Essential Podcasting Equipment: Comprehensive List of Tools Every Podcaster Needs

Decided to start your own audio podcast? Got a great idea swirling in your head, and you can already picture the format and content? Still, figuring out the essential tools you need to turn your podcast into reality can be daunting.

This part of the project might seem overwhelming, especially for future podcasters on a tight budget.

It’s a common misconception that creating an audio podcast requires a vast array of accessories, or that you need a fully soundproofed studio like the ones in movies, not to mention expensive software to ease the creator’s workload.

While this may be true for big companies or leading podcasters, I want to reassure you. If you're looking to start your project without a large fund, you just need to select the right equipment.

This ensures good audio quality. Also, rely on software that optimizes post-production work times. This way, you can quickly create high-quality content

Here's a complete guide to the indispensable audio podcasting tools you can't do without, plus some helpful tips on how to use them.

Also, if you want to carve out a significant spot in the podcasting world right away, read our guide: Creating a Podcast: 17 Mistakes to Avoid in 2024.

What are the essential tools for starting a podcast?

The basic tools for bringing your project to life in the world of communication are:

How to Choose the Right Tools for Your Podcast

Let's go over each tool in detail to help you understand the industry terms and find the right equipment for your needs.

Podcast Headphones

Choosing the right headphones can be one of the most important things that any audio podcaster who is starting or improving will want to think about.

Headphones not only allow you to monitor sound quality as you record, but they are also necessary for the editing phase when you need clear and interference-free audio.

For this, there are a variety of models in every budget range available in the market.

First comes the type of headphones, but this really narrows down to one choice: Closed-back headphones.

These provide ideal acoustic isolation, preventing sound from being heard outside and blocking ambient noise from limiting your listening ability.

This makes them perfect for recordings in places not perfectly soundproofed and for outdoor recordings.

Open or semi-open headphones provide a more natural sound quality and are often preferred for final mixing and mastering. As you might guess, they aren't the best choice for recordings, as sound can leak out and be captured by the microphone.

Naturally, if you are a first time buyer, we recommend closed-back headphones because, as we all know, the clearer and cleaner the audio, the better your content will be understood.

How to choose the right headphones?

Other features to consider when buying the ideal headphones include:

What you may not know, however, is that audio latency refers to the delay between the time an audio signal is transmitted and the time it's actually heard through the headphones.

In audio recording and podcast production, high latency can be a big problem, as sometimes it creates mismatches between a vocal track and other sounds or signals that the podcaster is trying to synchronize.

For example, if someone speaks into the microphone and hears his voice in the headphones only after some time, it is hard to catch the flow or handle voice modulation in the right way.

A low-latency codec is an encoding style used especially in wireless headphones to reduce delay in transmitting sound from the device to the headphone.

That is why it's so important in many applications that rely on perfect timing, like audio editing, video gaming, or live playing music.

You can save money with good-quality headphones in the long run. The best way to be sure you've made the right choice is to rely on other users' reviews.

Apart from durability, also see if the company provides replacement parts, like ear pads, because they might be worn out after some time.

You can find great headphones at any price range, but you need to keep in mind that it is equally important to relate this investment to how long you intend to use them.

If you are seriously considering content creation over an extended period, choose a robust model that will serve you for more years or in a position where you can purchase new headphones in case you need them.

Most particular retailers can allow trying the headsets before buying them. This may make you prefer a particular model to a model that has been advertised to you or about its price.

Podcast Microphone

Choosing a microphone means assuring the audio quality of your audio podcast, as it is the most important tool one can use to communicate with the world of audio.

Podcast Microphone

Choosing the right microphone is crucial to ensure the audio quality of your audio podcast, as this is the most important tool for anyone who wants to work in the world of audio communication.

There are indeed many models with different features. Therefore, it's important to do your research before making a purchase and carefully evaluate which type best meets your needs as a podcaster.

