Over half of the UK’s population are listening to podcasts (Statista), so chances are you have probably been recommended one by a friend, a partner or a colleague. Whether you’re interested in football, music, cycling, murder mysteries or even pro audio there is something for everyone. However, if you don’t know what we’re talking about, let us bring you up to speed.
What is a Podcast?
A podcast is a digital audio program comprised of a series of episodes that can be downloaded or streamed from the web, many podcasts are also recorded in video format. Podcasts have boomed in recent years, and it has become one of the leading content choices for businesses, influencers and novices alike. Platforms like Spotify and YouTube host thousands of audio and video podcasts every week, so it is worth ensuring your podcast sound can stand out from the crowd whatever your niche.
How do you start a podcast?
Do you want to start a podcast but do not know where to start? Or is your current set up in need of a refresh and an upgrade. This post will help you get to grips with what you need to get started and what products are best to ensure your podcast sounds as good as it can be.
To start with, you need an interesting and unique idea and name for your podcast. Unfortunately, we don’t sell those at Studiospares, however we can help you with everything else.
What equipment do you need for a podcast?
Podcast gear can be relatively inexpensive for beginners but there a few essentials you will most certainly need even with a basic podcast setup these are headphones, a microphone and stand, XLR Cables, and an audio interface.
Headphones
A good pair of monitor headphones is a must this will help you hear everything you need to hear such as background noise and echoes and will make editing the audio much easier. Another thing to look for when choosing a pair of headphones is ‘Are they comfortable?’ as you will be wearing them long periods of time when editing and recording. Cabled headphones are particularly important as they will send the audio to your ears in real time unlike wireless headphones which often cause a delay.
Microphone
A condenser microphone will need to be attached to a stand with a shock mount as they are sensitive enough to pick up touches and knocks. These microphones often have a cardioid polar pattern which means they will pick up sound that is directly in front of and cut out anything behind it. So, you will also need a pop filter attached to the mic stand or a reflection filter on the mic, this will reduce plosives (the p and b sounds) and reflections that tend to find their way on to your recording whatever you may be talking about.
If you are recording in a noisy, echo-y or less acoustically treated environment like a kitchen or living room, a dynamic microphone would be recommended. They are a lot more directional, pick up less noise, require a lot less power to use and are very easy to set up and start recording. The fact they pick up less noise also means there may be less to edit. They can also handle higher volumes of sound which is great when you have a guest with a loud voice or if you are having a heated debate. Another plus is they often have a built in pop filter, like the SM7B or SM7dB.
A high quality XLR cable is also vital to the quality of the sound, the shorter the cable the less chance of interference and the thicker the cable the less chance there is of rips or breakage. Also, ensure you purchase cables with high quality connecters as it staves off oxidation and helps the cables last longer.
Audio Interface
An audio interface is essential to improve the quality of your audio, its main job is to convert the analogue audio from your microphone into a digital audio. This conversion lets you hear what you’re recording through headphones and allows you to capture and edit the audio on your computer. An audio interface is much better at this job than the standard sound card in your computer, which is why it’s crucial for your setup.
Additionally, audio interfaces give you control over how loud and sensitive each microphone is. This is essential if you have more than one person talking on your podcast. Some models can handle multiple microphones, sometimes up to eight, and you can even expand this using something called ADAT.
If you plan to use a condenser microphone, it needs something called phantom power to operate. The good news is that most if not all modern audio interfaces come with this function as standard.
Our Podcast Gear Picks for 2024
At Studiospares we care about getting you the best gear and helping you every step of the way. Podcasting is no different. Our podcast gear picks will give you a high performance but great value option and a top of the range option for each of the categories mentioned above so you know you are getting the best whatever your budget.
Monitor Headphones
LAH-220 Professional Monitor Headphones by Lambden Audio – £79 inc. VAT
The LAH-220 closed-back, over-ear headphones are crafted to deliver an immersive audio experience, blending high-fidelity sound and a wide frequency response with a comfortable, user-friendly design.
Whether you’re a studio professional, avid listener, podcaster, content creator, or voice-over artist, the LAH-220’s bring your mixes, productions, and recording to life in a way you’ve never heard before. The LAH-220 Professional Monitor Headphones by Lambden Audio deliver precise audio reproduction, accurate monitoring capabilities, and exceptional comfort.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 Ohms) – £123 inc. VAT
A professional pair of headphones is an essential tool in your audio setup. Studio professionals, musicians, avid listeners, gamers, and streamers deserve nothing short of perfect audio performance from their headphones.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Closed-Back Headphones deliver a crisp, articulate sound that has a defined low-end. These lightweight headphones are engineered to deliver a superior sound experience and optimum listening quality in situations where open headphones would be inappropriate. They’re designed for critical music and sound monitoring in an open environment.
Condenser Microphones
Imperative Audio Lucent Multi-Pattern Condenser Mic – £79 inc. VAT 
Every musician and voiceover artist, with a home or professional studio setup, needs a high-quality condenser microphone. The Imperative Audio Lucent is just that.
An all-in-one microphone package that will capture your vocal and instrument recordings in crisp and clear detail. This versatile microphone is perfect for male and female voices, acoustic instruments, piano, guitar amplifiers, and more.
The Imperative Audio Lucent microphone is a perfect choice for those who are looking for an immaculate capture for their next recording session, live session, podcast, voiceover, stream, and more.
Rode NT1 5th Generation Studio Condenser Microphone – £227 inc. VAT 
The NT1 5th Generation expertly combines the warmth and classic sound of the original with the latest microphone advancements, creating the perfect balance of tradition and innovation. It’s no surprise that this microphone has become the go-to choice for countless creators, thanks to its exceptional versatility.
