Podcast Equipment For Beginners

If you are thinking about creating your own podcast, this is the basic equipment you will need from our perspective, based on our experience creating podcasts for our clients and producing the Dirt Life Podcast. This guide covers essential Podcast Equipment for Beginners.

Recording Device

You need a device to record your voice and store audio files. The smartphone or computer you’re using to read this guide will likely suffice. These devices typically have a built-in microphone and speaker, so all you need to do is hit record and start speaking. You can then use the Riverside integration directly in the Spotify for Podcasters web browser to remove background noise by simply toggling on the feature.

It’s perfectly fine to start with just these basics. However, there are a few inexpensive additions you can make to reduce echoes and improve your recordings.

Headphones

Headphones make editing episodes easier by helping you hear every sound and make necessary adjustments. Many of your listeners will hear your podcast through headphones, so it makes sense to edit that way.

If you’re just testing the waters, your standard wireless earbuds will work, especially if you plan to record your show on a mobile device. An upgrade to consider is a pair of headphones with a built-in microphone, which provides a great all-in-one solution for recording and editing without significant expense.

USB Microphone

A microphone captures your voice and converts it into a digital format, making it one of the most crucial pieces of podcast equipment. While your phone or laptop’s built-in mic can work, an external USB microphone provides a significant improvement by capturing clear, high-quality audio with fewer unwanted sounds and echoes. USB microphones are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to set up by simply plugging a USB cable into your computer or phone.

Before investing in a USB mic, consider the type of pickup pattern you need. Pickup patterns determine the area the microphone will cover. Most inexpensive USB microphones have a cardioid pattern, ideal for recording in small rooms. For larger studios, an omnidirectional pickup pattern, which records sound in a 360-degree area, is better.

Cables

While not the most exciting part of your setup, cables are essential. Frayed cables can result in fuzzy audio or gaps in your recording. The types of cables you need depend on the equipment you’re connecting. If recording directly from your phone’s mic, you won’t need any. For wired external mics or speakers, you’ll need the appropriate cables.

Choose cables that are not overly long to prevent signal degradation, with high-quality connectors (gold and silver are best) and thick rubber jackets to protect the wires.

Editing Software

Once you’ve captured your audio, you’ll need to edit it. This may involve removing banter during an interview or adding sound bites from other recordings. Editing software, or a digital audio workstation (DAW), helps you do this.

Several low-cost or free DAW options are available. Spotify for Podcasters’ waveform editor, for instance, is a visual editing tool that lets you see sound ebbs and flows, spot loud noises and conversation lulls, and quickly edit and publish from the same app.