Podcast FAQ

what you need for a podcast

by Kip Schulist Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Essential Equipment You Need to Start a Podcast

  • Headphones. It’s always important to use headphones when recording a podcast. ...
  • Mixer. If you choose to move away from recording directly into your computer or you have decided that you think using a sound desk would be better for your podcast ...
  • Shock Mount. ...
  • Pop Filter. ...

A Complete List of Podcast Equipment for Beginners
  1. A computer.
  2. An XLR or USB microphone.
  3. Mixer.
  4. Pop filter or windscreen.
  5. Headphones.
  6. Microphone stand.
  7. Acoustic treatments.
  8. Recording and editing software.
May 24, 2022

Full Answer

How many people do you need to start a podcast?

How to Start a Podcast: Every Single Step for 2021

  1. What's Your Podcast For? So firstly, why do you want to make a podcast? ...
  2. Who is Your Podcast For? So first day, get the big question in: Who are you making this podcast for? ...
  3. Give Them a Reason to Listen Whether you're providing information that will help someone to lose weight (in the case of our personal trainer), or doing a really entertaining ...

More items...

What do you need to know about starting a podcast?

Step #7: Prepare and make a recording

  • Preparing a plan. The first thing that you need to do is to figure out a plan for your content. ...
  • Creating an episode script. Podcasters often do not agree on the process of writing a script for a podcast. ...
  • Recording equipment. To record a high-quality podcast, you require the best podcast recording equipment. ...
  • Recording and editing software. ...
  • Getting music. ...

What do you need to produce a professional podcast?

Podcast Equipment: What Do I Need, & Why Do I Need It?

  • Types of Podcast Equipment (And Why You Might Need Them) Let's run through the various pieces of equipment commonly used to record a podcast, then. ...
  • The Microphone. ...
  • The Recorder. ...
  • Interfaces & Mixers. ...
  • Headphones. ...
  • Production & Publishing. ...
  • Summary: Podcast Equipment. ...

How much should it cost to produce a podcast?

They should be able to help with everything from concept, to branding, to production, and promotion. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000+ for an episode depending on the type of podcast you are producing (interview-based, narrative or story-driven, or a mixture of the two).

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What equipment do you need to have a podcast?

For a conventional podcast, you need at a minimum a microphone, headphones, a computer, recording and mixing software, and internet access.

What do you need for a beginner podcast?

The Steps of starting a podcast:Work on podcast name and niche.Get your podcast cover image.Get Podcast intro + outro music.Get Podcasting equipment.Create an environment and process.Record your first podcast.Get Podcast hosting.Upload & publish your first podcast.More items...

Do podcasts earn money?

Sponsorships are the most common way podcasters make money. This is when the podcast promotes the sponsor during the show. You probably hear your favorite shows plug their advertisers a few times in every episode. How much you earn from a sponsor depends on the number of downloads your episodes earn.

Do podcasts cost money?

For podcast listeners, podcasts are a way to enjoy great content from around the world for free. For podcast publishers, podcasts are a great way to reach a wide audience. Apple does not directly provide podcast updates or episodes.

What is the point of a podcast?

The whole point of a podcast is that people listen to it, so give them a reason to click on one of your episodes. Make it clear to people what they will get from listening to your show. If you look on any podcast directory you will see shows with titles like “How To…”, “Five Tips For…” etc.

What is a podcast host?

Media or Podcast hosts are services that store your audio and allow your listeners to listen, download, and subscribe to your podcast. One common misconception when learning how to start a podcast is that you upload your podcast to places like iTunes. This actually isn’t the case.

How many episodes of a season of podcast?

When you start a seasonal podcast, each season will usually have a theme. You might create episodes based on that theme or topic for 6-12 episodes, then have a break. After a month or two, you’ll launch a new season (with another theme/topic) and repeat the process.

Computer

Common sense right? You need a computer to record and upload your .mp3 files. Most people will do just fine with what they have, but if you looking to upgrade I would invest in something that will last you a few years.

Microphones

Don’t use your computer’s built-in microphone. The easiest way to get started is to use a USB microphone. If you have multiple people or you want more flexibility, you will need one or more microphones with an XLR output.

Audio Interface

This is basically the bridge between your microphone and your computer. It converts the analog signal from the mic into a digital signal that the computer can use.

Mixer

Similar the audio interface above, but a mixer gives you more control over levels, inputs, outputs, and more. Also crucial if you plan to regularly have call-in guests so you get set up a mix-minus line for your remote guests.

