We review some of the best podcast equipment for beginners.
If you’re thinking of throwing your hat into the projected $58 billion podcasting market (by 2025), it’s important to understand the competition, industry norms, and best practices, what you’re niche is going to be, how to create solid content, and what a quality product looks like. But to get started, you’re going to need equipment.
What type of equipment? How much will it cost? Unless you have financial backing, dropping $500 on a mic is a tough pill to swallow. Luckily, there are affordable options.
Here is some of the best podcast equipment for beginners.
Best podcast equipment for beginners
Related: Podcast Topic Ideas: 3 Tips To Build Strong Content
Microphones & mixers
Microphones are essential in the podcasting business. If there’s one thing audiences cannot forgive, it’s the quality of your audio. No one wants to hear your broadcast from the moon, nor do they want to listen to a podcaster that sounds like he’s leading the revolution from his mom’s basement. Making your voice buttery smooth is an art form in itself, but it starts with picking a decent mic.
Microphones are broadly categorized in two ways, the first is their construction and the other is connectivity.
Strictly speaking mechanics, there are two types of mics: dynamic and condenser. A condenser mic requires quieter areas, while a dynamic mic offers more background noise rejection. So, what it comes down to in the early stages of your career is whether you want background noise or not.
You’ll also need to decide whether you’ll use a USB or XLR mic. Condenser USBs are less expensive and generally seen as an all-in-one option. XLRs offer more flexibility but can set you back a penny or two. Generally, the more costly a microphone is, the more crisp your voice will be for the audience. Though, you should never make a purchase based on cost alone.
If you’re brand new to podcasting, we suggest starting with a USB mic. Cost is a major factor, but so is practicality. If you’re in your first year, chances are you won’t need the type of configuration that someone like Joe Rogan has in his studio. Yes, you’ll need a quieter area, but that’s true no matter what type of mic you have.
And USB mics are so inexpensive, you can opt for basic USB microphones in the early days and gradually move to a high-end microphone with an XLR hookup.
Yanni Vatis, a veteran streamer that has spent years working in the industry, says it’s best to go with tried and true products.
“The Blue Yeti doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but it’s a condenser mic that has proven its mettle for many years now,” Vatis says.
Again, if you’re looking for the best podcast equipment for beginners, we’d recommend starting with something small, but effective. If you start with an XLR, keep in mind you’ll need a mixer – which comes with a cost as well.
Computers
Computers are necessary; however, it doesn’t mean you need a high-end PC to begin podcasting. You can opt for a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to directly record into your PC. For any remote session, you can use third-party resources like PodBean. There are even podcasters that broadcast from their phones, the future is amazing.
Of course, if you use a 3rd party workspace or mobile device, keep in mind you’re shopping in the bargain bin (again, we’re talking about the best podcast equipment for beginners). So, if you’re determined to build a PC that will last and give you the flexibility to scale up in the future, borrow BJ Brown’s budget build configuration for live streamers (minus the graphics card, unless you’ll be mixing it up along the way).
- CPU: Intel i3-12100F or AMD R5 5600X
- Graphics Card: GTX 1660 Ti
- CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black
- Motherboard: Gigabyte H610M S2H or Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black
- RAM: 8GB Dual-channel DDR4-3200
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Power Supply: Seasonic S12III 500
In terms of internet speed, the biggest consideration is whether you’ll broadcast live or not. If you’re pre-recording every session, feel free to use McDonald’s Wi-Fi to upload your file. Otherwise, you’ll need a strong internet connection if you want to give your channel a professional look.
Related: 4 Tips For Improving CPU Performance While Live Streaming
Headphones
A podcast would be incomplete without headphones. Using headphones with a hard shell is highly recommended to comfort your ears and suppress sound (critical). There’s nothing worse than recording a two-hour set and finding out in the editing room that your voice was bleeding from your headphones through your microphone – you can’t publish that broadcast (seriously, don’t).
The most important role your headphones play is preventing the audio from bleeding. Despite the killer marketing by Beatz, the only reason they exist is so the Doc doesn’t get bleed in his audio. It just happens to be that they’re decent headphones, too.
Look for hard shell headphones with noise cancellation – your AirPods won’t do the trick – especially if you’re working with a microphone on the “best podcast equipment for beginners” list. Lol.
Mixing and recording software
There are so many options available here, it’s probably best if you find the interface that’s easiest and most affordable for you. PodBean has a recording interface that’s free to use, and Audacity is still a great alternative to Pro Tools. However, do your research, the internet is divided on Audacity nowadays. Just Google “is Audacity Spyware?”, and you’ll see the verdict is still out. But it’s an awesome free recording tool, in our opinion.
Here are a few alternatives to the “free” Audacity download: AudioDirector, Reaper (podcast recording on the go), and GarageBand (free on every iOS device).
Yes, free software has limitations, but any of the apps on this list will get the job done without compromising quality.
Final words
Podcasting is becoming very competitive, but it doesn’t mean you need to cash out your 401k to stand out. Select your gear from our best podcast equipment for beginners list and get started without breaking the bank.
More on PodBean: 2 Podbean Tips For A More Professional Podcast