Podcast Gear You Must Take Your Present from Good to Nice in 2022

Need to begin podcasting, however really feel intimidated by the podcast gear you’ll want? Don’t be! Skilled-sounding podcast gear is extra accessible than ever. 

With 26% of adults listening to podcasts weekly, the manufacturing high quality of your present is essential. To be able to construct a profitable podcast, you want the best instruments and companies at your disposal.

Let’s evaluation the highest podcast instruments and companies to make your manufacturing extra environment friendly {and professional}.

Beneath, we’ll break down the instruments and companies into 4 classes: podcast recording gear, podcast recording software program, podcast modifying software program, and podcast internet hosting websites.

Podcast Gear

To take your podcast present from good to nice this yr, it is advisable have the best gear.

1. USB or XLR Microphone

The very first thing it is advisable document your podcast is a microphone. The 2 hottest choices are USB microphones and XLR microphones. 

USB microphones can join on to your laptop through a USB cable. They’re straightforward to make use of and require minimal setup. 

In the event you’re seeking to have a bit extra management over your audio, you may go for an XLR microphone and cable for larger sound high quality. A preferred podcasting microphone that permits for each USB and XLR connection is the Audiotechnica ATR2100 microphone.

The RODE PodMic is a cheap XLR microphone that offers studio-quality sound.

2. Audio Interface

For many who choose to make use of an XLR connection, you’ll want an audio mixer to attach your microphone to your laptop. Not solely does a mixer or audio interface join on to your laptop, however it additionally provides you extra flexibility when it comes to quantity management and modifying.

A easy audio mixer is the Focusrite Scarlette 2i2 which connects XLR microphones to your laptop through a USB-C cable. This mixer provides easy quantity management for as much as two microphones.

For extra studio controls, you may go for the RODECaster which may join as much as 4 microphones, has eight programmable settings, and has Bluetooth functionality so you may interview company through phone. 

3. Windscreen or Pop Filter

As soon as you choose your microphone, be sure to get a corresponding windscreen or pop filter to reduce popping sounds and document higher-quality audio that wants much less modifying to sound nice.

4. Studio-High quality Headphones

Headphones are a should for podcasters, particularly those that document interviews remotely. Sporting headphones whereas recording means that you can hear how the recorded audio will sound in real-time so you can also make changes as wanted to have the very best high quality recording.

In the event you document digital interviews in your laptop, you’ll wish to be sure that each you and your company use headphones to keep away from having the mic decide up any sound which will come out of your laptop’s speaker inflicting an disagreeable echo.

5. Adjustable Microphone Arm Stand

Upon getting a microphone, headphones, and audio interface, you may wish to contemplate getting a microphone arm stand. A microphone stand will make it simpler so that you can document your podcast, so you are not chained to your desk or have to take a seat in an ungainly place.

Most microphones will include an adapter that’ll join with any microphone arm stand. Before you purchase a brand new stand, be sure to have that adapter.

Podcast Recording Software program

Now that you’ve all of the gear to make your podcast the most effective it may be, you may must be sure to’re utilizing the best recording software program.

6. Skype

Worth: Free

With Skype, you may document video and audio proper in this system. Once you’re on a name, you may click on the three dots on the underside proper after which hit “Begin Recording.”

Skype is a superb possibility for podcasters as a result of it is free and straightforward to make use of. There are additionally different choices, in order for you higher audio high quality. As an illustration, you may obtain recording software program in your laptop or purchase an exterior digital recorder.

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7. Zoom

Worth: Free+

Zoom is one other glorious free possibility (for calls as much as 40 minutes lengthy). You may simply document proper in this system, by clicking the “Document” button and selecting the place you want to avoid wasting your audio file.

Skype and Zoom are pretty related choices, nonetheless, the recording information differ. Skype provides you with a mono file, which suggests each your and your interviewee’s aspect of the dialog is on one audio monitor. Nevertheless, Zoom splits either side of the decision, supplying you with two separate audio tracks. That is useful on the subject of slicing and modifying in post-production.

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8. Ringr

Worth: $8/month+

Ringr is a long-distance podcasting and broadcast interview recording program. Though this selection is not free, it has glorious sound high quality. In the event you’re targeted on bringing higher-quality sound to your interviews, Ringr is an efficient selection.

