Podcasting Equipment
What equipment do you need to start podcasting? It’s hard to know where to start. Here are four options that you can follow that will get you started. These options range from quick and easy and shoestring budget to high end.
Option One: Shoestring Option
This option will get you by – with this you can create great content.
- 1 PC with Audacity audio editing software and a USB port
- A USB microphone – I suggest the Samson Q1UCW USB mic
- Headphones – I suggest Sennheiser HD 202-II Closed-back around-ear headphones
- Somewhere quiet to record – find somewhere that does not have parallel reflective surfaces
Option Two: Easy Package
Companies like Behringer offer a bundle of equipment for amateur podcasters knowsn ad the “Podcaster Studio Bundle) It retails for about $100 and can get you started. It’s not top range equipment – if you want that, it’s best to buy individual components such as those listed in the other options. But if you want something quick and easy this is a good bet.
Option 3: Basic Professional
This gives you the flexibility to work anywhere and create great content.
- 1 PC with audacity and a USB port
- A USB mixer with phantom power. I suggest the Behringer Xenyx 1204USB because it has a built-in compressor ($180)
- Set of headphones or nearfield monitors (loudspeakers) I suggest Bose AE2 Headphones ($160) or Behringer MS40 speakers ( $140)
- One or two microphones, preferably studio condensers – I suggest Behringer B1 ($90) – don’t forget to buy the cable and a stand
- Portable digital recorder for conducting location interviews – I suggest Zoom H2. ($160)
- An acoustic reflexion filter to help cut out office noise and reduce echo – I recommend the sE Electronics PSRF Studio Relexion filter ($170)
Option 4: High End Podcaster
- 1 PC with audacity and a USB port
- Studio desk with rooms for a podcaster and one or two guests plus mic arms for each microphone with shockmount holder. AKG offer good value ones and often the shoxck mounts come with your microphone.
- A sound-proofed room treated with acoustic tiles such as Auralex
- A USB mixer with phantom power. I suggest the Behringer Xenyx 1204USB because it has a built-in compressor ($180)
- Set of headphones or nearfield monitors (loudspeakers) I suggest Bose AE2 Headphones ($160) or Behringer MS40 speakers ( $140)
- One or two microphones, preferably studio condensers – I suggest Behringer B1 ($90) – don’t forget to buy the cable
- Portable digital recorder for conducting location interviews – I suggest Zoom H2. ($160) or Nagra Ares ML4 ($800)
- An acoustic reflexion filter to help cut out office noise and reduce echo – I recommend the sE Electronics PSRF Studio Relexion filter ($170)