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For those who’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it is tremendous vital to have the correct gear. That is why we have put collectively an inventory of 5 implausible gear kits for inexperienced persons. These kits include every thing you want, like microphones, headphones, and recording software program, to verify your podcast sounds superior.
We consulted our thriving neighborhood of entrepreneurs—lots of whom have profitable podcasts!—over at SPI Pro for this text.
Whereas a variety of podcast gear guides will recommend mics and different gear by value, this information capabilities a bit otherwise. Every of those kits represents a really perfect podcast gear record primarily based on a sure persona. Is audio high quality completely paramount to you, or do it’s essential to sound good on a price range? Are you on the go rather a lot, or recording out of your workplace? Do you document in particular person, with a couple of visitor, or do you solely document your podcast over the web?
No matter your “persona,” this text gives you, if not a purchasing record, at the least a very good place to begin.
Click on a hyperlink beneath to leap to the equipment that greatest describes you.
The Jetsetter
The Audiophile
The Frugal Podcaster
The In-Person Host
The YouTuber
Observe — the value for every equipment was calculated earlier than tax and delivery. Costs are an estimate solely and will have fluctuated since this text was written.
On Blue Yetis (A Resounding “No!”)
I’ve to get one thing out of the best way earlier than we proceed. After I polled our SPI Pro neighborhood on their favourite podcasting mics, there was one throughline: positively not a Blue Yeti.
For those who’re unfamiliar with Blue Yeti microphones, their reputation is comprehensible at first look. At beneath $100, they appear to supply an all-in-one resolution, coming with a built-in stand and a pretty design (even in flamingo pink).
However the response from our Execs couldn’t be clearer.
The Yeti slamming ranged from phrases like “mine broke in beneath one 12 months” to “I hate them” and “nice promoting price range, low-cost value level.” “It’s designed to deliver the viewers right into a enjoyable setting,” mentioned one Professional, “which most individuals aren’t in… until you’re in your yard together with your goats and chickens and speaking about farm life.”
The Jetsetter: A Mic Package for Podcasters in Movement
$450
For podcasters on the go, it is vital to have light-weight, moveable gear that may simply be taken from place to position. Right here’s the perfect equipment:
Mic: The Rode VideoMic NTG is a shotgun mic made for cameras, however at 3.32 ounces, it’s the right microphone for on-the-go podcasting as effectively. You may join it on to your laptop computer or smartphone.
Stand: At 4 oz, the Rode Tripod Mini Stand is the right stand for an on-the-go podcast equipment.
Headphones: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones supply nice sound high quality and are additionally foldable, making them straightforward to pack and tackle the go. As with all of those kits, having a strong pair of studio monitor headphones is important so you will get a good suggestion of how your recording will sound in real-time.
Distant Recording Resolution: An answer like Squadcast is crucial for distant podcast recording, and each supply high-quality audio and video recording capabilities. There are some variations between each platforms which can or might not be negatable relying in your scenario (if you’d like the sharpest-possible video, solely Riverside can document concurrently in 4k, for instance). Because the variations can be greatest lined in a second article, we’ll depart it to you to determine—each are wonderful choices at related value factors.
With this podcast equipment, you can produce high-quality podcasts irrespective of the place you’re.
The Audiophile: A Podcasting Setup for Discerning Ears
$900
For podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality and have a limiteless price range, listed here are some high-end gear choices we suggest.
Mic: A toss-up between the Shure SM7B and the Heil PR40!
The Shure SM7B is fashionable for a cause: it has wonderful sound high quality and noise discount design. It’s a cardioid dynamic microphone that captures a heat, pure sound and has a pop filter and shock mount to cut back plosives and isolate the microphone from vibrations. Its efficiency is additional enhanced with a bass roll-off and mid-range increase.
The Heil PR40 can also be an amazing alternative for audiophile podcasters, that includes a large frequency vary and low self-noise. It additionally has a novel design that helps cut back pops and plosives, making it an amazing alternative for podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality. For those who’ve tuned into any of Pat’s dwell streams or The Good Passive Earnings Podcast, that is the mic you’re listening to!
(Observe that both of those mics would require an XLR cable.)
Mount: The Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Boom Stand permits you good, steady adjustment to your mic. Set your mic up on this stand, plug it in, and by no means look again.
Preamp: The Audient iD4 MKII is a good option to pair with the Shure SM7B as a result of it supplies high-quality preamps and presents phantom energy, which is critical to energy the SM7B. Moreover, the iD4 MKII has a low-latency headphone output, which is important for real-time monitoring throughout recording classes.
Headphones: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Studio headphones are extensively thought of to be a few of the greatest within the business, providing superior sound high quality and luxury. They’re a basic choice which were utilized in recording studios for years and are an amazing alternative for podcasters who wish to guarantee they’ll hear each element.
Distant Recording Resolution: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast will sound pretty much as good as something you hear on the radio!
