Best Podcast Equipment & Setup for 2024
Podcast equipment and setup: These terms cover a wide variety of gear and the other bits and pieces needed to make a podcast sound good. It’s easy to imagine a pro-level radio studio filled with lots of intimidating (and very expensive) equipment. But for most creators, that looks nothing like their own podcast setup.
“Choose your tools carefully, but not so carefully that you get uptight or spend more time at the stationery store than at your writing table.”
Natalie Goldberg.
You can break podcast equipment into categories based on how you record and capture your voice, from mic to mixer to recorder to computer.
The recording process can be as straightforward or as complicated as you like. You can record right into your computer without any mixers or recorders. Or you can go the full studio route.
If you use minimal kit, the process will be simple, but you’ll also have less flexibility and control. This isn’t an issue for most aspiring podcasters, though, as they’ve no intention of becoming an audio engineer – they just want to get their message out there.
If you fall into that bracket, this podcast equipment and setup guide is for you. Here, we’ll look at what you might need and why you might need it when you’re planning to start your first podcast…
If you need to zoom out first, see everything you need to record a podcast, from planning to software.
Types of Podcast Equipment (And Why Podcasters Might Need Them)
Let’s run through the various pieces of equipment commonly used to record a podcast, then. We’ll start with the microphone, then look at things like recorders, USB interfaces, and even headphones. Let’s dive in…
Microphones: Podcast Equipment & Setup
When you think about a microphone, you might imagine the typical musician’s mic. And while you can absolutely use one of these to podcast, it’s worth noting that mics come in many forms, shapes, and sizes.
The bottom line is that a microphone is simply the tech needed to “hear” your voice and send it to be recorded somewhere. This makes it the first part of our recording “chain.”
So, what options are available to us when thinking about our microphone?
Here are the main types, with links to our guides. Or, read on to get a summary.
- Read More: Best Podcast Microphones of every kind
- Read More: Best USB Microphones for Podcasting
- Read More: Best Headset Microphones
Most Popular Podcast Mics
Our Podcast Gear Survey revealed the three most popular podcasting mics in 2024. Popular doesn’t necessarily mean “best”, so here are our brief thoughts on each:
- Blue Yeti (USB) is a mic that can be easy to use incorrectly, and you’ll get better value for money elsewhere.
- Samson Q2U (USB & XLR) is probably our most recommended podcast mic and an excellent option for most podcasters.
- Shure MV7 (USB & XLR)—This is a great mic, but it’s expensive if you’re just starting out.
USB Microphones
A common and simple piece of podcast equipment is the USB microphone. Often, these are condenser mics (as opposed to dynamic microphones), which plug straight into your computer via – oddly enough – a USB cable. USB mics are ideal for beginners, especially folks who do solo/monologue-style shows and those running online interview podcasts. Almost all of these mics have a Cardioid polar pattern, which means they are designed to pick up the voice of one single speaker at a time.
XLR Microphones
XLR mics require additional equipment to operate. They don’t plug straight into your computer but instead into an interface, preamp, mixer, or digital recorder (more on these later).
You can actually get interfaces, mixers, and digital recorders in USB form, though. So you can run an XLR mic into your computer, just not directly.
XLR mics are suited to folks who want premium audio quality and a lot more production flexibility, as well as those who don’t want to be tied to a computer at all times.
Condenser or Dynamic Microphones: Best Quality?
Whilst XLR and USB tell us how the mic is connected (and what it’s connected to), the terms “condenser” and “dynamic” tell us how the mic is built and how it functions. XLR and USB mics can be either dynamic or condenser, though it’s common for USB mics to fall into the latter category.
We have an in-depth breakdown of the difference between dynamic and condenser mics, but the succinct (and highly simplified) version is this:
- Dynamic – more robust, more forgiving of sub-optimal environments.
- Condenser – more nuanced for vocal recordings.
There’s no “best” answer here – only what works best for you.
Wireless & Lavalier Mics
Not every podcaster records at a computer or standing at a mic stand in a studio. There are situations where some creators need a little more flexibility. Take someone who does a Yoga series, for example. They will be in all sorts of dynamic poses during a recording session.
Then, there are podcasters who record on the go, wherever they can. These creators need podcast equipment that’s quick, flexible, and portable. That’s where lavalier and wireless mics come in.
Lavalier (or ‘lav’) mics are typically seen on TV – think of the wee cable pinned to the chest of a newsreader. A popular example of a lav mic in podcasting is the Rode SmartLav +, which we’ll mention again shortly.