Microphones can be:

Polar patterns, or polar diagrams, refer to the graphical representations illustrating how microphones pick up sound in relation to direction. Each microphone has a polar pattern describing the sensitivity of that microphone relative to different directions from its axis.

These polar patterns define how and where the microphone can be used relative to the recording environment and in respect to the arrangement of the subjects. The main types of polar patterns include the following:

Cardioid: These are kinds of microphones that pick up most of the sound from the front, insensitive to most of the rearward sounds. This makes them ideal for the isolation of a desired sound source from ambient noise. Because they offer a reduction of background noise and feedback from monitors, they find wide application in podcasting, radio, and live performances.

Supercardioid and Hypercardioid: These patterns offer greater directionality than standard cardioids and are useful in higher ambient noise but may require more precise positioning. This is made possible by a narrower sensitivity zone in front and a small sensitivity behind it.

Omnidirectional: Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound with equal clarity from all directions. Therefore, they may be useful in situations when the sound must be collected from an entire room or when the direction from which the sound comes is not constant.

Bidirectional or Figure-of-Eight: These pick up sound from the front and back but very little from the sides. This is useful when recording two sound sources that are opposite each other, as in an interview between two people at a table.

Shotgun: this microphone is very directional, allowing it to focus on the intake from a specific direction and reject much of the intake coming from other directions. This makes them ideal for noisy environments where the sound needs to be collected at distance for best effect-a classic example being film and television work.

The type of connection is a factor that you definitely have to consider in choosing the microphone since this may have a great effect on flexibility and quality in recording. Mainly, there are two prevailing types of connectors in the market for microphones: USB and XLR.

My purchasing tip is: go to a special store and try what you need. If you find the right one, you may then get it online because the price is really lower.

Microphone Stand

When selecting a microphone stand, keep these factors and their related options in mind.

Compatibility

Firstly, one should ensure that the mount is suitable for the type of microphone in question, whether it is dynamic or condenser.

Some mounts are not that versatile, like shock mounts, specifically fitted for certain types of microphones.

Movement, Vibrations

Flexibility

Portability

If your recording is to be done from more than one location, it is better that you go for a light, portable mount which is easy to take up and set. Find one that is well-constructed and withstands possible impacts.

Budget

Shock mounts and boom arms typically cost more than regular desk stands, so choose based on your budget and recording needs.

Podcast Recorder

The recorder will capture, store, and sometimes process the audio coming from microphones and other inputs that your podcast will need.

If you are mainly recording from a studio or home, consider getting an audio interface that can then be hooked up to your computer. This gives you more microphone inputs and better quality.

If you're going to be recording out of the studio, what you need is a portable recorder. You are likely to be recording just with one microphone, as you're just starting out.

Some portable recorders will support recording input from only one or two microphones. Others may support several more. Computer audio interfaces can support many more channels, which may be overkill for you unless you plan to podcast in a group or with multiple guests.

Sound quality is, of course, the most critical factor when choosing recorders for podcasting. At minimum, select 24-bit resolution at a 48 kHz sample rate, which is the standard for broadcast-quality audio.

Make sure the recorder has the correct connectors for your microphones, whether XLR or USB inputs. The output options will be useful in monitoring and exporting the audio.

Some recorders have extra features (such as limiters to prevent distortion, high-pass filters for reducing background noise, and the ability to record in more than one file format).

If you are new to podcasting, choose a model that is simple to use and has a pretty straightforward interface. You can opt for a more advanced product as your podcast grows.

Basic models are also more affordable, a factor which may influence your choice if you're just getting started.

Memory Card

An SD card is a small storage device used to save data. It's essential for recording and storing podcast episodes directly on a portable audio recorder.

This allows you to transfer recordings to a computer for editing easily and then publishing.

SD cards come in various formats: the most common SD, miniSD, and microSD. MicroSD cards are particularly popular in smartphones, tablets, and drones, while standard SD cards are frequently used in cameras and audio recorders.