The Frugal Podcaster: A Mic Package for Finances-Aware Podcasters
Below $100
For those who’re trying to begin a podcast on a price range, there are a variety of nice gear choices obtainable. Coming in at beneath $100, this equipment will make your podcast sound nice with minimal gear.
Mic/Stand: The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB — at $79 (as of March, 2023), not a lot beats this mic at this value level. It presents wonderful sound high quality and is flexible sufficient to work with each XLR and USB connections, plus it comes with a easy folding stand*. Which means you’ll be able to plug it instantly into your laptop and get right down to enterprise.
Pop Filter: The Aokeo Professional Microphone Pop Filter — for about $11, it’s a no brainer. A pop filter is used to stop plosive sounds (resembling “p” and “b”) from being picked up by the microphone. With out a pop filter, these sounds will be picked up as loud, disagreeable bursts of air, which will be distracting and make the recording harder to hearken to. Don’t skip this piece.
Headphones: No matter you have already got! 😄 You seemingly have a pair of AirPods or different headphones and, since this can be a price range equipment, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.
Distant Recording Resolution: For those who’re on a price range and have to document friends remotely, you might be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise towards this although; the subscription value of Squadcast is effectively definitely worth the funding. Belief us, your editor (which might be you) will thanks!
With this setup, you can produce high-quality podcasts with out breaking the financial institution.
The In-person Host: A Podcast Package for Eye-to-Eye Magic
$500 – $1600+ (relying on mic choice and variety of friends)
For podcasters who document in particular person with friends, it is vital to have gear that may seize high-quality audio from a number of sources. After all, you’ll wish to tailor this bundle to your particular scenario, relying on what number of friends you normally document with.
Listed here are some gear choices to contemplate:
Interfaces
Zoom H6 Six-Track Portable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in particular person, with its skill to document as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it straightforward to attach a number of microphones.
If you would like one thing that’s a reduce above the remaining on this division, we positively suggest the Rodecaster Pro II, which incorporates sound pads, cellphone connectivity, and a variety of sound results. It additionally has a big, easy-to-use touchscreen that permits you to management all of its options.
In case your dwell podcast is solely a one-on-one scenario, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a implausible choice. It’s an reasonably priced, two-channel audio interface that gives wonderful sound high quality and is straightforward to make use of.
Mics
Any of the mics talked about thus far are nice choices for in-person recording, however right here’s a bit roundup:
Excessive-end: Unquestionably, the Shure SM7B is your decide of alternative. A pair (or extra) of those puppies and your in-person recordings will sound about pretty much as good as they presumably might!
Medium: Shure’s MV7X is one other strong choice. With voice-isolating expertise and an all-metal building, the MV7x is designed with podcasters and vocalists in thoughts. And at lower than half the value of the SM7B, they’re a bit extra budget-friendly too. (Observe—the MV7 is a barely totally different design, as you’ll be able to join it by way of USB. Nevertheless, at this value level, we suggest some MV7Xs mixed with a strong preamp or audio interface.)
Finances: Once more our decide is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. With a value level round $80, that is onerous to beat for price range choices.
Misc. Gear
Monitor Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Studio Headphones.
Cables: Pig Hog PHM10 8mm Tour Grade Mic Cable, XLR 10ft – 2-pack. (You might have considered trying longer cables relying on the house you’re recording in.)
Clamp-On, Growth Stands: Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Boom Stand
Desktop Stands: InnoGear Desktop Microphone Stand (2-pack)
The YouTuber: An Add-On Package for Video Podcasters
Add $850 to any of the above kits.
YouTube recently announced that they’re bringing podcasts to their YouTube Music streaming service. With the choice to change between video and audio-only consumption, plenty of podcasters really feel it’s essential to document video with each episode too. That is our suggestion for a video podcasting add-on equipment, the right praise to your mic setup.
Digital camera: The Canon EOS M50 Mark II with 15-45mm lens presents nice autofocus and high-quality video in a single easy bundle.
Stand: The SmallRig Camera Desk Mount has an adjustable top of 13-35 inches, permitting the stand to clamp onto nearly any desk.
Lighting: The Elgato Key Light Air is a good lighting choice for YouTube podcasters. It’s a compact and light-weight lighting resolution that may be adjusted utilizing the Elgato Management Middle app. It has a built-in diffuser for creating mushy, even lighting, and comes with a desk mount for simple positioning. Plus, it’s moveable.
Distant Recording Resolution: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast won’t solely sound nice, however it’ll additionally look nice in your YouTube channel.
Pod-on!
It doesn’t matter what your podcasting wants are, there’s an gear equipment on the market that’s good for you. By investing in the correct gear, you’ll be able to be sure that your podcast sounds nice and is pleasing to your listeners. With the assistance of this information, you’ll be capable to discover the right gear equipment to take your podcast to the subsequent stage. So what are you ready for? Get on the market and begin podcasting!
And for those who’re new to podcasting and wish to significantly up your recreation, the All-Access Pass may be your greatest transfer. By way of community-powered studying, you’ll be able to work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly fashionable Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and rather more.