Headphones

Headphones prevent many mistakes and retakes. It can be weird to hear yourself speaking live at first, but you’ll get used to it. It’s highly recommended you get used to this. You don’t want to record something for an hour only to realize something wasn’t turned on or there was a loud buzz the whole time.

Headphone Amplifier

When you have several hosts, you’ll need a headphone amp so that each of you can have your pair of headphones. Think of it as a headphone splitter and amplifier in one.

Mic Stands

Positioning your microphone properly will greatly improve your posture and sound quality. A decent boom arm or mic stand will allow you to easily move the microphone to a comfortable position – and equally important in my mind, you’ll be able to free up desk space and store the mic within reach, but out the way when you’re not using it.

How to expand your podcast reach?

One of the best ways to extend your podcast’s reach is by listing it on iTunes. If you do this, you’ll want to have a sweet-looking image next to your show’s name -- your cover art. This is the photo that people will see when browsing through shows or listening to yours -- so it does matter.

What cable do you need to connect a mic to a mixer?

If you choose this option, don’t forget to grab an XLR cable to connect the mic to the mixer. 2. Headphones. Your headphones don’t have to be top of the line, but you will want something that’s up to the job.

Do you need a boom for podcasting?

Though they're not strictly necessary when you’re first starting out, a suspension boom to hold the mic for you is necessary if you want to become a podcasting pro. Aside from saving you from arm cramps, a boom is also great for sound quality, as you won’t have to worry about the mic drifting away from you as you speak into it.

Can you tag a podcast?

Most podcast and recording software will allow you to tag your podcasts using ID3 tags, but if not, you can easily do it with an ID3 editor. This will allow you to store important information such as the title, track number and artist in the podcast -- and will allow the album art to appear when people download it.

What is an Alitu podcast?

Alitu is a tool that takes your recording, polishes it up, adds your music, and publishes the episode, all automatically. Learn more about Alitu. Finally, we get to the publishing stage. In order to upload your podcast for the world to hear, you need to sign up to a media host.

Can you use a rode smartlav+ to record podcasts?

The Rode SmartLav+ setup is ideal for on-the-go recording and location interviews.

What Do You Need To Start A Podcast – The Ultimate Guide

Everything you need to know to launch a podcast This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you. There is no denying the meteoric rise of podcasts in the past 12 months. Covid forced us to stay at home and connect online.

Why now is the perfect time to start a podcast

There are over 1.7 million titles available for avid podcast listeners and the hunger for compelling audio does not look like it will slow down anytime soon.

Before you start a podcast you need to consider the following points

Potential podcasters might be tempted to jump feet first. Before you think about investing in expensive equipment and a podcast hosting platform you need to do market research. There are millions of podcasts available across Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other podcast directories.

How to start a podcast

Once you have done your research and are committed to launching a podcast your next step is to plan your first four episodes.

Essential tools for creating a podcast episode

The good news is you do not need to spend a small fortune on podcast equipment. A very basic setup is a USB microphone, computer/laptop, editing software, and podcast hosting platform.

How to record and edit a podcast

Zoom became part of everyday life in 2020 and it’s also a handy tool for podcasters. Zoom recordings create a downloadable MP3 file that can be edited for your episodes. You also have the option of creating two separate tracks if you have a guest, this will be useful if you have an audio editor.

Choosing podcast music

In an average 40min podcast episode you may have 30-45 seconds of music including intro music and outro music. The music industry has strict copyright and usage laws so you will not be able to use your favorite music for your podcast.

How many people listen to podcasts?

Once a fringe platform, podcasts are now surprisingly mainstream. According to Nielsen, six out of 10 people understand what they are, and 112 million Americans -- 40 percent of the nation’s population -- have listened to at least one. Though podcast listeners lean male, it isn’t by much: 56 percent are men, while 44 percent are women.

Can you head off issues before a podcast?

Until you do it, you have no idea what to expect. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t head off issues before you go live . Expect a certain amount of learning as you go, but be ready to explore the technology before fully launching your podcast.

Can you release podcasts publicly?

And if you’ve planned in advance and have great content in the bag, you can simply not release it in lieu of a better one. Before you release your podcasts publicly, try to have several on hand. That way, you get the relief of a buffer zone. Don’t try to start too quickly. You can always ramp up your delivery later.

Can your target personas find your podcast?

Your target personas won’t find your podcast without a little help, so promote it like your life depends on it. I utilized our company’s email list, my personal social channels, and myriad other platforms. In addition, I requested that each guest promote his or her episode.

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