The past several years have seen podcasts rise in popularity as the most powerful form of entertainment and, at the same time, an educational tool. With millions of episodes covering a vast scope of topics, podcasts have been capturing audiences worldwide. For the first time ever, creators can now tap into the booming platform.
If you want to dive into podcasting but need some help picking gear, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will round up the best gear options for podcasters right now who want to put out the best content possible.
Best podcasting microphone
Shure MV7
Strengths
- Dual USB/XLR output
- Built-in voice isolation and headphone monitoring
- App control
Weaknesses
- Price
- Heavy in weight
- XLR cable not included
The Shure MV7 is a popular choice amongst professional podcasters. Boasting a sleek, retro design reminiscent of microphones from the golden age of radio, the MV7 wields both USB and XLR connections, giving you the flexibility to plug-and-play or delve into the intricacies of professional setups.
This microphone comes armed with toolset for capturing audio with breathtaking clarity. Its dynamic design reduces background noise, ensuring that your podcast episodes sound as polished as a freshly waxed vintage Cadillac. Ultimately, the Shure MV7 elevates your vocal prowess to the next level at a reasonable price. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Best podcasting microphone stand
RØDE PSA1+ Pro Studio Boom/Arm
Strengths
- Sturdy, flexible, and durable
- Internal cable management
- Padded clamp to protect mounting surface
Weaknesses
- Size can be a problem in smaller environments
- Tension adjustment takes some getting used to
Made with both style and intuitive design, the RØDE PSA1+ Pro Studio Boom Arm stands out as a top-notch option. Not only is this arm built to last, but it also keeps your microphone and mounting surface safe. It comes with a padded clamp, ensuring no damage to your desk or wherever you’re clamping the arm. As for durability, it’s exceptionally sturdy and maintains its position well. This guarantees your microphone stays put throughout your recording session, preventing vibrations, audio cutouts and accidental bumps.
Plus, the arm supports internal cable management, helping you keep your recording environment organized. Although the arm might be a bit large for some recording spaces, we’d highly recommend it if you have the room and budget.
Best audio recorder for podcasts
Zoom PodTrak P8
Strengths
- Easy to use
- Multitrack recording
- Competitive price for the features
- Can run off AA batteries
Weaknesses
- Addition cost for Bluetooth
- Audible button clicks
- Sound pad has some limitations
The Zoom PodTrak P8 is a powerful, all-in-one solution that comprises a mixer, recorder and audio interface in one compact package. The intuitiveness of the PodTrak P8 provides the podcaster with an easy-to-manage interface. Many of the knobs are color-coded accordingly to help keep management simple.
This recorder’s versatility really shines through in its ability to plug in up to six microphones, which is great for round-table discussions or interviews. You can also customize audio levels, add sound effects and even connect to your computer via USB.
Taking it even further, Zoom offers a free downloadable software called “Zoom PodTrak Control” that allows you to transport controls, faders and effects. If that wasn’t enough, you can use the software to edit and mix your recordings or install firmware updates.
Best headphones for podcasts
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Strengths
- Affordable price
- Good sound isolation
- Durable yet comfortable
Weaknesses
- Non-detachable cable
- Not the best for mixing music
Audio-Technica’s ATH-M20x brings ultimate value for anyone taking sound monitoring seriously. These headphones feature comfortable ear cushions with excellent sound isolation, providing the comfort necessary for long recording or editing sessions.
Also, the ATH-M20x provide a flat and natural sound signature, a strong selling point for those editing audio. They’ve engineered it to cut off surrounding noise, allowing the user to notice even the tiniest abnormalities in their audio. Whether you’re tracking, mixing, or editing, the ATH-M20x delivers the appropriate definition of sound.
Best software for podcast editing
Free option
Audacity
Strengths
- Free and open-source
- Supports a wide range of audio formats
- Offers a comprehensive set of editing tools and effects
Weaknesses
- Interface isn’t the most intuitive or modern
- Limited audio processing features, such as real-time effects
- No direct support for MIDI devices
Audacity has been available for over two decades, and it’s still one of the best audio editing software out there. Being completely free and open-source, Audacity is free for beginners to try out and still offers professionals a comprehensive tool set. It may have a bit of a learning curve for beginners, but since it’s free, there’s no harm in testing it.
Packed with an amazing suite of features, Audacity cuts, splices and mixes your audio tracks, along with noise reduction and equalization to add effects and boost the clarity of audio. Overall, Audacity is a versatile toolbox that is fully capable of making your audio sound professional.
Premium option
Pro Tools
Strengths
- Industry-standard software
- Supports a wide range of plug-ins and hardware interfaces
- Powerful recording, editing, and mixing/mastering capabilities
Weaknesses
- Subscription-based model
- Relatively steep learning curve
- Requires a powerful computer for optimal performance
If you’re looking for a more extensive toolset for editing your audio, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid offering. We recommend Pro Tools. Pro Tools offers professional audio editing at the highest level. With a comprehensive suite of features, Pro Tools supports a wide range of plug-ins and hardware interfaces. It also boasts advanced editing features like non-destructive editing and elastic audio for time and pitch manipulation. Moreover, Pro Tools includes cloud-enabled workflows, allowing multiple people to work on a single project concurrently.
With its full set of features to create the industry’s highest-quality outcomes, Pro Tools is best suited for professionals seeking a complete audio editing toolset. If that’s you, give it a look.
Best podcast hosting service
Buzzsprout
Strengths
- User-friendly interface
- Tracks analytics for listener engagement and demographics
- Includes features for monetization and marketing support
Weaknesses
- Free version is very limited
- Limited customization options for podcast’s appearance on various platforms
Buzzsprout is a reliable, easy-to-use podcast hosting service that acts as a virtual hub for podcasts, making them ready for worldwide release. Buzzsprout allows users to upload episodes to the service. Then, Buzzsprout delivers them to your chosen podcasting platforms. Essentially, Buzzsprout takes on the headache of complex activities like RSS feeds, episode optimization and distribution.
Notable features include a dashboard containing powerful analytics, including listener demographics, episode data and trends. This enables podcasters to develop their content strategy based on audience activity. Furthermore, it provides powerful tools that users can use to make a branded, customizable website.
In addition, it easily integrates with all directories in the podcasting field, such as Apple and Spotify, to make sure your content reaches the most people possible. Better yet, it’s all packaged in a neat, basic view that still includes all the essential podcast features. Buzzsprout is a great tool for podcasters to comfortably manage and grow their audience easily without needing any technical experience.
Get set up and start recording
Quality equipment can take your podcast to the next level. This result leads not only to a better listening experience but also to better engagement. However, no matter what equipment you have, the first step is simply getting started. Be practical. You don’t need to have a $3,000 microphone for your home studio podcast. At the end of the day, the most important aspect is getting to know your equipment and learning how to utilize it to the max. Eventually, it’ll be clear what your preferred workflow is, and you can upgrade accordingly when you’re ready.