Dynamic Microphones
Shure SM7dB Active Dynamic Microphone – £483 inc. VAT 
The Shure SM7dB Active Dynamic Microphone provides content creators, podcasters, vocalists and audio engineers with the same robust construction and the distinguished sound quality of the SM7B, with the added power of a built-in phantom powered pre-amp that provides an extra +18 or +28 decibels for cleaner gain. This powerful microphone is perfect for noteworthy broadcasting, professional podcasts, or important studio recordings.
RODE Podmic Dynamic Mic for Podcasting – £94 inc. VAT 
The RODE PodMic is a professional broadcast-grade dynamic microphone designed for all podcast and broadcast applications. Podcasters, gamers, streamers, and voiceover artists alike will benefit from its silky, rich, warm tone and high-quality vocal capture.
The PodMic can be used with any XLR interface but is optimised for use with the RodeCaster Pro. With an internal pop filter for minimising plosives, an internal shock mount for reducing vibrations, and a swing mount for easy positioning, the PodMic will take your content to the next level.
Microphone Stands
On Air Broadcast Studio Microphone Arm by Trojan Pro – £63.99 
OnAir Broadcast Studio Microphone Arm by Trojan Pro is perfect for podcasters, broadcasters, and content creators alike.
Whether you’re a podcaster, voiceover artist, radio broadcaster, or streaming content on Twitch or YouTube, this stand is perfect for your setup. This sturdy, fully adjustable, and easy-to-set-up stand is the ideal choice for your dynamic, condenser, and USB microphones.
Pop Filters & Reflection Filters
Pop Audio Pop Filter Studio Set – £89 inc. VAT 
The Studio Set features all three filters, specifically designed for three different environments, all achieving great acoustic transparency. Why settle for one when you can have all three?
You’re probably thinking about how good a pop filter can really be, I’ve already got one, do I really need another? The Pop Audio filter is the perfect counterpart for your microphone, and you will be amazed at what is possible when upgrading your studio with this new accessory. Used in world-class studios far and wide, you may never need to buy another pop filter again.
Studiospares IsoCube Vocal Microphone Isolator – £20 inc. VAT
All vocalists who have had their perfect vocal take ruined by room reflections will know how important it is to record in an acoustic-treated studio, but that isn’t always possible.
The Studiospares IsoCube is a high-quality reflection filter made from acoustic foam, with an integrated pop filter on the front of it. Producing a cost-effective and portable way to reduce room reflections and proximity effects on your vocal recordings.
Spend less time post-processing in the studio, and more time capturing the perfect clean vocal track.
VRF Vocal Reflection Filter by Trojan Pro – £33.60 inc. VAT
The VRF is a microphone filter designed for entry-level users who are looking for an affordable and effective solution to improve the clarity of their vocal recordings. With its simple and straightforward design, the VRF is easy to set up and use, and it can deliver noticeable results even for beginners.
One of the great benefits of the VRF is its lightweight and portable design, which makes it a great option for users who need to move around frequently or record on the go. Despite its compact size, the VRF is still able to provide a significant improvement in sound quality, making it a reliable tool for content creators, musicians, podcasters, and anyone who needs to capture high-quality audio.
Cables
Pro Neutrik XLR Cable All Colours (30cm – 50m) – from £7.99 inc. VAT 
Whether you’re a professional musician, podcaster, or sound engineer, these cables are the perfect choice for any audio application where reliability and sound quality are of utmost importance. Pro Neutrik XLR Leads are manufactured from the finest audio connectors and Sommer Cable which cannot be beaten on performance or durability.
XLR stands for ‘External Line Return’ and can be used to connect microphones and speakers to a source that can control the sound such as a mixer or an audio interface. They are high quality and are balanced cables so produce much less signal noise and attenuation.
Audio Interfaces
RODEcaster Pro II – £648 inc. VAT 
The RODECaster Pro II is the ultimate audio production solution, beginner-friendly yet with everything an experienced professional could wish for. Combining revolutionary features with superior sound quality, unmatched ease of use and endless customizability, it is all any creator will ever need to record incredible audio.
Do you need a DAW?
Unless you are recording from a mixer straight on to a USB stick or SD card, you will need a DAW. A DAW is a digital audio workstation and allows you to record and edit your recording as and when you need to. There is a free option which is very easy to use called Audacity, but if you are looking for more in depth editing it is worth investing in something like Pro Tools, PreSonus Studio One or Logic.
Where should you record your podcast?
If you are recording solely audio, it is best to record in a room with very few windows as the sound can reflect off them and cause reverberation on your recording. If you do choose to record in a room with windows, make sure they are covered with soft material such as curtains as this will help absorb any noise that may make it onto your recording. Also, try to record in a room with as few outward facing walls as possible to avoid any noise from outside being picked up.
However, if you still find noise is being picked up on your recording, we will always recommend acoustic treatment. Acoustic treatment reduces the chance of echoes, standing waves, reverberation and unwanted noise being heard on your recording with strategically placed panels absorbing most of these characteristics. You can learn more about Acoustic Treatment here.
We recommend the StudioPANEL Single Acoustic Panels which come in four different sizes 300 x 300 x 25mm, 600 x 600 x 25mm, 1200 x 300 x 25mm and 1200 x 600 x 25mm and are available in six different colours black, grey, beige, red, blue and purple. Our resident acoustics specialist will advise you on where the panels should be placed, and the wall impalers make them easy to install.
It is relatively inexpensive to start a podcast. A microphone and stand, an XLR cable, an audio interface and a pair of headphones may be all you need. However, to achieve a high-quality clear sound not plagued by the noise around you, we recommend acoustically treating your room so both you and your listeners can have the best possible experience and you can enjoy editing what they hear.
