What Gear, Software & Setups Do (500+) Podcasters Use in 2024?

We haven’t run a podcast gear survey since 2019, and that was starting to feel like an awful long time ago. In fact, I wasn’t even born then. Captivated by the old black-and-white photos of Colin on his Penny Farthing, delivering printed copies of the data to the local town crier, I thought to myself, “Let’s do another one”. So we did. And here are the results.

Who Took the 2024 Podcaster Gear Survey?

511 podcasters were kind enough to fill out this survey for us. One of them also won a $200 voucher in the prize draw.

Our own audience naturally made up a big chunk of respondents. We promoted the survey on the site, in our Indiepod Community, on our email channels and on our Podcraft podcast.

We also asked a few favours from friends in the industry so that the survey could be shared outside our own bubble. Big thanks to Bidemi of the Association of African Podcasters & Voice Artists, Elsie of She Podcasts/Libsyn, and Ananda, a prominent podcaster in the Portuguese language domain.

As with any survey, there will always be limitations and skews, but we’re always working to improve with each new survey we run. 511 people is a great sample size, but according to The Podcast Index, over 455,000 new podcast episodes were published in the past month, so that really puts things in perspective! We’re thankful, though, for the help of those above to expand the reach of our survey, and we strive to include more and more wide-ranging communities every time.

With that all said, we figured the best way to learn more about participants was to find out how long they’ve been podcasting. That’s a good place to start.

• 21% have been podcasting for under a year
• 18% have been podcasting between one and two years
• 23% have been podcasting between three and five years
• 9% have been podcasting for over five years
• 7% have been podcasting for over ten years

22% told us that they haven’t launched yet. You might argue that these folks shouldn’t be considered “podcasters”. However, our data showed that this group were either in the advanced planning stages, with gear and software already in place, or had some previous experience with podcasting.

What Kind of Podcasts Do Respondents Run?

It’s common for podcasters to run two or more shows, so we asked them to focus on their PRIMARY podcast for the purpose of this survey. Based on that one primary show, here’s a breakdown of the most common show formats in podcasting:

• A solo show – 28.9%
• Interviews, remotely – 26.3%
• A regular co-host, remotely – 11.9%
• Interviews, in-person – 9.5%
• A regular co-host, in-person – 9.3%
• Audio drama or fiction podcast – 7.9%
• Roundtable discussion – 3.8%
• Documentary-style – 2.4%

Podcast Formats by Experience Level

Solo shows were the most popular format with newer podcasters, but remote interviews became more popular with folks podcasting for a year or more.

• Less than a year: A solo show 38.46%, Interviews, remotely 23.08%, A regular co-host, in-person 12.50%, Interviews, in-person 10.58%, A regular co-host, remotely 9.62%, Audio drama or fiction podcast 2.88%, Documentary-style 1.92%, Roundtable discussion 0.96%
• 1 to 5 years: Interviews, remotely 34.47%, A solo show 24.27%, A regular co-host, remotely 11.65%, A regular co-host, in-person 9.22%, Audio drama or fiction podcast 8.25%, Interviews, in-person 7.28%, Roundtable discussion 3.40%, Documentary-style 1.46%
• 5+ years: Interviews, remotely 28.05%, A solo show 26.83%, A regular co-host, remotely 17.07%, Audio drama or fiction podcast 13.41%, Interviews, in-person 7.32%, A regular co-host, in-person 3.66%, Documentary-style 2.44%, Roundtable discussion 1.22%

Let’s move on now, to some actual podcast equipment data…

What’s the Most Popular Podcasting Mic?

Once again, as many podcasters own multiple mics, we asked respondents to focus on their PRIMARY podcasting mic for the purpose of the survey.

Here are the most popular mics out there right now:

1. Blue Yeti – 16.6%
2. Samson Q2U – 8.1%
3. Shure MV7 – 6.3%

1. Blue Yeti

The venerable Blue Yeti has faced no shortage of criticism in podcasting over the years. Its main fault is that it’s easy to use incorrectly. I’ve seen it described as “overpriced junk” before, which feels a little harsh, but it is expensive for what it is, and you’ll get better quality for less money elsewhere, for sure.

