Podcast Equipment Recommendations

Beginner Tier

If you’re just starting out and doing interviews remotely (from your computer), we recommend a simple USB mic and some free editing software. Of course you’ll need a laptop as well!

1. Microphone: USB Microphone

   • Recommendation: Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB

2. Recording and Editing Software:

   • Descript

   • Riverside.fm

3. Headphones. Use any headphones you have that plug in (not bluetooth!) to your computer. We’d recommend these ones.

Intermediate Tier

If you want to be doing interviews out in the field and away from your computer, we recommend this recorder and microphone setup. The Zoom recorder uses an SD card and can connect to your computer via USB to transfer audio files.

1. Audio Interface:

   • Zoom Recorder

   • Make sure to get an SD card!

2. Microphone:

   • Sennheiser e835 XLR mic

   • Make sure to get an XLR cable!

   • And a windscreen

   • If you want to record multiple people, you might want 2 mics and 2 mic cables. And you may want mic stands.

3. Headphones:

   • Sony MDR-7506 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

4. Software:

   • Continue using Descript or Riverside.fm

   • For advanced audio editing: Audacity or Reaper

Professional Tier

This option is like a high-end version of the Beginner tier, in that it works well for doing virtual interviews from your computer. If you want to do virtual interviews as well as in-the-field stuff, we recommend getting the equipment below as well as the Zoom recorder and microphone from the Intermediate tier.

1. Audio Setup:

   • XLR Microphone into Audio Interface

     • Microphone Recommendation: Shure SM7dB Vocal Dynamic Microphone

     • Interface Recommendation: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface

     • Mic stand

     • XLR cable

2. Headphones:

   • Sony MDR-7506 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

3. Editing Software:

   • Hindenburg Journalist Pro

   • Adobe Audition

4. Alternative: Hire a professional podcast editor

Note: Remember to also consider acoustics in your recording space. At the very least, consider recording in a room with carpeting, or a couch or bed, in order to dampen the room sound.