The Ultimate List of Equipment for New Podcasters!
The Rise and Rise of Podcasting
Podcasting is something that most generations have heard of but is still somewhat of a mystery to many. People still wonder how it all works, where it came from and why it is so popular. Moreover, many of us need to realise the vast podcasting equipment market that has emerged; we'll get to that soon.
When you explain to the older generation who don't understand podcasts, it's as simple as explaining, "Well, you used to listen to the radio, right?, Well, we listen to podcasts, just different technology over the internet". That's layman's terms, but it's pretty close to the mark.
The Listening Figures
In 2007, Britain's funny man Ricky Gervais the creator of 'The Office' went into the Guinness book of records when "The Ricky Gervais Show" was the most downloaded podcast globally with an average of 261,670 downloads per episode. At the time of his entry into the Guinness Book of Records, they had nearly three million downloads.
To give you some context on today's podcast industry, the most downloaded podcast worldwide is 'The Joe Rogan Experience' in the US.
His podcast averages 200 million downloads per month and has been listened to by over 2.2 billion people. Now that's a market boom right there!
Now you can see a mass of people wanting to get into the podcast industry, and with those figures, who wouldn't want a slice of that pie?
Times have changed, to say the least. And as we all know, when an industry explodes like podcasting, it becomes a race to source the best podcasting equipment to help you rise through the ranks and gain an ever-expanding following.
In this article, we will look at how to set up a podcasting studio and then take a closer look at the equipment flooding the marketplace to help budding podcasters be as professional as possible.
Article Contents:
How to Set Up a Podcast Studio
- Buying the Equipment
- Set up the Room to Condition the Sound
- Setting up Lighting and Cameras
- Editing Software
Podcast Equipment
- USB or XLR Microphone
- Audio Interface
- Windscreen or Pop Filter
- Studio-Quality Headphones
- Adjustable Microphone Stand
How to Set Up a Podcast Studio
So, you are going to need the following:
- Equipment
- A Quiet Space
- Recording and Editing Software
If you are starting at home, then find the quietest room in the house, podcasting can start small, or if you are going all out to start, you may rent a dedicated space for your recordings.
Phase 1: Buying the Equipment
Equipment is crucial and will take up most of this article. The basics are a microphone, headphones, a microphone arm, an audio interface comfortable desks), and chair(s). If you want to bring people in for interviews, you'll need more than one of these items.
Phase 2: Set up the Room to Condition Sound
To achieve optimum sound clarity, look to soundproof your walls. Soundproof foam is the easiest way; your local DIY or Homestore should have it or source it for you. This all but stops echoes bouncing off the walls; however, this article will discuss having the right podcasting equipment, which means you could have a pop filter that can take care of this without the DIY aspect.
Phase 3: Setting up Lighting and Cameras
If you want to film your podcast to post on your social media, such as YouTube or other platforms, you'll need to set up your cameras and lighting correctly. It's easy to start a podcast, so to stand out from this increasingly crowded market, you need to take it up a notch, buy the best podcasting equipment software and create the proper studio setup.
Phase 4: Recording and Editing Software
Audacity is commonly referred to as the best software on the market at the current time. It is excellent for podcasters and musicians alike. Though for musicians, it is advisable to invest in a high-end DAW. However, you have everything you need for podcasters, and it's FREE. But don't think the pros don't use it because they do! Download their open-source, cross-platform software, and once you are familiar with the advanced settings, you will be on your way to editing and sounding like a pro.
Podcast Equipment - What you need
You need the right equipment to take your podcast show from good to excellent next year.
Many companies on the market produce quality goods for podcasting. Still, there are two standouts:
- RODE
- Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica has been in the business for 60 years, created in Tokyo, Japan, and RODE is an Australian company that has been in the industry since 1967.
USB or XLR Microphone
Before you go to find a studio or redecorate a room, first, you need a quality microphone.
The two most popular choices on the market are USB and XLR microphones.
USBs are simple as they connect directly to your computer using a USB cable and will now hook up to your software package. The setup is minimal, too easy.
For more control of your audio, XLR is the other option with cable; in general, it gives a higher sound quality.
