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In case you’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it is tremendous essential to have the proper gear. That is why we have put collectively an inventory of 5 incredible gear kits for learners. These kits include all the pieces you want, like microphones, headphones, and recording software program, to verify your podcast sounds superior.
We consulted our thriving group of entrepreneurs—a lot of whom have profitable podcasts!—over at SPI Pro for this text.
Whereas plenty of podcast gear guides will counsel mics and different gear by worth, this information capabilities a little bit in another way. Every of those kits represents a super podcast gear listing primarily based on a sure persona. Is audio high quality completely paramount to you, or do you could sound good on a finances? Are you on the go loads, or recording out of your workplace? Do you document in individual, with a couple of visitor, or do you solely document your podcast over the web?
No matter your “persona,” this text gives you, if not a procuring listing, a minimum of an excellent start line.
Click on a hyperlink under to leap to the package that greatest describes you.
The Jetsetter
The Audiophile
The Frugal Podcaster
The In-Person Host
The YouTuber
Notice — the worth for every package was calculated earlier than tax and delivery. 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.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Blue Yeti microphones, their recognition is comprehensible at first look. At below $100, they appear to supply an all-in-one resolution, coming with a built-in stand and a pretty 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 below one yr” 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, moveable gear that may simply be taken from place to position. Right here’s the best package:
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 effectively. 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 package.
Headphones: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones provide 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 strong pair of studio monitor headphones is crucial 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 provide high-quality audio and video recording capabilities. There are some variations between each platforms which can or will not be negatable relying in your state of affairs (in order for you the sharpest-possible video, solely Riverside can document concurrently in 4k, for instance). Because the variations can be greatest coated in a second article, we’ll depart it to you to determine—each are wonderful choices at comparable worth factors.
With this podcast package, you can produce high-quality podcasts irrespective of the place you’re.
The Audiophile: A Podcasting Setup for Discerning Ears
$900
For podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality and have an infinite finances, listed below are some high-end gear choices we advocate.
Mic: A toss-up between the Shure SM7B and the Heil PR40!
The Shure SM7B is common for a purpose: it has wonderful 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 increase.
The Heil PR40 can be an awesome selection for audiophile podcasters, that includes a large frequency vary and low self-noise. It additionally has a singular design that helps scale back pops and plosives, making it an awesome selection for podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality. In case you’ve tuned into any of Pat’s stay streams or The Good Passive Earnings Podcast, that is the mic you’re listening to!
(Notice that both of those mics would require an XLR cable.)
Mount: The Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Boom Stand permits you excellent, secure adjustment on 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 superb option to pair with the Shure SM7B as a result of it gives high-quality preamps and gives phantom energy, which is important to energy the SM7B. Moreover, the iD4 MKII has a low-latency headphone output, which is crucial 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 greatest within the business, providing superior sound high quality and luxury. They’re a basic choice which were utilized in recording studios for years and are an awesome selection 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 Funds-Aware Podcasters
Below $100
In case you’re trying to begin a podcast on a finances, there are a variety of nice gear choices obtainable. Coming in at below $100, this package 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 gives wonderful sound high quality and is flexible sufficient to work with each XLR and USB connections, plus it comes with a easy folding stand*. Which means you may plug it straight 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 stop plosive sounds (reminiscent of “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 harder to take heed to. Don’t skip this piece.
Headphones: No matter you have already got! 😄 You possible have a pair of AirPods or different headphones and, since this can be a finances package, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.
Distant Recording Answer: In case you’re on a finances and must document visitors remotely, chances are you’ll be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise towards this although; the subscription value of Squadcast is effectively definitely worth the funding. Belief us, your editor (which might be you) will thanks!
With this setup, you can 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 document in individual with visitors, it is essential to have gear that may seize high-quality audio from a number of sources. In fact, you’ll need to tailor this bundle to your particular state of affairs, relying on what number of visitors you often document with.
Listed below are some gear choices to think about:
Interfaces
Zoom H6 Six-Track Portable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in individual, with its means to document as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it straightforward to attach a number of microphones.
If you would like one thing that’s a lower above the remainder on this division, we positively advocate the Rodecaster Pro II, which incorporates sound pads, cellphone connectivity, and a variety 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 stay 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 wonderful sound high quality and is straightforward to make use of.
Mics
Any of the mics talked about thus far are nice choices for in-person recording, however right here’s a little bit roundup:
Excessive-end: Indubitably, the Shure SM7B is your decide of selection. 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 strong choice. With voice-isolating expertise and an all-metal building, 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. (Notice—the MV7 is a barely completely different design, as you may join it by way of USB. Nevertheless, at this worth level, we advocate some MV7Xs mixed with a strong preamp or audio interface.)
Funds: Once more our decide is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. With a worth level round $80, that is onerous to beat for finances choices.
Misc. Tools
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 modify between video and audio-only consumption, plenty of podcasters really feel it’s essential to document video with each episode too. That is our advice for a video podcasting add-on package, the proper praise to your mic setup.
Digital camera: The Canon EOS M50 Mark II with 15-45mm lens gives nice autofocus and high-quality video in a single easy bundle.
Stand: The SmallRig Camera Desk Mount has an adjustable top of 13-35 inches, permitting the stand to clamp onto nearly any desk.
Lighting: The Elgato Key Light Air is a superb lighting choice for YouTube podcasters. It’s a compact and light-weight lighting resolution that may be adjusted utilizing the Elgato Management Middle app. It has a built-in diffuser for creating tender, even lighting, and comes with a desk mount for straightforward positioning. Plus, it’s moveable.
Distant Recording Answer: Squadcast.
With this setup, your podcast won’t solely sound nice, however it should additionally look nice in your YouTube channel.
Pod-on!
It doesn’t matter what your podcasting wants are, there’s an gear package on the market that’s excellent for you. By investing in the proper gear, you may make sure that your podcast sounds nice and is gratifying on your listeners. With the assistance of this information, you’ll have the ability to discover the proper gear package to take your podcast to the following stage. So what are you ready for? Get on the market and begin podcasting!
And for those who’re new to podcasting and need to severely up your recreation, the All-Access Pass is perhaps your greatest transfer. By community-powered studying, you may work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly common Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and far more.
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