Starting a podcast can be a truly rewarding adventure. It’s an amazing opportunity to connect with your audience, share your unique stories, and dive into the topics you love. Podcasting is not only fun, but it also brings a wonderful sense of fulfillment. However, with so many options for podcast equipment out there, it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed about what you really need when you’re just getting started. But don’t worry.
Scroll down to the bottom, and you will get to know about the essential equipment that you can get for a podcast setup. This guide helps you focus on the essentials for creating a professional-quality podcast. We’ll cover microphones, mixers, and all the tools needed to start your podcasting journey and create captivating episodes to grow your audience.
Kickstarting Your Podcast Journey
Let’s explore essential podcast equipment for beginners. I’ll share tips on what to seek and why each item is crucial for making your podcast stand out.
A Blazing-Fast Computer
To start with, your computer will serve as the heart of your podcasting adventure, managing everything from recording to editing and bringing your amazing content to life for your audience.
Make a thoughtful choice: Seek out a laptop or desktop with a reliable processor (think Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 and above) and at least 8GB of RAM, so you can smoothly run your recording and editing software without any hiccups.
Consider portability: If recording in various spots is on your agenda, a laptop is perfect since it’s lightweight and easy to carry around.
If you are considering going for something portable and powerful, then we suggest you go for MacBook Pro or Air. Both of the MacBooks are made with top-notch components that are meant and engineered to give you a next-level experience on the go.
All you have to do is to shove them into your backpack and head out. Take them out whenever you are shooting, recording or simply editing. The software programs work flawlessly on these devices, and you will feel no jitter or lag on it.
A Good-Quality Microphone For Audio
The microphone you choose plays a huge role in shaping the sound of your podcast. It is essential for quality audio; while it might be tempting to rely on built-in computer mics, they often fall short when it comes to delivering the clear, professional audio you really want.
USB Microphones:
These microphones are exceptionally user-friendly, connecting directly to your computer without any hassle. A fantastic starter option worth considering is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x, hailed as an outstanding USB microphone that is perfectly suited for podcasting.
It boasts both XLR analog and USB digital outputs, allowing users to conveniently utilize it in various ways. Additionally, the 3.5mm headphone output provides an extra layer of convenience, making this microphone an excellent choice for beginners.
XLR Microphones:
For top-notch sound quality in recordings and performances, these microphones are ideal, but need a compatible audio interface. The popular Shure SM58 is an excellent XLR microphone that handles various vocal tasks effortlessly. Its dynamic cardioid design isolates sound sources and reduces background noise with its internal shock mount.
Additionally, the SM58 features a built-in wind and pop filter, ensuring clear sound by minimizing plosive and wind noises. It includes a protective pouch for easy transport, making it a practical choice for traveling audio professionals.
If you are thinking of getting these microphones, we suggest you need a microphone stand with it. You can get the Samson Desktop Microphone Stand MD5, which is pretty amazing and works like a charm. Check it out at Golden Camera.
A Sturdy Stand For Your Microphone
Holding your microphone for an hour-long podcast episode can be quite a challenge, can’t it? That’s why a microphone stand or boom arm is such a great friend. They help you find just the right position for comfortable recording and incredible sound quality, all while giving your hands the freedom to move around freely.
Desk Stands: They’re not only budget-friendly, but also super easy to use, keeping your mic steady and reliable.
Boom Arms: These provide fantastic flexibility and can be effortlessly clamped onto any table or desk, allowing you to bring the mic closer to your mouth for the best sound quality.
An Audio Interface For Analog And Digital Signals
If you choose to use an XLR microphone, it’s useful to know that you’ll need an audio interface to facilitate the connection. This handy device bridges the gap between your mic’s analog signal into digital audio that your computer can easily recognize, enabling high-quality recordings and streaming.
When searching for suitable models, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and Scarlett 6i6 stand out as excellent beginner-friendly options.
Scarlett 2i2
The 3rd-Gen Scarlett 2i2 is a versatile 2×2 USB audio interface designed for musicians and podcasters. It allows for simultaneous recording of microphones and instruments, ensuring high-quality audio capture. Accompanying this are a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone, perfect for rich vocal recordings, and closed-back, over-ear headphones that provide excellent sound isolation, making it an ideal setup for any recording session.
Scarlett 6i6
The device offers a versatile audio interface with 2 Scarlett inputs and 2 line inputs, along with 2 balanced outputs and 4 line outputs for superior sound quality. All are housed in a rugged metal construction.
It features MIDI and S/PIDF I/Os, independent headphone outputs, and supports 48V phantom power. With 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, it comes bundled with user-friendly software, including Ableton Live Lite. The best part is that it is compatible with Mac OS X and Windows.
Both interfaces provide outstanding sound quality, are straightforward to set up and come with multiple inputs, accommodating a couple of microphones and making them ideal for podcasters or musicians starting their audio journey.
Take Control Of Your Sound With A Mixer
A mixer can truly be a game-changer for anyone involved in producing engaging audio content. If you’re working with multiple microphones to capture different voices or planning to add sound effects and background music, a mixer can help you manage these elements seamlessly.