The Yeti wouldn’t be my top pick for a podcast mic (not by a long shot), but the data shows many disagree. With that said, is this mic so popular just because it’s a known brand, so folks buy one without much shopping around? I suspect that’s the big factor at play, here.

2. Samson Q2U

Speaking of my own top picks, I usually find myself recommending the Samson Q2U to aspiring podcasters. It ticks a lot of boxes, including its affordability, durability, flexibility. It’ll give you a decent level of sound quality even in suboptimal conditions, too.

The Q2U is another seasoned veteran at around 14 years old.

3. Shure MV7

A youngster compared to the Yeti and the Q2U, the MV7 was developed by Shure in 2020 and, in fact, has already been replaced by the Shure MV7+. Nevertheless, the original MV7 will live on in our hearts (as well as the studios of 6.3% of survey participants).

Other Popular Mics

• Other – 31.5%
• Built-in mics (laptop, phone, recorder) – 6.1%
• Rode Podcaster – 5.3%
• ATR2100 – 4%
• Shure SM58 – 2.8%
• Rode NT1-A – 2.2%
• Rode Procaster – 2%
• Rode NT1 5th Gen – 1.2%
• Blue Snowball – 1%
• Heil PR40 – 1%
• Samson Q9U – 1%

“Other” makes up a big chunk of this data, but there was a massive spread of different mics, here. The Electro-Voice RE20 and Rode NT-USB were mentioned most, but not enough to hit 1% total.

5.9% of respondents were “Unsure”.

Podcast Mics by Experience Level

The Yeti’s popularity wanes by experience level, showing that people tend to graduate to a better mic over time:

• Less than a year: Blue Yeti 22.3%, Samson Q2U 10.7%, Built-in Mic 8.4%
• 1 to 5 years: Blue Yeti 19.3%, Shure MV7 6.7%, Rode Podcaster 6.7%, Samson Q2U 6.7%
• 5+ years: Shure MV7 13.2%, Shure SM7B 9.6%, Shure SM58 9.6%, Samson Q2U 8.4%, Blue Yeti 7.2%

We also see a trend in new podcasters (less than a year) using the built-in mics on their phones and computers. This might demonstrate a change in attitude towards built-in mics, although the badly distorted internal mic interview is easily as old as podcasting itself!

The more positive read is that internal laptop mics, and phone mics have improved in quality over the past few years. I’d never recommend using either if you have the choice, but are they adequate now, in a pinch?

Is This Your First Mic?

It’s almost split down the middle between those whose first mic it is and those who previously owned another model. We do love an upgrade, don’t we?

• Yes – 50.8%
• No – 49.2%

Previous Podcast Mics

The Yeti might be the most popular podcast mic, but it’s not a forever friend to many. Here are the mics that must’ve felt a bit like Woody in Toy Story the day Buzz Lightyear arrived.

• Blue Yeti – 12.5%
• Blue Snowball – 7.3%
• Samson Q2U – 4%
• Shure SM58 – 3.6%
• Shure SM7b – 3.2%
• Audio-Technica AT2020 – 2.8%
• Rode Procaster – 2.8%

There was a diverse range of reasons for changing mics. But most commonly, respondents perceived their new model as an upgrade that would provide better audio quality.

How Long Have You Owned Your Mic?

Just under 40% bought their mic in the last 12 months.

Since 22% of respondents haven’t launched yet and 21% started their podcast within the last year, this all makes sense.

What’s the Most Popular Mic Type?

We know about specific mic models, but how does the data stack up with USB vs XLR, and Dynamic vs Condenser?

USB is the Most Popular Type of Podcast Mic

USB wins out, though not by very much.

• USB – 36.1%
• XLR – 32.5%
• XLR & USB – 19.7%

7.8% responded that they were “Unsure”, whilst 4% chose “Other”.

