Podcast Equipment Starter Pack

Ah the age-old question which came first The equipment or the egg The chicken or the content as new Podcasters we often get laser focused on The flashy microphone or other equipment And forget about the importance of our Message and our audience Podcasting is a communication Channel And audio is King with that said of Course audio equipment is necessary to Produce a show worthy of your audience’s Time and ear so let’s run down what’s Hot and cold in our equipment starter Pack and what can wait for a rainy day Welcome to the podcast forecast Hey there welcome to the podcast Forecast your Guide to the current Podcast climate and hottest Trends Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking For an additional stream of Revenue or a Creator wanting to expand your platform I’m here to help you weather that storm And produce a podcast that raises the Temp on your success hey I’m podcast Nate and I took my first podcast from Launch to the top three percent globally In the first 90 days and I’m here to Coach you through the same rain or shine Let’s check the forecast Hi everyone welcome back to the podcast Forecast I’m your coach Nate Kelly Now let’s discuss the essential Equipment for a professional podcasting Setup

First and foremost obviously we need a Microphone and we want it to be reliable We want it to be budget friendly and With any equipment that I purchase I Like for it to be a bit flexible in our Sort of level of podcast Studio setup so I look for microphones that are both USB And XLR compatible so that gives us a Bit of room to grow and develop without Having to purchase a new microphone and You’ll find that sort of trend or Pattern as I go through different Equipment in today’s episode So of course the microphone is at the Heart of your podcasting equipment and Clearly plays a significant role in Delivering high quality audio some Popular microphones among podcasters Include the Audio Technica ATR 2100 the Rode podcaster and the mac daddy the Most popular in my opinion the Shure Sm7b Again we’re going to choose one that Fits our budget and our recording Environment both things that we’ll Discuss today when it comes to podcast Microphones there are several excellent Options to consider based on your budget And your atmosphere or where you’ll be Recording Now let’s run down some of my top Recommendations and we’re starting out Strong we’re starting out with my Favorite microphone the microphone

You’re listening to right now I will die On this hill it’s the Samsung Q2u it’s a dynamic podcasting microphone That has both USB and XLR compatibility It is so user friendly and it’s not Intimidating and it’s easy to set up Again it’s a dynamic microphone which is Not just an adjective but it’s a Classification of microphones which We’ll touch on here in a minute but it Offers a great balance between quality And affordability again it has USB and XLR output allowing you to connect it Directly to your computer or use a mixer Or audio interface this microphone Provides clear audio it’s very crisp it Comes with a built-in headphone jack for Zero latency monitoring so you plug your Headphones directly into the bottom of The microphone as opposed to the mixer Or your computer so there’s no lag at All you hear your recording exactly how It will sound in production or Post-production when it’s on the Airwaves when I started my podcast it Was kind of a running joke that I have Literally tested every microphone that Was available for purchase in the United States and this I think was a fluke I I Was just adding things to my cart on Amazon And I think my failures in the beginning As far as microphones were probably user Error because there’s no way after

Purchasing and returning Literally hundreds of microphones that The Samsung q2u was the first one that I Could both figure out and make myself Sound good on and I’m so grateful that It took all of that nonsense to find it Because it is truly a dynamic dynamic Microphone and this is not sponsored by Samsung although I’d be totally down to Pitcher products Samsung call me but It’s absolutely an amazing microphone And to touch on what I mentioned earlier It offers the ability to sort of grow And and change and fit many situations Being as it’s USB and XLR compatible so The Samsung q2u is my number one Recommendation it’s available for sixty Dollars U.S on Amazon everything that I Talk about in today’s episode will be Linked in the show notes or the Description box with easy access but it Is well beyond the quality for the price Point coming in at sixty dollars So man I could go on and on about the Samsung q2u but in case it’s not the Style of microphone or the aesthetic That you’re looking for I’ll reluctantly touch on a few more Microphones so let’s move on to the rode Podcaster another flashy sort of sleek Microphone I own this one too and I use It from time to time not like my baby Though the Samsung q2u but the rode Podcaster microphone is designed

