The podcast community has grown tremendously over the past few years, and it’s no surprise that more people are looking for podcast recording equipment to help them get started. If you’re one of those people who wants to start podcasting but don’t know how or what type of equipment to buy, then this article is for you! We will discuss some of our favorite podcast recording equipment as well as other podcast-related items that can make your life easier.
What is a Podcast
Podcasts (short for “personal on-demand broadcasting”) are audio programs that you subscribe to in order to get new episodes with your favorite topics delivered right to you whenever they’re published. You can download an app, like iTunes or Stitcher Radio, to your device and subscribe. A podcast is a free publication with episodic installments released on the Internet with visual or textual content. Unlike radio shows, podcasts typically have authors rather than producers, which means anyone can publish their own podcast without permission from an editor.
To create/host a podcast, one needs to have basic knowledge of what equipment, software, and hardware are needed in order to be able to talk into their microphone while recording. You also need an online connection so you can upload your podcast recordings for distribution.
Recording Equipment for a Podcast:
Audio quality and content are the best way to go about determining what kind of equipment you need. For example, if your podcast is all talk and discussion, you might be able to get away with using a built-in laptop microphone or external mic for voice chat programs such as Discord or Skype. But if there’s any ambient noise, such as people moving around in the background or other quieter sounds that pop up periodically during the podcast (I’m looking at you kid who won’t stop playing on their computer), then it may be worth getting an external mic.
Recording equipment is essential for any passable podcast, but you will need the following minimum to get started. If you are on a budget, feel free to pick and choose your items wisely.Â
1. Microphone Â
The importance of good audio has increased dramatically in recent years because it can make or break a podcast or video blog. A good microphone captures clear sound while minimizing noise, provides uniform pickup throughout the frequency spectrum, reduces plosives (pops) by means of foam mounted to the bottom, minimizes handling noise due to pad shock mount construction that reduces vibration or proximity effect problems experienced with other mics that are very close to your mouth.Â
Our pick: RODE PODMIC Broadcast Grade Dynamic Microphone
2. Headphones Â
The best headphones for Podcasts are ones with a closed-back design. Quality headphones are necessary because many people who listen to podcasts do so without using speakers or earphones. For people with sensitive ears, try headphones that are noise isolating or offer active noise cancellation technology – these will effectively lessen unwanted ambient sound by intelligently monitoring and actively neutralizing the high-frequency sounds that cause commotion inside the headphones enclosure.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD280 PRO Professional Studio Headphones
3. Mixing Board Â
A mixing board, or audio mixer, is the centerpiece of a sound reinforcement system. It accomplishes this task by taking a signal from an input device and manipulating its various aspects so that it best suits the exact specifications of the output demanding all attention before continuing on to fulfill its destiny.Â
Our pick: Behringer FLOW-8 Bluetooth Controlled Digital Mixer
4. Editing Software – Audacity, Podcastle, Garageband, Adobe Audition CC 2018, Logic Pro X
Audacity is a free, open-source tool for recording and editing audio. It is a multi-track editor so you can take a lot of tracks at once and do whatever you want with them. Podcastle is another user-friendly, innovative audio content creation platform. You’ll love how easy it is to make a studio-quality recording here, without any equipment. Garageband is a great app for anyone who wants to make recordings and do simple editing. Although it lacks video and advanced audio editing, it has the basics for those just starting out. Adobe Audition CC 2018 is amazing as an easy to use audio editor with a ton of capability as you progress through your career as an audiophile. It lives up to the professional standard without being difficult enough that you have to read all day just figure out what buttons do what. Logic Pro X offers a great way of making music quickly and efficiently so your options are not limited by design decisions during development, but rather by what you can imagine yourself.Â
