5 Podcast Kits for Any Kind of Podcaster: The Final Information [Updated 2023]

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For those who’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it’s tremendous necessary to have the fitting gear. That’s why we’ve put collectively an inventory of 5 unbelievable gear kits for novices. These kits include every thing 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 Professional for this text.

Whereas a whole lot of podcast gear guides will recommend mics and different gear by worth, this information features just a little in a different way. Every of those kits represents a really perfect podcast gear listing primarily based on a sure persona. Is audio high quality completely paramount to you, or do it is advisable sound good on a finances? Are you on the go rather a lot, or recording out of your workplace? Do you document in particular person, with multiple visitor, or do you solely document your podcast over the web?

No matter your “persona,” this text gives you, if not a buying listing, at the least 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-Individual Host
The YouTuber

Word — the value for every package was calculated earlier than tax and delivery. Costs are an estimate solely and should 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. Once I polled our SPI Professional group on their favourite podcasting mics, there was one throughline: undoubtedly not a Blue Yeti.

For those who’re unfamiliar with Blue Yeti microphones, their reputation is comprehensible at first look. At beneath $100, they appear to supply an all-in-one answer, coming with a built-in stand and a gorgeous design (even in flamingo pink).

However the response from our Professionals couldn’t be clearer.

The Yeti slamming ranged from phrases like “mine broke in beneath one yr” to “I hate them” and “nice promoting finances, low cost worth level.” “It’s designed to deliver the viewers right into a enjoyable atmosphere,” stated one Professional, “which most individuals aren’t in… except you’re in your yard along with your goats and chickens and speaking about farm life.”

The Jetsetter: A Mic Equipment for Podcasters in Movement

$450

For podcasters on the go, it’s necessary to have light-weight, moveable gear that may simply be taken from place to put. 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 nicely. You’ll be able to 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 Skilled Studio Monitor Headphones provide nice sound high quality and are additionally foldable, making them simple to pack and tackle the go. As with all of those kits, having a stable pair of studio monitor headphones is important 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 could be greatest lined in a second article, we’ll go away it to you to determine—each are wonderful choices at related worth factors.

With this podcast package, you’ll have the ability to produce high-quality podcasts irrespective of the place you might be.

The Audiophile: A Podcasting Setup for Discerning Ears

$900

For podcasters who’re severe about audio high quality and have a vast finances, listed here are some high-end gear choices we advocate.

Mic: A toss-up between the Shure SM7B and the Heil PR40!

The Shure SM7B is widespread 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 scale 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 novel design that helps cut back pops and plosives, making it an awesome selection for podcasters who’re severe about audio high quality. For those who’ve tuned into any of Pat’s stay streams or The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast, that is the mic you’re listening to!

(Word that both of those mics would require an XLR cable.)

Mount: The Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Increase Stand permits you good, steady 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 supplies high-quality preamps and provides phantom energy, which is important to energy the SM7B. Moreover, the iD4 MKII has a low-latency headphone output, which is important for real-time monitoring throughout recording periods.

Headphones: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professional Studio headphones are extensively thought of to be a few of the greatest within the trade, providing superior sound high quality and luxury. They’re a traditional possibility which have been utilized in recording studios for years and are an awesome selection for podcasters who wish to guarantee they will hear each element.

Distant Recording Answer: Squadcast. 

With this setup, your podcast will sound pretty much as good as something you hear on the radio!

The Frugal Podcaster: A Mic Equipment for Price range-Aware Podcasters

Underneath $100

For those who’re seeking to begin a podcast on a finances, there are a variety of nice gear choices obtainable. Coming in at beneath $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 provides 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’ll be able to plug it immediately into your laptop and get right down to enterprise.

Pop Filter: The Aokeo Skilled Microphone Pop Filter — for about $11, it’s a no brainer. A pop filter is used to forestall plosive sounds (equivalent to “p” and “b”) from being picked up by the microphone. With no pop filter, these sounds might be picked up as loud, disagreeable bursts of air, which might be distracting and make the recording tougher to take heed to. Don’t skip this piece.

Headphones: No matter you have already got! You seemingly have a pair of AirPods or different headphones and, since it is a finances package, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.

Distant Recording Answer: For those who’re on a finances and have to document visitors remotely, it’s possible you’ll be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise towards this although; the subscription price of Squadcast is nicely well worth the funding. Belief us, your editor (which might be you) will thanks!

With this setup, you’ll have the ability to produce high-quality podcasts with out breaking the financial institution.

The In-person Host: A Podcast Equipment for Eye-to-Eye Magic

$500 – $1600+ (relying on mic choice and variety of visitors)

For podcasters who document in particular person with visitors, it’s necessary to have gear that may seize high-quality audio from a number of sources. After all, you’ll wish to tailor this bundle to your particular state of affairs, relying on what number of visitors you often document with.

Listed here are some gear choices to think about:

Interfaces

Zoom H6 Six-Observe Moveable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in particular person, with its capability to document as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it simple to attach a number of microphones.

If you need one thing that’s a reduce above the remaining on this division, we undoubtedly advocate the Rodecaster Professional II, which incorporates sound pads, telephone connectivity, and a variety of sound results. It additionally has a big, easy-to-use touchscreen that lets you management all of its options.

In case your stay podcast is solely a one-on-one state of affairs, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a unbelievable possibility. 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 up to now are nice choices for in-person recording, however right here’s just a little roundup:

Excessive-end: Indisputably, the Shure SM7B is your decide of selection. A pair (or extra) of those puppies and your in-person recordings will sound about pretty much as good as they probably may!

Medium: Shure’s MV7X is one other stable possibility. 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 value of the SM7B, they’re a bit extra budget-friendly too. (Word—the MV7 is a barely completely different design, as you’ll be able to join it through USB. Nevertheless, at this worth level, we advocate some MV7Xs mixed with a stable preamp or audio interface.)

Price range: 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 Professional Studio Headphones.

Cables: Pig Hog PHM10 8mm Tour Grade Mic Cable, XLR 10ft – 2-pack. (It’s your decision longer cables relying on the area you’re recording in.)

Clamp-On, Increase Stands: Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Increase Stand

Desktop Stands: InnoGear Desktop Microphone Stand (2-pack)

The YouTuber: An Add-On Equipment for Video Podcasters

Add $850 to any of the above kits.

YouTube lately introduced that they’re bringing podcasts to their YouTube Music streaming service. With the choice to modify between video and audio-only consumption, a number 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.

Digicam: The Canon EOS M50 Mark II with 15-45mm lens provides nice autofocus and high-quality video in a single easy bundle.

Stand: The SmallRig Digicam Desk Mount has an adjustable peak of 13-35 inches, permitting the stand to clamp onto nearly any desk.

Lighting: The Elgato Key Mild Air is a superb lighting possibility for YouTube podcasters. It’s a compact and light-weight lighting answer that may be adjusted utilizing the Elgato Management Middle app. It has a built-in diffuser for creating smooth, 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’ll 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 good for you. By investing in the fitting gear, you’ll be able to be certain that your podcast sounds nice and is satisfying 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 subsequent stage. So what are you ready for? Get on the market and begin podcasting!

And for those who’re new to podcasting and wish to critically up your sport, the All-Entry Cross is likely to be your greatest transfer. By community-powered studying, you’ll be able to work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly widespread Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and far more.