Moreover, they’ve three completely different plans you may select from. With the essential plan, you may get a mono audio file, and limitless calls and storage. In the event you resolve to go together with the premium or enterprise plan, you may get a split-track audio file, plus higher sound high quality and the choice to make use of convention calling.

9. Squadcast

Worth: $5/hour or $20/month+

Squadcast is an easy-to-use podcast recording software program. When you enroll, all you must do is about up a gathering, click on “Document,” and also you’re set.

One distinctive ingredient of this software program is you can pay by the hour, when you do not suppose you want a month-to-month plan. Even with the hourly plan, you may host as much as three company and can obtain a high-quality WAV or MP3 file.

Moreover, Squadcast plans so as to add video recording and transcription, which can assist together with your present notes and posting your podcast to YouTube.

One of many prime causes to make use of a podcast recording software program like Squadcast, versus Skype or Zoom, is that you will have a library of all of your recordings in a single place, on-line, the place you may entry them at any time, anywhere.

10. Riverside

Worth: Free+

In the event you’re searching for multimedia recording, Riverside may very well be an excellent match for you.

This device provides native recording of audio and video with as much as 4K video high quality. One of the notable options is “Clips” which creates AI-generated video and audio clips of your recording that may be simply custom-made and shared on social media. 

Extra options embrace transcriptions, sharable hyperlinks for company, producer mode and controls, dwell streaming, one-click scheduling, and display screen share recording.

11. Professional Instruments

Worth: $30/yr+

In the event you’re prepared to maneuver past the newbie recording software program above, Professional Instruments is a wonderful possibility.

Professional Instruments is a sophisticated recording and modifying software program. You may document, edit, and blend quite a few audio tracks. Nevertheless, that is for the extra superior audio recorders/editors. The person interface (UI) is not as intuitive for novices and could seem overwhelming at first.

Though, as a result of it is superior, it additionally provides rather more sturdy options. For instance, since Professional Instruments is understood within the music trade, it has digital instrumentation accessible, which might be useful in creating the music to place in your podcast. Moreover, it provides plugins, collaboration, and hands-on audio mixing.

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12. Reaper

Worth: $60 one time cost+

Reaper is one other superior recording, modifying, and mixing software program. One of these program offers higher-quality recordings and extra capabilities on the subject of modifying and mixing.

The UI is not as intuitive as packages like Zoom or Squadcast, however it provides higher-quality sound. Along with your audio interface and microphone connected, you may document straight into this system, with as many audio tracks as you want.

The recording characteristic is extra sturdy, providing simultaneous recording inputs, a dozen audio codecs, and recording tracks.

Moreover, it additionally has sturdy modifying capabilities as effectively.

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13. Logic Professional

Worth: $200 one time cost+

Logic Professional is the superior model of Storage Band for Mac customers. It is a higher-quality recording program providing an easy-to-use UI.

Recording is so simple as establishing your microphone and USB audio interface and urgent document.

Logic Professional provides as much as 1,000 audio tracks, software program instrument tracks, and a whole lot of plugins to finish any venture.

Moreover, it has superior modifying capabilities.

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14. Whereby

Worth: $10/month+

Whereby is another choice for recording distant interviews. It is glorious for novices and is straightforward to make use of.

Though there’s a free plan, recording is just accessible within the Professional or Marketing strategy. Recording is as straightforward as hitting the “Document” button, when you’re on a name. This can document each video and audio, so it is simple to submit to YouTube in order for you.

Whereas that is a simple possibility, it is not the very best high quality recording.

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15. Zencastr

Worth: Free+

Zencastr is an internet browser-based recording software program that provides dwell sound modifying, automated postproduction, and automated cloud backup of recordings. 

The app just lately launched a beta HD video recording characteristic and likewise has built-in chat and footnote options that make sharing info with company and producers a breeze.

Podcast Modifying Software program

When you document your podcast, it is time to edit it. As you have learn above, many software program consists of each recording and modifying capabilities. Beneath are some instruments recognized for modifying, slightly than recording.

16. Adobe Audition

Worth: $20/month+

Adobe Audition is a wonderful mid-level audio modifying software program. You may create, document, combine, edit, and restore audio content material.

It provides high-quality sound, plus complete instruments to ship polished sound. For instance, Adobe Audition comes with a podcast template, which helps you arrange a multi-track recording so you may combine and edit completely different audio tracks and voices. Plus, you may work in each waveform and multi-track editors, for extra well-rounded modifying.

