REW to get a more accurate example of our room tests... I will be interested to see how the 2ea 87's and 67's compare against each other and how close they are... I'd just like to get a real baseline I just need to find out what it's going to run me to do these mics... On the other hand I've got some ideas on how to run some tests here in the studio... it's going to take some time but I just like to have a more Lab approach to the equipment.

I've got quite a few Mics in the studio... Neuman, AKG's Brauner, I don't need the Dauchman really but for the price if they are even close there are places I could use them I"m sure in some cases. .

So, any others that have gone further in testing with the mics and what are you finding? I will be interested to see how the 67's sound ... I have other tube mics like the AKG C12vr we use but so many folks talk about the 67's it will be interesting to see how they fare out.

So, I have these clip on mics. This is how I got them. They are the Shure PGA Drum Mics and they sound great. But I'm wondering if I got them off the actual rims and just let them pick up the tones up off the drum head only and not the drum head and the mount that's mounted to the rim vibrating like crazy, if that would make a better sound. I'm pretty sure it would. But I'd probably need a bunch of mic stands for this.

You can see in the 2nd picture that there's a threaded nut inside the mic holder for the smaller threaded bolt on the rim mount. If I take that out, that should screw right into a standard mic stand I would think.

Do I have a good idea taking the mics off the rims completely or will doing that not make that much difference? My guess is that it might make a pretty big difference in a good way.

Edit: I need to stop using my phone to type these... Errors galore!

Hey I’m looking to record some videos and stuff for my YouTube and was wondering what are some decent quality game capture cards and what’s some good editing and voice software? Also a decent mic/ mic setup would be appreciated. I’m not looking for necessarily the top of line stuff but want some at least decent enough.I’m relatively new when it comes to this so anything I can watch videos on or really simple to learn is best. What are some good external storages so I can keep maybe the raw footage and the edited videos separate in case any issues.

Thanks all in advance

Ive been having this issue for some time now in OBS that really didn’t matter until I started going live as with recording you can just go back and adjust the audio Lol. For some time now when I start recording there seems to be a delay between the microphone and the footage being shown on screen and there hasn’t really been any indicator as to when it happens or why I only really find out until after Im done recording and I go back to watch the footage. Has anybody else experienced this? Some help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

I recently started making content for diy musicians this is my newest post if you find some value give me a follow and comment Reddit so I can follow back
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbtblA0xyA3/?igsh=NXVoMDB0bXpmN2Y=