Mic Type by Experience Level

Just like many folks choose to replace the Yeti, respondents become more likely to switch to an XLR-based setup the longer they’ve been podcasting.

• Less than a year: USB remains popular (35.2%), followed by XLR (22.8%) and XLR/USB combo (19%).
• 1 to 5 years: A shift towards USB (38.6%) and XLR (34.6%), with XLR/USB combo at 17.3%.
• 5+ years: Predominantly XLR microphones (52.4%), with some using XLR/USB combo (23%) or USB alone (22%).

Dynamic is the Most Popular Podcast Mic Build

The data suggests podcasters prefer dynamic mics, though almost 30% are unsure about the build of their own mic.

• Dynamic – 42.4%
• Unsure – 29.9%
• Condenser – 27.7%

Mic Tech by Experience Level

• Less than a year: Dynamic mics (42.8%) and condenser mics (29.5%) are common.
• 1 to 5 years: Dynamic mics (47.5%) still lead, but with a significant percentage unsure (27.2%).
• 5+ years: 50% use dynamic mics, while 36% use condenser mics.

Do You Use an Audio Interface, Digital Recorder, or Mixer?

Switching from a USB to an XLR mic means you’ll need an additional device to plug your mic into. Commonly, these are USB audio interfaces, digital recorders, and mixers. More than half of respondents use one of these.

• Yes – 52.8%
• No – 47.2%

Audio Interface Usage by Experience Level

Again, we see the trend of podcasters adding to their setup the longer they’ve been publishing content.

• Less than a year: 40% use an interface.
• 1 to 5 years: 50.4% use an interface.
• 5+ years: High adoption (77%).

Most Popular Audio Interfaces

Just like the questions around mic models, we saw a wide variety of interfaces, recorders, and mixers mentioned.

• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 – 14.1%
• Zoom PodTrak P4 – 11.9%
• Rode Rodecaster Pro (Original) – 11.5%
• Rode Rodecaster Pro II – 5.9%
• Zoom H6 – 3.7%
• Zoom H5 – 3%
• Zoom H1n – 2.6%
• Sony ICD-PX470 – 2.2%
• Tascam DR-05X – 1.9%
• Zoom H4n – 1.5%
• Yamaha MG10XU – 1.1%

“Other” was the most popular answer at 39.3%, but again, there were so many different models mentioned that none of them stacked up to the 1% mark.

What Describes Your Primary Podcast Recording Environment?

By now, we know a lot about what podcasters are recording with. Now, let’s look at where they are recording.

• 58% record in any ordinary untreated room
• 27% record in a room or booth with some basic sound treatment
• 6% say it varies
• 5% record in a room or booth with extensive sound treatment
• 2% record outdoors on-location
• 2% record in a pro-level recording studio

Most podcasters are fine with recording in ordinary, untreated rooms. But once again, the longer they’ve been podcasting, the more likely they are to upgrade and improve their setup and environment.

Recording Environment by Experience Level

• Less than a year: High percentage in untreated rooms (63%) with fewer in basic treatment (22.5%).
• 1 to 5 years: Mostly untreated rooms (60%) and some basic treatment (31.4%).
• 5+ years: More advanced or treated environments, with 33% in basic and 14% in extensively treated rooms.

Additional Podcast Equipment

Let’s take a look at some data about headphones, mic stands, and pop filters.

Do You Record With Headphones On?

Whether you’re recording solo, in-person, or online, recording with headphones on is considered good practice. This “active monitoring” helps guard against unwanted echo and will let you pick up on any other audio issues in real time.

• Yes, I record with headphones – 70.5%
• No, I don’t record with headphones – 29.5%

Almost 30% of podcasters are happy to record without headphones. Maybe they enjoy the thrill of checking the audio afterwards?

Headphone Usage by Experience Level

Podcasters are more likely to wear headphones the longer they’ve been in the game. This is probably because they’ve learned the hard way at some point in the past.

• Less than a year: 59.6% record with headphones.
• 1 to 5 years: 71% record with headphones.
• 5+ years: Most (88%) record with headphones.