Specifically for well you guessed it Podcasting it’s also a dynamic Microphone that delivers broadcast Quality sound now this microphone is USB Only so it is Handy and the fact that It’s plug and play through a USB port in Your computer and super easy to connect And offers that flexibility that comes With plugging it in directly to your Computer so whatever sort of editing Platform or software that you’re using Because the microphone plugs directly Into the USB port super flexible and Able to adapt again to pretty much any Editing software the rode podcaster Features an internal pop filter and Shock mount which reduces unwanted Noises and vibrations it eliminates Those plosive sounds that we’ve talked About the PIP peas and B’s that can Sound a bit harsh when you are recording A vocal track and for me I would say out Of the hundreds of microphones that I’ve Tested just for you this would Definitely be in my handful of of top Choices I don’t know if it’s number two But definitely in the the top three or Four love the broadcast and studio Quality sound that it produces and it’s Really cool looking check the show notes And click on the road podcaster it will Direct you to Amazon for purchase and You can take a look at it Okay let’s move on to the Mack Daddy of

Microphones the dynamic the professional Professional plosive Pulverizer the Diggity daddy dynamic Microphone The industry standard and podcasting the Shore Sm7b listen you have seen and heard this Microphone everywhere the Shure sm7b is Known for its exceptional sound quality It’s a popular choice among professional Podcasters radio presenters content Creators it is a dynamic microphone with A cardioid polar pattern that’s the way In which it picks up the sound whether That be directly from sort of head on The top head of the microphone or if it Is around the base of the microphone This is a cardioid polar pattern it Reduces background noise so hence the Reason it’s so popular with podcasters Even those who are podcasting from their Home or a home office because it does Eliminate that background noise The shore sm7b does require a separate Audio interface so either a cloud lifter Or a mixer phantom power of some sort And it does require significant gain Assistance due to its low sensitivity And the amount of power that it does Require so this is not a microphone that Is just plug and play like the Samsung Q2u or other USB microphones this is Strictly XLR and again it does require

That additional level or that phantom Power of some sort an excellent Microphone however it is a little Pricier of course with the quality that You’re getting I checked right before This recording I saw it on Amazon for 389 dollars you can get a refurbished One for a little less but you do run the Risk of what you’re getting so a little Pricier maybe something to graduate Toward once you have established your Show and your production routine and you Have settled in to your hosting duties Audio Technica also has a few great Options I wanted to highlight the at2020 This is a condenser microphone that Offers high quality audio reproduction At an affordable price so I checked Right before this there was one for 125. It does require an audio interface or a Mixer so again it is strictly XLR that Does require phantom power to operate The at2020 is versatile and suitable for A wide range of recording applications Including podcasting again you’ll see These in a lot of radio stations and or Broadcasting Productions you know once We get into these higher level Microphones though for me I would just Jump to the shore sm7b I mentioned when We talked about the Samsung q2u though My favorite it does have both options The USB and the XLR so it allows you That step to sort of graduate and not

Have to purchase a new microphone if You’re going to purchase the phantom Power or the audio mixer and then Perhaps the next next step can be the XLR microphone I just feel like for the Price point of the Samsung you’re Getting so much at such a great quality You really can’t go wrong and the last Microphone I wanted to touch on was the Electro Voice Re20 now this is a unique Choice it’s Widely used in broadcasting and Podcasting but the re20 is a dynamic Microphone known for the smooth and warm Sound so depending on your individual Voice which is another point that I Actually wanted to bring up different Microphones work differently for the Tone of your voice so it wouldn’t hurt To go into a store go in and talk to a Professional test out a couple Microphones before you actually commit To one and spend your hard-earned money Purchasing a microphone this will sort Of lower your voice a bit and bring out Those bass tones and create a more Smooth and warm sound so perhaps if you Have a little bit of a high pitched Voice and you’re looking to sort of Bring it down and bring the bass tones Out in your own voice this may be the Microphone for you the re20 does require An interface or mixer so it is an XLR Microphone but it does have a built-in

