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For those who’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it is tremendous essential to have the correct gear. That is why we have put collectively an inventory of 5 incredible gear kits for learners. These kits include every little thing you want, like microphones, headphones, and recording software program, to verify your podcast sounds superior.
We consulted our thriving group of entrepreneurs—lots of whom have profitable podcasts!—over at SPI Pro for this text.
Whereas quite a lot of podcast gear guides will counsel mics and different gear by worth, this information capabilities somewhat in a different way. Every of those kits represents an excellent podcast gear checklist primarily based on a sure persona. Is audio high quality completely paramount to you, or do you must sound good on a finances? Are you on the go rather a lot, or recording out of your workplace? Do you report in individual, with multiple visitor, or do you solely report your podcast over the web?
No matter your “persona,” this text provides you with, if not a buying checklist, at the least start line.
Click on a hyperlink beneath to leap to the equipment that finest describes you.
The Jetsetter
The Audiophile
The Frugal Podcaster
The In-Person 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. After I polled our SPI Pro group on their favourite podcasting mics, there was one throughline: positively not a Blue Yeti.
For those who’re unfamiliar with Blue Yeti microphones, their reputation is comprehensible at first look. At underneath $100, they appear to supply an all-in-one answer, coming with a built-in stand and a beautiful design (even in flamingo pink).
However the response from our Execs couldn’t be clearer.
The Yeti slamming ranged from phrases like “mine broke in underneath one 12 months” to “I hate them” and “nice promoting finances, low-cost worth level.” “It’s designed to convey the viewers right into a enjoyable atmosphere,” stated one Professional, “which most individuals aren’t in… until 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 best 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 nicely. You possibly can 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 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones supply nice sound high quality and are additionally foldable, making them straightforward to pack and tackle the go. As with all of those kits, having a stable pair of studio monitor headphones is important so you may get a good suggestion of how your recording will sound in real-time.
Distant Recording Answer: An answer like Squadcast is important for distant podcast recording, and each supply high-quality audio and video recording capabilities. There are some variations between each platforms which can or might 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 can be finest coated in a second article, we’ll go away it to you to resolve—each are glorious choices at related worth factors.
With this podcast equipment, you’ll produce high-quality podcasts regardless of the place you might be.
The Audiophile: A Podcasting Setup for Discerning Ears
$900
For podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality and have a limiteless finances, listed here are some high-end gear choices we advocate.
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 cut back plosives and isolate the microphone from vibrations. Its efficiency is additional enhanced with a bass roll-off and mid-range enhance.
The Heil PR40 can be an amazing alternative 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 amazing alternative for podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality. For those who’ve tuned into any of Pat’s reside streams or The Sensible 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 Boom Stand permits you good, steady adjustment to 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 offers 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 classes.
Headphones: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 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 traditional choice which have been utilized in recording studios for years and are an amazing alternative for podcasters who need to guarantee they’ll hear each element.
Distant Recording Answer: 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-Acutely aware Podcasters
Below $100
For those who’re seeking to begin a podcast on a finances, there are a selection of nice gear choices out there. Coming in at underneath $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 glorious 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 may plug it immediately into your pc and get all the way down to enterprise.
Pop Filter: The Aokeo Professional Microphone Pop Filter — for about $11, it’s a no brainer. A pop filter is used to forestall plosive sounds (comparable to “p” and “b”) from being picked up by the microphone. And not using a pop filter, these sounds may be picked up as loud, disagreeable bursts of air, which may be distracting and make the recording tougher to take heed 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 finances equipment, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.
Distant Recording Answer: For those who’re on a finances and have to report visitors remotely, you could be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise in opposition to this although; the subscription price of Squadcast is nicely 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 Package for Eye-to-Eye Magic
$500 – $1600+ (relying on mic choice and variety of visitors)
For podcasters who report in individual with visitors, 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 visitors you often report with.
Listed here are some gear choices to think about:
Interfaces
Zoom H6 Six-Track Portable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in individual, with its potential to report as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it straightforward to attach a number of microphones.
In order for you one thing that’s a reduce above the remainder on this division, we positively advocate the Rodecaster Pro II, which incorporates sound pads, cellphone connectivity, and a spread of sound results. It additionally has a big, easy-to-use touchscreen that means that you can 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 incredible choice. It’s an reasonably priced, two-channel audio interface that provides glorious sound high quality and is simple to make use of.
Mics
Any of the mics talked about up to now are nice choices for in-person recording, however right here’s somewhat roundup:
Excessive-end: Surely, the Shure SM7B is your choose of alternative. A pair (or extra) of those puppies and your in-person recordings will sound about nearly as good as they presumably may!
Medium: Shure’s MV7X is one other stable choice. 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 worth of the SM7B, they’re a bit extra budget-friendly too. (Word—the MV7 is a barely completely different design, as you may 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 choose is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. With a worth level round $80, that is onerous to beat for finances choices.
Misc. Gear
Monitor Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 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 Boom 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 recently announced that they’re bringing podcasts to their YouTube Music streaming service. With the choice to change 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.
Digicam: 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 Camera Desk Mount has an adjustable peak of 13-35 inches, permitting the stand to clamp onto nearly any desk.
Lighting: The Elgato Key Light Air is a good lighting choice for YouTube podcasters. It’s a compact and light-weight lighting answer that may be adjusted utilizing the Elgato Management Middle app. It has a built-in diffuser for creating mushy, even lighting, and comes with a desk mount for simple positioning. Plus, it’s transportable.
Distant Recording Answer: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast is not going to solely sound nice, however it is 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 good for you. By investing in the correct gear, you may make sure that your podcast sounds nice and is fulfilling to 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 should you’re new to podcasting and need to significantly up your sport, the All-Access Pass could be your finest transfer. By community-powered studying, you may work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly well-liked Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and way more.
