This plan is pretty well set, but just going to post it here for disclosure and in case anyone has a lead on cheaper/better parts.
RE: Improving our audio setup.
We've taken a page from the tested.com playbook with our proposed audio setup. As such that means separate nice mics for everyone.
I have a Shure KSM44 I've always used since doing the youtube stuff and I had it because I had other projects that demanded this and some other equipment. However it isn't great for multi-person -- the secret to good audio is to get the mic closer.
Since we're funding some of it out of pocket and some of it from Patreon we all wanted to give full disclosure on what we're planning. Basically this:
We're getting 3 Rode NT1 mics to use with some mic stands I already have.
We will get one rolly mic boom, though. This ended up being Amazon warehouse deals where the box is crushed but the product is otherwise fine. They aren't here yet, but usually that's how it is. We're also using foam pop filters instead of the screen style because they're better for our needs and the hygene aspect is pretty good.
We're pretty well set on something like a Mackie 1220i with Onyx Preamps. I'm somewhat familiar with Mackie boards already, and the Onyx preamp is good. Its mostly analog with a little bit of firewire/digital.
These are really easy to get cheap and in good order on ebay.
I can construct a rolly-cart for it. We'll also add to that some cheapish $25 Alesis 3630 compressors. These are also good and cheap.
I think all this can be assembled into a small rollycart so we can just wheel it to wherever we need it. If we use booms and mics out of shot, that works. If we used mics in front of us, that works.
We will have two wireless lapel mics for everything else/funny skits/whatever.
The Shure can be used as a 4th mic in case we have a guest. Or a dot matrix printer robot that needs micing. Or whatever.
The analog boards are cheaper, better (though bulkier) and lower latency. The signal can be mixed and sent in directly for recording because the name of the game is reducing the amount of work required in post to edit, but give us the flexibility if we want something with a bit higher production value.
We can use the NT1s on our computers when we're streaming with the Focusrite and USB XLR adapters, so that's nice.
I think we're pretty well set on equipment though we may swap the Alesis for a 4 channel Behringer but I don't think that'll be necessary.
This should give us top shelf audio for maybe $500 beyond the cost of the mics. I think. Pretty sure. Plus whatever for cabling, which won't be much. I still have some canare star quad wiring so I can make nice xlr cables if necessary.
Mostly this is just an FYI but if anyone has any input, you're welcome to share below. I had a 1220 (not i, the old REALLY bulky one) and was hoping tech had progressed somewhat the last 10+ years. Nope.
The sweet sound of the Onyx premaps + the compressors should equal very good. And this is a similar setup to tested.com but with a little better mixer and mics.