No matter what equipment you have, if you have an idea for a podcast that you believe in, or one that will help your business, I say freaking go for it. I’m not saying you should keep talking into the mic on your smartphone month after month, but don’t let “having the right gear” hold you back. When I recorded my first-ever episode, I talked into a ridiculously expensive condenser mic with two of my best friends…and it sounded terrible.
So all of that to say, this is just what I use, and my studio has grown quite a bit over the past 4 years of being in the podcasting world. I want to share what I’ve learned with you including what I currently use vs what I started out with. Let’s start with the main equipment:
Microphones:
Currently using: Shure SM7B, Rode Procaster, occasionally Shure SM58
In the past I’ve used: Neumann TLM103, Audix i5, Blue Yeti, Shure, SM57, Shure SM58
Notice that the Shure SM58 is in both categories here - if you’re just starting out I would highly recommend investing in one or two or three of those, depending on how many people will be speaking on your podcast. At around $100 each new (maybe 15-25 less if you can find them used), they sound great AND if you are looking to expand your recording studio, you can use them for more than just podcast audio.
Quick review of my current gear - Shure SM7B’s are some of the greatest all around microphones I’ve ever used. Since I also record instruments in my studio, they work really well on Snare drum or as a room mic, so I love their versatility. Plus Joe Rogan uses them on what is currently the most famous podcast (I think), which was actually a selling point for a past client. Laugh out loud. At $400 new they are just a bit pricey though! The Rode Procaster is awesome for vocal audio, podcasting, voiceover, and not quite as versatile BUT they are also much cheaper at $229 new. They have different models as well - if it’s just you talking, the USB option let’s you bypass spending even more money on an interface and cables - just something to think about! One last note on the Procaster - as much as I love them, they are extremely heavy, so make sure you have a mic stand that will hold it up!
Interface:
Currently using: Zoom Livetrak L-12, Scarlett 2i2 (mobile rig)
In the past I’ve used: Presonus Firestudio, Scarlett 2i2
Maybe I should have just done a product review for the Zoom Livetrak series, but seriously, DO NOT BUY the Rodecaster Pro. For the same price, you can do so much more with the Livetrak, and yes I am biased and yes I have only used the Zoom so far. But from talking with others who have used the Rodecaster, the Zoom far outshines it. You can have 5 separate mixes, and 12 inputs (not that you would need that many for podcasting, but I also record drums at my studio, so the extra channels are a plus!). They also make a $399 model with 8 channels and 4 mixes (L-12 is $599 new, and you can find them used for about $480 as well). I’ve never done this either, but you can use it for live sound as well! It also makes podcasting remotely very easy, which I should probably write more about in the future.
Headphones:
Currently using: AKG headphones, KZ in-ear monitors (Amazon)
In the past I’ve used: Shure SE215, whatever was laying around, skull candy, etc.
Allow me to sing the praises of another underrated product that seems to be getting a little traction in the music community: the KZ in-ear monitors that you can buy for about $20 on Amazon. I don’t think every podcaster would enjoy these since they are made more for musicians and therefore fit in the ear a little too well - but they are SO GOOD on a budget! I have multiple pairs that I use for podcasting and recording music. The others I keep in the studio are various models of AKG’s over-the-ear headphones. Since I sometimes record multiple hosts in my studio (or at least I did pre-COVID), these closed-back models work really well. They have a couple different models but I believe mine were around $40 or $50 per pair.
Regardless of what you use, make sure you use them! It’s so much easier to tell if you’re getting too close to the mic or too far away, and you can prevent a lot of editing trouble on the back end.
DAW:
Currently using: Logic Pro X
In the past I’ve used: Logic Pro X, Audacity, Cubase, ProTools
As a Mac user, I’m partial to Logic Pro X since I’ve been using it for around 10 years now. If you’re starting from 0 and looking for something free that still gives you some features to mess with EQ, Compression, Limiting, etc., download Audacity and get started! I know Reaper also has a DAW you can use for free or do a free trial, and I’ve listed a couple other popular ones that I’ve used a couple times. Bottom line is that they are all pretty much equal, you’ll just need to spend time with them and get more comfortable - so with that said, try sticking with one for a while to learn everything you can about it!
Other Gear:
- Phone adapter with “Y” cable, aka 3.5mm to split 1/4” L & R (for one of the podcasts I produce, I play music from my phone, which allows me to send it remotely to the hosts easily)
- XLR Cables (necessary to connect mics to your interface, I use cheap ones from Amazon of varying sizes)
- Headphone extensions and adapters (to go from the aux mixes on the L-12 to my clients, I also use fairly cheap ones from Amazon, the brand is “Pig Hog”)
So hopefully this wasn’t like trying to drink water from a fire hydrant, but either way, get in touch with me! I would love to help you find the podcasting gear you need and help you get started with your podcast. Email me at chwstudios865@gmail.com.