Pop filter and internal shock mount so You can shave off a few dollars and not Having to purchase that pop filter or Wind mop if you’re willing to spend a Little extra on the microphone the re20 Comes in at 370 at the time of this recording so Definitely at the higher level uh higher Tier of the budget so you have to take That into consideration as well remember The best microphone for you will depend On your specific needs your budget your Voice and the other recording equipment That you’ll be using it’s always Recommended to test different Microphones and consider different Factors like sound quality durability Compatibility with your setup all of These before making a final decision and Committing to your microphone Today’s episode of the podcast forecast Is brought to you in part by stream yard Stream yard has everything you need to Create a branded experience with your Content logos brand colors music Overlays cool Transitions and more Say goodbye to willy-nilly Wi-Fi Connections stream yard uses live local Recordings so no matter what kind of Connection you or your guest has you’re Getting studio quality video and audio For your podcast recording click the Link in today’s show notes for ten Dollars off any package when you

Subscribe to stream yard today Next up you’ll need headphones to Monitor your audio while recording and Editing closed back headphones are ideal As they provide better noise Cancellation and noise isolation to Really focus on your voice while editing Some of the best headphone options in my Opinion are the Audio Technica ath m50s The beta Dynamic DTS and you really Can’t go wrong with any Sony headphones I really like the mdrs but again you Probably have the Apple earbuds in your Junk drawer somewhere they’re in your Junk drawer in the office Those actually provide really good sound And will do just as good as any of the Headphones that I mentioned so pull them Out of your drawer plug them into your Samsung q2u you’re ready to go also like I mentioned in the open of the show you Want a pop filter and if you’re watching On YouTube you can see the little muff Or the windscreen if you will over my Microphone but I’m sure that you’ve all Seen them if if you’ve seen someone on Stage talking into a microphone it’s the Spongy foam cover that goes over the Microphone and it prevents any harsh Sounds when you’re speaking into the Microphone especially as you’re sort of Developing your microphone technique and Understanding how far your mouth should Be away from the microphone and of

Course each microphone is different as Well so I definitely recommend starting Out with a wind muff or a pop filter to Eliminate those harsh sounds in those Hello saves you can get a standalone pop Filter for five dollars or less so if You’re going with the Samsung you can Get a package for 65 bucks pull your Headphones out of the junk drawer you’re Ready to go So I also wanted to go over some Additional equipment or some uh add-ons Or things that aren’t necessary but Definitely help your setup One of those things is a microphone Stand or a boom arm so it does just as It sounds it holds the microphone Securely and allows you to adjust its Position for optimal recording popular Choices are the hail pl210 for an Overhead boom arm the rode psa1 a swivel Mount studio microphone the blue Compass Premium and there’s also a tube style That you can hide your cords and tidy All of the cords and plugs and that’s What I have here again if you’re Watching on YouTube I am a person who is Sort of anal about plugs and cords and They drive me crazy so I opted for the Tube style so I could tuck them all away And everything is sort of neat and Confined within the boom arm another Add-on would be acoustic treatment so Treating the walls or the area in which

You’re recording so that there’s not Sound bouncing off the walls and you end Up sounding echoey on the microphone so Treating the room acoustically could Involve the spongy foam Square squares That you may have seen on the wall in Some podcast Studios honestly if you Have a small closet that a lot of Clothes are hanging in that works really Well because of all of the fabric and The hanging clothes surrounding you it Really does a great job of muffling the Sound and eliminating any echoey sounds In your voice So if you have a little extra in the Budget I definitely recommend Acoustically treating the space you’re In or popping in your walk-in closet Maybe putting a blanket over your head And hitting record Now I also want to touch on sound mixers And audio interface now because they’re Not necessary to actually record they Would be one of these sort of Accessories or add-ons especially if you Get a USB microphone and they plug right Into your computer so this would be an Add-on but I definitely wanted to touch On audio mixers because as you graduate And as you learn more about podcasting As a platform you may be interested in Upgrading and purchasing an audio mixer So a few of my recommendations would be The Behringer q80 USB it’s a compact

