11 Essential Items for Podcasting

Must-have gear to grow your audience

If you’re not already familiar with the podcasting world, you may wonder what a podcast is and why they are becoming so popular. A podcast is an audio series recorded in episodes that listeners can download and enjoy at their convenience. For a podcast to be successful, it needs to have engaging topics that keep listeners coming back for more. If you have captivating stories and opinions to share, the next question to ask is: what do you need to start a podcast?

Besides a good idea, an excellent point of view and a popular platform, you’ll need the right equipment to start your own podcast. This includes the recording equipment required to capture conversations between you and your guests and specialized computer software used to edit recorded clips. The type and style of your podcast will determine the best podcasting equipment for you. If you’re serious about starting a podcast, here are eleven essential pieces of equipment you'll need for a successful venture.

1. Computer

How do podcasts work without a capable computer at the helm? A computer is the centerpiece of a podcasting studio. You need it to record and edit your podcast and publish digital audio files. While most computers will do, a laptop is an ideal choice for a beginner because it’s portable and takes up less space than a desktop computer. Choose one that’s powerful enough to run the recording and editing software needed to create your podcast.

2. Microphones

Microphones are the most important piece of audio equipment for podcasting. A dedicated microphone is a better audio capture tool than your computer’s built-in microphone. When looking for the best podcasting equipment in this category, you’ll have to decide between USB and XLR mics that use either condenser or dynamic technology. A USB mic plugs directly into a computer and is a good audio capture tool for a beginner. An XLR mic provides more flexibility and better control of audio quality and level. Keep in mind that an XLR mic plugs into an audio interface, mixer or digital recorder and unlike a USB mic, it requires an external power source.

Dynamic mics are less sensitive to ambient noise and are better for recording multiple people in the same room. Condenser mics are more sensitive and produce crisper sounds. Use the latter type if you have a podcast studio with acoustic treatment that can help reduce echo and ambient noise.

3. Pop filters and windscreens

These studio monitoring accessories can make the difference between a professional high-quality podcast and a basic recording with annoying tics that distract your audience from the topic. Pop filters and windscreens are the best podcast equipment for removing plosive sounds from reaching recording mics. Plosives, or popping sounds, like the "p" in "power" come out as air blasts that can lead to clipping and overtask mics. In addition to protecting audio recordings from unwanted sound artifacts, pop filters and windscreens also protect mics from flying spit as accumulated saliva can corrode mic parts. A pop filter is a foam or mesh screen placed in front of a mic, while a windscreen is the same add-on fitted over the top of a mic.

4. Microphone stands

A mic stand or boom arm makes positioning podcasting mics easier so you, your co-hosts and your guests can sit comfortably. Positioning a microphone stand at the right distance can also improve sound quality. A microphone stand also frees up desk space, an important consideration for small spaces.

5. Audio interface

An audio interface converts analog audio signals from the microphone to digital audio signals for the computer. Therefore, it sits between the mic and computer and does a better job at analog-to-digital audio conversion than a sound card. An audio interface also has multiple input and output channels and is, therefore, necessary for recording audio from multiple microphones. If you’ll have a co-host or regularly featured guests on your podcast, you need an audio interface to give each person their own designated mic.

6. Mixer

Like an audio interface, a mixer improves audio quality by giving you manual control over sound levels and audio inputs and outputs from microphones and other sources. It’s essential if you have XLR mics, if you plan on having remote guests call in, or if you plan on playing live music on your podcast.

7. Headphones

You'll need a good pair of noise-canceling headphones for each host so they can hear themselves and monitor sound quality and mic levels while recording. They help prevent mistakes and minimize retakes by giving hosts live feedback on audio quality. Look for closed-back headphones for podcasting. Open-back headphones may bleed out sounds that could be picked up by your mics while recording.

8. Headphone amplifier

Besides the obvious function of amplifying sound, a headphone amplifier also serves as a splitter between two pairs of headphones, which is an essential piece of equipment if your podcast has co-hosts. A multichannel amplifier allows multiple hosts to monitor sound level and audio quality by sharing the same output from a mixer or audio interface.

9. Portable digital recorder

This is an important piece of equipment for mobile podcasting. If you intend to conduct live interviews while on the go, a portable digital audio recorder is essential for out-of-studio content captures. Get one to capture excellent audio clips during street interviews. Some portal digital recorders also double as audio interfaces and provide better control over sound capture and audio quality.

10. Podcast recording and editing software

Along with recording equipment and a computer, editing software is a must have. Using podcast recording software results in high-quality audio from microphones and other audio sources. Besides capturing audio, you also need digital audio workstation (DAW) software to edit various clips into podcast episodes. Plus, you can add sound effects and soundtracks, correct pitch and harmonize sound levels from different sources with a DAW. When choosing podcast recording and editing software, remember to select one that’s compatible with your computer’s operating system.

Even if you're just starting out, you may wonder how do podcasts make money? Profitable podcasts run ads and rely on sponsorship deals. Some advertisers might also direct listeners to their merchandise stores. When you’re ready to monetize your podcast, you’ll need to know how to use recording and editing software to splice ads and insert sponsors’ messages into your episodes.

11. Acoustical treatments

Acoustical treatments involve the use of soundproofing materials to eliminate echoes and reverbs in the space you’ll use for recording your podcast. Soundproofing your podcasting studio with foam tiles and carpeting will make a huge difference in sound quality. Therefore, it should be a key consideration when drawing up a list of essentials. Depending on the extent of reverb and ambient noise, you may need to install acoustic panels on both the walls and the ceiling of your space.

For many aspiring to start a podcast as a money-making venture, they might wonder how much do podcasters make? However, to create a popular and lasting podcast, first focus on finding a topic you’re passionate about and acquire the equipment needed to produce a high-quality podcast. Once you have all the essential podcasting tools you’ll need, you’ll be ready to turn your views and stories into a podcast worth listening to. The more passionate and prepared you are, the better chances you’ll have at gaining traction financially.