What Do You Primarily Use to Listen Back When Editing or Checking Your Recording?

Over-ear headphones are the most popular “listen back” tech when editing a podcast.

• Over-ear headphones – 60.7%
• Earbuds – 16.6%
• Normal computer speakers – 14%
• Studio monitors – 8.7%

What Kind of Mic Stand Do You Primarily Use?

Podcasters have always loved boom arms, and they’re still the most common type of mic stand. Desk stand usage has shot up from only 6% in 2019, though. This could be an aftereffect of the pandemic when almost everyone went out and bought a mic, but you didn’t see a whole lot of shiny new boom arms in Zoom-based work meetings.

You also see a lot of desk or floor stands in video-first podcasts, perhaps explaining a little more about the growth.

• Boom Arm – 36.3%
• Desk Stand – 28.5%
• None – 15.2%
• Built-in Stand – 12.6%
• Floor Stand – 6.2%
• Other – 1.2%

Do You Use a Pop Filter or Windscreen?

Pop filters remain the most popular plosive protection (there’s a mic check for you, right there). An increasing number of mic companies market their kit as having built-in pop filters, but the data shows that most podcasters still prefer to err on the side of caution.

• Pop Filter – 31.2%
• None – 23.5%
• Foam Windscreen – 20.4%
• Both – 10.3%
• Built-in to Mic – 9.5%
• Unsure – 3.8%
• Other – 1.4%

Do You Record Video?

Is video the future of podcasting? Almost half of respondents choose not to add any video elements to their show.

• No – 48%
• Yes – 30%
• Sometimes – 22%

Video Podcasting by Experience Level

Podcasters seem more likely to record video the newer they are to the medium. This could be because established creators are more set in their ways in terms of tools, workflows, and audience expectations.

It may also be generational. New podcasters, perhaps younger, could be familiar with video, and already competent at creating it well. Or, they might feel more pressured into creating it at all.

Or, perhaps it indicates that more experienced podcasters have tried video, found it didn’t work for them, and moved back to audio-only.

This is an area we’d love to dig into more in the future, but it’s hard to tell the reasons with the data we have right now.

• Less than a year: Similar trend, 31.4% record video.
• 1 to 5 years: Slightly more inclined to record video, with 31.7% saying yes.
• 5+ years: 50.6% do not record video.

What Camera Do You Primarily Use?

For those respondents who do record video, it’s quite an across-the-board split in terms of tech use. The majority use a webcam – either internal or external – at 56%, and 22% use a digital camera (perhaps a DSLR or similar), most likely as a way to upgrade the capture quality.

• In-built webcam – 28%
• External webcam – 28%
• Cellphone – 22%
• Digital camera – 22%

Do You Record Live?

Live streaming and broadcasting technology has become much more accessible in recent years. Almost a quarter of respondents record live, while others occasionally run a live show.

• No – 62%
• Yes – 23%
• Sometimes – 15%

Live Broadcasting by Experience Level

Whilst folks just starting out might be more likely to try video, they’re holding back from live streaming from day one. This is totally understandable. Getting behind a mic for the first time can be intimidating, and gaining confidence takes time. It makes no sense to add the extra pressure of live broadcasting until you’re a more experienced presenter.

• Less than a year: Most (71%) do not record live.
• 1 to 5 years: 65% do not record live.
• 5+ years: 59% do not record live.

Podcasting Software

Alright, let’s transition from hardware to software, now.

If the Blue Yeti is old, then Audacity is positively ancient. It’s funny to see this piece of podcasting heritage dominating, especially with all the brilliant, innovative podcast-specific options on the market these days.

Audacity certainly has improved a lot in recent years, but it doesn’t do anything on the level of tools like Descript, Alitu, or Riverside. One thing it does do, of course, is let you use it to your heart’s content without ever charging you a penny. Audacity has always made podcasting accessible with its free price point; feature-wise, there’s not much to split between it and its old rival Adobe Audition, these days. Though, Audition is still undeniably more slick.

