Day 9: Podcast Equipment

Today we will discus the podcast equipment you will need and accessories as you grow as a podcaster.

Steps for Skill Mastery:

1. Purchase your podcast equipment
2. Setup your podcast equipment

Step 1: Purchase Your Podcast Equipment

You really only need 3 pieces of equipment for a great sounding podcast

• A computer – to record the interview & edit it later
• A microphone – to record your audio
• A pair of headphones – to listen to the audio & reduce feedback during interviews

There are a ton of upgrades & gadgets to take your podcast to the next level, but when you are just getting started this is all you really need. As you probably already have a computer and headphones, I will list out some microphone options for you. I recommend starting in the Low or Medium price range for your microphone when you are first starting out.

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Microphones

Bare Minimum

• Logitech ClearChat Comfort/USB Headset H390

Low Price Range

• Samson Q2U

Medium Price Range

• Audiotechnica ATR-2100X
• Rode Podmic

High Price Range

• Heil Sound PR40
• Shure SM7B

I recommend starting in the Low or Medium price range for your microphone when you are first starting out. If you want to hear the differences, check out this video from Pat Flynn.

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Podcast Packages (With Nice To Haves)

Now incase you want to get going with extras to take your podcast to the next level, here are a few options for packages with microphones and accessories for a professional setup.

Beginner Package

• Microphone: Samson Q2U or Audio-Technica ATR2100x
• Boom Arm: Neewer Microphone Arm
• Shock Mount: Knox Microphone Shock Mount
• Pop Filter: OnStage Foam Filter
• Headphones: Standard Earbuds
• Video: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

Professional Package

• Microphone: Rode Podmic or Shure SM7B
• Boom Arm: RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm
• Mixer: Rode RODECaster Pro Podcast Production Studio
• Accessories: Cloudlifter, XLR Cables
• Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Studio Monitor Headphone
• Video: DSLR Camera

Podcasting on the Go Package

• Microphone: Movo LV1 Lavalier Mic or Audio-Technica ATR2100x
• Recorder: Zoom H4N PRO Digital Multitrack Recorder
• Accessories: XLR Cables

Activity: Purchase Your Equipment

Select one the equipment you need for you podcast from the lists above and purchase your equipment.

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Podcast Microphone Terms and Features

Before we leave, let’s cover some technical terminology you should know to aid in your search for the perfect podcasting mic

• Boom arm: an adjustable arm that attaches to the mic and gives you flexibility in placing it
• Condenser mic: also known as a capacitor mic, commonly used to capture vocals and high frequencies due to its greater responsiveness to the nuances of sound waves. Condensers tend to be more delicate than dynamic mics.
• Dynamic mic: dynamic mics use magnets to turn sound waves into electrical signals (basically, the opposite of a speaker). They’re generally less sensitive but more robust than condenser mics.
• Frequency response: the range of audible frequencies, from low to high, that a microphone will pick up.
• Mixer: a console that lets you input audio from various sources, then combine, process, and monitor the audio from those sources
• Mic activator: a type of amplifier designed to add gain to the signal from a low-output microphone
• Polar pattern or mode: how much audio signal will be picked up by the microphone from different directions
• Pop filter/windscreen: a meshed filter that reduces excessive pressures on the mic from the breath and vocal plosives (“p,” “b,” “k,” etc. sounds)
• Preamp: short for preamplifier, a device that amplifies low-level signals (such as those from an XLR mic) to “line” level for use in recording
• Shockmount: a mount that dampens vibrations that might be picked up by the mic
• USB: Universal Serial Bus, a connector that allows you to plug your podcast mic directly into your computer (“plug and play”)
• XLR: a three-pronged connector typical in studio/stage microphones that requires an additional interface (such as a mixer or preamp) to use the mic with your computer

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Step 2: Setup Your Equipment

Setting up your equipment is pretty easy but here is a quick video showing you how to setup your boom arm, shock mount, and podcast mic.

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Activity: Setup Your Podcast Equipment

Get you podcast equipment setup and ready for recording later this week.

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You are now ready for recording!

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Skill Lesson Mastered

Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson by applying it to the above activity. If, and only if, you have a full understanding and have mastered the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson, select the next lesson in the navigation.