Podcast Equipment Guidebook
This guide is meant to help you gather all of the podcast equipment you need in order to get your podcast off the ground. Each section explains what specs you're looking for and includes a list of recommended equipment at different price points. These recommendations are not the be-all and end-all when it comes to recording equipment, but they are products that we have personally used and have liked. At the end of the guidebook, you can download a PDF to create your shopping list. When you decide on a piece of equipment, jot it down on the page. When you're finished with the guide, you'll have a complete shopping list and will know exactly what you're looking for. Remember you can always start with the lower-budget equipment, then purchase higher-budget equipment if you decide podcasting is something you really love.
Before picking out your equipment consider:
How many people will be on your podcast at one time?
What's your overall budget?
Will you be recording in studio or remotely or both?
Microphones
When buying microphones for podcasting, you're looking for a DYNAMIC microphone with a CARDIOID polar pattern.
USB
Using a USB microphone can be the simplest and least expensive way to go, but I would only recommend it if you are doing a solo podcast (with the possibility of remote guests). The USB microphone would plug into your computer and you would use recording software on your computer to record.
XLR
I would recommend XLR microphones for anyone not recording a solo podcast. XLR microphones will not be able to plug directly into your computer, so you will also need an interface that connects to your computer or an audio interface/recorder with XLR inputs.
Recommended Options:
$70
USB & XLR
$99
XLR
Electro-Voice RE20
$450
XLR
Mic Stands
I would recommend getting a mic stand for each microphone since holding it can pick up rustling noises from your hand. Also, be sure to check if your microphone comes with a mic stand. If not, you’ve got a few different options:
Tabletop Stands
PROS
Small and easy to store and transport. Inexpensive.
CONS
Since they sit directly on the table, it is easier to bump them, which will get picked up by the mic. It will also pick up things like someone tapping on the table.
Boom Stands
PROS
Easily adjustable for correct mic placement. Doesn’t touch the tabletop, so it’s less likely to pick up table sounds. Portable.
CONS
Takes up space. Boom stands can start to droop as they get more use, so it is worth investing in a higher-quality stand.
Broadcast Arms
PROS
Easily adjustable for correct mic placement. Great for cable management.
CONS
Takes up space. Some require drilling a hole into the tabletop. Cumbersome to transport.
Recommended Options:
$99
Mic Clips & Mounts
Now that you have your microphone and mic stand picked out, you’ll need a mic clip or a mount. These are how you attach the microphone to the mic stand. Some microphones and/or mic stands come with mic clips and mounts. Check to see if yours already has one. If not, here is what you’re looking for:
Mic Clips
Mic clips work with handheld mics like the Samson Q2U and Shure SM58 mentioned in Microphones.
Recommended Option:
$7
Compatible with Shure SM58
Mounts
Mounts work with microphones like the Electro-Voice RE20 mentioned in Microphones. The bottom of the microphone sits in the mount and is then tightened to hold the microphone.
You can decide between a regular mount or a shock mount. Shock mounts are constructed so the microphone is suspended in the center using elastic parts. It absorbs vibrations, like someone tapping the table, so extra sounds are not picked up by the microphone.
Recommended Options:
Electro-Voice 320 Microphone Stand Clip
$49
Compatible with Electro-Voice RE20
Electro-Voice 309 A Shockmount
$109
Compatible with Electro-Voice RE20
Windscreens & Pop Filters
Hold your hand in front of your mouth and say “popcorn.” Did you feel that burst of air from the first “p” sound? When that air hits the diaphragm of a microphone, it can distort the sound on the recording. When we make a sound by stopping the airflow and then suddenly releasing that air, that is called a plosive. Pop filters and windscreens can help reduce that distortion in the audio by dispersing the air before it hits the diaphragm in the microphone. Some microphones have internal pop filters (Electro-Voice RE20), so you won’t need to purchase one.
Windscreens
Windscreens are typically made of foam and are placed over the end of the microphone. You can easily find the right windscreen for your mic by searching “microphone name windscreen.”
Pop Filters
Pop filters are usually a circle of mesh material that sits in front of the microphone and you attach to the mic stand.
Recommended Option:
Cables
If you’re using a USB microphone, you can skip to the headphones section! If you’re using an XLR microphone, you’re going to need a male-to- female XLR cable for each microphone. Be sure to purchase a cable that is long enough for your needs. If you’re going to be recording in a larger space, get a longer cable. If it’s just you and your microphone, a short cable should do.
Recommended Options:
So many great options depending on your needs at Sweetwater.
Note:
I use the colorful pack of XLR cables because it makes it easy for me to see which cable goes to which mic.
Audio Interfaces & Recorders
An XLR microphone will need to plug into something to record the audio. You have a couple of options for storing a recording:
Record to Your Computer
You’ll need an audio interface that has as many XLR inputs as you have microphones, and can connect to your computer using USB.
OR
Record to an Audio Recording Device
You’ll need an audio recording device that has as many XLR inputs as you have microphones. Most audio recording devices also require a memory card (SD, microSD, etc.)
| Audio Interface | Record to Computer | Record to Memory Card | Number of XLR Inputs |
| Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface | Yes | No | 1 |
| Focusrite Scarlett2i2 Audio Interface | Yes | No | 2 |
| Zoom PodTrak P4 | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| RODEcaster Pro II | Yes | Yes | 4 |
Recommended Options:
$150
Headphones
ALWAYS WEAR HEADPHONES WHILE PODCASTING.
I cannot stress this enough. It is such a bummer to record a whole episode and realize later that there was a mysterious buzzing noise in the background, or worse yet, you forgot to turn on the microphone. Guests should wear headphones as well. When they can hear themselves, they're more likely to talk at a good volume and catch themselves making extra noises like clicking a pen or rocking in a squeaky chair.
It’s especially important that remote guests wear headphones since their mic will pick up any audio in their room including sound coming from their computer.
To me, the most important thing to ask yourself about a pair of headphones is: are they comfortable? You wear them during recording and editing time, so it's important they don’t hurt your ears or head.
For podcast guests, any pair of wired headphones will do. Wireless headphones can have a delay that can be distracting during a conversation. For the person producing the show, you might want to consider studio headphones. Normal headphones are designed so the listener has a pleasant listening experience. Studio headphones are designed to be accurate to what is actually being recorded.
Recommended Options:
Wired earbuds or headphones you already own
Free
Do you need more headphone inputs?
Recommended Options:
Storage
The final thing you’ll need is a place to store your recording. Here are some options:
Digital Audio Workstation
When to use it:
Recording to your computer
Recommended Options:
Audacity - Free, Mac/PC/Chromebook.
GarageBand: Free, Mac
Web-Based Recorders
When to use it:
Recording remotely
Recommended Options:
See Compare Web-Based Recorders
Recorder
When to use it:
Recording on recording device
Recommended Options:
Look up what storage card your recorder uses. Be sure the storage card you use has enough space for all of the audio you want to capture.