Essential Equipment for Every Budget
Starting a podcast is an exciting adventure, but choosing the right equipment can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. This guide breaks down everything you need to get started, from microphones and video recorders to software, headphones, and audio interfaces — all while accommodating different budgets.
Microphones Essential For Setting Up A Podcast
When setting up a podcast your microphone is one of the key items that you need to ensure is high quality as that your microphone quality is one of the main things your audience will be hearing when listening to your podcast.
Blue Snowball iCE (Beginner-Friendly Microphone)
The Blue Snowball iCE is a USB condenser microphone that’s perfect for beginners due to its plug-and-play setup. It’s affordable, priced at around £50, and delivers decent sound quality, making it an excellent option for first-time podcasters who need an easy-to-use solution.
Behringer Ultravoice XM8500 (Budget-Friendly Microphone)
If you’re on a tight budget, the Behringer Ultravoice XM8500 offers impressive sound quality for the price, typically around £25-£30. This dynamic microphone is known for its durable build and solid audio fidelity, making it a great choice for new podcasters looking for cost-effective equipment.
Shure SM58 (Mid-Range Microphone)
The Shure SM58 is an industry-standard dynamic microphone, often used in live performances and studio settings. Priced around £90-£100, it’s well-known for its robust construction and reliable sound quality, making it a trusted choice for podcasters who want consistent, clear audio.
Shure SM7B (High-End Microphone)
For those willing to invest in a high-end microphone, the Shure SM7B is a popular choice among professional podcasters. Priced at around £350-£400, it offers superior sound quality, capturing rich and detailed audio that enhances any podcast. It’s versatile and well-suited for serious podcasters.
Neumann U87 (Professional-Level Microphone)
At the top of the microphone range is the Neumann U87, a studio-grade condenser mic revered for its exceptional clarity and richness. Priced at around £2,200, it’s used by professionals who require the absolute best in audio quality. This microphone is often found in top recording studios and is perfect for high-end podcast production.
Video Recorders For a Podcast
Using a video recorder when setting up a podcast can be optional as you can do just audio podcasts, however have a video of your podcast as well increases your options for how you want to market your podcast. Having a high quality video recorder is another essential as your audience do not want to just see blurs and low quality content when watching your podcast because they will just lose interest.
Logitech C920 (Beginner-Friendly Video Recorder)
For video podcasters just starting out, the Logitech C920 is a great choice. It’s an HD webcam that provides excellent video quality and even includes a built-in microphone. At around £60, it’s perfect for beginners, offering an easy setup and good video resolution for online podcasts or streaming.
Panasonic HC-V180 (Budget-Friendly Video Recorder)
The Panasonic HC-V180 is a full HD camcorder, offering 50x optical zoom and image stabilization. Priced between £150-£200, it’s an affordable option for podcasters who want good-quality video without breaking the bank. It’s reliable, easy to use, and ideal for beginners.
Sony A6400 (Mid-Range Video Recorder)
For podcasters ready to step up their video game, the Sony A6400 is a high-quality mirrorless camera that produces exceptional 4K video. Priced around £800, it’s a great mid-range option for those looking for superior video quality and versatility in their recording equipment.
Canon EOS R (High-End Video Recorder)
If you’re looking for professional-quality video, the Canon EOS R is a full-frame mirrorless camera that excels in producing high-quality 4K video. At around £1,800, it’s a more expensive option but ideal for podcasters who need flexibility and excellent image quality.
RED Komodo 6K (Professional-Level Video Recorder)
At the top of the video recorder range is the RED Komodo 6K, a compact cinema camera that delivers stunning 6K resolution and advanced features. Priced at around £3,000, this is the perfect choice for high-end video podcasting with cinematic production quality.
Software Great For Your Podcast Start Up
A Good editing software is also key for when setting up a podcast as it allows for detailed post-production work, which helps you produce clean, professional episodes quickly, which can save time and effort in the long run.
Audacity (Free Software for Beginners)
Audacity is an open-source audio recording and editing software that’s entirely free, making it a fantastic option for beginner podcasters. It offers basic recording and editing features that are easy to use, which is why it’s highly popular among first-time podcasters.