Furthermore, if you include remote guests in your show, a mixer lets you taking better control of your sound and quality, greatly enhancing the overall listening experience for your audience.
When you’re just getting started in audio mixing, it’s advisable to use a basic mixer such as the Behringer Xenyx Q802USB. The XENYX 802 is a wonderfully compact 8-channel audio mixer, perfect for all budgets. It comes equipped with two microphone inputs and 6 line level inputs, ensuring you have plenty of options.
The mixer comes with stereo-paired inputs 3/4 and 5/6, which are great for connecting keyboards, players/recorders, and other stereo devices. Plus, there’s an extra stereo I/O connection for your Tape and CD devices. This handy 802 model is just right for project recording, home video editing, small PA systems, and so much more.
If you’re considering getting the Xenyx Q802USB, you’ll find the best price for this audio mixer in Pakistan at Golden Camera. Why not place your order today and enjoy the great sound?
Monitor Sound Quality With Headphones
A good pair of closed-back headphones is essential for anyone serious about audio recording. These headphones provide excellent sound isolation, allowing you to monitor your sound accurately as you record.
This feature is crucial as it enables you to hear any background noises or identify uneven audio levels in real-time. By catching these issues early on, you can address them before they become significant problems in your final production, ensuring high-quality recordings.
A fantastic option for headphones includes Audio Technica’s ATH-M50x. With these monitor headphones, you can experience premium sound quality with our headphones, featuring 45mm Neodymium drivers and a circumaural, sound-isolating design that ensures clarity and comfort.
The 90-degree swiveling earcups allow for easy single-ear monitoring, while the extended frequency range enhances your listening experience. The detachable single-sided cable comes with straight, coiled, and short options, and it includes a convenient pouch along with a screw-on 1/4″ adapter for added versatility.
An Amplifier For Headphones If You Have Multiple Hosts or Guests
If you’re podcasting with a co-host or guest, investing in a headphone amplifier becomes essential for an optimal audio experience. This handy piece of equipment allows multiple individuals to monitor the audio simultaneously, ensuring that everyone involved can hear exactly what is being recorded in real-time. This encourages collaboration and immediate feedback during the podcasting process, leading to a more polished and engaging final product.
For the entry-level options, the Behringer HA400 is an excellent choice for those seeking a compact and budget-friendly audio solution. This device allows you to connect multiple headphones simultaneously, making it perfect for group settings such as family gatherings, study sessions, or collaborative work environments. With its user-friendly design, everyone can enjoy clear audio during conversations, enhancing the overall experience for all participants.
A Portable Digital Recorder For The On-The-Go
When your podcast takes you to different locations or includes some exciting fieldwork, a portable digital recorder becomes an absolute gem to have by your side.
If you’re looking for reliable options, the Zoom H5 is a fantastic recorder that delivers impressive audio quality. It is ideal for live location recording and podcasting. It comes with a swappable stereo mic and built-in speaker, dual XLR-1/4″ mic/line inputs, and user-friendly operability. With WAV recording capabilities up to 96 kHz, onboard compression, and low-cut filters, it supports SDHC cards up to 32GB, ensuring high-quality audio capture.
Playing Around With The Softwares
Once you’ve recorded your episode, the next step is to utilize specialized software that will help you edit your raw audio into a polished and professional piece. This software can provide a range of tools, such as audio effects and mixing options, to enhance the quality of your episode. Taking the time to perfect your sound is crucial for creating an engaging listening experience for your audience.
If you are just kicking off your podcast career, we would say that Audacity will be ideal for you if you are using a Windows PC or if you are on a Mac, then GarageBand would be suitable for you. Both of these programs are powerful enough to handle your tasks.
On the other hand, if you are thinking of moving to a more advanced way, then we suggest you give a shot at Adobe Audition or Reaper. Both of the software offer next-level and extensive features that will come in handy for you.
Treating Your Room With Acoustical Treatments
Soundproofing is essential not only for professional studios but also for home recording setups. Implementing basic acoustical treatments can significantly enhance the quality of your recordings. By effectively reducing unwanted echoes and ambient noise, you create a more controlled sound environment, allowing for clearer vocals and instruments. This improvement can elevate the overall professionalism of your audio projects.
Acoustic foam panels are wonderful tools that help absorb unwanted sounds, and they can be easily placed on your walls or ceilings for better sound quality. If installation isn’t an option for you, no worries. Consider using a portable sound isolation shield behind your microphone to effectively block out any background noise and keep your audio crisp and clear noise.
Final Thoughts
Planning to set up your podcast space? Well, you can take an idea from this and execute it on your own. We can bet that you will have the best podcast studio where you can host podcast sessions with everyone. Make sure that you work hard for the studio and get the right equipment for it. You can start budgeting and break down the prices of everything.
If you’re considering picking up a computer, microphone, headphones, sound mixer, or an audio interface in Pakistan, Golden Camera is the perfect place to find everything you need. You won’t want to miss out on these amazing items.