SD cards vary by speed classes. The speed class indicates the minimum data writing speed. For example, Classes 2, 4, 6, and 10 support minimum write speeds of 2, 4, 6, and 10 MB/s, respectively.

There are also UHS (Ultra High Speed) classes like U1 and U3, which are ideal for high-definition video.

How to Choose a Memory Card

SD cards vary greatly in price based on capacity and speed. Cards with higher capacity and speed are more expensive but can offer more flexibility and security for your recordings.

Mixer

A mixer is a basic piece of important equipment when podcasting or creating audio: it allows you to route and control multiple audio signals.

The mixer is needed for optimizing, adjusting your audio, and adding sound effects, where it really comes in handy.

How to Choose a Mixer for Podcasting

First, decide how many channels you're ultimately going to need:

Also, consider what type of mixer:

Routing Features

Aux Sends and Returns: These facilities enable you to route audio signals from the mixer to an external signal, to the processing equipment, and back into the mixer. They come in handy when adding effects or monitoring during recording.

Bussing: Some mixers will offer the ability to take multiple channels and group them together for easier control or even submixing. Useful in podcasts with a lot of audio sources.

Other features that may come in addition to these on certain mixers are reverb, delay, and EQ, which can really raise the quality of your podcast straight from the mixer into your recording device without needing extra software.

As a starter, go for an easy-to-use but decent-quality mixer; it's likely that you're gonna have to move it around many times, so make sure to look out for a mixer with a metal chassis for durability and long life.

Prices vary from cheap upwards. You will have to decide whether to start with a more budget product or immediately aim for something in the middle-ground - near-professional level. Check out user reviews to see what works best for you.

Connectors (or Cables)

In podcasting equipment, there is always a cable used for connecting microphones, headphones, mixers, and other audio devices to your computer or any other recording and playback device.

The connectors are important, as they ensure that the signals pull through with no effective loss in quality.

The following are some of the most common types of connecting cables you might get for your podcasting setup.

3.5mm Jack, available as:

Optical Connectors

While these are less common in podcasting, these connectors are used to transmit the digital audio signals without electromagnetic interference.

Choosing the Right Connector

With so many different types of audio connectors available, choosing the right one is paramount to ensure good sound quality and compatibility between the various parts of your podcasting set-up.

As an example, if you have an XLR microphone, you will need to have a suitable audio interface or mixer that supports XLR connections to use this with your computer.

In addition to that, do not overlook the actual quality of the cable itself. The cables manufactured from superior conductive materials (mainly oxygen-free copper) offer better conductivity and are more corrosion-resistant, primarily for outdoor recording.

The best protection is given by cables with double shielding or braided shielding. Shielding protects audio signals against electromagnetic interference.

A strong outer jacket will help in protecting the cable from physical damage and limits wear and tear over time.

It is also more advisable to go for a flexible cable, which can easily be handled. Get the correct adaptor, and lastly, go for the length depending on your needs.

Longer cables may be helpful, but lengths beyond a reasonable limit weaken the signal and pick up noise. So choose the minimum length of the cable that would satisfy your requirement to achieve a good quality signal.

Pop Filter

An important implement, that any person optimizing sound when recording a podcast will have, is a pop filter.

This filter serves to reduce or eliminate those so-called "plosive" sounds created by the pronunciation of consonants like "p," "b," and "t."

The pop filter generally comprises one to two layers of thin mesh material, usually nylon or metal, placed between the speaker's mouth and the microphone.

Some are made of foam and fit directly onto the capsule of the microphone.

This also protects the mic from moisture and saliva that might be coming from the speaker, which could deteriorate over time.

By helping to even out those "p" sound peaks at edit, the pop filter makes post-production that much easier for the podcaster, who may not have software that fixes such problems.

How to Choose a Pop Filter

Typically, a pop filter is positioned about 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) from the microphone. This distance allows the filter to catch expelled air before it reaches the mic without affecting the natural sound of your voice.

