If you want a rich full-bodied sounding podcast without breaking the bank, listen up!
I’m going to share with all of the non-technical types out there what a low-cost podcasting setup looks like.
This podcasting equipment is perfect if you’re on a tight budget (or if you wanna try out hosting a show and see if you like it).
I’m a believer in investing in quality and dependable equipment. Not only will you discover some of the microphones and tools that you can grab today, but also I’ll be linking you to equipment that stand the test of time.
After all, there’s no point in buying a microphone if it’s gonna fall apart of stop working after the first few months. Right?
Let’s get into an equipment package that’s gonna be a good fit for your needs and your budget!
1. The Blue Yeti USB Microphone
This is the go-to microphone for beginning podcasters and YouTubers that wanna add voice overs to their channel.
The reason that SO MANY people love this microphone is that it delivers a lot of the features that beginners want, like:
- USB compatibility (Mac and PC compatible)
- Gain control knob, mute button, and zero-latency headphone output.
- Multiple pattern selection – cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo
- Robust, firm, but sleek design
If you want to conduct your podcast episodes via Skype or do any kind of work with audio editing tools like Garageband, then the USB compatibility is a no brainer.
In addition, it can be really annoying to hunt down the control on your computer for things like the gain or volume of the microphone. You can quickly and easily configure all of that on the Blue Yeti itself.
If you’re in the middle of an interview and you want to increase the output volume, it’s very easy to do. The same goes for muting your sound. No more hunting around on Skype or other apps for the mute button.
You have all of the controls that you need right in front of you. They are clearly labeled, making it easy for anyone to use them (even if you don’t have much audio experience).
Lastly, unlike other microphones, the Blue Yeti comes with multiple pattern selections. This means that you can basically control from which direction the sound enters the microphone.
There are a few different modes you can choose from including:
Cardioid Mode: Good for podcasts, streaming, vocals, voice overs, etc. The mic will record the sound directly in front of it.
Stereo Mode: Good for acoustic guitar and choir. The mic captures a wide sound.
Omnidirectional Mode: Capture sound from all angles. Great for multi-person podcasts, live performances, and conferences.
Bidirectional Mode: Records sound only coming form the front and rear of the mic, meaning it’s the ideal choice for two-person interviews.
One of my favorite parts about the Blue Yeti is how it has a simple headphone jack so you can hear your own voice when you’re speaking. This gives me some sense of how I’ll sound on the podcast.
This way, you won’t end up recording yourself for 30 minutes or an hour and find out that something was wrong with the gain, or that you should have spoken closer to the microphone.
You’ll be able to fix any recording mishaps quickly and get back to conducting the show. If you’re lazy, like me, then I’m sure you’ll like that (haha).
While you don’t need it, I would also recommend picking up an effective pop filter and some comfortable headphones that work better than your traditional ear buds.
There is a great package on Amazon (which I’ll share below) that includes the mic and these other accessories.
Haha – and before you ask, YES the pop filter does make a noticeable difference in the quality of your sound. I have a tendency to push air out of my lips too much, which comes across as a “blowing” sound on the mic. The same goes for when my lips touch together for sounds like “B” and “P.”
The pop filter eliminates all of that, giving you crystal clear audio. Can’t recommend it enough. It’s a pretty cheap investment anyways. If you’d like to check out other mics, I have a list here.
2. Adjustable Boom Microphone Clip
The Bluet Yeti comes with a pretty sturdy stand. If your table is too short and you need to lean down to talk into the microphone, you can always prop it up with some books.
However, I know that some of you aren’t about that life. That’s why I wanna hook you up with an affordable adjustable boom microphone clip that works well with this mic. It’s a nice compliment and makes your setup a heck of a lot more professional.
Do you feel me? This InnoGear Suspension Clip is gonna transform your hosting experience because it gets the mic out of the way while you’re doing a podcast. You can talk hands-free.
The foldable arm lets you position the microphone wherever you want for the best sound. Whether you’re broadcasting from a home office, bedroom, or even a designated studio, you’ll have more control over the audio experience.
Rest assured, this is made out of some heavy-duty material. It’s not gonna dip or sink like some of the other arms out there.
You’re getting a professional setup for a fraction of the cost!
3. Garageband (or Audacity)
The next thing that you need is a way to edit your rich-sounding audio files. The editing process is where you take the raw materials and polish it into a finished diamond.
With all of the programs out there, it’s easy to get confused… especially if it’s your first time editing an audio file. That’s why I’m going to recommend Garageband for anyone who’s a beginner to podcasting.
