Scenario 1 – The Solo Podcaster Setup

In this scenario you are the host and you are recording just you.

Microphone and Mixer Recommendations:

If you are in a quiet area, I like the Audio Technica 2020 microphone. This is a condenser microphone, and it will pick up everything (which is why you need a quiet area). If you have kids, etc (noise from other rooms) you should consider a dynamic microphone such as the Sure SM58. Both microphones are around $99. If you have an endless budget the Heil Pr40 is the holy grail of Dynamic Microphones (It’s also 350 bucks). This is a great microphone but not quiet as sensitive. I recommend using a mixer as it supplies “phantom power” (which you need if you are using the Audio Technica 2020), and it gives the ability to add bass and treble to your voice. Also in the event you ever DO have an extra person in the studio you can add an additional microphone. The Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer is small, but flexible enough to give you everything you need for only 60 bucks.

I order my stuff from Same Day Music as they do not charge tax (unless you live in NJ). If Same Day Music doesn’t have it BSW will (they carry everything).

You will need headphones. For me I don’t think you need “super headphones.” You just need something to hear yourself. These Audio Technica Headphones will do the trick for a little over 30 bucks. I plug mine into my computer headphone jacks. Some people prefer to plug the headphones into the mixer.

To plug your mixer into your computer I use a Dual RCA Cable to 1/8″ cable and plug it from the Tape Out of the mixer to the Line In of the computer. You will need a mic cord to plug the microphone into the mixer. If its just you and a desk, you might get away with a 5 foot cord, or if needed a 10 foot cord.

You need microphone stand. You can get a little desktop stand, but many times these are not flexible enough (and you end up hurting your back leaning over all the time. I originally used what’s called a “boom stand” but the base of this stands is very wide and got in my way. I eventually put out the money for a Studio Boom Mic. Which has a spring that allows you to pull out the microphone stand.

Probably one of the most important pieces of equipment is the “pop filter” which stops you from having words like BoB, and Peanut Butter bust your listeners ears. These run you around $25

Microphone – $99
Mic Stand – $20
Mic Cable – $9
Mixer – $60
RCA Cable – $9
Pop Filter – $25
Headphones – $30

Total $252 for “Hardware”

Scenario 2 – Host and CoHost(s) Podcaster Setup

In this scenario you and you cohosts are all in the same room. If you are in a quiet area, I like the Audio Technica 2020 microphone. This is a condenser microphone, and it will pick up everything. If you have kids, etc noise from other rooms you should consider a dynamic microphone such as the Sure SM58. If you are not going to have more than 2 feet separating people you might want to go with the Sure SM58 to stop your microphone from picking up other people. This is a great microphone but not quiet as sensitive. I recommend using a mixer as it supplies “phantom power” (which you need if you are using the Audio Technica 2020), and it gives the ability to add bass and treble to your voice. Also in the event you ever DO have an extra person in the studio you can add an additional microphone. The Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer is small, but flexible enough if you only have two people to give you everything you need for only 60 bucks. If you have more 3-4 people you will need the Behringer XENYX 1202 Mixer which has four microphone inputs.

So everyone can hear everyone, you will need a headphone amplifier ($30). Also when it comes to purchasing headphones, as you need more than one, I would use BSW as they have deals on multiple headphones (click on the headphones link on the left hand side).

To plug you mixer into your computer I use a Dual RCA Cable to 1/8″ cable and plug it from the Tape Out of the mixer to the Line In of the computer.

You need microphone stands. You can get a little desktop stand, but many times these are not flexible enough. I originally used what’s called a “boom stand” but the base of this stands can be a pain with many people in a small room. I eventually put out the money for a Studio Boom Mic. Which has a spring that allows you to pull out the microphone stand. Search Studio Mic Boom at BSW

Start up Cost of Two Person Podcast

Microphone – $198
Mic Stand – $40
Mic Cable – $18
Mixer – $60
RCA Cable – $9
Pop Filter – $50
Headphone Amplifier – $30
Headphones  – $60

Total $465

Podcasting Software

Many podcasters use Audacity to record their podcast. Its available on both the Mac and PC. It’s Free You can do some basic editing, and there are some podcasters that only use Audacity. I prefer Mixcraft by Acoustica (download a free trial). Another fine (stable) choice for the PC is Sony Acid Lite (free). For years I used Mixcraft from Acoustica ($67 – probably my favorite in the “under $100 category) or Sony Acid ($59). If you’re doing more of a “live” show where you want to have sound effects and music cued up to play when you press a button you might check out Pod Producer (PC Only)

For editing out “Ums and ya knows” and adjusting audio levels etc. I use Sony Sound Forge ($70). There is “Wav Pad” software for free.

Podcast Hosting

For your website I HIGHLY recommend WordPress (free). This will create your website and your RSS feed. You need a host for your website. For that I highly recommend Host Gator. When you call you actually get a person. That will run you anywhere from $5 – $9 a month. With Host Gator you can install WordPress in a few clicks.

You will also need a place to host your media (audio of video files). I’ve used Libsyn ($15/Month) for years as I love their affordability and statistics (All in one place – so convenient). I also use blubrry.com for one of my sites ($12 with good stats). I tried using Amazon S3 for a podcast. While it was cheaper at first, it ended up costing me more in the long run and I no longer tell people to try Amazon S3. 

iTunes Tags

While there are plugins for wordpress that will add these “iTunes only” tags, I prefer to use Feedburner.

Audio Plugin

While I originally used Podpress, I quit when the developer left the project to die. I then switched to Powerpress as it was simple and did everything that I wanted Podpress to do (and not complicate things with a bunch of things you don’t need). They have since added bunch of things (I feel) you don’t need. So if you are doing an audio only podcast, I would use the plugin called “Audio Player” by one pixle out. (Look for it in the WordPress Plugin Directory).

Video Plugin

Again, I love PowerPress.

Selling Your Podcast

There are some plugins that will turn your site into a membership site. There are some tools that allow you to sell downloads. There is only one service that does it all: Premiumcast is a great service. Another great service (that I use) to create a premium version of your podcast (and member site) is Digital Access Pass. While not as robust as premiumcast, it does a lot (without the monthly fee).

Portable Recorder (optional)

First of all you don’t need a portable recorder, but there are people who now record a podcast on their way to work, or if they travel to get interviews and such. Also, some times recording into the computer is not a great choice (fan noise from the computer, poor sound cards in the computer create “so-so” recordings).  This is a toss up. I love both the Zoom H2 and the Zoom H4. The Zoom H2 allows you to record from a line input. The H4 allows you to plug to external microphones. Both are great buys. The H2 is around $180 and the H4 is around $269. They just came out with a new H4n which has a few more options and goes for about $350.

Putting All the Pieces Together

Now this may sound like a lot of pieces parts. If you need help putting all this together the School of Podcasting will walk you through the whole process and have you podcasting to the world in no time. Sign up today

What Do I Use?

I get this question all the time.

Microphone: I use to use a Sure SM58. I now use an EV RE320 microphone.
Mixer: Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer
Stand: Studio Boom Mic 
Software: Adobe Audition
Hardware: DBX 286 Preamp