The Final Information [Updated 2023] – Good Passive Revenue

[Full Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. You can read my complete disclosure statement here.]

For those who’re simply beginning out with podcasting, it is tremendous necessary to have the suitable gear. That is why we have put collectively an inventory of 5 implausible gear kits for newcomers. These kits include every little thing you want, like microphones, headphones, and recording software program, to verify your podcast sounds superior.

We consulted our thriving neighborhood of entrepreneurs—a lot of whom have profitable podcasts!—over at SPI Professional for this text.

Whereas numerous podcast gear guides will counsel mics and different gear by value, this information features a bit in a different way. Every of those kits represents a super podcast gear checklist based mostly on a sure persona. Is audio high quality completely paramount to you, or do you should sound good on a finances? Are you on the go loads, or recording out of your workplace? Do you report in individual, with multiple visitor, or do you solely report your podcast over the web?

No matter your “persona,” this text gives you, if not a purchasing checklist, a minimum of place to begin.

Click on a hyperlink under to leap to the equipment that finest describes you.

The Jetsetter
The Audiophile
The Frugal Podcaster
The In-Particular person Host
The YouTuber

Be aware — the value for every equipment was calculated earlier than tax and delivery. Costs are an estimate solely and should have fluctuated since this text was written.

On Blue Yetis (A Resounding “No!”)

I’ve to get one thing out of the way in which earlier than we proceed. Once I polled our SPI Professional neighborhood on their favourite podcasting mics, there was one throughline: undoubtedly not a Blue Yeti.

For those who’re unfamiliar with Blue Yeti microphones, their reputation is comprehensible at first look. At underneath $100, they appear to supply an all-in-one answer, coming with a built-in stand and a horny design (even in flamingo pink).

However the response from our Execs couldn’t be clearer.

The Yeti slamming ranged from phrases like “mine broke in underneath one 12 months” to “I hate them” and “nice promoting finances, low cost value level.” “It’s designed to carry the viewers right into a enjoyable setting,” mentioned one Professional, “which most individuals aren’t in… except you’re in your yard together with your goats and chickens and speaking about farm life.”

The Jetsetter: A Mic Package for Podcasters in Movement

$450

For podcasters on the go, it is necessary to have light-weight, moveable gear that may simply be taken from place to position. Right here’s the perfect equipment:

Mic: The Rode VideoMic NTG is a shotgun mic made for cameras, however at 3.32 ounces, it’s the right microphone for on-the-go podcasting as nicely. You possibly can join it on to your laptop computer or smartphone.

Stand: At 4 oz, the Rode Tripod Mini Stand is the right stand for an on-the-go podcast equipment.

Headphones: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Skilled Studio Monitor Headphones supply nice sound high quality and are additionally foldable, making them simple to pack and tackle the go. As with every of those kits, having a stable pair of studio monitor headphones is crucial so you may get a good suggestion of how your recording will sound in real-time.

Distant Recording Answer: An answer like Squadcast is important for distant podcast recording, and each supply high-quality audio and video recording capabilities. There are some variations between each platforms which can or is probably not negatable relying in your state of affairs (in order for you the sharpest-possible video, solely Riverside can report concurrently in 4k, for instance). Because the variations could be finest coated in a second article, we’ll go away it to you to determine—each are glorious choices at comparable value factors.

With this podcast equipment, you’ll produce high-quality podcasts irrespective of the place you might be.

The Audiophile: A Podcasting Setup for Discerning Ears

$900

For podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality and have a vast finances, listed below are some high-end gear choices we suggest.

Mic: A toss-up between the Shure SM7B and the Heil PR40!

The Shure SM7B is standard for a purpose: it has glorious sound high quality and noise discount design. It’s a cardioid dynamic microphone that captures a heat, pure sound and has a pop filter and shock mount to cut back plosives and isolate the microphone from vibrations. Its efficiency is additional enhanced with a bass roll-off and mid-range increase.

The Heil PR40 can be an excellent selection for audiophile podcasters, that includes a large frequency vary and low self-noise. It additionally has a novel design that helps scale back pops and plosives, making it an excellent selection for podcasters who’re critical about audio high quality. For those who’ve tuned into any of Pat’s dwell streams or The Good Passive Revenue Podcast, that is the mic you’re listening to!

(Be aware that both of those mics would require an XLR cable.)

Mount: The Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Growth Stand permits you good, steady adjustment on your mic. Set your mic up on this stand, plug it in, and by no means look again.

Preamp: The Audient iD4 MKII is a superb option to pair with the Shure SM7B as a result of it gives high-quality preamps and presents phantom energy, which is critical to energy the SM7B. Moreover, the iD4 MKII has a low-latency headphone output, which is crucial for real-time monitoring throughout recording classes.

Headphones: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professional Studio headphones are extensively thought of to be a number of the finest within the trade, providing superior sound high quality and luxury. They’re a traditional choice which were utilized in recording studios for years and are an excellent selection for podcasters who wish to guarantee they’ll hear each element.

Distant Recording Answer: Squadcast. 

With this setup, your podcast will sound nearly as good as something you hear on the radio!

The Frugal Podcaster: A Mic Package for Finances-Acutely aware Podcasters

Below $100

For those who’re seeking to begin a podcast on a finances, there are a variety of nice gear choices accessible. Coming in at underneath $100, this equipment will make your podcast sound nice with minimal gear.