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17. Audacity

Worth: Free

Audacity is a wonderful free possibility for modifying your podcast. It is particularly straightforward when you plan to make use of just one take, with few cuts. The UI is straightforward to make use of and beginner-friendly. Nevertheless, if you must make numerous cuts or transfer audio round, it is somewhat harder due to the simplicity of this system.

This feature is nice for novices due to the straightforward reduce, copy, and paste performance. It is not the very best high quality sound, however it will get the job executed.

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18. Storage Band

Worth: Free

Storage Band is a free modifying software program that’s accessible on and comes with most Mac computer systems.

It is largely used as a newbie modifying program, however is able to mixing as much as 255 audio tracks. It comes with primary modifying options together with quantity ranges, reduce, copy, and paste. You should utilize plugins to complete off your monitor and use audio results akin to compression.

Moreover, it encompasses a sound library with results you can embrace in your podcast.

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19. Descript

Worth: Free+

In the event you can edit a Google Doc, you may edit a podcast. That’s the premise of Descript, a text-based audio, and video modifying device.

To make use of Descript, add your file to the device to get an AI-generated transcription. You may then evaluation the transcription to make adjustments in real-time. Descript additionally has a characteristic that makes use of an AI-created model of your voice, so you may add phrases to your audio just by typing. 

Descript is extremely straightforward to make use of for brand spanking new podcasters and those that don’t have audio modifying expertise.

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Podcast Internet hosting Websites/Providers

Now that you have purchased your gear, recorded, and modifying your podcast, you might be questioning what’s subsequent? After you have produced your podcast, it is time to discover the best internet hosting website and repair to publish it on.

20. BuzzSprout

Worth: Free+

BuzzSprout is a wonderful internet hosting possibility, as a result of it will get your podcast listed in all the highest podcast directories together with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

Moreover, it provides superior metrics, so you may monitor the progress of your podcast. You may see statistics about your listeners, whole performs over time, and the place folks hearken to your podcast. Plus, you may transcribe your podcast in BuzzSprout.

With paid plans, you may have limitless storage and episodes hosted indefinitely.

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21. Libsyn

Worth: $5/month+

Libsyn is a internet hosting service that may get your podcast printed in your viewers’s favourite apps and platforms.

A singular characteristic is its monetization choices. For instance, it provides premium content material subscriptions and opt-in promoting. These choices hold you in management and help you customise your monetization.

You may even have entry to detailed viewers statistics, so you can too see what’s working and what is not.

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22. Anchor

Worth: Free

Anchor, owned by Spotify, is an easy-to-use platform that means that you can create, publish, and monetize in a single place. 

One standout characteristic of Anchor is its sturdy analytics system. Powered by Spotify, podcasts hosted on Anchor have entry to highly effective metrics permitting you to see precisely what the listening habits of your viewers seems like. This stage of element will help you tailor your content material towards what your viewers likes to listen to. 

Anchor additionally provides monetization choices akin to host-read advertisements, paid subscriptions, and dynamically inserted advert spots.

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How you can Set Up a Podcast Studio

Upon getting your gear, recording and modifying software program, and internet hosting companies, it is time to determine the place you are going to document your podcast.

You may wish to arrange a podcast studio. This may be as primary as having the best gear in any room or as superior as making a devoted house for recording.

To arrange a podcast studio, observe these steps:

Step 1: Purchase the gear — Earlier than you will get your studio arrange, you want the gear. You may want a microphone, microphone arm, headphones, audio interface, desks, and chairs. You may additionally wish to contemplate shopping for multiple of this stuff, in case you resolve to deliver folks in for interviews.

Step 2: Arrange room for sound conditioning — To be able to obtain the most effective sound, contemplate shopping for soundproof foam wall panels to connect to the partitions. This can cease the sound from bouncing off the partitions. Moreover, you should purchase pop filters for the microphones to cut back popping sounds.

Step 3: Arrange lighting and cameras — Many podcasters select to movie their podcasts to allow them to submit to YouTube or different social media. If you wish to do that, you may must arrange lighting and cameras.

Anybody can begin a podcast. That is why you need your podcast to face out among the many relaxation. To take your podcast from good to nice, be sure to buy the best gear, software program, and studio setup.