Starting a podcast can feel expensive before you’ve recorded a single word. You search for “podcast equipment” and suddenly people are recommending $400 microphones, audio interfaces, mixers, studio headphones, boom arms, acoustic panels, cameras, lights, and enough cables to fill a drawer.
Do you really need all of that?
No.
A beginner podcast setup can actually be pretty simple. If you’re recording a solo show or interviewing guests remotely, you can start with a good microphone, headphones, a computer, recording software, and podcast hosting.
That’s enough to make a real podcast. You can always improve your equipment later.
The important thing is building a starter kit that fits how you plan to record instead of buying equipment because you’ve seen it sitting on the desk of a famous podcaster.
Here’s what I’d put in a practical podcast starter kit.
1. Start With a Good Microphone
Your microphone is the obvious place to begin. You don’t need the most expensive microphone you can afford. You need one that works well in your recording environment.
For most beginners recording at home, a dynamic cardioid microphone is a sensible choice.
Dynamic microphones are commonly used for close-up speech and can be more forgiving in ordinary bedrooms and offices than sensitive condenser microphones.
A few popular beginner choices include the Samson Q2U, Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB, and RØDE PodMic USB.
The Samson Q2U is particularly interesting as a starter microphone because it offers both USB and XLR connections.
That gives you two ways to use it. At first, connect it directly to your computer through USB. Later, if you buy an audio interface or mixer, connect it through XLR.
You don’t have to replace the microphone just because your setup becomes more advanced.
2. USB or XLR?
This is one of the first decisions you’ll encounter. A USB microphone connects directly to your computer. That’s perfect for beginners. Plug it in, select the microphone in your recording software, and start recording.
XLR works differently. An XLR microphone normally connects to an audio interface, mixer, or recorder rather than directly to your computer.
That gives you more flexibility, particularly when you’re recording multiple people in the same room. But it also means buying additional equipment.
If you’re recording alone, I’d keep things simple. USB is fine. If you’re building a four-person podcast studio, XLR makes much more sense.
Hybrid microphones with both USB and XLR give you the best of both worlds.
3. Get a Pair of Headphones
You don’t need incredibly expensive headphones. But you should have headphones. Headphones let you monitor what’s happening while you record.
You might discover that your microphone is picking up a strange buzzing sound. Maybe your guest’s microphone is too quiet.
Perhaps you’re sitting too far from your mic. It’s much better to hear those problems during the recording than discover them during editing.
Closed-back headphones are usually a good choice for podcasting because they reduce the amount of sound escaping from the headphones and getting picked up by your microphone.
Models such as the Sony MDR-7506 and Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are common options.
But don’t let headphones become another reason to delay starting. If you already own a decent pair of wired headphones, try them first.
4. Add a Microphone Stand or Boom Arm
Your microphone needs to sit somewhere. Many beginner microphones include a small desktop stand.
That can get you started. The problem is positioning. Your microphone should normally be reasonably close to your mouth.
If a tiny tripod leaves the microphone sitting near your stomach, you may find yourself leaning over your desk every time you record.
That’s uncomfortable.
A boom arm lets you bring the microphone toward your mouth while keeping your desk relatively clear.
You can also move the microphone away when you’re finished. Don’t automatically buy the cheapest arm you can find.
Some microphones are surprisingly heavy, and a weak boom arm can slowly fall while you’re recording. Check that the arm can comfortably support your microphone’s weight.
5. Use a Pop Filter or Windscreen
Say the word:
“Podcast.”
Notice the little burst of air when you pronounce the P? Those bursts can hit the microphone and create an unpleasant low-frequency popping sound. They’re called plosives.
A pop filter or foam windscreen can help. Some microphones already include a windscreen, so check what’s in the box before buying another one.
Microphone technique helps too. You don’t always need to speak directly into the center of the microphone.
Positioning yourself slightly off-axis can reduce plosives while still keeping your voice clear.
6. Do You Need an Audio Interface?
Not necessarily. If you’re using a USB microphone, you can usually skip the audio interface when you’re getting started.
An audio interface becomes necessary when you’re using traditional XLR microphones with a computer.
The microphone connects to the interface. The interface converts and sends the audio into your computer.
Popular beginner interfaces include products from companies such as Focusrite, PreSonus, Audient, and others.
The number of inputs matters. If you’re recording yourself, one microphone input may be enough.
If you’re recording two people in the same room, you’ll probably want at least two. For four people, you need a setup capable of handling four microphone inputs. Think about your actual recording format before buying anything.
7. You Need Something to Record On
For most people, that’s going to be a computer. You don’t need a brand-new $3,000 laptop just to record a podcast.
A reasonably modern computer can handle basic audio recording and editing. You can use Windows or macOS.
Some creators also record podcasts using tablets, smartphones, or dedicated hardware recorders.
But a laptop or desktop computer is generally the easiest place for a beginner to start because you can record, edit, upload, and manage the podcast from one device. Use what you already own before deciding you need another computer.
8. Choose Recording and Editing Software
Now you need software. There are plenty of options. Audacity is popular because it’s free and available on major desktop operating systems. GarageBand is another beginner-friendly option for people using Apple devices.
More advanced creators may use software such as Adobe Audition, Logic Pro, Reaper, Hindenburg, or other digital audio workstations. You don’t need professional editing software for episode one.
Learn how to do the basics first.
- Record.
- Cut mistakes.
- Move audio.
- Adjust levels.
- Export the finished episode.
You can learn advanced processing later.
9. Remote Recording Software
What if your guest lives in another country? You need remote recording software. Platforms such as Riverside and SquadCast are designed for recording conversations with people in different locations.
One useful feature to look for is local recording. Instead of relying entirely on the internet connection to capture the final audio, the platform records each participant locally and then uploads the higher-quality recording.
That can protect your final episode from some internet glitches. Separate tracks are also useful.
If you and your guest are recorded separately, you have much more control during editing. For remote podcasting, I’d consider separate local tracks an important feature.
10. Podcast Hosting
Recording an MP3 file doesn’t automatically make it a podcast. You need somewhere to host and distribute your episodes.
A podcast hosting service stores your podcast files and provides the RSS feed used to distribute your show.
There are many hosting platforms available, including Buzzsprout, Podbean, Transistor, Captivate, and others.
Different hosts offer different combinations of storage, analytics, monetization, websites, team features, and pricing.
Don’t choose based entirely on which company has the biggest feature list. Think about what you’ll actually use.
For a beginner, ease of use can be more valuable than 100 advanced features you don’t understand yet.
11. Don’t Forget Your Recording Room
Here’s the piece of your podcast starter kit that costs nothing. Your room. A $500 microphone in a terrible room can produce disappointing audio.
A modest microphone in a good room can sound surprisingly professional. Avoid large, empty rooms filled with hard surfaces. They create reflections and echo.
Bedrooms can actually work quite well because beds, curtains, carpets, clothes, and other soft materials absorb sound.
You may discover that improving your environment does more for your podcast than buying another piece of equipment.
Final Thoughts
A podcast starter kit doesn’t need to be complicated. For most beginners, a good microphone, headphones, computer, recording software, microphone stand, and podcast hosting account are enough.
If you’re using a USB microphone, you can skip the audio interface. If you’re recording remotely, add reliable remote recording software.
If you’re recording video, start with a phone or camera you already own before spending thousands on a studio.
And pay attention to your room.
Your recording environment and microphone technique can have a bigger effect on your sound than another expensive piece of equipment.
The best podcast starter kit isn’t the one with the most equipment. It’s the one that makes it easy enough for you to sit down, press Record, and keep making episodes.