Recorders and microphones<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen starting a podcast, It\u2019s probably best to think first about a microphone and audio recorder. As we did in our recent article on finding the right gear for becoming a YouTuber<\/a>, let\u2019s start with audio recorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/artlist.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Podcast-Collection-SP-1300x730-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuite a few different audio recorders exist, a few of which feature really good onboard microphones. The Zoom<\/em> H4 and H6 series recorders stand out in this category. Tascam<\/em> also makes several good audio recorders with built-in microphones with the DR series\u2014specifically, the DR-40X and DR-100 MKIII series. The benefit of the mic-equipped recorders is that they are handheld and therefore highly mobile.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese and most other quality audio recorders will allow you to plug external microphones into them. But what sort of microphone is best for podcasting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is that there is no perfect answer. If you\u2019re doing an in-person interview, the Zoom<\/em> and Tascam<\/em> recorder mics will work just fine. Another option is to fix a lavalier microphone<\/a> to your interview subject\u2019s shirt, a technique that has been used by professionals for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you don\u2019t want to use a recorder\u2019s onboard microphone or a lav mic, consider getting a directional microphone. With this type of mic, you can set up on a stand and aim it at your subject\u2019s mouth. For convenience, you could get a microphone that allows you to plug into your laptop via USB, but it\u2019s always good to have an option for an XLR analog output, the standard for microphone recording. Audio-Technica<\/em> makes a great mic, the ATR2100-USB, which comes with both USB and XLR plug options.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAll of the examples above will allow you to be highly mobile, easily bringing your recording gear anywhere the story takes you. But, if you want to record directly into your laptop, for instance, you will need an audio interface that can record interviews directly into audio editing software, which we will discuss in more detail in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Audio interfaces and editing software<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAn audio interface is a piece of hardware that converts audio from a microphone (or instrument) into a digital signal that can then be recorded and edited as a waveform in audio editing software. Focusrite<\/em> makes several great and inexpensive audio interfaces, like the Scarlett 2i2 (two inputs\/outputs) and 4i4 (four inputs\/outputs), which will also be good for music recording a score for your own podcast. Universal Audio<\/em>\u2019s Apollo Twin USB\u2014with its 4 XLR inputs\u2014is another great option. Ultimately, you will need at least 2 inputs to record a conversation; but, having three or more XLR inputs will allow you to record more than one interview subject at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat type of audio editing software should you consider? If you have a Mac, consider Garageband<\/em>. It comes free in all Mac computers and gives you basic audio editing features. Another option is Audacity<\/em>, which is also free\u2014not just for Mac but for Windows as well. If you have a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, then you can use Adobe Audition<\/em>. Other options are Apple Logic<\/em> (Garage Band\u2019s big brother) or Pro Tools<\/em>, which can be expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/artlist.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/podcast-1300x727-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAudio software will allow you to mix your interview, as well as add music and sound effects (more on this below). But, in the future, if you want hardware with knobs and sliders for mixing, consider investing in a hardware mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Music and sound design<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEarly on in your podcasting production, it might be best to just keep things simple. So, whatever your format is (interview, third-person storytelling, etc.), you might want to use music as your non-conversational sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could, for instance, use a piece of music as your podcast\u2019s theme, which could play during the intro and outro sections; but, you could also have other musical cues that play for short periods of time during the podcast itself. These musical cues could stay the same from episode to episode or change every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we\u2019ve discussed in our article on royalty-free versus non-copyrighted music<\/a>, there are several ways of licensing music. There are a number of different platforms that streamline this process for creatives. Artlist, for instance, has a subscription-based music catalog that users can download to use in their podcast or on their YouTube channel. To make things easier for you, we have curated a special collection of music that will elevate any podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen you feel more confident with your podcast production and editing skills, you might think about using\u00a0sound effects<\/a>. The easier option would be to go to a\u00a0royalty-free sound effects<\/a>\u00a0platform, like Artlist. The DIY option would be to make your own Foley sound effects<\/a>\u00a0(like