Podcasts have surged in popularity over the last few years. In 2021, the number of monthly podcast listeners in the US increased by 10.1%. This brought the yearly total up to 117.8 million listeners.
When it comes to getting a podcast on the air, there’s nothing more important than a strong podcast theme or idea. But once you have that, you need equipment for podcasting to ensure flawless production. Here we’ll detail our favorite podcasting equipment and how to choose the right pieces for you.
Reliable Microphones
Since podcast hosting is all about talking, the primary piece of equipment you’ll need is a microphone. There are lots of microphones on the market and the price of a microphone often reflects its quality.
Don’t only consider the microphone itself, but also the housing and flexibility, too. For example, having a microphone with a boom arm can help to keep the mic off the table and allow you to adjust it to a convenient place near your mouth.
USB Microphones
If you have multiple people in one space, it can sometimes be easiest to record with a USB option. The Yeti microphone from Blue is a versatile and affordable USB microphone. You can use it to record lots of different content like videos and music, too, so it’s essentially several microphones in one.
Another USB option is the Audio Technica ATR2100 X. It picks up less background noise due to the stylized shape meant to capture sound from directly in front of it.
XLR Microphones
An alternative piece of equipment for podcasting is an XLR microphone. These have a strong three-pin connecting system between the cord and the microphone. These are the more traditional options including the Dynamic Podcast Microphone from Audio Technica.
How to Choose Your Mic
With USB and XLR microphones, one isn’t inherently better than the other. You should really base your choice on which device you’re connecting to. For example, a USB microphone will plug directly into your laptop. But an XLR microphone plugs into an audio interface (covered in more detail below).
And if you aren’t ready to splash out on a high-quality mic, consider starting with just a good headset, which will act as a microphone, too. For example, you could use the Logitech Zone Wireless headsets to maintain high-quality audio and retain little feedback.
A Range of Headphones
Purchasing a stand-alone microphone and headphones separately is often best since the manufacturers focus on the product’s individual specialties. As far as headphones, most professionals suggest noise-canceling headphones so you can focus during production without distractions, especially if you have another podcast host near you.
The Sennheiser HD 280 PRO are professional-grade around-the-ear headphones that offer high-quality tones. Not only do these headphones offer superior sound, but they’re built for comfort since podcasters often wear their headphones for hours at a time.
Meanwhile, Sony has been a long-time producer of all things related to sound technology, including a line of stellar headphones. The Sony MDR-7506 headphones are another excellent product for podcasting with high sound quality.
The choice between microphones depends on a variety of aspects. Do you prefer around-the-ear or in-ear headphones? Are you willing to pay more for higher sound quality? Make sure you think through all of your headphone and sound requirements before purchasing.
Pop Filters
A pop filter is a mesh membrane tightly stretched across a frame. It allows sound to pass through while reducing the popping sounds caused by fast-moving air directed at a microphone—specifically the loud popping sounds you get when you form consonants like “Ps” and “Ts.”
If you don’t have too much to spend on equipment for podcasting, sometimes you can actually make your own equipment. Consider crafting your own pop filter from a stocking stretched across a frame and placed in front of your microphone.
Luckily, pop filters are usually inexpensive enough to save your hosiery. You can find affordable pop filters from Gator, while Stedman pop filters are tightly woven and more sturdy and effective for a slightly higher cost.
Capable Laptop for Editing
Besides sound equipment for podcasting, you’ll need a laptop that can handle high-quality editing software. Such a laptop should have at least 8GB of RAM. For those looking to become a professional podcaster, you will want closer to 16GB of RAM as you work in more effects and complex audio files.
Many creative professionals opt for the Apple MacBook Pro because the company specializes in creating software for artists. But other companies have advanced their laptops’ creative capacities, including Dell with its XPS 15 laptop. The Acer Aspire 5 is also a good option if you’re on a budget.
Recording & Editing Software
Once you’re armed with a powerful laptop, it’s time to select your audio editing software. The software you use will depend on whether you chose a Mac or a PC.
If you’re looking for software suitable for a Mac, compare GarageBand or Logic Pro. GarageBand is a free resource that is quite intuitive while Logic Pro is a more expensive software designed for professionals.
Some crossover products for both kinds of laptops include Adobe Audition and Audacity.
An Audio Interface
There are all kinds of things that can affect your audio quality like soft-spoken speakers and various background noises. Luckily, an audio interface solves this problem. An audio interface is a piece of equipment for podcasting that takes in the sounds you make from microphones and instruments and converts that into data your computer software will understand so you can edit effectively.
Do you have a lot of inputs, such as a mix of microphones, instruments, and your laptop? Or are your sound mixing needs more complex? Then you will likely need an advanced system like the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 audio interface.
There are all types of audio interfaces and mixer systems on the market, but you may also find a virtual, digital audio interface that meets your needs. This means an audio interface built into the software on your computer instead of an exterior piece of equipment.
Once you’ve collected all the right equipment for podcasting for your needs, test your setup and see your podcast idea come to life.
