To start a podcast you would need some equipment such as a microphone, headphones, and editing software and if you are doing video podcasting then you would also need a camera, LED panel lights for good lighting, a camera stand, or a tripod, Here are some of the top picks for you to consider.
What is the best podcast equipment?
The best podcast equipment depends on several factors, including your specific needs and preferences. Remember when choosing podcasting equipment, keep in mind to think about your budget, intended use, and any unique requirement you may have. Here are the 9 best podcasting equipment for 2023.
Canon EOS 80D
Canon EOS 80D from canon is known for its amazing video quality. This camera features a 24.2-megapixel sensor that allows it to capture detailed and sharp video footage, it has an advanced focus system, and the ability to shoot at 1080 pixels at 60 fps, it has a built-in headphone jack that allows you to monitor the audio level while recording, it can also capture timelapse videos without the need for external need and software, the Flipout LED screen of it allows you to capture flexible shooting angle, this camera also allows multiple manual control over video settings, and it has other features like built-in wireless connectivity option which enable easy transfer of videos from devices.
Pros
- Impressive video quality
- Advance autofocus system
- 1080p@60 fps recording
- headphone jack
- Flipout LED screen
Cons
- Limited 4K capabilities
- Large and heavy
- frame drop in certain modes
Sony A6400
The Sony A6400 has a range of features that make sure you record everything in 4k ultra HD, yup you heard it right the Sony A5400 can record in 4k and allows you to produce professional-looking videos with high bitrate XAVC S codec making it ideal for capturing detailed footage, it has advance autofocus capabilities and a 3 inch tintable LCD touchscreen that allows capturing shots from different angles, it can also capture shots in slow motion@120 fps, and other features of Sony A6400 are that it had a microphone input for external audio recording, built-in wireless connectivity allows you to transfer files from devices easily.
Pros
- Video recording in 4K Ultra HD
- High bitrate XAVC S codec (professional-looking videos)
- Advance focus capabilities
- 3-inch tilted LCD touchscreen (easy to capture shots from different angles)
- Microphone input (can connect to an external microphone for improved audio quality)
- Slow motion recording @120 fps
- Smaller and lighter
Cons
- Short battery life
- No in-body image stabilization
- Limited touchscreen functionality (does not have a full touchscreen, some operations will require a physical button)
Panasonic Lumix GH5
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is indeed a highly regarded mirrorless camera specifically designed for videography. It supports 4K ultra HD video recording at 60 fps and advanced features like 10-bit color depth and high-quality internal audio recording, it has a 5-axis IBIS system which reduces camera shakes during recording, this feature is effective when shooting in conditions without a tripod, and it also has a dual card slots and variety of ports for other accessories, it has various slow motion and time-lapse recording option, it also allows you to record in various environment because it is resistant to dust, moisture, and cold temperature.
Pros
- 4K recording @60 fps.
- 10-bit color depth (Wider range of color and greater flexibility)
- The 5-axis IBIS system reduces camera shake
- Dual card slot and a variety of ports
- Can record slow-mo and time-lapse
- Durable (Suitable for shooting various environments)
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Autofocus performance (Slower in tracking fast-moving subjects)
- Short Battery Life compare to other models
- Complex menu system
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti is a popular USB microphone used for recording audio, it is known for its high-quality sound capture and versatility making it a favored choice among podcasters. It connects to your computer via USB, it offers four selectable polar patterns i.e. cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo which allow you to adjust sensitivity and capture sound from different directions. The headphone jack in it allows you to listen to what exactly is being recorded without any delay.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality (Capture sound with clarity and detail)
- Versatility (The four polar pattern offers versatility)
- Easy to setup (Connect directly to your computer without any complicated configuration)
- Stable base
- Gain control dial (allows you to adjust sensitivity in different recording conditions)
- Headphone monitoring (the headphone jack enables zero-latency monitoring)
Cons
- Sensitive to background noise (it captures excellent sound quality but also captures background noise)
- Large and heavy
- Expensive
- USB connection limitation
- Lack of XLR connectivity (cannot be connected directly to equipment that relies on XLR connection)
Audio Technica ATR2100x
The Audio Technica ATR2100x is a versatile dynamic USD/XLR microphone designed for podcasting, voice-over work, and more. It captures high-quality sound with a frequency response of 50hz to 15hz, and the built-in headphone jack allows direct monitoring of your recording, this microphone has a cardioid polar pattern which helps in reducing background noise and captures audio from the front.