footsteps or a key unlocking a door), which would involve you recording various materials to simulate certain sounds that you want in your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther accessories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuite a few different audio recorders exist, a few of which feature really good onboard microphones. The Zoom<\/em> H4 and H6 series recorders stand out in this category. Tascam<\/em> also makes several good audio recorders with built-in microphones with the DR series\u2014specifically, the DR-40X and DR-100 MKIII series. The benefit of the mic-equipped recorders is that they are handheld and therefore highly mobile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These and most other quality audio recorders will allow you to plug external microphones into them. But what sort of microphone is best for podcasting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The truth is that there is no perfect answer. If you\u2019re doing an in-person interview, the Zoom<\/em> and Tascam<\/em> recorder mics will work just fine. Another option is to fix a lavalier microphone<\/a> to your interview subject\u2019s shirt, a technique that has been used by professionals for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t want to use a recorder\u2019s onboard microphone or a lav mic, consider getting a directional microphone. With this type of mic, you can set up on a stand and aim it at your subject\u2019s mouth. For convenience, you could get a microphone that allows you to plug into your laptop via USB, but it\u2019s always good to have an option for an XLR analog output, the standard for microphone recording. Audio-Technica<\/em> makes a great mic, the ATR2100-USB, which comes with both USB and XLR plug options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the examples above will allow you to be highly mobile, easily bringing your recording gear anywhere the story takes you. But, if you want to record directly into your laptop, for instance, you will need an audio interface that can record interviews directly into audio editing software, which we will discuss in more detail in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An audio interface is a piece of hardware that converts audio from a microphone (or instrument) into a digital signal that can then be recorded and edited as a waveform in audio editing software. Focusrite<\/em> makes several great and inexpensive audio interfaces, like the Scarlett 2i2 (two inputs\/outputs) and 4i4 (four inputs\/outputs), which will also be good for music recording a score for your own podcast. Universal Audio<\/em>\u2019s Apollo Twin USB\u2014with its 4 XLR inputs\u2014is another great option. Ultimately, you will need at least 2 inputs to record a conversation; but, having three or more XLR inputs will allow you to record more than one interview subject at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What type of audio editing software should you consider? If you have a Mac, consider Garageband<\/em>. It comes free in all Mac computers and gives you basic audio editing features. Another option is Audacity<\/em>, which is also free\u2014not just for Mac but for Windows as well. If you have a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, then you can use Adobe Audition<\/em>. Other options are Apple Logic<\/em> (Garage Band\u2019s big brother) or Pro Tools<\/em>, which can be expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Audio software will allow you to mix your interview, as well as add music and sound effects (more on this below). But, in the future, if you want hardware with knobs and sliders for mixing, consider investing in a hardware mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Early on in your podcasting production, it might be best to just keep things simple. So, whatever your format is (interview, third-person storytelling, etc.), you might want to use music as your non-conversational sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could, for instance, use a piece of music as your podcast\u2019s theme, which could play during the intro and outro sections; but, you could also have other musical cues that play for short periods of time during the podcast itself. These musical cues could stay the same from episode to episode or change every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we\u2019ve discussed in our article on royalty-free versus non-copyrighted music<\/a>, there are several ways of licensing music. There are a number of different platforms that streamline this process for creatives. Artlist, for instance, has a subscription-based music catalog that users can download to use in their podcast or on their YouTube channel. To make things easier for you, we have curated a special collection of music that will elevate any podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you feel more confident with your podcast production and editing skills, you might think about using\u00a0sound effects<\/a>. The easier option would be to go to a\u00a0royalty-free sound effects<\/a>\u00a0platform, like Artlist. The DIY option would be to make your own Foley sound effects<\/a>\u00a0(like footsteps or a key unlocking a door), which would involve you recording various materials to simulate certain sounds that you want in your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAudio interfaces and editing software<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMusic and sound design<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other accessories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/artlist.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/convertkit-waxDxYM2XI4-unsplash-1300x867-1.jpg\")