Top Podcast Recording Software

Audition is still a popular choice in recording despite Adobe’s lack of TLC over the past few years. Garageband performed well, too. It’s built into every Mac, so Mac-owning podcasters likely use it by default. Riverside is the most popular option in the modern-day double-ender recorder camp. Post-pandemic, Zoom still competes despite all those Riverside ads telling you how rubbish it is.

• Audacity – 16.8%
• Other – 15.4%
• Adobe Audition – 9.9%
• Garageband – 8.5%
• Riverside – 7.9%
• Zoom – 6.9%
• Hindenburg – 4.7%
• Alitu – 4.3%
• Reaper – 3.8%
• Descript – 3.6%
• Squadcast – 3.4%
• Logic – 2.8%

Streamyard was at the top of the “Other” pile, but still at only 2.3%.

Podcast Recording Software by Experience Level

Audacity held its number-one spot across all experience levels, but its popularity dropped slightly among newer podcasters. Interestingly, almost 10% of the ‘less than a year’ camp use no recording software at all. That said, this camp also has the biggest percentage of folks recording into built-in mics on their devices, so that does make sense when you look at the bigger picture.

• Podcasting Less Than a Year: Audacity 15.5%, Riverside 11.6%, None 9.7%, Audition 7.8%, Alitu 7.8%, Zoom 5.8%, Hindenburg 4.8%, Logic 3.9%, Descript 3.9%
• Podcasting Between 1 & 5 years: Audacity 17.5%, Garageband 10.1%, Zoom 9.7%, Riverside 8.7%, Audition 8.2%, Hindenburg 5.8%, Squadcast 4.8%, Descript 4.8%
• Podcasting Over 5 Years: Audacity 18%, Audition 14.4%, Reaper 9.6%, Riverside 7.2%, Hindenburg 6%, Zoom 6%, Garageband 4.8%, Squadcast 3.6%

Top Podcast Editing Software

Again, Audition could be said to be overperforming, given Adobe’s lack of interest in their DAW these past few years. Garageband use is also pretty consistent with folks who use it as their recording software. Descript and Alitu are very modern tools with a lot of intuitive and time-saving features, so it’s no surprise to see them doing well. It’s worth saying that the Alitu numbers might be slightly inflated because many of our own audience use the tool on our recommendation!

• Audacity – 24%
• Adobe Audition – 15.9%
• Other – 13.7%
• Garageband – 8.9%
• Descript – 7.5%
• Alitu – 7.3%
• Hindenburg – 5.2%
• Reaper – 4.4%
• Logic – 2.8%
• Riverside – 2%
• Podcastle – 1%
• Pro Tools – 1%

“Other” was a chunky 44.7%, but this didn’t throw up any contenders on the above list. Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro were mentioned a few times, but not enough to place them in the 1% camp.

Podcast Editing Software by Experience Level

No big surprises when we look at editing software by experience level. Some of the more “traditional” options understandably perform better in the 5+ year camp. Newer podcasters are more likely to use no editing software at all, though this group is still in the minority.

• Podcasting Less Than a Year: Audacity 22.3%, Audition 12.6%, Alitu 10.3%, Descript 9.7%, None 7.8%, Garageband 5.8%, Hindenburg 4.8%, Logic 3.8%, Riverside 3.8%
• Podcasting Between 1 & 5 Years: Audacity 27.7%, Audition 15%, Garageband 10.1%, Descript 9.2%, Alitu 8.7%, Hindenburg 5.3%, Reaper 3.4%, None 3.4%
• Podcasting Over 5 Years: Audition 25.3%, Audacity 19.3%, Reaper 10.8%, Hindenburg 8.4%, Descript 6%, Logic 3.6%, Pro Tools 3.6%, Alitu 3.6%

Video Editing Software

With 30% recording video and 22% sometimes recording video, here’s the breakdown of video editing software usage. Adobe Premiere (unlike Audition) has had a lot of care and attention from the company these past few years, and plenty of folks use it despite cheaper options being available elsewhere.

