As a content creator, podcasts are a great way to reach your audience through a medium that is very personal and unique. Allowing your audience to tie your voice to your message will help create a stronger connection to your brand. Let’s face it, some people just like listening to content rather than reading it, so why not give them the ability to connect to you in a new way
Although there are ton of podcasts being published every day, it is still a relatively underdeveloped market especially compared to regular written blogs. This is partly because the technical and financial hurdle to start podcasting is a little higher than blogging.
But hear me out.
Setting up a high quality podcast recording system can be done for under $300. Trust me, I just went through process of testing out a ton of different gear and was able set up my recording workstation for $250.
Here is the gear that I use in my current setup and why chose it.
DAW Software: Audacity (Free) – DAW stands for digital audio workstation. It’s essentially the tool you need to record and edit your audio. There are many options out there, but Audacity seems to be a top choice amongst many audiophiles. It also happens to be free and is available to both Window and Mac users.
Mic: Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone ($99) – I previously owned the Rode NT-USB Cardioid Condenser Mic and decided to switch to the Shure SM58 for one particular reason. The Shure is a dynamic mic, so it is less sensitive to ambient/background noise, which the Rode was giving me issues with. I heard so many great things about the Shure SM58 so I decided to test it out and loved the sounds that were being produced from it.
Pop Filter: Auphonix 6-Inch Diameter Microphone Pop Filter ($10) – A pop filter will help reduce excessive plosives from words that begin with Bs and Ps and is must for any podcaster.
Foam Windscreen: Shure Foam Windscreen ($6) – A foam windscreen covers a mic and helps to reduce sound distortions caused by wind and other changes in air pressure.
Boom Arm: Pyle Adjustable Microphone Boom Arm Stand ($23) – I just picked up a cheap, well reviewed boom arm that fit my recording station.
USB Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface ($100) – When I owned the Rode NT-USB mic I didn’t need an audio interface since I could just plug the mic directly into my computer. Since my new Shure SM58 has an XLR connection, I need an audio interface that can act as the bridge between my mic and my computer.
XLR Cable: LyxPro Quad Series 6 ft Balanced XLR Cable ($12)
TOTAL: $250
There you have it. I was able to purchase all the tools I needed for my podcasting setup for $250. You could certainly get cheaper gear to record your podcasts, but through my tests, I believe I have found the gear that offers an excellent balance between price and quality. I will always have the opportunity to upgrade my components as I am become more experienced and successful with podcasting.