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When you’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it is tremendous essential to have the precise gear. That is why we have put collectively an inventory of 5 improbable gear kits for learners. These kits include every part you want, like microphones, headphones, and recording software program, to verify your podcast sounds superior.
We consulted our thriving group of entrepreneurs—a lot of whom have profitable podcasts!—over at SPI Professional for this text.
Whereas numerous podcast gear guides will recommend mics and different gear by value, this information features somewhat otherwise. Every of those kits represents a great podcast gear listing based mostly on a sure persona. Is audio high quality completely paramount to you, or do that you must sound good on a price range? Are you on the go loads, or recording out of your workplace? Do you report in particular person, with multiple visitor, or do you solely report your podcast over the web?
No matter your “persona,” this text gives you, if not a purchasing listing, at the very least place to begin.
Click on a hyperlink beneath to leap to the equipment that finest describes you.
The Jetsetter
The Audiophile
The Frugal Podcaster
The In-Individual Host
The YouTuber
Word — the worth for every equipment was calculated earlier than tax and transport. 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. Once I polled our SPI Professional group on their favourite podcasting mics, there was one throughline: positively not a Blue Yeti.
When you’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 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 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 surroundings,” mentioned one Professional, “which most individuals aren’t in… except you’re in your yard together with your goats and chickens and speaking about farm life.”
The Jetsetter: A Mic Equipment for Podcasters in Movement
$450
For podcasters on the go, it is essential to have light-weight, moveable 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 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 will not be negatable relying in your state of affairs (if you need the sharpest-possible video, solely Riverside can report concurrently in 4k, for instance). Because the variations could be finest lined in a second article, we’ll depart it to you to resolve—each are glorious choices at related value factors.
With this podcast equipment, you’ll 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 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 well-liked for a purpose: it has glorious 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 ideal 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 ideal alternative for podcasters who’re severe about audio high quality. When 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 good, 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 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 periods.
Headphones: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professional Studio headphones are broadly thought of to be a number of the finest within the trade, providing superior sound high quality and luxury. They’re a basic choice which were utilized in recording studios for years and are an ideal 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 Equipment for Price range-Acutely aware Podcasters
Underneath $100
When you’re seeking to begin a podcast on a price range, there are a variety of nice gear choices accessible. 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 glorious 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 possibly can plug it straight into your pc 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 (reminiscent of “p” and “b”) from being picked up by the microphone. With no 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 probably have a pair of AirPods or different headphones and, since it is a price range equipment, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.
Distant Recording Resolution: When you’re on a price range and must report friends remotely, chances are you’ll be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise towards this although; the subscription price of Squadcast is effectively well worth the funding. Belief us, your editor (which might be you) will thanks!
With this setup, you’ll produce high-quality podcasts with out breaking the financial institution.
The In-person Host: A Podcast Equipment for Eye-to-Eye Magic
$500 – $1600+ (relying on mic choice and variety of friends)
For podcasters who report in particular person with friends, it is essential to have gear that may seize high-quality audio from a number of sources. In fact, you’ll wish to tailor this package deal to your particular state of affairs, relying on what number of friends you normally report with.
Listed below are some gear choices to contemplate:
Interfaces
Zoom H6 Six-Observe Transportable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in particular person, with its skill to report as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it simple to attach a number of microphones.
If you need one thing that’s a reduce above the remaining on this division, we positively suggest the Rodecaster Professional II, which incorporates sound pads, cellphone connectivity, and a variety of sound results. It additionally has a big, easy-to-use touchscreen that lets you 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 choice. It’s an inexpensive, two-channel audio interface that provides glorious 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 somewhat 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 probably may!
Medium: Shure’s MV7X is one other strong choice. With voice-isolating know-how and an all-metal building, the MV7x is designed with podcasters and vocalists in thoughts. And at lower than half the worth of the SM7B, they’re a bit extra budget-friendly too. (Word—the MV7 is a barely completely different design, as you possibly can join it through USB. Nevertheless, at this value level, we suggest some MV7Xs mixed with a strong preamp or audio interface.)
Price range: Once more our decide is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. With a value level round $80, that is exhausting to beat for price range choices.
Misc. Gear
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 Equipment 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 modify between video and audio-only consumption, a lot of podcasters really feel it’s essential to report video with each episode too. That is our suggestion 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 Gentle 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 gentle, even lighting, and comes with a desk mount for straightforward positioning. Plus, it’s moveable.
Distant Recording Resolution: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast is not going to solely sound nice, however it should 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 precise gear, you possibly can make 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 following stage. So what are you ready for? Get on the market and begin podcasting!
And if you happen to’re new to podcasting and wish to severely up your sport, the All-Entry Go may be your finest transfer. By way of community-powered studying, you possibly can work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly well-liked Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and rather more.