GarageBand (Affordable Software)
For Mac users, GarageBand is a user-friendly audio recording and editing software that comes free with macOS, with additional features available for a small fee. It’s ideal for beginners, offering a range of built-in effects and instruments to help you produce polished audio content.
Adobe Audition (Mid-Range Software)
Adobe Audition is a professional-grade audio editing software that’s priced around £21 per month via a subscription. It’s a step up from free options, offering more comprehensive editing tools and effects, making it a popular choice for intermediate podcasters.
Pro Tools (Expensive Software)
Pro Tools is the industry-standard digital audio workstation used by professionals worldwide. Priced around £600 per year (subscription-based), it offers extensive features and high-end audio editing capabilities, making it ideal for podcasters looking to create professional-quality audio.
Hindenburg Journalist Pro (Professional-Level Software)
Hindenburg Journalist Pro is a specialised podcasting software tailored for audio storytelling. Priced around £300, it’s perfect for professional podcasters looking for advanced editing tools and features that simplify complex audio production tasks.
Headphones You Need For Starting A Podcast
High-quality headphones as essential for setting up a podcast as these allow you to monitor your audio in real time, ensuring that every word and sound is clear and well-balanced. Without good headphones, you might miss subtle audio issues like background noise, mic distortions, or volume imbalances. This helps you avoid surprises during post-production, saving you time and effort later.
Sony MDR-ZX110 (Beginner-Friendly Headphones)
The Sony MDR-ZX110 headphones are lightweight and foldable, making them a practical choice for beginner podcasters. Priced around £20, they offer decent sound quality and are great for basic monitoring and casual listening.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (Lower Price Headphones)
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones provide good sound isolation and balanced audio at an affordable price of around £50. These over-ear headphones are perfect for entry-level podcasters looking for clear audio monitoring without spending too much.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (Mid-Range Headphones)
If you’re looking for higher-quality headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x offers excellent sound quality and comfort. Priced around £120, these headphones are ideal for podcasters who need to monitor their recordings closely to ensure high-quality output.
Sennheiser HD 800 S (Expensive Headphones)
For professional-grade headphones, the Sennheiser HD 800 S is a top choice. These open-back reference headphones are priced around £1,500 and provide exceptional sound clarity, making them perfect for high-end audio monitoring and mixing.
Audeze LCD-4 (Professional-Level Headphones)
The Audeze LCD-4 headphones are considered the ultimate choice for audiophiles and professional audio engineers. Priced at around £3,000, these planar magnetic headphones offer unparalleled sound quality and comfort, ensuring top-tier sound accuracy for the most demanding podcast productions.
Audio Interfaces
A good audio interface acts as the bridge between your microphone and your computer, converting analog sound (your voice) into digital signals with high accuracy. This results in clearer, more professional sound, free from distortion, noise, or unwanted interference which is essential when setting up a podcast as it makes your podcast more enjoyable to listen to.
TEYUN USB Audio Interface (Beginner-Friendly Audio Interface)
The TEYUN USB Audio Interface is a basic option for beginner podcasters, offering a microphone jack and 48V phantom power. Priced around £33, it provides essential features for recording without any unnecessary complexity.
Behringer UMC22 (Lower Price Audio Interface)
The Behringer UMC22 is a compact and affordable audio interface, priced around £40. It offers good audio quality and comes with XLR and line inputs, making it a great option for entry-level podcasters who want professional sound at a budget price.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (Mid-Range Audio Interface)
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is one of the most popular mid-range audio interfaces, known for its reliable performance and high-quality preamps. Priced around £120, it’s ideal for podcasters who need a dependable interface for clear audio recording.
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X (Expensive Audio Interface)
For podcasters looking for a high-end interface, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X is an excellent choice. Priced around £1,200, it offers multiple inputs and UAD plug-ins, making it perfect for those producing professional-grade podcasts.
RME Fireface UFX II (Professional-Level Audio Interface)
The RME Fireface UFX II is a premium audio interface, offering multiple I/O and advanced features. Priced at around £2,300, it’s the ultimate choice for professional podcasters who require top-tier audio quality and maximum flexibility in their recording setup.
The Future of Podcasting
With the right equipment, starting a podcast is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade your setup, this guide should help you find the best tools for your podcasting needs, ensuring you produce high-quality content from day one.
