8 Items You Need to Start a Podcast with Quality Audio Experience

People once speculated about the end of podcasts once platforms like YouTube started gaining popularity. Nevertheless, it is still a very popular medium among different sections of the audience. If you have the right skills and content, you can get very popular by sharing knowledge through a mic.

Among the many benefits, you don’t have to invest a lot to start a podcast. A smartphone with a mic, internet connections, and a set of free applications is the essential requirement to record your first episode. However, you need the right equipment for the channel to sound professional with quality audio.

Here is the list of equipment you need to start a podcast from scratch and within a limited budget.

1. Microphone

A microphone is the most important investment in the whole setup for a podcast. You need it to record the voice without unnecessary noise. Your smartphone, laptop, or recording devices already have a mic, but the quality is not comparable to the standalone device.

The easily available and budget mic is the USB versions that connects directly to the laptops. They are ideal for beginners who want to start a solo show or monologues. They won’t cost much and can be used without much trouble.

XLR mics are another piece of equipment that requires a separate device to operate. Your laptop doesn’t have a port to connect it; therefore, prepare yourself to buy a recorder, mixer or interface. These are for the professional quality audio and portability that comes at a price.

However, true flexibility is offered by recorders with an inbuilt mic. You can carry them and start recording anywhere you want. Moreover, you can connect an external mic if you want a premium quality sound.

2. Recorder

You need a device to capture and store the audio from the mic. A recorder fulfils the purpose at a minimal cost. You can either invest in a separate recording device or use the laptop and smartphones for the purpose.

A dedicated device will make the podcast look professional to the guests. You can carry it around in your pocket without worrying about the battery. The sound quality and settings will be a step ahead of smartphones.

A computer is your next best device to start recording the audios. There are endless software and tools to record, store, and edit audios. If not a recorder, you should invest your money on a good computer by taking out doorstep loans for the unemployed.

To save money on equipment or subscription, you can also use the default recorder app of the smartphone. They are good enough to record audios, not to edit them with complete control. Also, the batteries are a huge concern if you are out recording monologue for a long event.

3. Interfaces and Mixers

Interfaces and mixers are optional if you are okay with the laptop or recorder. These devices provide many features, but they are not essentials. You can use the XLR mics for interviewing with multiple inputs.

However, you may need them if the streaming takes place live. They will provide support for the real-time use of effects and music. However, there are many alternatives in the market that are designed for podcasts only.

4. Headphones

Headphones are an essential component of any podcast setup. You need them to record, listen, and edit the sound with a focus on quality. It will not make any sense if you cheap out on the headphones and invest heavily in the sound quality.

You will not be able to experience the sound quality without decent headphones. Your regular headphones will be fine if the budget is tight. However, you need to focus on the quality as headphones can help find some unnoticed errors during recording.

5. Software and Tools

Mac users can take advantage of the inbuilt garage band for the basic operations of editing and recording. However, Windows users have to spend some time and money on DAW software. They will provide numerous options to add effects in the post-production process.

Adobe Audition and Audacity is among the most popular software in the industry. You can use the trial version of the investment straight away doesn’t seem okay. These tools come with various payment options, from a one-time purchase to a subscription model.

6. Pop Filter

Mics catch a plosive sound when we speak some words that start with hard T or P. You can avoid this by speaking a little far from the mic. But in interviews, it will make you look unprofessional and there will be a lot of mistakes.

The solution here is a cheap pop filter that works as a windscreen to the mic. The mic or recording setup generally come with a pop filter to ensure the sound quality is smooth. If not, it won’t cost much to buy it from the market.

7. Mic Stand

Mic stand may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it is very useful in the long run. Not always you have the hands free or the body doesn’t move while recording. Your sound quality will also improve the proper vertical alignment towards the mic.

Again, it’s a small investment towards the quality of your podcast. The frequent rubbing or knocking out of the mic will be eliminated. And, any mic stand will perfectly do the job saving you time and money.

8. Acoustic Panel

You need a quiet place to record the podcast with no ambience noise. The studios invest heavily in soundproofing space. Nevertheless, you can also create the perfect space with DIY kits readily available.

These also include hacks from the stuff lying around in your house. It will take some efforts to get the best from limited resources. You can use the night time with a blanket overhead if you want the perfect ambience for recording.

Conclusion

To sum up, your investment in the podcast is not on the equipment but on the sound quality. Your focus should remain on providing a quality experience to the followers if you want the channel to grow. Your content may not perform very well regardless of its excellence if the audience finds audio quality subpar.