Mic technique
Good mic technique turns a budget setup into a pro-sounding one. Distance, angle, and a pop filter cover 90% of it — the rest is consistency.
A good starting distance: the span between the tip of your thumb and the tip of your pinkie on an outstretched hand — roughly 15–20 cm. Adjust from there based on your voice and your room.
Mount the mic on a stand or boom arm. Handheld means handling noise and inconsistent levels. Speak across the mic at a slight angle rather than straight into it — that softens plosives and reduces breath blasts.
Use a pop filter or windshield, especially if you like getting close. Then the most important rule: stay consistent. Drifting toward or away from the mic during a take is the single biggest source of amateur-sounding audio.
Used well in a treated room, even a cheap mic sounds professional. Used badly, the best mic in the world won't save you.
Mic technique cheat-sheet
Lock in your settings now so you don't have to think about them every record.