What gear do I need
You can start a podcast with what's in your pocket and grow little by little. Here are three tiers of gear, which accessories make a difference and, above all, what to invest in first so you don't waste money.
Before you buy anything
The question “what gear do I need?” has an uncomfortable answer: less than you think. A podcast's sound depends, in this order, on the room, the distance to the microphone, your technique and, last of all, the price of the gear. A modest mic placed well in a furnished room sounds better than an expensive one in a tiled kitchen.
Before spending, answer three questions: how many people will record at once, where (in the same room or remotely) and whether there will be video. The answers decide which tier you need.
Tier 1: start with your phone or a USB mic
For a solo show or remote interviews, you don't need more:
- With your phone: a recording app that saves in WAV, the phone a hand's width from your mouth or, better, a lavalier mic plugged into it. It's all in podcasting on your phone.
- With a USB mic: plug it into the computer and record with free software like Audacity or directly on the interview platform.
Its limit is that it doesn't scale well: recording two people in the same room with two USB mics on one computer causes sync and setup problems. That's what the next tier is for.
Tier 2: an interface and XLR dynamic mics
This is the sweet spot for most home podcasts. A two-input audio interface and two XLR dynamic microphones let you record two people on separate tracks, with good quality and without needing a powerful computer.
Advantages: each part can be swapped separately, you can add a condenser once you treat the room, and you get real control over gain. If there will be three or four of you, look for an interface with more inputs or jump to tier 3.
Tier 3: a multitrack recorder or podcast mixer
When you regularly record several people, phone or remote guests, live music and sound effects, dedicated gear pays off. There are two families:
- Podcast production consoles (along the lines of the Rodecaster): several mic inputs, pads to fire theme music and effects, call connection and each track recorded separately to a card.
- Portable multitrack recorders (along the lines of the Zoom PodTrak or other field recorders): more compact, battery-powered, and they let you record away from home.
Both record each microphone on its own track plus a safety stereo mix. You don't need a computer while recording, which eliminates a lot of failures.
| Tier | Basic gear | People | Ideal for | Rough budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Starter | Phone + lavalier or USB mic | 1 (or remote) | Trying it out, solo shows, remote interviews | Low |
| 2. Mid | Interface + XLR dynamics | 1–2 (more with another interface) | A weekly podcast at home | Medium |
| 3. Studio | Podcast mixer or multitrack recorder + several mics | 2–4 or more | Panel shows, guests, recording on location | Medium-high |
Microphones, interfaces and boom arms last for years without problems and are widely sold second-hand. It's a good way to level up for less. Always check that all the inputs work and that there's no crackling when you move the cables.
The accessories that matter
Some accessories improve the sound more than changing microphones:
| Accessory | What it's for | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Closed-back headphones | Hearing what's really being recorded without sound leaking into the mic | Essential |
| Boom arm or stand | Keeping the mic at the right distance and isolating it from bumps on the desk | High |
| Pop filter or foam windscreen | Stopping the burst of air from p and b sounds | High |
| Shock mount | Stopping bumps and vibrations from reaching the mic | Medium (high for condensers) |
| Good-quality XLR cables | A clean signal, without crackles or hum | Medium |
| Backup cards and drives | Keeping two copies of your recordings | High |
Open-back headphones leak sound, and the microphone picks it up: you'll hear echo or your own voice doubled. For recording, always use closed-back. Wired earbuds also work if you have nothing else.
About cables: you don't need very expensive ones, but they should have good connectors and the right length. A coiled 30-foot cable when you need six feet just adds problems.
What to invest in first
If you're on a tight budget, this is the order that gets the most out of every dollar:
- The room. Blankets, curtains, a rug, or recording in the most furnished room. It costs little or nothing and changes everything.
- A microphone that suits that room. At home, usually a dynamic.
- Closed-back headphones. Without them you don't know what you're recording.
- A boom arm and pop filter. They help you keep the right technique without thinking.
- An interface or recorder when you need more inputs or more control.
Don't
Buy a high-end condenser and record in an empty living room with a tiled floor.
Do
Buy a simple dynamic, put down a rug and a blanket behind you, and speak a hand's width from the mic.
One last idea: don't buy for the podcast you'll have in two years. Buy for the next ten episodes. When you really know what you're missing, your next purchase will be far better judged.
- The room and technique matter more than the price of the gear.
- Tier 1: phone or USB mic; tier 2: interface and XLR dynamics; tier 3: podcast mixer or multitrack recorder.
- Closed-back headphones, a boom arm and a pop filter are the accessories with the most impact.
- Investment order: room, microphone, headphones, accessories, interface.
Your turn: your realistic gear list
Take stock of what you already have and decide what you're missing for your format, in order of priority.
- Note how many people will record, where, and whether there will be video.
- List what you already have: phone, headphones, room, maybe a mic.
- Rank what's missing following this lesson's priorities, and record a test episode before buying anything.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start a podcast?
At a minimum, a phone or a USB microphone, closed-back headphones and a room with furniture or soft furnishings. With that you can record a podcast that sounds good.
Can you make a podcast with just your phone?
Yes. With an app that records in WAV, the phone close to your mouth or a lavalier mic, and a room without echo, the result can be very respectable.
Which is better, an audio interface or a podcast recorder?
An interface is ideal for recording on a computer with one or two people. A multitrack recorder or podcast mixer pays off if several of you record together, with guests or away from home.