A Beginner's Guide to Basic Podcast Recording Equipment

Is it finally time for you to start a podcast?

Whether you want a podcast to help grow your business, give your fans or followers a new way to consume content, or just have an outlet for your passion or hobby, a podcast is an excellent option for reaching busy people. But what do you need to start your podcast?

There are more equipment options than ever, from professional setups for studio-level sound to budget options that can help you sound great without breaking the bank. If you are ready to start, here are some of the basics you will need to get your podcast up and running.

Microphone with Stand (The Foundation of Podcast Audio)

A microphone is the foundation of what audio professionals refer to as your "signal chain." The microphone picks up the sound of your voice and turns it into an electrical signal that can be captured and recorded. If you have a quality microphone, you will start with a clean, high-quality signal. If not, you will have trouble getting a good sound from your voice.

While, in most cases, the more you spend, the better the quality, most podcasters can get away, spending as little as $50-$100 to get a microphone that will sound just fine.

A microphone stand is also recommended. You could just hold a microphone in your hand, but it could get cumbersome. Also, any movements could cause noise that will affect your recording. There are multiple stand options, from inexpensive desktop mic holders to professional-grade boom stands. Some microphones come with a stand or have one built-in.

An Audio Interface (Turning your Podcast Audio Digital)

One of the significant advances in technology that make it possible for anyone to produce a podcast is the invention of digital audio. Computers, phones, tablets, and stand-alone recording devices work with digital audio files, which are easy to edit, process, and share over the internet.

However, most audio starts and ends as analog sounds. For example, when we speak, we create sound waves. When we hear, those sound waves travel into our ears and cause vibrations within the ear that our brain processes as sound. To make digital audio files, a device needs to convert that analog electric signal from our microphone into something our computer or another device can recognize.

Fortunately, many modern microphones have that interface built in. For example, increasingly popular USB microphones like the Blue Yeti have an internal interface that converts the microphone signal before passing it to your computer through the USB port.

Still, some podcasters prefer the traditional analog microphones. These can be connected using an analog cable to an audio interface. Most podcasters use an interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which connects to a computer via a USB connection. Interfaces are also available to connect to other devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Computer

Once you have captured the podcast audio, you will need a way to edit the audio and get it ready to upload to your podcast hosting site. Laptops and desktop computers are a good choice for most podcasters since various software options are available on both Mac and PC. However, it is also possible to edit and produce a podcast on an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet.

Podcast Recording Software or a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

While technically not equipment, you will need software to edit and process your podcast. Software options range from high-tech professional-grade audio production suites to free options that can run on a phone. In addition, some podcast hosting platforms now have software built-in, allowing you to edit and finalize your episodes right on their websites. One of the most popular pieces of podcast software is the open-source program Audacity. Audacity is free to use and is available on Mac and PC.

Headphones

Every podcaster needs a pair of headphones. This way, you can hear yourself while talking to ensure everything sounds right and there aren't any extraneous sounds sneaking in. They are also critical when editing. Since most people listen to podcasts on headphones, this will help you hear things as your listeners will. You may be fine using your standard earbuds. However, if you want to hear a little better, you can upgrade to some high-quality headphones from companies like Sony, Audio Technica, Sennheiser, or AKG.

There is no limit to how much you could spend on podcast recording equipment. However, with this list, you will be able to get started and be on your way to your first episode.