If you want both options, look no further than Audio-Technica's ATR2100 microphone. Also, a RODE microphone, the RODE PodMic, is an excellent choice if you want a cost-effective option that delivers studio-quality sounds.
Audio Interface
If you choose an XLR connection, an audio mixer is next on your shopping list; this will connect your microphone to your computer.
So, not only does an audio mixer help connectivity between the two, you now enter the realm of being able to control the volume and start editing.
In this particular field, especially for beginners, RODE rules! They have the RODE Caster Pro Integrated Podcast Production Console (RCP).
This has everything even a professional podcaster would want but at entry-level pricing. The spec is as follows, be prepared to be impressed:
- Fully Integrated Production Console for Podcasts
- 8 Programmable Sound Pads and Colour Illumination
- 4 High-Quality Integrated Microphone Channels
- Class-A Servo Based Preamps
- APHEX Professional Audio Processors
- It Records Direct to a MicroSD
And all of that for well under $1000. That is not bad, considering this is a compatible RODE Bluetooth microphone interface. So this will help you interview your guests via telephone.
Windscreen or Pop Filter
You may have already purchased a microphone for podcasting elsewhere in the market. Now we get to where we started this article, possibly having to go to your local Homeware or DIY store to buy soundproof foam.
However, if you follow the advice and buy the RODE PodMic, it already has a built-in Internal Pop Filter to Reduce Plosives and provides Balanced Rich Sound. So no redecorating is needed! You automatically get a higher-quality audio reproduction and less editing, so it's a win-win.
Studio-Quality Headphones
Top-quality headphones are a must for any aspiring podcaster, especially if you are interviewing remotely. Wearing headphones during recording gives you a unique insight into how the recorded sound is in real time. So you can make on-the-spot adjustments to ensure a quality recording.
When recording virtual interviews, both you and your guest must ensure you use headphones so the mic doesn't pick up your computer's speaker, as that will create an echo.
This is where you need RODE headphones. They have solid options for beginners with the RODE WFH Starter Bundle. With this, you get the over-ear headphones that comprise:
- CoolTech Earcups to Reduce Wearing Fatigue
- Custom-matched Drivers with an Incredibly Accurate Frequency Response
Plus, you get the Mini Studio Quality USB Microphone which comprises:
- Unique Detachable Magnetic Desk Stand
- In-built Pop Filter
- Directional Cardioid Pickup Pattern
So let's have a quick equipment check, so far we have…
- Audacity FREE Software
- Microphone
- Audio Interface
- Worked out the Pop-filter can be Built-in
- Studio Quality Headphones or Kit, so now we need a reliable…
Adjustable Microphone Stand
Sounds somewhat simple and obvious. But your microphone needs to be at the right height and not move millimetres during your podcasting. Plus, you want to avoid being chained to your chair in an awkward position.
Now, most of Audio-Technica and RODE's microphones come with adjustable stands just like the Audio Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone, which has a:
A pivoting stand mount suitable for 5/8"-27 threaded stands and a 5/8"-27 up to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter, tripod desk stand, with a soft protective pouch.
Or the RODE NT-USB Mini and PSA1 Boom Arm, which is another package offered with the microphone and:
Rode PSA1 Professional Studio Boom Arm (PSA1) with a unique detachable magnetic desk stand.
However, if you have already bought a microphone, you can buy the Rode PSA1 Professional Studio Boom Arm separately, and this is its spec:
- Ideal for Radio, Studio, Broadcast, Podcast and Home use
- Includes Both Desk Mount Clamp and Threaded Desk Insert
- Supports Microphone and Shock Mount/Clip Weight Between 700 to 1.1kg
- Internal Springs for Quiet Operation
So that just about covers everything you need to get your podcast on the road. Where you do it is up to you, but once your podcast takes off, you’ll be spending a lot of time in that room, so think carefully about where you choose to work from.
Conclusion
You only get to survive as a business in a niche market if you are extremely good at what you produce, develop and continually innovate. The podcast industry is becoming crowded, so to be successful, pick your niche carefully and make sure to purchase goods from companies that have operated in this niche for decades. The two best companies in the industry are in this article, so do your research and find out what podcasting equipment is best for you. The starter kits offered by RODE work wonders for beginners. Good luck gaining your audience!
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