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Should you’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it is tremendous essential to have the fitting gear. That is why we have put collectively an inventory of 5 improbable gear kits for freshmen. These kits include all the pieces you want, like microphones, headphones, and recording software program, to verify your podcast sounds superior.
We consulted our thriving neighborhood of entrepreneurs—a lot of whom have profitable podcasts!—over at SPI Professional for this text.
Whereas lots of podcast gear guides will recommend mics and different gear by worth, this information features 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 you should sound good on a funds? Are you on the go rather a lot, or recording out of your workplace? Do you file in particular person, with multiple visitor, or do you solely file your podcast over the web?
No matter your “persona,” this text provides you with, if not a buying record, at the least a great start line.
Click on a hyperlink under to leap to the equipment that finest describes you.
The Jetsetter
The Audiophile
The Frugal Podcaster
The In-Particular person Host
The YouTuber
Word — the value for every equipment was calculated earlier than tax and delivery. Costs are an estimate solely and should have fluctuated since this text was written.
On Blue Yetis (A Resounding “No!”)
I’ve to get one thing out of the way in which earlier than we proceed. After I polled our SPI Professional neighborhood on their favourite podcasting mics, there was one throughline: positively not a Blue Yeti.
Should you’re unfamiliar with Blue Yeti microphones, their recognition is comprehensible at first look. At below $100, they appear to supply an all-in-one resolution, coming with a built-in stand and a gorgeous design (even in flamingo pink).
However the response from our Professionals couldn’t be clearer.
The Yeti slamming ranged from phrases like “mine broke in below one 12 months” to “I hate them” and “nice promoting funds, low-cost worth level.” “It’s designed to convey the viewers right into a enjoyable setting,” stated one Professional, “which most individuals aren’t in… except you’re in your yard along 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 essential to have light-weight, transportable gear that may simply be taken from place to put. 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 proper 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 proper stand for an on-the-go podcast equipment.
Headphones: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Skilled Studio Monitor Headphones supply nice sound high quality and are additionally foldable, making them simple to pack and tackle the go. As with every of those kits, having a stable pair of studio monitor headphones is essential so you may 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 is probably not negatable relying in your state of affairs (if you need the sharpest-possible video, solely Riverside can file concurrently in 4k, for instance). Because the variations could be finest coated in a second article, we’ll depart it to you to resolve—each are wonderful choices at related worth factors.
With this podcast equipment, you can produce high-quality podcasts irrespective of the place you might be.
The Audiophile: A Podcasting Setup for Discerning Ears
$900
For podcasters who’re severe about audio high quality and have an infinite funds, listed below are some high-end gear choices we advocate.
Mic: A toss-up between the Shure SM7B and the Heil PR40!
The Shure SM7B is in style 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 scale 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 be an awesome selection for audiophile podcasters, that includes a large frequency vary and low self-noise. It additionally has a singular design that helps cut back pops and plosives, making it an awesome selection for podcasters who’re severe about audio high quality. Should you’ve tuned into any of Pat’s reside streams or The Good Passive Earnings Podcast, that is the mic you’re listening to!
(Word that both of those mics would require an XLR cable.)
Mount: The Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Increase Stand permits you excellent, steady adjustment in 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 superb option to pair with the Shure SM7B as a result of it gives 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 essential for real-time monitoring throughout recording classes.
Headphones: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professional Studio headphones are broadly thought of to be a few of the finest within the trade, providing superior sound high quality and luxury. They’re a traditional possibility which were utilized in recording studios for years and are an awesome selection for podcasters who need to guarantee they’ll hear each element.
Distant Recording Resolution: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast will sound nearly as good as something you hear on the radio!
The Frugal Podcaster: A Mic Package for Price range-Aware Podcasters
Beneath $100
Should you’re trying to begin a podcast on a funds, there are a variety of nice gear choices obtainable. Coming in at below $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 worth 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*. Meaning you’ll be able to plug it straight into your laptop and get right down to enterprise.
Pop Filter: The Aokeo Skilled Microphone Pop Filter — for about $11, it’s a no brainer. A pop filter is used to stop plosive sounds (comparable to “p” and “b”) from being picked up by the microphone. With no pop filter, these sounds might be picked up as loud, disagreeable bursts of air, which might be distracting and make the recording tougher to take heed to. Don’t skip this piece.
Headphones: No matter you have already got! 😄 You possible have a pair of AirPods or different headphones and, since it is a funds equipment, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.
Distant Recording Resolution: Should you’re on a funds and must file company remotely, you might be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise in opposition to this although; the subscription value of Squadcast is effectively well 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 company)
For podcasters who file in particular person with company, it is essential to have gear that may seize high-quality audio from a number of sources. After all, you’ll need to tailor this package deal to your particular state of affairs, relying on what number of company you normally file with.
Listed below are some gear choices to think about:
Interfaces
Zoom H6 Six-Observe Moveable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in particular person, with its capability to file as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it simple to attach a number of microphones.
If you would like one thing that’s a lower above the remaining on this division, we positively advocate the Rodecaster Professional II, which incorporates sound pads, cellphone connectivity, and a spread of sound results. It additionally has a big, easy-to-use touchscreen that permits you to management all of its options.
In case your reside podcast is completely a one-on-one state of affairs, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a improbable possibility. It’s an inexpensive, two-channel audio interface that provides wonderful sound high quality and is simple to make use of.
Mics
Any of the mics talked about to date are nice choices for in-person recording, however right here’s a bit roundup:
Excessive-end: Surely, the Shure SM7B is your decide of selection. A pair (or extra) of those puppies and your in-person recordings will sound about nearly as good as they presumably might!
Medium: Shure’s MV7X is one other stable possibility. With voice-isolating expertise and an all-metal development, 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. (Word—the MV7 is a barely completely different design, as you’ll be able to join it through USB. Nonetheless, at this worth level, we advocate some MV7Xs mixed with a stable preamp or audio interface.)
Price range: Once more our decide is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. With a worth level round $80, that is exhausting to beat for funds choices.
Misc. Tools
Monitor Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professional 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, Increase Stands: Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Increase 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 not too long ago introduced 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 file video with each episode too. That is our advice for a video podcasting add-on equipment, the proper 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 package deal.
Stand: The SmallRig Digital camera Desk Mount has an adjustable top of 13-35 inches, permitting the stand to clamp onto nearly any desk.
Lighting: The Elgato Key Mild Air is a superb lighting possibility 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 tender, even lighting, and comes with a desk mount for simple positioning. Plus, it’s transportable.
Distant Recording Resolution: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast is not going to solely sound nice, however it’s going to additionally look nice in your YouTube channel.
Pod-on!
It doesn’t matter what your podcasting wants are, there may be an gear equipment on the market that’s excellent for you. By investing in the fitting gear, you’ll be able to be sure that your podcast sounds nice and is pleasant in your listeners. With the assistance of this information, you’ll be capable of discover the proper gear equipment to take your podcast to the subsequent stage. So what are you ready for? Get on the market and begin podcasting!
And in the event you’re new to podcasting and need to critically up your sport, the All-Entry Go is perhaps your finest transfer. By means of community-powered studying, you’ll be able to work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly in style Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and far more.