Pros
- Versatile connectivity
- Capture clear and detailed audio
- Headphone monitoring (the headphone jack enables zero-latency monitoring)
- Cardioid polar pattern (helps in reducing background noise)
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Limited frequency response (It may not capture extremely low or high frequencies accurately)
- Short USB Cable length (limit the flexibility in positioning the microphone)
- XLR cable is not included in the package.
Elgato Key Light
The Elgato key light is a versatile LED panel light that provides adjustable and professional lighting, you can adjust its brightness through its app and also manually. It also provides adjustable color temperature from warm to cool lighting option, the diffusion panel in it helps spread the light evenly, you can also adjust the height and angle of the light for optimal positioning because it comes with a desk mount that can be securely attached to most surfaces.
Pros
- High-quality lighting
- Adjustable brightness and color temperature
- Easy to use
- Diffusion panel (helps spread the light evenly)
Cons
- Expensive
- Require power source (does not have built-in batteries)
- Lack of color customization (does not provide RGB color customization options)
Audio Technica ATH-M50x
The ATH-M50x is a popular choice among professionals due to its accurate sound reproduction and professional monitoring capabilities. They have a closed-back design which prevents sound leakage, isolates sound, and minimizes external noise. They come with a detachable cable and it has a foldable design making them easy to carry, it also has rotating cups for single-ear monitoring an important feature for studio engineers.
Pros
- Accurate sound reproduction (good for critical listening, recording, and editing tasks)
- Effective sound isolation
- Detachable cables
- Portable (foldable design and rotating ear cups)
- Comfortable (good for extended listening sessions)
Cons
- Sound preferences (more bass or a different tonal balance may lead to a subjective drawback for certain users)
- Sound leakage (while listening to high volume some sounds still be audible to those around you)
- Non-removable earpads
Sony WH-1000XM4
These headphones are known for their exceptional noise cancellation making them popular for both audio monitoring and blocking out external distractions. In addition, it offers excellent sound quality with a balance and detailed sound signature, it is designed to be comfortable for extended periods without causing any discomfort. It has an impressive battery life and the touch control on the ear cups makes it easy to operate, and they also support high-quality Bluetooth codecs ensuring efficient wireless connectivity.
Pros
- Exceptional noise-canceling capabilities
- High-quality sound (balance and detail sound signature)
- Comfortable for longer periods
- Convenient touch control
- high-quality Bluetooth codecs (for reliable and efficient wireless connectivity)
- Long battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky design
- Less portable
- Lack of aptX support (codec for enhanced audio quality)
- Limited water and sweat resistance (not designed for activities involving water or heavy sweating)
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional editing software that provides a timeline-based editing interface that allows users to arrange and edit videos, and track audio and other media element with precision. It offers a comprehensive set of advanced features for editing such as color correction, visual effects, and motion graphics. Premiere Pro is a part of the Adobe creative cloud suite which means it can integrate with other Adobe software. This integration allows a smooth workflow between different Adobe tools.
Pros
- Comprehensive Feature Set
- Seamless integration with adobe creative cloud
- Multi-Platform compatibility (available for both window and macOS)
- Extensive Format Support (supports a wide range of video and audio formats, including raw format)
Cons
- Steep Learning curve (take some time and effort to learn and master the software)
- Requires a powerful computer (decent amount of RAM, a fast processor, and a dedicated graphics card for smooth performance)
- Subscription-based model