Mixer but it offers a balance of Features and affordability it’s it’s Very popular in the industry it has two XLR inputs built-in USB audio interface And basic EQ controls so equalizing Different voices or different tones if You are welcoming a guest or if it’s an Interview based podcast the price range On this one is between 70 and 90 dollars U.S Allen and Heath has a great option The zeti 10 FX it is also pretty Compact And mobile if you are going to different Locations again high quality audio Performance it has that built-in USB Compatibility again the XLR inputs Although this version has four so if You’re doing sort of a round table or Group style interview this may be the Route that you want to go again the EQ Controls a little pricier at the 300 Mark but with the quality you’re getting Again it’s sort of that graduation level And something you may want to upgrade to In the future Again the mac daddy of audio mixers or Interface would be the rode Pro Caster It is the go-to switcher phantom power Mixer audio interface it has the Multiple XLR inputs headphone outputs it Is compatible with Windows and PC rode Is actually introducing an entire New audio line with mixers and new Microphones they’ve updated the Pod mic And the pro Caster is compatible with

All of these audio devices and so much More it’s also probably the priciest at About five hundred dollars US so that’s Definitely something that once you have Mastered your current audio equipment Maybe something to start saving up for But this is something that the best of The best podcasters are using I wouldn’t Be surprised if Joe Rogan has the pro Caster uh the your favorite shows that You’re listening to are probably being Produced with rode moving on to software Obviously you will need editing software To produce edit and distribute your Shelves this can be in addition to your Recording platform or software or some Can do both your recording and your Editing there are various options Available both free and paid depending On your needs and level of expertise Some popular choices are Adobe edition Audacity is a free one GarageBand is Free for Mac users Reaper and Hindenburg Journalists for remote interviews or Co-hosting you’ll need reliable Communication software of course Skype is sort of making a comeback in The podcasting genre Zoom of course is Out there that we’ve all gotten familiar With since the pandemic now these Platforms will allow you to record Conversations remotely as we’ve come to Learn in the last three years Additionally there are podcast specific

Platforms that do this but offer studio Quality sound platforms such as Squad Cast zencaster or Riverside FM you may Have seen advertisements all over YouTube for Riverside and they offer That high quality Studio style audio and Video recordings now these are paid Platforms but there are different Packages and different price ranges I’ll Link the sites in today’s show notes you Can kind of buzz around and check the Price ranges on these different paid Platforms you can work the mojo on your Brother escape the contents of his Pocketbook now this is just the tip of The iceberg as far as necessities and Add-ons for podcast production I will be Diving into each of these categories in Much greater detail as we move on with The podcast forecast I wanted to sort of Create an umbrella though to touch base Lightly on these different factors and Then dive deeper in each individual Episode so again check the show notes do A little research on your own find out What’s going to work best with your Budget and your recording atmosphere Please feel free to DM or reach out with Any questions that you might have on These or other platforms or equipment Perhaps that I didn’t mention that You’re curious about I’d love to help And offer any advice that I can thank You so much for listening today we’re

Back with new episodes of the pod cast Forecast every Tuesday subscribe to the Show now so you never miss an upload Jump over to Instagram and follow me at Podcast Nate you can always DM questions There you can drop me a line at Nate Podcastnate.com or drop a comment if You’re watching us on YouTube keep your Eyes peeled for my full coaching program And online coursework we are launching At the end of June I’m so excited this Information and so much more I’ll keep You posted on that keep your eyes and Ears peeled and I’ll see you next Tuesday right here on the podcast Forecast bye for now [Music] Thank you [Music]