There’s also an ever-growing range of wireless options in the podcast equipment domain these days. This type of kit can be Lavalier-style, but it doesn’t have to be. The Rode Wireless Pro, for example, lets you connect lav mics to the transmitters, but you can directly record into those, too.
The Rode Wireless Pro is the Gold Standard of wireless mics in podcasting. It even has a feature known as ‘32-bit floating’, making it almost impossible to distort your audio, even if you’re way too loud and your gain is set too high.
A kit like the Rode Wireless Go would be perfect for co-hosts exploring ruined buildings or open natural environments. But, there are other options for such portability, too…
Recording Devices That Include Mics
You probably already carry a mic around with you on your smartphone. By adding the Rode SmartLav+ and AI-Micro, you can turn this into a podcast setup. This kit is ideal for on-the-go recording and location interviews.
Phones and laptops have built-in mics that some would consider good enough for podcasting. As is commonly the case with audio, the “good enough” part is entirely down to your own opinion.
Alternatively, there are many high-quality digital recorders on the market. You can record directly into these or plug additional mics into them. Again, these are great options for someone looking for a flexible and portable setup.
Recorders: Podcast Equipment & Setup
Speaking of digital recorders, we now need podcast equipment for actually capturing and storing your audio. This could be anything from a phone to a computer to a dedicated digital recorder itself.
Digital Recorders
A dedicated digital recorder is an excellent option for podcasting on the go whilst offering a level of sound quality above that of a smartphone.
On top of that, digital recorders offer many more settings and options for creating audio because that’s what they’re built for.
You don’t necessarily need an additional mic to record into one because most of them come with built-in mics, too.
Computers
Many options are available for recording directly into a computer. You can use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like Audacity or Adobe Audition. Or, if you’re looking to record online/remote interviews, there are plenty of call recording options on the market nowadays, too.
If you’re in the market for something optimal, you might also want to look at our best computers and best laptops for podcasting.
Smartphones
There are a ton of recording apps out there that enable you to record directly into your phone. You probably have a default recording app on your phone already, but here are a few options if you want to upgrade your sound and range of flexibility.
Recording into a phone can be really convenient, though it lacks the flexibility and options of a dedicated digital recorder. Nevertheless, it’s often a great starting point for many, and you can always upgrade your equipment further down the line.
Mixers & Audio Interfaces: Podcast Equipment & Setup
You don’t actually need an interface or mixer to podcast, but here are some reasons you might want one:
- If you want to use an XLR mic.
- If you want to use multiple mics.
- If you want to record live, or “as live” – with all your music, SFX, etc. played in real-time.
- If you want to incorporate multiple audio sources into your recording.
There are many good USB audio interface and podcast mixer options on the market. Here are the three most popular:
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 – a brilliant little USB interface, I’ve owned one for nearly 15 years.
- Zoom PodTrak P4 – an excellent podcast-focused device that lets you connect up to four XLR mics and record phone calls.
- Rodecaster Pro – a pricey but premium quality all-in-one podcasting interface.
Headphones
Headphones are a vital part of the podcast equipment lineup. More than 70% of podcasters record with headphones on.
You should constantly monitor your recordings, even when doing a solo show. This means using headphones while recording so you can hear exactly what’s being captured. The benefit of this is that if there are issues, you can fix them right away.
If you run an online interview show, you’ll also need headphones to hear your guests. They come in handy for listening back to recordings and editing audio, too. Check out our best podcast headphones roundup for a few great options.
Acoustic Treatments
You can have the best podcast equipment and setup in the world, but if you stick it all in a poor-quality room, your show will sound terrible.
Acoustic treatment for reverb in your room is key. We have a full guide to setting up your podcast home studio that includes everything from utilising acoustic blankets to popping your mic into a cat bed or building a “cloffice” space.
If you get your environment on-point, even the most no-frills budget podcast setup can sound top-class.
Other Podcasting Gear: From Pop Filters to Boom Arms
Podcasting equipment rarely works in isolation, and you can add a few other pieces to your setup to really enhance your sound.
Even if your mic has a built-in pop filter or windshield, experimenting with an external one is still a good idea. This means you can get up close with the mic, giving your voice a more intimate sound, without popping plosives everywhere.
A pop filter will attach to your mic stand or boom arm. These are also good bits of kit for your podcast setup because they help eliminate handling noise.
There’s a whole new world of cables and connectors to explore, too. Though, fear not, you’ll almost always be using XLR or USB!
Podcast equipment will only work as well as you use it, and these additional gizmos can help make your show sound more professional overall.
Editing, Audio Production, & Publishing
Once your content is recorded, we begin the podcast editing and production phase.