• Adobe Premiere – 23.1%
• iMovie – 17%
• Descript – 8.3%
• Final Cut Pro – 7.6%
• CapCut – 5.7%
• DaVinci Resolve – 5.7%
• Camtasia – 3.4%
• Riverside.fm – 3.4%
• Filmora – 1.9%
• Reaper – 1.9%

“Other” came in at 22% but didn’t throw up any options with enough share to add to the above list.

Live Streaming Software

Almost a quarter of respondents record live, whilst another 15% do so occasionally. Streamyard was the most popular live broadcasting platform, but Riverside performed well here, just as they did in the podcast recording software category.

• Streamyard – 17.5%
• Riverside.fm – 13.8%
• Zoom – 7.5%
• Restream – 4.8%
• Spotify Live – 4.8%
• Podbean Live Stream – 3.7%
• Spreaker’s Podcast Studio – 3.7%
• Ecamm Live – 2.1%
• YouTube – 2.1%

40% made up the “Other” answer, but nothing was mentioned enough times to make the above list.

Podcast Gear Stats: 2024 Vs 2019

At the beginning of this article, I mentioned we ran another gear survey back in 2019. I thought it would be interesting to look back at some of the data from five years ago to see how it compares to the 2024 results. Here are the key takeaways:

Most Popular Podcast Mics: 2019 vs 2024

The Blue Yeti ruled the airwaves in 2019 and hasn’t lost much ground in that time. That’s quite an achievement when you think of all the new mics that have been released – many of them marketed directly to podcasters.

The Yeti’s little cousin, the Blue Snowball, hasn’t fared so well. It hit only 1% in 2024. The SM58 dropped from 9% to 2.8%, whilst the ATR2100 was down from 8% to 4%.

The Q2U was the only top mic from 2019 to make gains since then, jumping from 6% to 8.1%.

Mic Types: 2019 vs 2024

Pretty consistent data in this section. Use of dynamic mics increased a bit, but there were certainly no major shifts.

• In 2019, 35% used a dynamic mic (42% in 2024) ⬆️
• In 2019, 29% used a condenser mic (28% in 2024) ⬇️
• In 2019, 35% used a USB mic (36% in 2024) ⬆️

Recording Habits: 2019 vs 2024

There are many more options for recording video these days, and the increased uptake reflects that. We did ask respondents if they recorded video and if they recorded their show live in the last survey, but we asked the question differently, with a straight “Yes/No” answer. In 2024, we included a “Sometimes” option, so the data isn’t directly comparable.

• In 2019, 83% weren’t recording video (48% don’t in 2024) ⬆️
• In 2019, 90% weren’t recording live (62% don’t in 2024) ⬆️

Podcasting Accessories: 2019 vs 2024

Boom arm, pop filter, and headphone use have dropped slightly since 2019. More podcasters are recording video these days, and there’s definitely a shift in some circles to an “I’m just standing here holding a wireless lav mic in my hand” approach. Whether this is an attempt to look more natural, casual and spontaneous is a subject for another discussion, but it could be a factor in the decreased use of these types of podcasting kit.

• In 2019, 42% used a boom arm (36.3% in 2024) ⬇️
• In 2019, 36% used a pop filter (31.2% in 2024) ⬇️
• In 2019, 74% recorded with headphones on (70.5% in 2024) ⬇️
• In 2019, 47% used a mixer or audio interface (52.8% in 2024) ⬆️

Podcast Gear Stats: 2024

That brings our 2024 podcaster gear and software report to a close. Hopefully, you’ve found the data useful and interesting, no matter which realm of the podcast industry you live in.

Keep in mind that the popularity of a certain piece of kit, software, or trend doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “the best.” Indeed, there really aren’t any one-size-fits-all “best” options in podcasting, anyway.

With that said, you might’ve spotted something that’s piqued your interest and is worth investigating further. We do have reviews on most of the gear and software mentioned, and here are our pillar podcast mic, podcast equipment, and podcast software guides to use as your starting point.