I absolutely love Garageband because it has an intuitive user interface. It’s easy to drag and drop clips, split up audio tracks, or re-arrange your podcast’s core elements. There are also lots of free helpful tutorials on YouTube if you get stuck at any point in time. This software is also free.
Unfortunately, Garageband will only work if you have a Mac computer. If you have a PC, you’re going to need a different application to edit your audio tracks. Therefore, as an alternative to Garageband, I recommend looking into Audacity.
As you can see, the user interface isn’t as pretty, but from a technical standpoint, it’s a very robust application. Audacity is a free, open source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing on both Mac and Windows.
Sometimes, I will use Audacity to do more technically-inclined things, like noise removal. I’ve also used it in the past to get the audio right for my various audio books. Now, I just outsource that type of work.
Either of these applications are a good place to get started with audio editing for your podcast. They are both free, so you won’t be cutting into your budget.
4. Skype and Ecamm Call Recorder
From all of the methods that I’ve tried, this is the easiest way to record show conversations with guests around the world. You simply combine Skype with the ecamm call recorder application and BOOM! You got yourself the perfect setup.
With the Call Recorder for Skype, you can record either audio or video calls with the click of a button. If you want to, you can even split the track after the call into two separate audio files.
After you record the show, you can then convert the conversation into an MP3 or other file type so that you can upload it to your preferred podcast hosting company or to YouTube.
Unfortunately, the Call Recorder is only available for Mac computer. Whomp whomp. Instead, you have to use one of these other applications to record your audio from Skype. Easy breezy.
Some of us have had really bad experiences with Skype’s connectivity. If that’s you and you’re wary of using Skype for your podcast interviews, you could instead look into:
- Zencastr (see my review here)
- Cast
- Zoom
Personally, I use Skype to record my interviews and I’ve done over 200 on my show.
5. Fiverr
It might sound silly, but yes, I am recommending Fiverr as a super low cost way to get a show logo or introduction for your podcast. I still use the intro that I bought on Fiverr and I’m very happy with it.
Inaction is what keeps us from achieving our dreams. If you’ve been putting off launching your podcast because you don’t have the right show thumbnail or introduction, then stop deliberating and act!
For $5 – $25 you can get everything that you need. You can also approve the quality of the audio or the look of the visuals. This is a super easy way to get started.
6. Libsyn Podcast Hosting
There are tons of podcast hosting websites that you can choose from. Libsyn has been a dependable and reliable host for my show. I’ve found their various features and analytics to be helpful.
This hosting won’t break the bank. You can literally get started for $5 per month if you’d like. As your show grows, you can expand to the $15 or $20 per month tiers. These also offer more functionality, like enhanced analytics.
You need a host for your podcast. You don’t want to host these media files on your own website and figure out all of that technical jargon. With a hosting provider, you’ll get an RSS feed to submit to iTunes and a database of all of your episodes.
7. Start a Blog for Your Podcast
This is the smartest decision that you can make in the early days of your show. With a blog, you’ll attract free traffic from social media posts and search engines, leading to more show listeners.
Along with increasing your show’s listenership, a blog will also serve as a home base where your listeners can go to get show notes, check out your products, and get in contact with you, the host.
Having a blog or website dramatically increases the professional quality of your podcast, making advertisers and sponsors more likely to work with you. If you want to make money from the podcast, then you’re gonna need this.
I have a step-by-step article that will walk you through how to start a blog easily and cheaply. In no time, you’ll have your site up and running. For less than $2.95 per month, you’ll make it so that anyone online can discover you, your work, and what you have to offer.
What Else Do You Need?
That’s it when it comes to the equipment for your podcast! Go and grab all of those and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
A lot of these things are pretty low cost when you compare them to other gear in the industry. You could easily waste thousands and thousands on podcasting equipment if you wanted to. I want to spare you from that.
The funny thing is… most podcasters have this equipment.
At some point, everyone is gonna have a good microphone. We’re all gonna have good sounding audio. Am I right?
If you could just “buy success,” then the rich dudes would be the one who have the top podcasts. But, it’s not the case.
What matters far more than the type of microphone you use is the MARKETING STRATEGY behind getting listeners and show downloads.
This is what will make the difference between obscurity and popularity. Between being a nobody and being a somebody. I don’t want to be the person to tell you that, but sometimes we all need a bit of tough love.
To address this problem, I’ve put together a comprehensive book that will walk you through how to market, grow, and monetize your podcast. It’s called Podcasting for Beginners and it’s available on Amazon. I put it together with your show in mind.
I want to help you, and this is the best way that I’ve come up with as to how to do that. I’m giving you the same strategy that I used to grow a show from 0 to more than 150,000 listeners. Hope it helps!