Mic/Stand: The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB — at $79 (as of March, 2023), not a lot beats this mic at this value level. It presents glorious sound high quality and is flexible sufficient to work with each XLR and USB connections, plus it comes with a easy folding stand*. Which means you’ll be able to plug it immediately into your laptop and get right down to enterprise.

Pop Filter: The Aokeo Skilled Microphone Pop Filter — for about $11, it’s a no brainer. A pop filter is used to forestall plosive sounds (equivalent to “p” and “b”) from being picked up by the microphone. And not using a pop filter, these sounds could be picked up as loud, disagreeable bursts of air, which could be distracting and make the recording tougher to hearken to. Don’t skip this piece.

Headphones: No matter you have already got! 😄 You probably have a pair of AirPods or different headphones and, since this can be a finances equipment, we’re not together with a devoted pair of studio headphones.

Distant Recording Answer: For those who’re on a finances and must report company remotely, it’s possible you’ll be tempted to make use of Zoom for distant recordings. We strongly advise in opposition to this although; the subscription value of Squadcast is nicely definitely worth the funding. Belief us, your editor (which might be you) will thanks!

With this setup, you’ll produce high-quality podcasts with out breaking the financial institution.

The In-person Host: A Podcast Package for Eye-to-Eye Magic

$500 – $1600+ (relying on mic choice and variety of company)

For podcasters who report in individual with company, it is necessary to have gear that may seize high-quality audio from a number of sources. In fact, you’ll wish to tailor this package deal to your particular state of affairs, relying on what number of company you normally report with.

Listed here are some gear choices to think about:

Interfaces

Zoom H6 Six-Monitor Moveable Recorder: This recorder is ideal for recording in individual, with its skill to report as much as six tracks concurrently. It additionally has 4 XLR/TRS inputs, making it simple to attach a number of microphones.

If you would like one thing that’s a minimize above the remaining on this division, we undoubtedly suggest the Rodecaster Professional II, which incorporates sound pads, telephone connectivity, and a variety of sound results. It additionally has a big, easy-to-use touchscreen that permits you to management all of its options.

In case your dwell podcast is solely a one-on-one state of affairs, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a implausible choice. It’s an reasonably priced, two-channel audio interface that provides glorious sound high quality and is simple to make use of.

Mics

Any of the mics talked about thus far are nice choices for in-person recording, however right here’s a bit roundup:

Excessive-end: Surely, the Shure SM7B is your choose of selection. A pair (or extra) of those puppies and your in-person recordings will sound about nearly as good as they probably may!

Medium: Shure’s MV7X is one other stable choice. With voice-isolating expertise and an all-metal building, the MV7x is designed with podcasters and vocalists in thoughts. And at lower than half the value of the SM7B, they’re a bit extra budget-friendly too. (Be aware—the MV7 is a barely totally different design, as you’ll be able to join it through USB. Nevertheless, at this value level, we suggest some MV7Xs mixed with a stable preamp or audio interface.)

Finances: Once more our choose is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. With a value level round $80, that is exhausting to beat for finances choices.

Misc. Gear

Monitor Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professional Studio Headphones.

Cables: Pig Hog PHM10 8mm Tour Grade Mic Cable, XLR 10ft – 2-pack. (It’s your decision longer cables relying on the house you’re recording in.)

Clamp-On, Growth Stands: Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Growth Stand

Desktop Stands: InnoGear Desktop Microphone Stand (2-pack)

The YouTuber: An Add-On Package for Video Podcasters

Add $850 to any of the above kits.

YouTube lately introduced that they’re bringing podcasts to their YouTube Music streaming service. With the choice to modify between video and audio-only consumption, numerous podcasters really feel it’s essential to report video with each episode too. That is our suggestion for a video podcasting add-on equipment, the right praise to your mic setup.

Digital camera: The Canon EOS M50 Mark II with 15-45mm lens presents nice autofocus and high-quality video in a single easy package deal.

Stand: The SmallRig Digital camera Desk Mount has an adjustable top of 13-35 inches, permitting the stand to clamp onto nearly any desk.

Lighting: The Elgato Key Gentle Air is a superb lighting choice for YouTube podcasters. It’s a compact and light-weight lighting answer that may be adjusted utilizing the Elgato Management Middle app. It has a built-in diffuser for creating gentle, even lighting, and comes with a desk mount for simple positioning. Plus, it’s moveable.

Distant Recording Answer: Squadcast.

With this setup, your podcast is not going to solely sound nice, however it can additionally look nice in your YouTube channel.

Pod-on!

It doesn’t matter what your podcasting wants are, there may be an gear equipment on the market that’s good for you. By investing in the suitable gear, you’ll be able to make sure that your podcast sounds nice and is pleasing on your listeners. With the assistance of this information, you’ll have the ability to discover the right gear equipment to take your podcast to the subsequent stage. So what are you ready for? Get on the market and begin podcasting!

And if you happen to’re new to podcasting and wish to significantly up your sport, the All-Entry Cross may be your finest transfer. Via community-powered studying, you’ll be able to work alongside different podcasters, get entry to our full course library (together with the wildly standard Energy-Up Podcasting), attend workshops, and far more.