Unlock the Secrets to Finding the Best Podcast Equipment
By Tom Seest
What Is the Best Podcast Equipment to Use?
At PodcastBig, we help new podcasters develop strategies to create content, traffic, and revenue from podcasts based on our experiences and experimentation.
Your podcast could cover any number of topics – from discussing Victorian dolls to initiating an investigation, for instance – but to sound professional you will require the necessary equipment and studio setup.
At the core of any podcast production is a computer capable of recording and editing digital audio files. Most modern laptops are fast enough for podcast production.
What Is the Best Podcast Equipment to Use?
Table Of Contents
What Microphone Is Best for Podcasting?
The microphone is one of the key pieces of equipment needed for podcasting, and should be carefully researched to find one that matches both your budget and recording needs. You have several choices when selecting your microphone: USB, XLR and shotgun options are available; depending on the format you’re recording for you may require additional accessories like pop filters to reduce plosive sounds (pf), cardioid mics tend to work best as they isolate their voice while rejecting sound from its rear and sides.
Though there are plenty of great USB microphones under $150, investing in more professional models will greatly enhance the quality of your recordings. The ATR2100x is an affordable model with a super-cardioid pickup pattern to minimize background noise. Another good choice is Blue Sona, an XLR microphone designed specifically to pick up sounds in front of it without picking up unwanted noise.
Depending on the nature of your podcast and whether or not co-hosts or guests will regularly appear on it, investing in a studio-grade XLR microphone such as the Mackie EM Series EM-99B dynamic broadcast microphone could be worth your while. With excellent sound quality suitable for solo and group recordings and its hyper-cardioid pickup pattern, which reduces pickup from the sides and rear of the microphone – making it ideal for recording groups – Mackie offers this mic at a reasonable price point.
No matter which microphone you opt for, an audio interface or mixer will also be necessary to transform analog signals from your mic into digital formats that your computer can understand. These devices serve as intermediaries between microphones and computers and do a much better job at this process than built-in sound cards on laptops or desktops.
What Microphone Is Best for Podcasting?
What Does an Audio Interface Do for Podcasting?
An audio interface is used to transform analog signals from your microphone into digital audio signals that your computer understands, making it essential equipment for podcasting. An audio interface acts as a mediator between your microphone and computer and does a far superior job of analog-to-digital conversion than your sound card does; typically featuring multiple input and output channels and supporting multiple microphones simultaneously making them ideal for podcasting.
Many of these devices feature built-in EQ and compression tools to maximize the potential of your microphone, with some also featuring digital meters to visually track levels. One great example is the Presonus Revelator io24; its sleek modern design comes equipped with high headroom XMAX-L mic preamps capable of amplifying even whispered phrases.
When selecting an audio interface for podcasting, be sure it works with your recording software. Look for brands known for quality and reliability and read reviews to gain more insight into what other podcasters have experienced with it. Some devices come equipped with their own power source while others may simply require USB power from your computer to operate.
If your podcast involves multiple hosts or guests, consider including an audio mixer in your setup. While more complex to operate than an audio interface, an audio mixer offers additional features and versatility necessary for producing professional-sounding shows; such as adding multiple microphones, managing levels, and mixing in sound effects.
What Does an Audio Interface Do for Podcasting?
How Does a Mixer Enhance Your Podcast?
Podcast mixers are pieces of equipment designed to record multiple inputs from various microphones at once. Furthermore, it allows users to mix these channels individually as well as add audio effects like reverb – simulating being in physical space – for example. They come both analog and digital versions; price will depend on your features needs; some have large ports for XLR connections so non-USB compatible microphones can still be connected directly.
Your podcast requires recording and editing software. There are various low-cost or free packages that can get you going quickly, such as GarageBand for Mac computers, Audacity (multiplatform and free), and Adobe Audition which requires a monthly subscription fee.
headphones are essential when recording podcasts and editing episodes – this allows you to monitor levels correctly while hearing how your podcast sounds as it evolves over time. Also use them during editing so you can hear what the finished product will sound like!
Portable digital audio recorders can be an indispensable resource when conducting out-of-studio podcast recordings, particularly if conducting interviews on location and need high-quality recording capabilities.
Consider investing in a mic stand to support the microphone at its ideal height, eliminating vibrations and keeping plosives and wind noise at bay. An XLR mic might require additional support as well. Furthermore, pop filters may help mitigate such sounds.
How Does a Mixer Enhance Your Podcast?
What Headphones Should You Use for Podcasting?
Your podcast recording and editing requires headphones with good sound levels and quality to accurately monitor sound levels and quality. This helps avoid mistakes such as accidentally shouting into the mic or forgetting to check voice levels, while it can help detect issues such as ambient noises, tonal changes, volume imbalances and weird compressed audio files.
There is a wide selection of fantastic podcast headphones at every price point, from budget models to professional-grade models. Choose between closed-back, open-back or wireless options depending on your preferences and needs. Closed-back headphones are recommended for podcasting as they offer maximum sound isolation – which is essential when recording studio recordings. If your budget is tight, we highly suggest the Sony MDR-7506 headphones which offer expansive frequency response and accurate playback at an accessible price point. For something more luxurious and reliable, we’d suggest the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 headphones; these closed-back headphones are highly regarded among professional audio engineers.
If your podcast features guests or co-hosts, investing in noise-canceling headphones for each of them could prove invaluable in monitoring sound quality, volume levels and microphone placement during recordings as well as helping avoid mistakes and retakes by providing hosts live feedback on their performance.
If you plan on taking your podcast out and about, a portable digital recorder is an essential piece of equipment. High-quality options exist for every budget; some even feature built-in microphones to help capture great sound for podcasting purposes. Furthermore, some recorders double as audio interfaces for more precise control over sound quality.
What Headphones Should You Use for Podcasting?
How Does a Mic Stand Help Your Podcasting?
If you plan to create podcasts frequently, a mic stand will ensure your microphone is properly placed for recording each time – improving sound quality while protecting it from accidental bumps or knocks that could damage it.
When choosing the ideal microphone stand for your podcasting setup, take into account its size and style. Desktop stands tend to be the best fit as they can easily be placed on desks without risk of sliding off, secured with clutch mechanisms and adjusted without major modifications needed for height adjustment. They are often affordable too!
Boom arms offer more positioning flexibility for microphones of various types and styles. Although more expensive, boom arms may require slightly longer setup/teardown processes, but their increased positioning flexibility often makes this worthwhile.
Handheld digital recorders are invaluable tools for conducting on-the-go interviews or adding audio clips to your podcast. When used alongside a microphone stand, these devices capture high-quality audio that you can then upload directly into your show.
While you can produce an engaging podcast using only basic equipment, having more advanced equipment will boost the overall quality of your recordings and attract a larger audience. A strong podcast setup creates more impact with listeners while simultaneously showing that you take pride in what you are doing – helping build rapport with listeners while building loyal followings.
How Does a Mic Stand Help Your Podcasting?
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