Desktop Computer / Laptop

The audio you record needs to be saved to a computer. While there are other options, this is the preferred method for most podcasters.

Some podcasters choose to record on iOS or Android mobile devices, though these offer fewer ports and limited editing features.

You can also opt for a stand-alone digital recorder with built-in microphones. However, desktop and laptop computers offer far more functionality and flexibility, and you likely already have one available.

For this reason, we won’t go into further detail on choosing between a desktop or laptop or recommend a brand or model. The choice is yours!

Post-Production Editing Software

Post-production editing software are digital tools that help you edit, enhance, and finalize your audio recordings.

These software programs are essential for creating podcasts (both audio and video), music productions, radio broadcasting, and other audiovisual formats.

Podcast software varies in terms of features, but most include a range of tools for multi-track editing, sound quality enhancement, effects application, and preparing the final audio product for publication.

The idea of adding the cost of editing software to your podcasting budget might seem overwhelming for beginner creators.

However, keep in mind that without this kind of help, keeping the timing right for each episode might be much harder.

These programs allow you to work with multiple audio tracks at once. You can record, import, and edit various audio tracks, such as voices, background music, sound effects, and jingles, managing them separately while playing them together. This is essential for creating dynamic and engaging podcasts.

Editing software also helps you cut unnecessary parts, assemble important sections, remove unwanted noises, and improve sound quality by adding effects like reverb or echo, which you might want to include.

Finally, these tools allow you to export your finished project in various audio formats, suitable for publishing on podcast platforms, social media, or digital distribution.

Some programs even offer built-in options to upload files directly to podcast hosting services—whether manually to one platform or across multiple platforms.

Choose a software that offers a good hosting service, has positive reviews, and fits within your budget.

Post-Production Editing Software with AI Technology

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been integrated into editing software, creating virtual assistants that handle most aspects of podcast post-production.

There are many possibilities, and like AI itself, they are constantly evolving, so much. Therefore, it’s impossible to list all the features of the most popular tools available today.

What we can say for sure is that investing in a good AI-based podcast editing software is not only worth it but is highly recommended for anyone who wants to become a successful podcaster.

An AI software can achieve multiple tasks:

Integrating AI technology into audio editing software not only improves production quality and efficiency but also opens up new creative possibilities for content creators.

This technology is rapidly becoming the standard in the industry, making the editing process more accessible and less time-consuming.

The list of possibilities is endless, and the evolution is so fast that this list of features will be outdated in just a few months.

For this reason, I refer you to the home page of my Favorite AI-Based Software for Podcasting, where you will find all the information you need.

It’s called PodcastAI, and in addition to its ever-evolving features, it also offers an affordable basic plan for beginners and premium plans for businesses or experienced podcasters.

This remarkable tool has transformed the podcasting world by autonomously solving most common podcaster challenges, allowing them to focus more on creativity.

If you haven't picked your favorite AI software yet, give PodcastAI a try. It may be the perfect companion you've been looking for to take your podcasting journey to the next level.

In addition to PodcastAI, here are some of the most commonly used podcasting software tools:

Some of these include AI-based functionalities, while others do not. Your choice will depend on your needs, so pick the one that meets them most comprehensively.

Acoustic Insulation

When choosing acoustic insulation for your podcast studio, you have multiple options, each with different benefits:

Each of these options can be used individually or in combination to create an optimal recording environment for your podcast.

For a balanced approach, many podcasters use a mix of acoustic panels, bass traps, and soundproofing materials.

With this, we’ve covered everything you need to turn your podcast idea into a successful reality. I know this guide has been pretty detailed, but don’t be intimidated!

You can actually start your audio podcast with a minimal budget for decent gear and upgrade over time.

Remember, the market offers second-hand products or older models that, while slightly outdated, are perfectly suitable for a podcasting newbie.

Determine the right investment for your needs and start your research. Otherwise, turn to a trusted store that can recommend a complete package tailored to your podcasting requirements.