Joe Rogan is probably the most famous podcaster in the world. Even after his switch to Spotify, Joe Rogan is still on top of the world with his JRE podcast. One of the reasons for this is because he has an excellent sound. So, what mic does Joe Rogan use? Joe Rogan and his guests use the SM7B as their mics. The SM7B sounds great on practically everyone and we think it sounds really good on Joe Rogan as well. Joe Rogan’s mic is a beast, however, we can tell that he is processing his sound quite a bit. So, we’re going to show you how to achieve Joe Rogan’s sound and what kind of processing it takes to get there.
Using A Simple Noise Gate
The first thing we’re going to do is add a noise gate. We’re hearing a noise gate on Joe Rogan’s podcast but it is very slight. So, we’re going to use very minimal settings. Don’t be aggressive with your settings. We’re using the FabFilter Pro-G noise gate which has a very nice preset we adjusted. Remember, less is more here. We don’t want our noise gate to be obvious to our listeners.
The Joe Rogan EQ Settings
Next, we’re hearing a very little amount of low end. He is cutting almost all of his low end out of his mic. So, the next thing we’re going to do is add an EQ in OBS filters. Then, we’re going to add a low cut at around 200hz. Yes, we know what you are thinking. 200hz low cut is insane. But, this is how Joe Rogan is processing his vocals. We found that low cutting around 200hz gives you a very similar sound. After the low cut, we’re also going to add a 4dB shelf at around 9000hz. Joe’s voice sounds very clear and in order to get that clarity, we need to boost the highs and really take out the lows.
Simple But Effective Compression
So, with the EQ done and out of the way, we are really close to Joe Rogan’s sound. Next thing we’re going to do is add a little bit of compression. Nothing crazy here. Joe Rogan does not sound like a typical podcaster or DJ. So, we’re going to do about 3dB of gain reduction at a 2:1 ratio. This is a very simple and clean compressed sound.
The Cherry On Top
Now, it’s time for the cherry on top. This step is optional, but if your have a de-esser you should put it on this chain. It really helps tame the harsh frequencies that we boosted. Especially, since we cut out a lot of low end, the high end may sound slightly harsh. If you don’t own a de-esser and the audio is sounding harsh, or the S’s are too sibilant, back off with the 9000hz boost. Try a 2 or 3dB boost at 9000hz instead.
Thumbs Up Ladies and Gentlemen
Alright, that’s it! Now, you should be sounding just like Joe Rogan himself! We believe that this sound is very close to what Joe Rogan is doing and we are a fan of this processing chain. It sounds natural, clean, and not overly processed like some podcasts sound. Thanks for the read. Cheers and have a lovely day. Buy Joe Rogan’s mic here. And, check out our other news stories here.
