The basic tools you need to record podcast episodes
In this blog post, I’ll cover the basic tools you need to start recording podcast episodes. You can get by with very little! All you really need is…
✔︎ A microphone
✔︎ Headphones or earbuds (if you plan to record interviews or have a co-host)
✔︎ A recording device (phone, tablet, computer)
✔︎ Recording software
Let’s take a deeper look at each tool:
Microphone
Because audio is the only way people will experience your podcast, it’s important that the sound quality is decent. Plus it tends to sound a bit weird if a podcast guest has noticeably better sound quality than the host 😅
That being said, it doesn’t mean that you *have to* invest a lot of money into your equipment.
The mic (and potential accessories for it) are really the only things that I’d recommend spending money on – pretty much everything else you can do with free tools and resources.
You can get really good quality sound with just a $100-200 USD microphone and a pop filter. (As you talk into the mic, the pop filter softens the “pop” of letters like P.)
Some of the mics I’ve tried
Razer Siren; it’s small and light for easy travel, and it can be paired with this boom arm and pop filter. The sound quality is pretty decent.
The Blue Yeti and Blue Yeti X are popular (but quite bulky!) and I know many podcasters who use them. Can be paired with this pop filter.
My favorite of these three is Rode NT-USB+ (which includes a pop filter and a mini tripod) with a boom arm.
Note: the “softer” your recording environment is, the better the sound. I usually record in our walk-in closet, or prop up a mattress and some pillows in front of and around me if I record in my office.
Don’t want to spend any money right now?
If you don’t own a microphone already, you can record your episodes using, for example, headphones or earbuds with a built-in mic, or even your phone. Your phone’s built-in microphone is *a lot* better than your laptop’s or computer’s.
Headphones or earbuds
Listening to your episode through headphones or earbuds as you edit ensures that you’re hearing similar quality to what your listeners will be hearing – the built-in speakers in laptops and computers aren’t the best.
You can probably use whatever headphones or earbuds you already own – but if you don’t have any, there are many great options ranging from $20-$hundreds.
Note: If you’re recording with a co-host or a guest through a video call, it’s important that you both wear headphones/earbuds so that the conversation doesn’t add echoes into the recording of each others’ tracks.
Recording device and software
Recording a solo episode can be as simple as recording a voice note on your phone, or you can use software you already have on your computer to record an audio file.
Android phone or Microsoft computer: Voice Recorder
iPhone: Voice Memos
Mac computer: QuickTime player
Many podcast platforms also have the option to record and edit within the platform.
Note: When recording on your computer, check that the audio input is set to the mic you’re using (versus the built-in microphone of the computer)