When we get to this stage, the “podcast equipment” side of things is really just as simple as a computer or laptop. Now, it’s more about software and digital tools.
Audacity
Audacity is the most popular podcast recording and editing software, and it’s free, too!
Audacity allows you to edit and produce in multi-track. These tracks can be used to move around and position various audio files to build your final episode. You can also save these sessions as projects or templates, too. So you can have your music, transitions, and effects in place for each new episode.
Audacity doesn’t have a call recorder or podcast hosting built-in, though. If you’re looking for more of an all-in-one platform that’s more beginner-friendly, too, then check out Alitu…
Alitu
“Podcast Maker” software Alitu makes it easy to record, produce, and publish your podcast, even if you know nothing about audio. Again, you’ll just need a computer to run it.
Alitu has a built-in call recorder, and it’ll automatically do all the levelling, noise reduction, compression, and EQ for you. Alitu even has text-based editing, where it auto-generates transcriptions of your episodes. Any text you delete will also remove the corresponding audio!
Finally, you can even host, publish, and distribute your podcast via Alitu’s hosting. That means you can push your episodes out to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and countless other podcast-listening apps without leaving your Alitu dashboard.
Podcast Equipment FAQ
We get asked a lot of questions about podcast equipment in our IndiePod Community. Here, we’ll answer some of the most frequent.
What’s the Best Podcast Equipment Setup for Podcast Interviews?
Podcast interviews are done either locally (in person) or remotely. If you’re going remote, your setup can be as simple as a USB mic. You’re essentially recording like a solo podcaster and relying on remote recording software to take care of the tech.
Alternatively, you can use equipment rather than software for remote recordings. Audio mixers are traditional options, while podcast-specific interfaces, such as the Zoom PodTrak P4 or the Rode Rodecaster II, are available these days.
The PodTrak P4 and Rodecaster work well for in-person recordings, too. They have multiple XLR outputs so that guests can get their own mic. They can also wear headphones with their own individual volume control!
Whether you’re recording remotely or locally, having each guest on their own mic and audio channel will give you better-quality audio. This individual control can go a long way toward creating consistency and balance and minimising unwanted background noise.
Do I Need Any Gear for Podcast Music?
Not unless you’re a musician planning to make your own, no. Podcast music is typically added in the post-production and editing phase. That said, you can use certain types of equipment to play music and effects “as live” during your recordings. This works particularly well for live broadcasts and saves you from having to edit them in later.
Podcast mixers are great for this purpose, as are pieces of kit like the Zoom PodTrak P4 and Rode Rodecaster II.
Podcast Equipment Choices on Amazon
Amazon has an entire section dedicated to podcast equipment. There are very few bits of kit you can’t pick up on Amazon, and you’ll find many an affordable option on there. Remember, there’s no “one size fits all” podcast equipment option, but the podcast starter kit from Samson is as close as I’ve seen.
What About Equipment for Video Podcasts?
First up, be wary of anyone telling you that you need to add a video component to your show. Many successful podcasts are 100% audio-only, and many others who run video will tell you that their video views are dwarfed by their audio downloads.
If you do decide that you’d like to publish video as well as audio, then this is going to add a few pieces of kit to your setup. We cover this in full in our dedicated video podcasting guide. But the big three are an HD camera, a tripod, and some lighting. We also have a handy guide to the best video editing software if you’re keen to go down this path.
Podcast Equipment Is a Means to an End
I mentioned already that most people don’t get into podcasting to collect loads of fancy and expensive audio equipment. Some folks do end up doing that, of course, but you definitely don’t need to.
It’s better to start simple so you can focus on your actual content, rather than whether or not your long chain of gear is all working correctly. Over time, as you grow, you can tweak and upgrade things here and there.
Summary: Best Podcast Equipment & Setup for Beginners & Pros Alike
Let’s sum things up by going full if…then. Here’s how you can decide what gear you need:
1. If you’re recording solo, or recording interviews online, then:
Get a Samson Q2U mic
2. If you’re recording two people in person, on a budget, then:
3. If you’re recording two or more people in person, either on the go or in-studio and have the budget for high quality, then:
Get two or more Samson Q2Us and the Zoom PodTrak P4
The Samson Q2U is our most recommended mic and suits 90% of new podcasters perfectly. It functions as both a USB and XLR mic, so if you decide to upgrade to a recorder or interface further down the line, it’ll work with them, too.
And if you’re looking for more help or guidance on any aspect of podcast equipment, join us in the Podcraft Academy. There, you’ll have access to all of our courses (including a podcast equipment chooser guide!), downloadable resources, and weekly live Q&A sessions to keep you unstuck and moving forward.
